Deep Consuming Addiction

Chapter 90

✨Don’t Play With Me✨

Elena Vale

Elena was halfway through her second conversation when she saw it.

Noticed it.

Felt it.

A woman.

Tall. Confident. Beautiful in that effortless, practiced way.

Standing a little too close to Ari.

Laughing a little too easily.

Her hand brushed his arm.

Once.

Then again.

Elena’s voice didn’t falter.

Didn’t break.

Didn’t even pause.

But inside—

Something shifted.

Ari hadn’t moved.

That was the first thing she noticed.

He wasn’t stepping back.

Wasn’t shutting it down immediately.

He was listening.

Calm.

Composed.

Letting it happen.

The woman leaned in slightly.

Said something that made her smile widen.

Her fingers slid lightly along his sleeve this time.

Intentional.

Not subtle.

Elena’s jaw tightened just slightly.

Still—

She didn’t move.

Didn’t interrupt.

Didn’t claim.

Because she couldn’t.

Not here.

But her eyes—

Her eyes found his.

And held.

Ari felt it instantly.

Of course he did.

His gaze shifted from the woman in front of him—

To Elena.

Across the room.

Locked in.

Unapologetic.

The woman kept talking.

Didn’t notice the shift.

Didn’t realize she had already lost his attention.

Because he wasn’t hearing her anymore.

He was watching Elena.

Watching the way she held herself still.

Too still.

The way her fingers tightened slightly around the glass in her hand.

The way her expression stayed perfectly composed—

But her eyes gave her away.

Ari turned back to the woman.

Said something polite.

Dismissive.

Final.

Then he moved.

Straight toward Elena.

He didn’t stop when he reached her.

Didn’t hesitate.

His hand came to her waist immediately.

Firm.

Possessive.

Different from before.

Elena’s breath caught—

Just slightly.

“Enjoying yourself?” he asked calmly.

Her eyes flicked up to his.

Cool.

Controlled.

“You seemed to be.”

A pause.

A dangerous one.

Ari’s thumb pressed lightly into her side.

“Jealous?”

Her lips parted.

Then closed.

“I don’t do that,” she said evenly.

A smirk touched his mouth.

“Liar.”

Her eyes flashed.

“You didn’t stop her.”

“I wanted to see something.”

Her brows pulled together slightly.

“See what?”

He leaned in closer.

Close enough that anyone watching might think he was just speaking quietly—

But it felt like more.

“I wanted to see if you’d come get me.”

Her breath hitched.

Just for a second.

“I’m not one of your possessions to claim in public,” she said, low.

His grip on her waist tightened just slightly.

“And I’m not a man who lets other women think they have a chance.”

Her pulse jumped.

“Then why let her?” she challenged.

Ari’s gaze held hers.

Dark.

Intent.

“Because you were watching.”

Silence.

Thick.

Charged.

“You’re playing a dangerous game,” she whispered.

His lips brushed just near her ear—not a kiss, not quite.

“Only if you lose control.”

Her breath caught again.

“You think I will?”

“I think you’re already close.”

Elena stepped back slightly.

Not far.

Just enough to breathe.

To think.

To regain control.

But Ari followed.

Not touching this time.

Just close enough to remind her—

He could.

Anytime.

“Don’t do that again,” she said quietly.

“Do what?”

She met his eyes.

“Test me.”

A small pause.

Then—

Ari’s expression softened just slightly.

But his voice?

Still steady.

Still sure.

“You passed.”

Her heart betrayed her again.

Because part of her—

Didn’t know whether to be angry…

Or affected.

"Control Doesn’t Look Like This”

Elena didn’t wait this time.

The moment she felt his eyes on her again—felt that calm, knowing look like he had all the control—

She moved.

Fast.

Her fingers wrapped around his wrist, firm, unyielding.

“Ari.”

Not loud.

But sharp enough.

He didn’t resist.

Didn’t even question it.

Just let her pull him.

Through the crowd.

Past conversations.

Past watching eyes—

Because there were eyes now.

People noticed power.

And right now—

They noticed them.

She didn’t stop until they reached a quiet hallway just off the main floor.

The noise faded.

The air shifted.

