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Emmeline chuckled, taking another sip of her own wine before setting the glass down and changing the subject. "Tell me about your family. Is the study of law hereditary for you? Or are you the rebellious one who decided to take it up on your own?"She stuffed her mouth greedily with more meat and chewed loudly, not caring about manners in her ravenous state while Zavian meticulously cut his portion into neat slices."Are your parents alive?" Emmeline asked another question when the first one was left answered.Zavian shook his head slowly, his expression somber. "My mother died giving birth to me and my father passed before her."Emmeline immediately lowered her head in regret, cursing her own thoughtless stupidity for bringing up such a sensitive topic. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have asked that."An awkward silence reigned over their intimate meal, the only sounds being their forks scraping against the plates.When they finally finished the last bites of the delicious dinner, Zavian
Emmeline gladly took the glove from him and carefully slid it on his large hand, her small fingers caressing his skin as she worked it into place. But to her dismay, the fingers were slightly too short for his long digits."Oh my god, why won't it fit properly?" she fretted, biting her lip anxiously as she tugged fruitlessly at the wool.Zavian chuckled at her reaction. "How could you possibly misjudge the length of my fingers when they've been inside you so many times, exploring every inch of you?" he teased shamelessly.Emmeline looked up at him helplessly, feeling at a complete loss for words. "Something must have gone wrong in the sizing. I can't believe I messed this up!" She released his hand and covered her burning face with her palms. "I'm so sorry Mr. Blackthorn. I thought it would be perfect but I ruined everything." Her voice trembled as she fought back sobs of frustration.She would have broken into tears right then and there if Zavian hadn't tenderly pulled her into his mu
Just when Emmeline started to regret bringing it up, he finally spoke in a toneless voice. "Abortion!"“What?” Emmeline was certain she must have misheard.Zavian turned to face her, his expression utterly blank. "She got pregnant again but got rid of it."Emmeline instantly recoiled, pulling her arm free from his and brought her fingers up to cover her mouth in shock. "I can't believe Yuna would do something so heinous as to...to kill her own child!" she exclaimed."You don't know her very well then." Zavian's voice remained frighteningly calm though his eyes flashed with anger.Emmeline quickly drained the last of her wine, trying to process this horrific revelation. Setting the empty glass down on the table, she met his gaze with pity. "Can you tell me exactly what happened?"Zavian closed the photo album and set it aside on the couch with a weary sigh. Then he crossed his muscular forearms over his chest as he began to recount the painful memory."Three years after I lost my daught
Zavian immediately stilled, freezing in place as if turned to stone. Then he jerked back just far enough to meet Emmeline's eyes, his expression one of utter shock and disbelief as though her unexpected confession had simultaneously doused his burning ardor with a bucket of ice water while also inflaming it to unbearable new heights."What?" The single word escaped his lips in a hoarse rasp, disbelief written all over his chiseled features.His broad chest was still heaving with labored breaths from their heated make-out session just moments before. However, the crease between his furrowed brows was one of utter confusion and something akin to denial.Emmeline's mouth went completely dry from the sudden, dramatic shift in atmosphere between them. Her tongue suddenly felt like lead, unable to find any saliva to moisten her parched throat.An uncomfortable lump formed in her chest, making it difficult to breathe.She kept silent for a few long, agonizing moments while they simply stared
Zavian's hands found their way to Emmeline's waist, his touch as soft as a lover's caress. His breath, however, was anything but tender. It hit her face like a gust of wind on a stormy night.He moved closer, brushing his nose against hers in an intimate gesture that make her body tingle."Do you have any idea how many sleepless nights I've spent?" he murmured. "How I couldn’t ignore what could be happening between you and your worthless excuse for a husband?"His arm tightened around her waist, pulling her body flush against his with his lips hovering dangerously close to her skin but refrained from making contact."I've told you time and again about the rage your situation stirs within me," Zavian whispered into the shell of her ear - words that set her heart pounding. "You should have done something to ease my mind."Emmeline’s hands instinctively fell on his chest, surrendering completely to him… under his breath playing havoc with her senses, causing her heart to falter erraticall
"Divorce that scumbag!" Zavian stated without preamble.His words sent shock waves ricocheting through Emmeline’s body.Her eyes widened until she felt they would surely pull out of their sockets with her mouth falling open in a soundless gasp of disbelief as she struggled to process what he'd just said."What?" she finally managed to choke out, shaking her head in stunned denial as if to clear her ears.Emmeline opened her mouth again, fully intending to unleash a torrent of questions, of demands for clarification and explanation. But Zavian silenced her by pressing his index finger to her lips in a commanding gesture, his expression one of deadly seriousness that brooked no argument or interruption."If you can provide the court with documentation proving the marriage was never consummated despite all this time, the ruling will undoubtedly be in your favor,” he explained in a low, intense tone that seemed to reverberate through her very bones with the weight of his conviction. “You w
