~MEANWHILE~The air was thick with tension and the metallic scent of freshly spilled blood in the Blackthorn ancestral manor.Grandma Eva sat rigid in her high-backed chair, her hands trembling with a fury that threatened to consume her.Her sharp and piercing eyes were fixed unwaveringly on the figure of her grandson, Zavian who stood before her with an imposing presence radiating cold indifference.His features betrayed no emotion as he casually stepped over the lifeless body of a stunningly beautiful chestnut-haired woman sprawled on the intricately patterned marble floor.The woman's hair fanned out around her head like a halo, contrasting to the growing pool of blood beneath her.Her once vibrant hazel eyes stared vacantly at the vaulted ceiling, all life extinguished from them.The sight was one of brutality and a reminder of the cold, heartless nature that ran deep in the Blackthorn bloodline.Grandma Eva had always known her grandson was a monster, a creature devoid of empathy
~FLASHBACK CONTINUES~Grandma Eva turned to her spy with a new resolve. "We make our move. Zavian will be at his most vulnerable now."The spy nodded, understanding the gravity of her words."I want every detail of his interactions with this woman. Leave nothing out.""Yes, my lady," the spy replied. "We've already gathered significant intelligence. Master Zavian was seen with her at the Bar. They appeared... intimate."Eva's lip curled in disgust. "And?""He took her aboard his yacht, the 'Night's Whisper'. They were alone for some time."Eva closed her eyes, fighting back a wave of nausea. When she opened them again, her gaze was steel. "And what of Yuna's people? I know that witch wouldn't miss an opportunity like this."That conniving snake Yuna was undoubtedly hatching some nefarious scheme, and she would be damned if she let that upstart witch get the upper hand.Her grandson might not care if Yuna found out about his new obsession but she wouldn’t let the damn woman have her wa
The air around Zavian was frosty as he strode toward the awaiting black Maybach whose rear door was held open by his right-hand man, Luca.The big guy had his head down in a deferential bow, not daring to make eye contact while his volatile boss got into the luxurious vehicle.Luca closed the door behind Zavian before hurrying around to get behind the wheel of the luxury sedan.An uneasy, suffocating silence descended on the car as Luca navigated it through the winding city streets and toward their destination.The bodyguard could feel all the hair on his body standing on end the entire time. The aura of menace radiating from Zavian in the back was like waves of Arctic cold.Luca didn't dare even breathe too loudly, let alone speak. His nerves were frayed to the breaking point.Zavian was truly in a murderous, psychopathic rage right now after the events at the manor, and one wrong move could potentially prove fatal.Luca regretted listening to Zavian that night when he dismissed all
Emmeline froze in the middle of the hallway.Her heart stuttered in shock when she lifted her head and saw none other than the devil who had been tormenting her sleep since their last encounter standing there in an impeccably tailored suit. What’s more, his expression was dark. Very dark and unsettling.Emmeline stared at him, momentarily unable to move or speak as she struggled to comprehend the situation."M-Mr. Blackthorn? What are you doing here?" she finally managed to stammer out.Zavian’s hungry gaze raked over every inch of her, lingering lecherously on the deep vee between her breasts and the teasing glimpses of thigh and leg exposed by the daring dress slit.He seemed to be devouring her with his eyes alone, no doubt able to make out every curve and swell through the sheer fabric."I'm the one who should be asking you that question!" his voice sounded low and extremely dangerous. Like he was barely holding himself back from descending on her like a ravage beast.It was only
One of Zavian’s hands slid up to splay possessively over Emmeline’s abdomen, holding her firmly in place as the other landed on the wall beside her head. "Let's just pretend we never had this...encounter on the corridor," he purred silkily against the feverish skin of her neck. "That you didn't get in my way and tempt me so deliciously with your sinful beauty. That I didn't see you at all."Emmeline flinched instinctively when his free hand moved, stiffening against the wall in fear even though all he did was brace it there beside her head, caging her in.Zavian’s jaw ticked. The reaction clearly angered him."Did you buy this little get-up specifically to seduce your husband?" he demanded in a low, dangerous tone.Before she could respond, he gripped her chin firmly, forcing her to meet his piercing stare. "Trying to please a good-for-nothing man who abuses you, Emmeline?" he bit out, his furious breaths fanning hotly over her lips.Shock and confusion flooded Emmeline’s features at
Emmeline instinctively tried to pull away, but Zavian tightened his grip on the nape of her neck and drew her closer still.She attempted to push him away by placing both hands against his broad chest but found herself weakening under his relentless assault.His grip around her waist was ironclad; she couldn't break free even if she wanted to."Stop fighting it and give me a damn kiss!" he commanded through clenched teeth when they finally broke apart for air.Emmeline looked up at him through half-lidded eyes, mirroring his own lust-filled gaze.The heat between them was palpable…it threatened to consume them both."You need to get your act together, Mr. Blackthorn," she admonished weakly, struggling against the magnetic pull that threatened to sweep away all reason and logic. "Your wife is under this very roof."Zavian responded by brushing his nose against her cheek. "Don't overthink this, babe. Just let yourself melt into my arms and savor the forbidden pleasure of my touch."Desp
