The Cruel King

Chapter 10: On His Lap, On His Terms

"Hey... no... I can walk... and... we're in public," Evelyn protested, her voice dropping to a desperate whisper as Hayden effortlessly lifted her into his arms.

Her struggles were useless against his firm hold. She wasn't weak, but compared to him, she may as well have been weightless. He walked with purpose, his strong arms wrapped around her securely as if she were something fragile—something he wouldn't dare let go of.

The worst part? He wasn't struggling. Not even a little. His grip was firm, controlled—like he could hold her forever and never tire. Evelyn squirmed, her hands pushing against his chest, but it was useless. He was unmovable, a force she couldn't fight no matter how hard she tried. His scent surrounded her, intoxicating and suffocating all at once. She hated how easily he could manhandle her, how his grip made her feel so small, so weak.

"Hayden," she tried again, her voice firmer this time. "Put me down."

His smirk was infuriating. "Not happening, sweetheart. You're mine to take care of, whether you like it or not."

Her eyes darted around, her mortification growing. People were staring. Some whispered to each other, their expressions ranging from amused to intrigued. Heat crept up her neck. This was exactly the kind of attention she despised.

"You're making a scene," she muttered through gritted teeth, trying to push at his chest.

"And?" His voice was smooth, unbothered, laced with amusement. "Let them watch."

Her heart pounded, a mix of anger, frustration, and something else—something far more dangerous—swirled in her chest. Her breath hitched, fuel and something dangerously unnameable twisting in her chest. No. Don't react. Don't give him the satisfaction.

"You're insane," she spat, glaring up at him.

He chuckled darkly, his arms tightening around her. "You've told me that before, sweetheart. Doesn't change anything."

A helpless sound of frustration escaped her lips, but Hayden only smirked wider, reaching the car with ease. He opened the door with one hand and, without breaking a sweat, he tossed her inside.

Evelyn let out a sharp gasp. "Hayden, you—"

Before she could finish, He climbed in after her, slamming the door shut, his movements controlled but filled with tension. Then, to her utter disbelief, in one swift movement, he yanked her onto his lap.

Her world tilted.

"What the hell are you doing?!" she shrieked, her hands slamming against his chest, trying to push herself away.

Hayden leaned back, a lazy smirk curving his lips. "Holding what's mine."

The air inside the car thickened.

She was too aware of him—the heat of his body, the way his large hands rested on her thighs, keeping her in place.

"Let me go."

He tilted his head, as if considering it. Then his smirk deepened.

"Say please."

She glared at him, refusing to give him the satisfaction. His lips curled into a smirk, his hands gripping her thighs tighter. Damn him.

His fingers flexed against her legs, his gaze flickering with amusement.

The car started moving, the soft hum of the engine the only sound for a moment. Outside, the city lights blurred past, but inside the car, time seemed to slow, trapping them in a thick, suffocating tension.

Hayden's fingers trailed idle patterns over the fabric of her dress, his touch slow, teasing. Evelyn tried to shift away to get comfortable, but his grip tightened.

"Careful, sweetheart," Hayden murmured, his voice a low warning in her ear.

Her breath hitched.

Oh God.

That's when she felt it.

Him.

Hard. Unyielding. Pressed right against her.

A shiver ran down her spine.

"You keep squirming like that," Hayden murmured, his lips ghosting over her ear, "and I might get the wrong idea."

Evelyn's fingers curled into fists. He's bluffing. He's just messing with you.

She forced herself to scoff. "You're impossible."

Hayden exhaled a soft laugh, his grip tightening. "And you're adorable when you try to resist me."

The words sent a strange flutter through her chest. No. No, no, no. Do not fall for this, Evelyn.

And then—

The car jerked to a sudden stop.

Evelyn was thrown forward, but before she could react, Hayden caught her, his arms a solid cage around her.

Her heart pounded as her gaze flicked outside.

Traffic.

The baffled blaring of horns filled the air, red brake lights glowing like angry eyes in the dark.

Hayden let out a low growl, his fingers tightening against her hips in frustration.

A very interesting frustration.

Evelyn swallowed. Her brain told her to behave. To not poke the beast when he was already on edge.

But her body?

It had other plans.

So, she shifted on his lap. Just slightly. Just enough.

Hayden's entire body went rigid.

His fingers dug into her thighs.

His jaw clenched.

"Evelyn," he warned, his voice dark, low—dangerous.