Zavian traced a gentle path along her lips, sending a wave of numbness radiating through her body as heat pooled low in her belly.The hardness of him pressed against her softness stirred a whirlwind of anticipation within."You've dressed yourself up for me tonight and it's been pure torture since the moment I laid eyes on you." He paused, drawing in a breath as if he were fighting off an insatiable hunger. "It's like seeing a feast laid out before you when you're starving."Zavian leaned closer until their faces were mere inches apart. His lips brushed against her cheek, planting moist kisses that tasted of sin and decadence. "I can't let your efforts go to waste," he said with a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "That wouldn't be very gentlemanly of me now, would it?"Emmeline traced her hand over the hard planes of his chest, causing him to pause mid-kiss and look into her eyes with an intensity that made her heart flutter wildly in her chest."Who told you I'm still waitin
Emmeline found herself lost in Zavian's burning gaze. "Make me forget who I am and remember only you." She whispered.His strong hands met the small of her back, guiding her towards the bed.She fell back on the plush pillows. She watched him straddle her legs through half-lidded eyes before claiming her mouth in a fierce and all tongue exploring kiss.A shiver ran through Emmeline when she felt his hand creep under her back to unclasp her bra.Zavian slid the straps off her shoulders while never breaking the passionate kiss.He finally pulled away for a moment to admire her bare form except for the necklace he'd gifted her that nestled between her breasts. "You are exquisite," he murmured huskily, "I can't wait to taste your forbidden fruit again."That said, his gaze flicked over to a string of Christmas lights on a nearby table. Picking them up, he looked at Emmeline with an excited gleam. "Let me adorn you with these," he suggested softly."Your hands," he commanded.Obediently, Em
Draeven’s scathing words made Zavian's body go stiff with dread. He knew better than to take Draeven's threats lightly.The fact that the usually rational Aetherion remained unusually quiet instead of retorting Draeven’s taunts meant Zavian was pushing the limits of these powerful entities within him way too far past what was considered safe or rational.It was a miracle he still maintained tenuous control over his own body and mind in these heated moments. That they hadn't simply overpowered him completely to ravish Emmeline and forcibly complete the mate bond as was destined.A deep sense of foreboding washed over Zavian. Even more concerning was that he hadn't felt Zareth’s presence at all since that unsettling slip on Christmas Eve.Zavian quickly shoved those worrying thoughts aside for now and returned his full attention to Emmeline's luscious form stretched out temptingly before him."Do you know you're charming even in just a simple towel? With your heavy-lidded bedroom eyes r
Emmeline placed her hands on Zavian's strong, muscular arms, deciding to make peace with him for the moment. "Okay, I'll believe you," she conceded, not wanting to argue further.Feeling flushed from the intense heat surrounding them, Emmeline quickly changed the subject. "The air is unbearably hot in here." Beads of sweat were already forming on her skin.Zavian reached out and slowly wiped the perspiration from her bare arms with his fingertips in such an intimate, sensual way that it made her melt a little inside."I've got plenty of oxygen. I can give you some if you want!" He said with a sly, mischievous grin.Emmeline glanced over her shoulder at him, taken aback by his suggestive words.His face was mere inches from hers, close enough for her to feel his hot breath on her neck. "How?" she asked curiously, her voice coming out slightly breathless.Zavian raised his hand to gently cup her cheek, turning her face toward his. Then his piercing gaze dropped to her parted lips. "Like
Zavian led Emmeline to the side of the building designated for the sauna facilities.He randomly selected one of the private sauna rooms. Its walls were constructed of beautiful cedar wood panels. In front of the entrance were two tiers of wide wooden benches for reclining. The second row was elevated higher than the first."Don't tell me this is your first time in a steam room as well!" Zavian arched an eyebrow quizzically.Emmeline looked up at him with an arrogant expression. "Of course not. I used to frequent relaxation and skin care centers quite often before I was married," she stated matter-of-factly.The mention of her marriage caused Zavian's eyebrows to furrow slightly. However, he brushed off the comment and turned his attention to seriously studying the thermostat controls on the wall. "Can you handle intense heat well?" he asked with obvious concern.Emmeline stepped up directly behind him. Then she stood on her tiptoes to stare at the display screen over his slightly hun