"I don't have the right to think about you," Emmeline’s voice trembled as she spoke. "But I can't get you out of my mind. The corner you occupy is getting wider little by little, and I'm afraid you'll monopolize my thinking." She admitted.Zavian’s lips curled into a sly smile and a wicked glint danced in his eyes. "I will live in your memory forever," he promised drily, leaning in closer to leave a trail of kisses down her neck.Each touch sent a shiver through Emmeline’s body, and she felt herself melting under his attention, her resolve weakening with every passing second."I want you to think of me even when you're in his arms," he murmured. "I know I beat him the moment we met but remembering me when you're with him will make me feel better.”His fingers moved with practiced skill, exploring her with a touch that was both gentle and demanding.Emmeline's lean frame trembled and a soft, barely audible whimper slipped past her parted lips.Zavian silenced her with a fervent kiss th
Tears of frustration stung at the corners of Emmeline's eyes as she hurried away.She couldn't fathom how Zavian could so brazenly make licentious advances and suggestive remarks one moment, only to shut her out entirely the next with cold indifference. His mercurial shifts in behavior left her reeling, unmoored.Had she read the situation completely wrong? Misinterpreted the heated looks and the undeniable chemistry that seemed to crackle between them with every weighted glance? Or was there something deeper, darker at play - secrets he was harboring that prevented him from acting on his apparent desires?The sound of shattering glass from the direction of the bedroom made Emmeline jump.She couldn't discern if it was the product of Zavian's rage, or simply an accident. Part of her was tempted to turn back if only to ensure he hadn't hurt himself. But the larger part knew that retracing her steps could prove dangerous, like willingly stepping into the eye of the storm.So she pressed
Emmeline felt her blood turn to ice, the pulsating waves of the washing machine beneath her suddenly lost their allure as the reality of Richard's return hit her.Her eyes darted to Zavian, who maintained an unnerving calm."Shit, Richard's home. What should we do?" she whispered with panic.Zavian's expression shifted. His usual devilish charm was now laced with a dark intent that Emmeline had come to recognize as his plotting look."Fasten your seatbelts, we'll complete the euphoria trip spoiled by his return!" he declared with a mischievous grin.Emmeline's chest swelled with air. "Have you lost your mind, sir? My husband has come home! What if he comes looking for me?" she muttered in disbelief. However, Zavian ignored her protest.He resumed expertly teasing her breasts.Emmeline fined his touch both soothing and infuriating under the circumstances."I doubt he will come to the laundry room. Until then, I’ll drown you in ecstasy. The excitement is beyond thrilling. The feeling of
Zavian had already slipped away when Emmeline woke up a while later.A tray of food sat on the table, covered with foil to keep it warm.She approached cautiously, lifted the foil and inhaled deeply. The rich aroma of tomato sauce and garlic filled her senses."The smell alone is enough to make my mouth water," she murmured appreciatively.Her gaze landed on a folded note propped against the plate.Emmeline snatched it up with a fluttering heart."I didn't want to wake you while you slept so peacefully. There’s some pasta for you - just heat it up if it's gone cold. -Z"A girlish giggle escaped Emmeline at the thoughtful gesture.She pressed the note to her nose, trying to catch his lingering scent on the paper as warmth blossomed in her chest. That this powerful, imposing man would take such simple care of her needs..."That man captivates me more each day," she sighed, tracing the note with a fingertip.Despite her lack of appetite lately, Emmeline found herself devouring every bite
Zavian winked at her before he dipped his head to capture her lips in a scorching kiss that robbed the breath from her lungs.She melted into the passionate embrace, her body tingling with desire as his tongue teased against her lips, demanding entry.Emmeline parted her lips with a soft moan, allowing his skilled tongue to delve inside and engage hers in a sensual dance.His large hands slid down her back to pull her flush against his hard body as the kiss deepened, growing more heated and intense.Emmeline gazed up at him with half-lidded eyes and was breathless when they finally broke apart.“Delicious as always,” Zavian commented wickedly, placing two bags in her palm. "I heard women crave snacks during their period, so I brought you bags of chips, feminine stuff and chocolate," he responded.Emmeline looked at the first bag in astonishment, seeing numerous brightly colored bags of potato chips inside in a wide array of flavors. Then she blushed furiously at the numerous branded pa