She tilted her head, bit her lip, feigning innocence. "What? I'm just getting comfortable."

He exhaled sharply, his head dropping to her shoulder.

"You're playing with fire, sweetheart," he murmured against her skin, his lips brushing over the sensitive spot beneath her ear.

She fought the shiver threatening to give her away. "I don't know what you're talking about."

His hand slid up her thigh. "Oh, you know exactly what you're doing."

The traffic refused to move. Hayden cursed under his breath, his patience thinning.

So, she leaned closer, lips brushing against his ear.

His hand shot up, gripping her jaw, forcing her to look at him.

"Keep testing me, sweetheart. See what happens when we get home."

The breath caught in her throat. The promise in his tone sent a shiver through her, but she only gave him a teasing smirk.

"Poor Hayden," Evelyn whispered, her lips barely grazing his ear. A taunt, a temptation, a slow, deliberate knife twisting into his restraint. "So tense. So... frustrated." Hayden exhaled sharply. His hands curled into fists, the muscles in his forearms flexing.

She didn't break eye contact as she shifted, raising herself just enough to straddle him. The slit of her dress fell open, baring the smooth length of her left leg against his thigh—right where she knew he'd feel it most

Hayden exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. His hands curled into fists, flexing against the leather seat as if anchoring himself. Every muscle in his body tensed, coiled like a predator barely holding back from lunging.

Evelyn smirked. Maybe he deserved a little torment.

Hayden's grip on the steering wheel was lethal, his knuckles turning white as his veins pulsed with restrained fury. With a sharp jerk, he started the car, the roar of the engine cutting through the heavy silence. The car lurched forward, weaving through the traffic, but he never once looked at the road. His gaze was locked onto her, burning, dangerous, as if daring her to keep pushing.

Evelyn sat on his lap, her delicate frame pressed against his solid chest, her pulse steady—infuriatingly steady. A ghost of a smirk still played at her lips, taunting him, daring him.

Then, in a single, fluid motion, she slipped out of his grasp, hopping onto the passenger seat as if she hadn't just been toying with a predator.

Hayden's jaw locked. His muscles coiled tight as another frustrated growl rumbled in his throat. his frustration palpable, suffocating. His fingers flexed before he slammed the gas, the car surging forward with a sharp jolt.

She was testing him. Pushing him.

And god, she was good at it.

His fingers flexed against the wheel, resisting the overwhelming urge to reach for her, to drag her right back onto his lap where she belonged.

But he didn't. The drive home was silent. But it wasn't a peaceful silence—it was charged, heavy with unsaid words, unspoken tension. Hayden's grip on the wheel was tight, his knuckles white. Every now and then, his eyes flicked to her, burning with something feral.

By the time they reached his estate, the air between them was electric, charged like a live wire, ready to snap at the slightest spark.

And Hayden?

He was the fire waiting to consume her.

When they finally pulled up to the house, he cut the engine, but neither of them moved. The air was thick, suffocating.

Then, he spoke.

"Let's get inside." His voice was gruff, raw with something she didn't want to name.

Evelyn hesitated.

Hayden's jaw clenched. "Sweetheart, I suggest you get out of that seat now, unless you want me to come over there and drag you out myself."

Her breath hitched.

The darkness in his voice sent a shiver down her spine, and she knew he meant every word.

Slowly, she reached for the door handle, her movements cautious, careful. When she stepped out, the cold night air wrapped around her, but it wasn't nearly as suffocating as the heat coming off him in waves.

She could feel his eyes on her, tracking her every movement.

He was losing patience.

"Finally," he muttered. Then, in a low, primal growl—"Get inside. Now."

She hesitated, standing still for just a second too long.

His eyes darkened, his control slipping.

In the blink of an eye, he was in front of her, his body pressing her back against the car, caging her in.

"Sweetheart," he whispered, his breath hot against her ear. "You're testing me. And we both know how that ends."

Evelyn swallowed, her throat dry.

"You can't hide from me," he murmured, his fingers brushing over her arm, barely touching, yet igniting something deep inside her. "I can feel your heart racing. I can see you trembling."

Her body betrayed her.

Before she could react, he bent down and lifted her over his shoulder, carrying her effortlessly up the steps.

"Hayden—!"

She didn't fight.

She didn't resist.

And he noticed.