And then she let go.

But only barely.

Her hand still lingered at his wrist, like she hadn’t fully decided whether to push him away… or pull him closer.

“What was that?” she demanded.

Her voice was low.

Controlled.

But her eyes—

They burned.

Ari leaned back slightly against the wall, watching her.

Calm.

Too calm.

“You tell me,” he said.

Her jaw tightened.

“You stood there,” she said, stepping closer, “and let her touch you like that.”

“I handled it.”

“After,” she snapped.

A pause.

Then quieter—

“But you let it happen.”

That was the real issue.

Not the woman.

Not the flirting.

The fact that he hadn’t shut it down immediately.

Ari pushed off the wall then.

Closed the distance.

Now they were too close again.

Always too close.

“You didn’t like it,” he said.

Not a question.

A statement.

Elena held his gaze.

“I didn’t like that you didn’t stop it.”

His head tilted slightly.

“You didn’t answer me.”

Her breath caught.

“I don’t need to.”

“You do if you dragged me out here like this.”

Her chest rose sharply.

“Fine,” she said.

A beat.

Then—

“I didn’t like it.”

There it was.

Raw.

Unfiltered.

Not polished.

Not controlled.

Ari’s expression shifted.

Just slightly.

But she saw it.

“Say it properly,” he murmured.

Her eyes flashed.

“I don’t—”

“Say it.”

His voice dropped.

Not louder.

But heavier.

Elena stepped closer.

Close enough that her breath brushed his lips.

“I didn’t like another woman touching you,” she said, low and steady, even as her heart pounded. “I didn’t like the way she looked at you. And I didn’t like that you stood there and let her think she could.”

Silence.

Thick.

Electric.

Ari exhaled slowly.

His hand came to her waist again.

Not gentle this time.

Not subtle.

“Good,” he said.

Her brows pulled together.

“Good?”

“Yes.”

His grip tightened slightly.

“Because I didn’t like the way you stood across the room acting like you didn’t belong to me either.”

Her breath hitched.

“This again—”

“Yes,” he cut in. “This again.”

For a second—

They just stood there.

Both breathing harder than they should be.

Both too aware.

Too close to something neither of them fully controlled.

Then—

A voice.

“Well… this looks private.”

Elena froze.

Ari didn’t move.

They turned.

Mr. Hargrove.

Standing at the end of the hallway.

Watching.

Not surprised.

Interested.

Too interested.

Elena stepped back immediately.

Space.

Distance.

Control snapping back into place like armor.

“Mr. Hargrove,” she said smoothly, like her pulse wasn’t racing. “Just needed a moment.”

His eyes flicked between them.

Taking in everything.

The proximity.

The tension.

The energy still thick in the air.

“Clearly,” he said mildly.

Ari stepped forward slightly.

Positioning himself just enough—

Not obvious.

But protective.

“Is there a problem?” he asked calmly.

Hargrove smiled.

“No. Just… curious.”

His gaze lingered on Elena.

“You seem very… comfortable with each other.”

Elena’s spine straightened.

Professional.

Untouchable.

“We were discussing a matter,” she replied.

“Of course you were.”

But he didn’t sound convinced.

A beat passed.

Too long.

Too quiet.

Too dangerous.

Then Hargrove gave a small nod.

“I’ll leave you to it.”

But the look he gave them before turning away?

Said everything.

He noticed.

And he wasn’t going to forget.

The moment he disappeared—

Elena exhaled sharply.

“This is exactly what I meant,” she said, turning back to Ari.

“He saw too much.”

Ari didn’t look concerned.

“If he saw anything,” he said calmly, “it’s because you couldn’t keep your hands off me.”

Her eyes widened slightly.

“You’re unbelievable.”

“And you dragged me into a hallway,” he countered.

Her lips parted—

Then closed.

Because he wasn’t wrong.

Ari stepped closer again.

Slower this time.

Intentional.

“You lost control,” he said quietly.

Her breath hitched.

“Don’t—”

“I told you you would.”

She shook her head slightly, but there was no real denial left.

Because she had.

Just a little.

Just enough.

“And you liked it,” he added.

Her chest tightened.

