Bonus chapter.
Zavian spread the mattress out, smoothing it with his hands before arranging the pillows at one end. “You know,” he said, glancing at her with a small smile, “I’ve never done anything like this. Not even as a teenager.”Emmeline lay down first, stretching out with her feet near the fireplace’s warmth. She looked up at him, her expression incredulous. “You’ve never been camping?”Zavian settled beside her before pulling the blanket over them both. “I went once in high school,” he admitted. “But we slept in tents, not out in the open like this.”Emmeline rested her head on his shoulder. “Let’s go on a camping trip next,” she said eagerly.Zavian turned his head to look at her. “Let’s do it,” he agreed without hesitation.She traced her fingers over the tattoos on his arm, her gaze lingering on his face. “We look like an old married couple,” she teased.He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. “You’re the one with the old-fashioned ideas,” he mused. “The irony is, I’m the only
Emmeline’s heartbeat accelerated. “What?” She playfully smacked his chest with their joined hands. “Just tell me!”Zavian chuckled, pulling his hand free to wrap his arm around her. He shifted to his side, holding her close. His face was so near hers that their breaths mingled.“I filed for divorce two weeks ago,” he said finally. “But it’s going to take a while. The court’s trying to reconcile us first.”Emmeline’s eyes widened in shock and her body instinctively jerked upright, however Zavian’s arms tightened around her, keeping her close.“Did you really file for divorce?” Her voice trembled with disbelief.Zavian nodded. “We’ve been talking about divorce for a long time,” he sighed. “Do you remember the day we reconciled on the yacht? After the cruel things I said to you at home?”Emmeline gave a nod. “I remember it well.”Zavian’s arms relaxed slightly. “I told you then I wanted you in my life. And I meant every word.”Disbelief mingled with a strange sense of joy in Emmeline. “Bu
Zavian's fingers combed through his dark hair, tension evident in every movement. The weight of his thoughts pressed heavily on him as he considered the complicated situation they faced.Zereth, his darker half, harbored hatred for humans that had resulted in bloodshed centuries ago.During that dark period, Zereth had slaughtered without discrimination, sparing neither adult nor child from his wrath. He didn't care if his victims were eighty or eight—all he needed was a glimpse in their future and they were dead meat.In his twisted perspective, humans represented everything despicable: creatures of deceit and greed that deserved extinction.And now, in some twisted joke, fate had picked a human as their mate. Not just any human either, but Emmeline. Sweet, sensitive Emmeline who jumped at her own shadow sometimes.What made Emmeline different, though, was her heart. The girl wore it on her sleeve, honest to a fault and without a greedy bone in her body.Zavian had spent countless nig
Sunlight filtered through the gauzy curtains, painting golden patterns across the empty space beside Emmeline the next morning.She blinked awake slowly and her hand reached out to touch the cool sheets where Zavian had been.The bed felt strangely empty without his presence.Emmeline stretched languidly. Her arms extended above her head as she arched her back like a contented cat. The silky fabric of her oversized shirt slid against her skin—a pleasant sensation that made her smile despite the momentary disappointment of waking alone.A tantalizing aroma drifted through the partially open door—something buttery and savory that made her stomach rumble in anticipation.Emmeline slipped from beneath the warm cocoon of blankets and her bare feet met the cool floor with a slight shiver.She padded toward the door, pausing only to run her fingers through her sleep-tousled hair.The staircase whispered softly beneath her feet as she descended, following the increasingly enticing scent. Morni
Emmeline's brows furrowed slightly in confusion, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features.Zavian's expression softened immediately, and he offered her a gentle smile that eased her momentary worry."Not the kind of promise you're thinking, little one," he murmured, reaching up to brush a wayward strand of hair from her face with unexpected tenderness.The casual intimacy of the gesture contrasted with the intensity of moments before."I meant what I said," Zavian stated. "I'll stay out of your way until you get your damned divorce. No surprises, no complications."Emmeline exhaled. The tension that had been building in her shoulders eased slightly. However, her brows quickly drew together as she fixed him with a pointed look."You scared me," her voice carried a hint of reproach despite the lingering breathlessness.Zavian's lips twitched into a mischievous smirk. Without warning, he reached out and lightly pinched the tip of her nose between his thumb and index finger."Are you
Emmeline's appetite vanished instantly, replaced by a knot of anxiety that settled in the pit of her stomach.She carefully set down her utensils, the soft clink against porcelain sounding unnaturally loud in the sudden tension."Bad news?" Emmeline asked hesitantly. She searched his face for clues, finding his expression uncharacteristically difficult to read.Zavian's gaze dropped to their joined hands and his fingers tightened slightly around hers.The gentle pressure felt both reassuring and concerning, like a doctor holding a patient's hand before delivering difficult news."I won't be presiding over your assault hearing," Zavian stated quietly, brushing over her knuckles in small, soothing circles.The words hit Emmeline, knocking the air from her lungs. Her heart seemed to stutter in her chest before resuming at double speed.The kitchen suddenly felt colder despite the heating."What?" She whispered, trembling with disbelief and the first stirrings of panic. "But you promised..
