BOUND BY DESIRE

Chapter 24 – A Dangerous Line

Elena’s mind was still spinning by the time Damon led her back into the ballroom. His warning echoed in her head—Stay away from him. It wasn’t a request; it was a command.

And that’s what made her blood boil.

The possessiveness in his touch, the arrogance in his voice… He thought he could dictate her every move. That she would just obey.

Not a chance.

Damon kept his hand at the small of her back as they walked through the crowd. To everyone else, they must have looked like the perfect power couple—her in a stunning dress, him in a perfectly tailored suit, his touch just casual enough to seem protective rather than controlling. But Elena knew better.

This was a silent warning. A claim.

She forced herself to keep her expression neutral, even as her body hummed with frustration. When they reached their table, she took her seat, pretending not to notice the way Damon’s hand lingered a moment too long before he pulled away.

The moment he turned to speak with a business associate, Elena exhaled slowly, trying to ground herself.

“You okay?”

She flinched slightly at the familiar voice and looked up to see Nathan standing a few feet away, his gaze full of concern.

Damon’s words rushed back into her mind—Stay away from him.

Her fingers curled into the fabric of her dress. She should tell Nathan to leave. She should listen to Damon’s warning.

But something inside her rebelled.

Elena straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “I’m fine.”

Nathan frowned. “You don’t look fine.” His voice dropped lower. “Elena, if you need help—”

“I don’t,” she cut in, her heart hammering. She could feel Damon’s presence even without looking at him. She could sense the moment he turned his head.

Nathan followed her gaze, his expression hardening. “He’s controlling you, isn’t he?”

Elena’s breath caught. “It’s not—”

“Walk away, Nathan.”

The cold, commanding voice sent a shiver down her spine.

Nathan turned fully to face Damon, who had appeared at Elena’s side without a sound. His presence was overwhelming, his dark gaze locked onto Nathan with quiet warning.

Nathan clenched his jaw. “Elena’s a grown woman. She doesn’t need you hovering over her every second.”

Damon didn’t blink. “She’s mine for the next two and a half years.” His voice was smooth, controlled—but the underlying threat was impossible to miss.

Elena’s stomach twisted. The way he said it… like she was property, like she had no choice.

Nathan’s hands curled into fists. “That’s not how it works. She’s not—”

Damon took a step forward, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “Walk. Away.”

Nathan hesitated, glancing at Elena, his expression torn between frustration and concern. She wanted to say something, to defuse the tension, but she knew nothing she said would change the outcome.

With one last glare at Damon, Nathan exhaled sharply and walked off.

Elena felt her pulse in her throat as she turned to Damon. “You didn’t have to do that.”

Damon finally looked at her, his eyes dark with something unreadable. “Yes, I did.”

Her stomach flipped, frustration and something dangerously close to excitement warring inside her.

Damon leaned in slightly, his voice low, meant only for her. “I warned you, princess. You don’t want to test me.”

And as much as she hated to admit it, the way he said it sent a shiver of something forbidden through her veins.

She was already testing him.

And she wasn’t sure she wanted to stop.

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