Dangerous territory.

Elena looked up at him.

Really looked.

And for the first time—

She didn’t hide it.

“…maybe,” she admitted softly.

Ari’s jaw flexed.

That was all it took for his lips to come down on hers.

Later.

The music shifted.

It wasn’t abrupt—just a slow transition. The lively hum of conversation softened as the band eased into something smoother, something slower. A low melody filled the hall, warm and inviting.

The master of ceremonies stepped forward, smiling.

“Ladies and gentlemen, if you’d join us on the dance floor…”

A gentle ripple moved through the room.

Chairs slid back. Glasses were set aside. Conversations faded into softer murmurs as couples began drifting toward the center.

Elena remained where she was for a moment.

Still.

Observing.

Maya leaned slightly into her side. “Don’t even think about hiding here.”

“I’m not hiding.”

“You are absolutely hiding.”

Before Elena could respond—

“Elena.”

She turned.

Ross stood in front of her, already offering his hand.

“Dance with me.”

She blinked once.

“I don’t—”

“Come on,” he cut in lightly, smiling. “It’s a company event. You can’t just stand on the sidelines.”

“I really don’t—”

“One dance,” he insisted.

She glanced briefly toward the side of the room.

Ari.

He stood beside Matteo, both of them slightly removed from the crowd. Matteo’s posture was relaxed, one hand in his pocket, drink in the other.

Ari wasn’t holding anything.

His attention—

Was fixed.

On her.

Elena looked away quickly.

Ross was still holding out his hand.

“Just one,” he said again, softer this time.

She exhaled.

“One.”

His smile widened immediately.

“That’s all I need.”

The dance floor was warm under the glow of the lights.

Ross’s hand settled politely at her waist, keeping just enough distance to remain appropriate. Elena placed her hand lightly on his shoulder, her other hand resting in his.

They moved easily.

Simple.

Controlled.

Professional.

“You’re not as reluctant as you pretended to be,” Ross said lightly.

“I never said I couldn’t dance.”

“You just didn’t want to.”

Elena gave a small smile.

“I prefer observing.”

“Well,” he said, guiding her into a slow turn, “you’re doing just fine participating.”

She let herself relax into the rhythm.

The music carried them gently across the floor, blending them into the movement of the other couples.

But she felt it.

Before she even looked.

Ari.

Her gaze lifted—

And found him.

Still in the same place.

Still watching.

Not openly.

Not enough for anyone else to question.

But enough for her.

Every step she took—

She felt it.

Every turn—

Every shift of her body—

She was aware of him.

Watching.

Measuring.

Present.

Ross continued talking, something about the event, about the turnout, about how the evening had exceeded expectations.

Elena nodded where appropriate.

Answered when necessary.

But her awareness was split.

Half in the conversation.

Half—

Across the room.

Where Ari hadn’t moved.

Matteo leaned slightly toward him.

“You’re staring.”

“I’m observing.”

Matteo smirked faintly.

“That’s your version of observing?”

Ari didn’t respond.

His jaw tightened just slightly as Ross’s hand shifted a fraction closer along Elena’s waist during a turn.

Still appropriate.

Still polite.

Still—

Too familiar.

Matteo followed his gaze.

“Relax,” he murmured. “She’s not interested.”

Ari’s eyes didn’t leave the dance floor.

“I know.”

“Then why do you look like you’re about to walk over there?”

A pause.

Then—

“Because I am.”

Matteo huffed a quiet laugh.

“Of course you are.”

Elena felt it before it happened.

A shift in the air.

A change in the rhythm.

Ross was mid-sentence when a voice cut in smoothly.

“May I?”

Everything stilled for a fraction of a second.

Ross turned.

Ari stood beside them.

Calm.

Composed.

But there was no mistaking the intent behind his eyes.

Ross hesitated.

Just slightly.

Then smiled politely.

“Of course.”

He stepped back, releasing Elena’s hand.

Ari didn’t rush.

Didn’t break the illusion.

He simply stepped forward, his hand finding hers with quiet certainty.

The moment their skin touched—

Something shifted.

Subtle.

But unmistakable.

His other hand settled at her waist.

Not higher.