The drive home was uneventful, giving Emmeline time to prepare herself for what awaited.The peace she had felt in Zavian's presence began to unravel with each mile she drove, like a sweater coming undone one stitch at a time. By the time she pulled into her family's driveway, her shoulders had tensed and her jaw had tightened in anticipation.Emmeline's apprehension proved justified the moment she stepped through the front door.Eleanor sat waiting in the living room, her posture rigid like a statue and her expression as stormy as a thundercloud about to burst.The morning light filtering through the curtains did nothing to soften her mother's harsh features or the disapproval radiating from her in palpable waves."Good morning, Mom," Emmeline greeted, forcing a polite tone despite the knot forming in her stomach. She closed the door behind her with a soft click, the sound unnaturally loud in the tension-filled room.Eleanor shot up from the couch like a spring released. Her movement
Emmeline sank on her bed, The mattress dipped beneath her weight as tears finally escaped, streaming down her face in silent rivers.She made no attempt to wipe them away, allowing them to fall unchecked on the bedspread."You have to go back to your husband and apologize!" Eleanor's insistent voice was growing hoarse from the extended tirade. "The two families need each other. Think about it for the sake of your family!"Emmeline shuddered at the thought. Her arms wrapped around herself as if seeking protection from an invisible threat."I can't imagine what he'd do to me if I went back," Emmeline murmured, genuine fear threading through the quiet words.Eleanor paced the corridor like a caged animal. Each step seemed to punctuate her growing frustration."This isn't just about you," she hissed, stopping abruptly to glare at her daughter’s door. "Your father's business partnership with Richard's family has been in place for decades. Do you have any idea what your little... overreactio
Minnie's jaw dropped. Her wide eyes darted between Zavian and Emmeline, disbelief etched across her delicate features."Did you hear what your lover just said?" she exclaimed, turning to Emmeline. "Inevitable collateral damage? What kind of dinner conversation is this?"Emmeline squeezed Minnie's arm gently with a reassuring smile softening her features."Don't mind him," she explained. "He sometimes forgets he's not in a boardroom."Taehyung took advantage of the momentary silence to tease Emmeline.His lips curved into a mischievous grin. "Look at you defending him so naturally now. That's serious progress!""I think Emmeline is very comfortable with us," Minnie observed, satisfaction filling her voice. "Our ice queen has finally thawed."Emmeline gestured toward the elegant table setting, her confidence momentarily faltering under the weight of hosting such an intimate gathering."Please, sit down," she invited.Taehyung handed her the bottle of expensive wine he had been carrying.
True to his word, Zavian let her finish decorating in peace, though his eyes never left her as she completed the message on the cake.When Emmeline was done, she carefully covered the masterpiece to protect it until dessert.Together they loaded the prepared dishes on serving trays: stuffed mushrooms, bruschetta with fresh tomatoes and basil, elegant canapés topped with smoked salmon and carried them out to the dining area.They arranged everything on the table with efficiency, working from opposite sides of the elaborate spread as if they'd been hosting dinner parties together for years.Crystal glasses caught the light, sending prisms dancing across the pristine tablecloth. Silver cutlery gleamed beside fine china plates… everything was positioned with meticulous attention to detail."So, are we still on for Valentine's Day?" Emmeline asked, excitement bubbling in her voice as she placed the final dish which was a platter of colorful roasted vegetables arranged in a spiral pattern.T
The crude imagery made Emmeline’s cheeks flush. She took a deep breath and then gave him a pointed look. "Zavian," she admonished, trying to calm her racing heart.She'd spent the last hour perfecting the dessert for their dinner party, and now only the decorating remained. It would have been a peaceful task if not for the man beside her."I need to finish this cake before everyone arrives." Her fingers tightened around the piping bag as she tried to focus on creating the delicate rosettes along the edge, but his intense gaze made concentration nearly impossible.Zavian untied his apron with intent slowness, the simple action somehow becoming sensual under his touch.The fabric slid from his broad shoulders, revealing the crisp white shirt beneath that hugged his athletic frame in all the right places. "I've done my part. The appetizers are prepared, the wine is chilled, and now I think I'll watch you work. It's quite... entertaining."Emmeline searched desperately for a distraction be
