Chapter 4
1218 Words
Elena Sinclair’s POV
I didn’t sleep.
How could I?
My lips still tingled from the kiss. My body still burned from his touch. And his words…
"Oh honey, you'll beg me for more."
I hated how his voice echoed in my head, taunting me, daring me to fall into whatever twisted game he was playing.
Alex Carter was a liar, a manipulator, and the most frustratingly arrogant man I had ever met. And yet, he had kissed me like he meant it. Like he wanted me.
And worse—much, much worse—I had kissed him back.
The moment replayed over and over as I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. I should have pushed him away the second he touched me. I should have fought harder. Instead, I had melted into him, letting his hands, his lips, his tongue do things to me I had never felt before.
It was humiliating.
I turned my head toward the other side of the bed. He wasn’t there.
Of course not.
Alex had disappeared the moment I pulled away, leaving me alone with my thoughts. He hadn’t said a word. No smug remarks, no teasing smirks. Just a knowing look before walking away, as if he already knew how this was going to end.
I threw off the covers, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. I needed air.
The mansion was eerily quiet as I stepped out into the hallway. The walls were lined with expensive paintings, the floors polished to perfection. It was beautiful, cold, and lifeless—just like its owner.
I made my way downstairs, my bare feet barely making a sound against the marble floor. The grand living room stretched out before me, the moonlight casting long shadows across the furniture. And there, standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, was Alex.
He was dressed in nothing but black sweatpants, his bare upper body illuminated by the silver glow of the night.
I stopped breathing.
He was… perfect.
Lean muscles, defined abs, broad shoulders—every inch of him was carved like a Greek god. The scar on his left side was the only imperfection, a thin, jagged line running down his ribs.
I had to force myself to look away.
“Can’t sleep?” His voice was calm, deep, too controlled.
I swallowed, stepping further into the room. “Neither can you.”
He turned his head slightly, just enough for his sharp blue eyes to meet mine. “Thinking about something?”
I clenched my fists. “Not everything is about you, Alex.”
The corner of his lips lifted. “No?”
God, I wanted to wipe that smirk off his face.
I crossed my arms. “Why are you really awake?”
His gaze drifted past me, out the window. “Habit.”
“Habit?”
He exhaled, a slow, measured breath. “Sleep doesn’t come easy when you’re always waiting for someone to stab you in the back.”
Something in his voice was different. Quieter.
For the first time, I saw a glimpse of something beneath all that arrogance. Something real.
But I refused to feel sympathy for him.
I shook my head. “Must be exhausting. Lying to everyone.”
His smirk didn’t fade. “You have no idea.”
I stepped closer. “How long were you planning to keep up the act?”
He turned to face me fully now, arms crossed over his chest. “As long as I needed to.”
“So what happens now?” I tilted my chin. “Now that I know your secret?”
He studied me, his gaze slow and deliberate. “That depends.”
I narrowed my eyes. “On what?”
His smirk deepened. “On whether you plan to keep my secret or not.”
I let out a humorless laugh. “You think I’d protect you?”
He took a step toward me. “Would you?”
I should have backed up.
But I didn’t.
The air between us grew heavy, thick with something dangerous.
“I don’t owe you anything, Alex.” My voice came out steadier than I felt.
“True.” His eyes darkened. “But you’re my wife.”
“By force.”
He reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers barely grazed my skin, but the contact sent a shiver down my spine.
“Tell me, Elena…” His voice dropped lower, sending heat curling through my stomach. “Do you hate me?”
“Yes.”
The word came out too quickly. Too breathless.
His smirk widened. “Are you sure?”
I hated him.
I hated the way he made my body react.
I hated that he knew exactly what he was doing.
“I’ll never trust you,” I whispered.
His gaze flickered to my lips. “Good.”
And then he was gone.
Just like that, he pulled away, turning back to the window as if I wasn’t even there.
I clenched my fists, my heart hammering.
I hated him.
I hated him.
I hated him.
But goodness me, I wanted him.
The morning was quiet, too quiet.
I walked downstairs, adjusting the silk robe over my nightgown. My body still felt tense from last night. Alex had kissed me, touched me, then acted like it didn’t mean anything.
I clenched my jaw. I wouldn’t think about that now.
As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I noticed something strange.
A man was sitting in the living room.
He leaned back on the leather couch, legs crossed, fingers tapping against the armrest. He had the same sharp features as Alex—high cheekbones, piercing blue eyes—but while Alex was cold and controlled, this man had a different energy. Smooth. Calculating.
His gaze lifted to me, and a slow smile stretched across his lips.
“So, you’re the famous Elena,” he said, his voice rich with amusement.
I froze.
Lucas Carter.
Alex’s older brother.
I swallowed, keeping my expression neutral. “And you must be Lucas.”
His smile widened. “Alex didn’t tell me you were so beautiful.”
I didn’t respond. I knew better than to fall for empty compliments.
Lucas stood, adjusting the cuffs of his expensive suit. He was tall, almost as tall as Alex, but where Alex carried an air of dominance, Lucas was different.
Smoother. More dangerous in a way that wasn’t obvious.
“I heard a lot about you,” he continued, stepping closer.
I tilted my chin. “I can’t say the same.”
His chuckle was soft, but his eyes stayed sharp. “That’s a shame. I like to know everything about people who come into my family.”
I folded my arms. “Funny. I don’t remember being invited.”
“I don’t think Alex is expecting you,” I said, trying to sound calm.
Lucas raised a brow. “No, he isn’t. But that’s the fun part.”
Before I could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hall.
Alex.
His jaws were clenched and cold as he stepped into the room. His eyes went between me and Lucas before settling on his brother.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
- Writer