~The next morning~Emmeline woke up feeling a bit under the weather, with some uncomfortable cramps signaling her monthly visitor was on its way. Ah, the joys of womanhood!As if that wasn't enough, her entire body ached as though a truck had plowed into her - no doubt the result of all the passionate smooching Zavian had lavished on her the previous night aboard his yacht.A ghost of a satisfied smile curved her lips at the delicious memories. Their heated embraces, his skilled mouth blazing a path of sin across her bare skin, the way he'd worshipped every inch of her body with fervent devotion...Emmeline shivered, warmth pooling low in her belly despite the cramps. Last night had been nothing short of heavenly debauchery.She'd barely slept a wink, too consumed by visions of her devilishly handsome lover and the sinful acts they'd indulged in together.Richard, the oblivious fool, hadn't even batted an eye when she arrived home well past midnight yet again. He simply grunted his usu
Zavian wasted no time driving straight to his private estate located on the outskirts of the sleepy town of Riverwalk after making sure Emmeline arrived home safely."Double the security detail," he instructed one of his trusted men through the mind link tersely. "Keep a low profile for now. "You got it, boss. The lady's security is locked down tight," came the quick mental reply.Zavian had handpicked five of his most elite and loyal shadow guards to keep a watchful eye on Emmeline while Luca was busy with other important matters. No way was he taking any chances with her safety.As Zavian's sleek ride pulled up to the circular driveway, he spotted the men in crisp black suits and earpieces standing at stiff attention like statues lining the whole thing.They all snapped to attention the second Zavian climbed out of the driver's seat, giving a respectful deep bow of their heads."Welcome back, sir!" They chorused like one voice, showing their utmost respect for the man whose power an
Zavian’s eyebrows shot up in surprise as if she'd asked something completely unexpected from a married woman like herself. "You really don't know?" He questioned incredulously."I..." She began but faltered under his intense gaze, lowering her eyes bashfully."It's because men and women are built differently. Women can orgasm multiple times during one round due to quicker recovery time." He explained, gently stroking her cheek and studying Emmeline intently as she absorbed the information. "Therefore, it's crucial for a man to maintain an erection for a long time. Premature ejaculation can be quite frustrating for women because it denies them satisfaction."Emmeline listened with rapt attention, her eyes wide with newfound knowledge. "I didn't know our bodies were so complex," she confessed.Zavian chuckled softly, his hand absentmindedly stroking her hair. "You're hard to please even in bed," he teased.She playfully punched him in the chest, giggling lightly. "If you want good servic
Emmeline was on the precipice of a delicious surrender, her fingers dancing across her femininity with a feverish tempo.Her middle digit fluttered left and right, creating an intoxicating rhythm that echoed through her body. As she pleasured herself, her other hand was busy exploring Zavian's turgid manhood, sliding up and down his length in a frenzy of desire."I'm...I'm so close," she breathed out. The sensation was so intense that it cut off her voice mid-sentence and sent ripples of pleasure coursing through her body."I want to watch you climax, but I can't keep my eyes open. It feels like I'm soaring to cloud nine."Zavian groaned at the effort of holding back his own pleasure, his breath hitched and ragged."Seeing you like this," he continued after a beat, "Touching yourself for me for the first time...it's like observing an exquisite piece of art that demands admiration." His voice was thick with arousal as he watched Emmeline writhe on the bed before him.Her soft whimpers e
Tears spilled relentlessly from Emmeline's eyes as she thrashed about on the bed, her limbs flailing in a futile attempt to alleviate the overwhelming sensations of discomfort that wracked her body.“Fuck, it hurts.” She cried out weakly.Zavian’s breathing was ragged. He took several deep mouthfuls of air to calm himself down, running a hand through his hair before dragging his feet toward the bed once more.He knew he had to make this right, to alleviate her pain. And his saliva should work magic in this case. "Forgive, baby. I’m here, I'll make it better."He gently maneuvered Emmeline on her back, his eyes filled with desire and concern. "Let me help you," he murmured soothingly roaming his hands over her body, not just to arouse but to comfort… to remind her of the intimacy they shared was beyond the physical act.His lips found hers, kissing her deeply, trying to convey his apology and his affection.Then he moved down her neck and began trailing her skin with gentle kisses.Zavi
Emmeline's body jolted involuntarily when his scorching tongue made contact with her chilled skin.A soft moan—one almost like that of kitten miaowing escaped her lips as her grip on the edge of the bed tightened.“Mr… ah, Blackthorn….” She breathed, her lips parting in bliss. "Your tongue... it feels incredible," she murmured.Zavian chuckled lowly at her words and expression. He blew a hot breath against her sensitive skin causing her to shudder."Not as soft as your lower lip," Zavian rumbled back.A gasp tore from Emmeline’s throat when he took her into his mouth again, the sensation overwhelming her senses.She arched her back and cried out, "What kind of sorcery do you wield, Mr. Blackthorn?” She cried out, throwing her head back in delight. “I-It feels like my s-soul is being drawn out from sheer pleasure!"She could feel his lips curving into a wicked grin against her flesh.“Touch yourself!" Zavian instructed hoarsely. "Fondle your breasts."The deep timbre of his voice plus h