A wicked smirk tugged at his lips as he pushed the front door open and carried her inside. The moment they were inside, he kicked the door shut and set her down, his eyes locked on her like a predator eyeing its prey.

She swallowed hard and stepped forward. The moment they reached his room, Hayden shut the door.

The air crackled with tension.

A predator locking its prey inside its den.

she turned to face him—big mistake. His eyes were dark, filled with hunger. His body coiled with restrained power, like a predator ready to pounce.

His eyes.

Dark. Hungry.

Like a man who had been starved for too long.

And then, his voice echoed—low, commanding.

"Now," he growled. "Strip."

Her breath hitched.

Her fingers trembled as she reached for the strap of her dress, letting it slide off her shoulder. The fabric pooled at her feet, leaving her in nothing but delicate lace.

Hayden's jaw clenched. his eyes devouring her.

"Look at me, sweetheart." His fingers tilted her chin up. "I want to see your eyes."

She met his gaze, her own filled with uncertainty, with something deeper—something she refused to name.

A slow, dangerous smirk stretched across his lips. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to see you like this."

His hands moved to her bare shoulders, tracing the soft skin, before pulling her against him.

"God, you're beautiful," he murmured, his fingers tracing her bare skin.

Evelyn's heart was racing, she did the only reckless thing she could think of—she pushed him down onto the bed.

A flicker of surprise crossed his face before amusement took over.

"You're quite feisty, aren't you, sweetheart?" he murmured, his voice thick with amusement and something darker. "I'm liking it."

She straddled his lap, her hands grasping his face, her touch hesitant yet firm. The feeling of her so close, her scent filling his lungs, was driving him insane.

"Sweetheart," he whispered, his fingers tightening around her hips. "You're testing my restraint."

"Shhh." She pressed a finger against his lips, silencing him.

His eyes darkened.

Then, she kissed him—soft, barely there, a mere tease against his lips.

It wasn't enough.

With a low growl, he claimed her mouth, his kiss fierce, consuming, desperate. His hands roamed her body, exploring, memorizing, kissing her neck. He pulled her against him, claiming her mouth again in a hungry, possessive kiss. His hands roamed her body, gripping, exploring, claiming.

"You drive me insane, Eve," he murmured against her neck. "You're like a drug I can't resist." his hands roamed over her bare legs.

"Sweetheart," he murmured against her lips, his breath ragged. "You have no idea what you do to me."

"But I have every idea what I'm doing, Hayden."

Something inside him snapped.

With a rough growl, he gripped the back of her head and deepened the kiss, his teeth nipping at her lower lip, drawing a gasp from her.

Evelyn moaned into his mouth, her body melting against his, and that sound—God, that sound—sent a dark satisfaction through him.

"You feel it, don't you?" he whispered, his voice hoarse, desperate. "How badly I want you."

"Yes, baby," she breathed, her head falling back.

He groaned, gripping her hips tighter, pulling her against him.

"Goddamn it, sweetheart," he growled. "You're making it so difficult to hold back."

She moaned, gripping his shoulders, pressing herself against him.

Hayden's restraint snapped.

With a low, guttural growl, he lifted her and pinned her against the wall. His mouth found hers again, rough, urgent, devouring her whole.

"You like this, don't you?" he whispered against her lips. "When I take control. When I make you mine."

She shivered, her breath uneven.

"You're holding on by a thread, sweetheart," he murmured, his fingers trailing down her body. "You're going to break for me, aren't you?"

She bit his shoulder, frustration and pleasure consuming her.

With a smirk, Hayden carried her to the bed and laid her down, trapping her beneath him.

"You're mine now, sweetheart," he whispered, his voice raw. "And I'm going to show you just how much."

Evelyn closed her eyes, gasping when his fingers slipped inside her.

"You want this, Eve, right?!" he asked breathlessly, knowing that just her 'yes' would be enough to break the last thread of his restraint.

"You're mine," he growled. "And I'm going to make sure you never forget it."

She whimpered as he nipped at her collarbone, his hands gripping her thighs, spreading her legs around him.

"Keep your eyes closed, sweetheart," he commanded. "I want you to feel everything."

She moaned. The sound only fueled his hunger.

His lips traveled lower, his touch turning rougher. His fingers teased, tormented.

Her body trembled.

She bit his shoulder in response, the sensation sending him over the edge.

And in that moment, with the air thick between them—nothing else existed.

Just him.

Just her.

Just the storm they were about to drown in.