They synchronized, lifting their shirts over their heads in one fluid motion.Emmeline couldn't help stealing glances at his bare torso when the fabric rose. A sight that still took her breath away no matter how many times she saw it. His toned muscles and lightly tanned skin were nicely framed by the open vee of his unzipped pants."I like when you’re obedient for once," Zavian purred in approval at her actions.Emmeline cheeks bright red."My eyes yearn to see your naked body again," Zavian said huskily, roaming his burning eyes over her. "It's been too long since the last time." He slowly licked his lower lip, openly staring at the swell of her breasts above her bra. "If you touched me now, you would feel my erect dick pulsing with excitement."Emmeline avoided meeting his heated gaze. She quickly unbuttoned and unzipped her pants with trembling hands.Her face was flushed an alarming shade. "Have mercy on my shyness, Mr. Blackthorn," she pleaded, unable to withstand his intense sc
Richard covered himself up and closed his eyes, ready to drift off to sleep.Emmeline finished packing everything she needed into her bag and getting ready without another word."I'm all packed and Richard is about to go to sleep. Should I head to the center now?" She messaged Zavian."I'll be waiting for you at the entrance." Zavian’s reply came quickly. He must have had his phone close by.Emmeline smiled at his message as if he could see her smile."I'll be out soon." She typed out a response, shrugged on her black coat and slung the bag over her shoulder.With that, she made her way to the private wellness center located in the next building. It was just a few minutes' walk away.Despite the late hour, Emmeline spotted Zavian's tall, imposing figure standing sentry at the entrance. A smile tugged at her lips as she approached him. "I'm not late, am I?"Her smile faltered when he fixed her with a stern look. "What did you talk about with Taehyung?"Zavian's features were outwardly
Emmeline's heart raced, throwing a disapproving look at Zavian. His reckless request to spend the night at his suite left her flustered. Yet, she couldn't deny the thrill that coursed through her veins.With trembling fingers, she began to compose a response to his daring message. Her cheeks flushed with trepidation and desire."You are a demon, and you will be the cause of my death," Emmeline wrote. Her lips curved into a sly smile despite her dramatic words.The precarious circumstances surrounded them. Even so, she eagerly awaited his reply with a delicious sense of anticipation coiling low in her belly."This devil will drown you in pleasures, but he will not abandon you in the end.” Zavian's response came swiftly.His words ignited a blaze within Emmeline, barely able to stifle a laugh.She was torn between finding his words unbearably romantic or simply proof of her own psychopathic tendencies."We have to use these days to have fun, little girl," he added.Emmeline read his mes
~Lunchtime rolled around~The lovers tried a different restaurant than the day before, savoring the chance to explore somewhere new together. All too soon, the day ended with their return to the hotel.A pang of dread struck Emmeline at the thought of seeing her husband in their suite. To her relief, she found the room empty upon her arrival.Richard didn't appear until much later. He found Emmeline lying on her bed, just as he'd left her earlier.With a dismissive wave of his hand, he instructed her to wake him before dinner time then promptly fell asleep without a word about how he'd spent his day. Not that Emmeline cared in the slightest.At eight o'clock sharp, they went down to the hotel restaurant.Emmeline had taken extra care with her appearance. She donned a short black dress that hugged her curves and flared out at the waist. The long sleeves left just a tantalizing hint of skin exposed.As they approached the table where the others were already gathered, Zavian was the first
The two simply stood there for several endless moments, trading secret smiles and losing themselves in the depths of each other's eyes. It was Zavian who finally broke the spell, giving a curt nod toward the half-finished snowman standing silent vigil nearby."You appear to have forgotten one rather crucial detail," he murmured with the barest hint of a smirk lurking at the corners of his mouth.Emmeline blinked, momentarily thrown by the abrupt shift in conversation before realization bloomed. Twisting in his embrace, she cast an appraising look over their snow creation and her eyes morphed comically when she registered the distinct lack of anything resembling a nose."Oh, you poor thing! How could I have overlooked something so vital?"Digging into the pocket of her heavy coat, she produced a plump, bright orange carrot with a triumphant flourish. Carefully, she maneuvered the makeshift nose into place right in the center of the snowman's face, smiling with immense satisfaction as sh
The raw vulnerability in Zavian’s confession left Emmeline breathless.She swallowed hard, searching for words amid the whirlwind of emotions threatening to consume her whole.Zavian lifted her chin with his fingertip and held her gaze again in an uncompromising snare. "You are one of the warmest, most caring souls I've ever encountered in my long, miserable life. The fact that you've even deigned to bestow a modicum of affection on a cold-hearted jerk like me is a miracle."Emmeline's fingers curled around his wrists and made a half-hearted attempt to dislodge his grip. But Zavian was utterly unmoving."You would make an incredible mother - quite possibly the most loving, attentive parent a child could ever hope for. It won't be difficult in the slightest for you to nurture and cherish a baby. You were well made for it, little girl."Emmeline's arms fell limply to her sides, all the fight draining from her in a rush as she sagged forward with a dejected sigh. "Then why won't you even