Emmeline found herself out of breath so quickly. His proximity was overwhelming her senses.The solid wall of his chest against hers, his scent, the heat radiating from his body… it was all too much and not enough simultaneously. "Stop what you're doing," she pleaded weakly. "You're turning me on."A dangerous gleam transformed Zavian’s face into something almost predatory.She should have been alarmed by the sight, yet it made her more aroused. There was something primal about the way he looked at her, something that spoke to the most basic part of her."I deserve to see you aroused after my absence," he murmured. "To hear you beg for the ecstasy only I can give. Every word you speak while under my spell is drenched in love and laced with desire… mine and yours, tangled together."The poetry of his voice clashed deliciously with the vulgarity of his touch and his hand unapologetically exploring the most sacred parts of her.He tasted her cream with unashamed delight before letting go
Zavian brought his finger to his mouth and sucked it clean all the while his eyes never left hers.The gesture was possessive and sent a fresh wave of heat through Emmeline’s body."Your taste is just for me. No one else gets even an accidental sample."Laughter bubbled from Emmeline's throat.She turned back toward the table, attempting to regain some semblance of normalcy. "If anyone knew what we were doing while making their cake, they'd be horrified.”Zavian moved to the sink embedded in the kitchen island and turned on the tap. "That's why I prefer home cooking," he said, the corner of his mouth lifting in a half-smile. "You never know what happens in restaurant kitchens."He shut off the water, drying his hands on a nearby towel with methodical care. "Professional chefs can't be trusted," he added dryly. "They're a passionate bunch, prone to impulse.""Hey, I'm a chef too," Emmeline protested with mock indignation, placing her hands on her hips.The stance emphasized her curves,
Zavian ignored her half-hearted objections, clearly enjoying how she melted under his attention. His eyes remained locked on hers, dark with an intensity that made her knees weak.The warm pressure of his tongue sent heat spiraling through Emmeline’s body, awakening nerve endings she'd never known existed. Every stroke of his tongue on her skin seemed to connect directly to more intimate places."Ahh, Zavian…” A low, sultry moan escaped her lips. “P-Please stop," she whispered in a voice betraying her arousal.The plea lacked conviction, undermined by the way she swayed toward him rather than away. "You're giving me thoughts I can't handle right now. Making me want things we don't have time for."Her free hand moved to his shoulder, ostensibly to push him away but instead curled into the fabric of his shirt.Zavian withdrew her finger from her mouth with reluctance, the cool air a shock after the heat of his tongue.A thin strand of saliva connected them briefly before breaking."What
Emmeline turned away with embarrassment and desire coloring her cheeks as she faced the cake again. "Hand me that knife," she requested, extending her hand without looking at him.Zavian placed the decorating tool in her palm and his fingers lingered on hers longer than necessary.The brief contact sent awareness tingling through Emmeline.She quickly pointed to a bowl of cream on the counter. "Fill that piping bag so it's ready when I need it."Zavian picked up a spoon with his left hand and the bag with his right, concentrating on the task.His movements were precise despite his unfamiliarity with kitchen tools. "That looks easy," he commented, focused on not making a mess.Emmeline watched him for a moment with surprise crossing her features. "I always forget you're left-handed."Zavian continued working, his attention on the bag he was filling. "We're special that way."Emmeline laughed. "And modest too."With that, she returned to smoothing the cake's frosting."So about today's c
Zavian kissed her like a man starved.Emmeline tried to match his intensity, her inexperience showing but only making him want her more.He took turns with her upper and lower lip, occasionally letting his hot breath slip into her mouth.The counter dug into her back as his body caged her in. When his tongue finally slipped past her lips, pleasure escaped her throat in a moan she couldn't hold back.Zavian’s hand moved from her chin to grip her waist tighter. He explored her mouth thoroughly. Their lips moved in perfect rhythm while their tongues danced together. Every so often, he pressed his hips forward, letting her feel how much he wanted her. Each contact pushed her excitement higher.Eventually, they had to break apart for air.Their eyes reconnected, glowing with obvious love."Damn everyone who kept us apart this week!”Their lips stayed inches apart while they caught their breath.The look between them was almost physical in its intensity."I've always gotten what I want witho
The group split up at the parking lot.Emmeline slid into her brother's car passenger seat while Minnie moved toward their own car.She caught Emmeline’s eye from across the lot, offering a small supportive smile before climbing into her husband's car.On the other hand, Brody's convertible roared to life with unnecessary force before peeling out of the parking space and disappearing down the street.The drive home stretched into an exercise in silence.Emile gripped the steering wheel with his gaze fixed firmly on the road ahead.Tension filled the car.Emmeline turned toward the window, watching the familiar streets of Riverwalk blur past. The town that had always been her home now felt like a place she was preparing to escape."Mother called while we were in court," Emile finally said.Emmeline traced a pattern on the condensation forming on the window. "What did you tell her?""What needs to be said.”Emmeline turned to face him, already knowing what he meant. "You shouldn't make p