Not lower.

But firmer than Ross’s had been.

Possessive in a way that still passed as proper.

“Elena,” he said quietly.

“Ari.”

The music continued around them, couples moving, laughter still echoing faintly—but for a moment, everything felt distant.

His thumb shifted slightly against her hand.

A small movement.

Barely noticeable.

But intentional.

Her eyes flicked briefly to the edge of the floor.

Maya stood there, watching.

A knowing look on her face.

Matteo stood beside her now.

Equally aware.

Equally entertained.

Elena looked back at Ari.

“You’re impossible.”

“I’ve heard that.”

The song began to wind down.

The music softened.

But neither of them moved to step apart just yet.

For one last second—

One last quiet moment—

They stayed exactly where they were.

Close.

Controlled.

But undeniably—

Connected.

Their steps stayed in rhythm, slow and controlled, but the tension between them tightened with every second.

Ari’s hand remained firm at her waist.

“I don’t like Ross dancing with you.”

Elena didn’t look away from him.

“It was just a dance.”

“I don’t like it,” he repeated, quieter this time, but heavier.

She tilted her head slightly, studying him.

“And?”

Ari’s jaw shifted.

“And I had to watch him put his hand on you.”

Her fingers tightened subtly in his.

“He was being respectful. And I had to watch you let what's her name do the same.”

“That doesn’t change anything.”

Elena exhaled softly.

“You’re being unreasonable.”

“Am I?”

“Yes,” she said, her voice calm but steady. “I’m allowed to dance with someone at a public event.”

His grip adjusted—still proper, still controlled—but firmer.

“I know what you’re allowed to do.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

Ari leaned in just slightly, enough that his voice didn’t carry beyond her.

“The problem is I don’t like seeing another man that close to you.”

Her pulse flickered.

“The same way I don't like it.”

The honesty of it made them pause.

Ari didn’t look away.

“I’m not saying you did anything wrong,” he continued. “I’m saying I didn’t like it.”

Elena held his gaze.

A brief silence stretched between them as they moved.

Then—

“I asked to cut in,” he said.

“You didn’t ask,” she replied softly. “You took over.”

A faint smirk touched his lips.

“And you let me.”

Her breath caught—just slightly.

“That’s different.”

“How?”

She hesitated.

Because it was different.

Because it was him.

“That’s not the point,” she said, trying to steady herself.

Ari’s thumb brushed lightly against her hand again, a small, grounding motion.

“Then what is the point?”

“The point is,” she said quietly, “you don’t get to be upset every time someone looks at me.”

“I’m not upset that he looked at you.”

“Then what?”

“I’m upset that he touched you.”

Elena’s gaze softened just a fraction.

“Ari…”

“I know you can handle yourself,” he added quickly, his tone lowering. “I know you don’t need me stepping in.”

“Then why did you?”

A pause.

His eyes held hers.

“Because I wanted to.”

The answer settled between them.

Heavy.

Honest.

Elena swallowed softly.

“You can’t always do that.”

“I won’t always need to.”

Their steps slowed as the music softened further.

“You’re going to have to get used to it,” she said gently. “People talking to me. Being around me.”

"And you will have to do the same," he said lower.

“I am used to it.”

“No, you’re tolerating it.”

A flicker of something crossed his expression.

“And what do you want me to do?” he asked quietly.

“Trust me.”

“I do.”

“Then act like it.”

Another pause.

Then—

“I trust you,” he said again, more firmly this time. “I just don’t like sharing your space.”

Her lips curved slightly despite herself.

“You’re not sharing anything.”

His gaze dropped briefly to her mouth before returning to her eyes.

“It doesn’t feel that way.”

Elena shook her head softly.

“You’re impossible.”

“And you still let me hold you like this.”

Her breath caught again.

“That’s different.”

“Everything with you is different.”

The music faded lower.

The song nearing its end.

But neither of them stepped apart.

Not yet.

Elena looked up at him, her voice quieter now.

“You’re going to have to learn to deal with this.”

Ari studied her for a long moment.

Then, softer—

“Maybe.”

A beat.

Then his hand pressed just slightly firmer at her waist.

“But not tonight.”