CHRIS

I meant it when I told her I'd fuck her until she moved. The words left my mouth with the weight of a promise, one that I intended to keep. She doesn’t understand the pull she has on me, or maybe she does, but she’s not ready to admit it.

When Alfred had walked in on us at the balcony, I didn’t expect her to react the way she did. I was irritated, sure, but she panicked, bolting like prey that had just sensed the predator closing in.

"Come on, Sarah," I murmured, my lips grazing her neck as I breathed her in. Her skin was so soft, so impossibly warm, and it took every ounce of restraint I had not to flip her over and claim her right then. Her scent—something sweet, like jasmine—wrapped around me, intoxicating, drowning me in lust. I nuzzled into her, keeping my head resting at the nape of her neck, savoring the closeness.

I wasn’t ready for her to pull away just yet.

“I’m not that hungry,” she muttered, a weak attempt at putting distance between us. She shifted slightly, but I pulled her closer, refusing to let her slip away. A low groan escaped my throat as I pressed against her, the painful hardness between my legs only intensifying.

“Are you sure?” I teased, my lips brushing the shell of her ear. I tried to catch a glimpse of her face, but she buried it into the pillow, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. She was trying so hard to hide, to pretend she wasn’t affected.

"Okay then." I pulled away, pretending to give her space. I could feel her curiosity, her need, the moment I shifted. She turned, eyes flicking up to meet mine, surprised at my sudden retreat.

“You’re going just like that?”

I didn’t answer her. Words weren’t necessary. In one swift movement, I was on top of her again, pinning her down. Her body tensed, her breath hitched, and the thrill of it shot straight through me. She could fight, she could pretend all she wanted, but she couldn’t deny what we both knew.

She craved this.

Her first mistake had been letting me feel how much she needed this. How her body betrayed her every time, begging for more even when her lips refused to ask. The way she trembled beneath me, how she looked at my mouth, wondering if I’d kiss her again—it only made me want to take her further.

She tried to wriggle free, but I already had her wrists pinned above her head. I glanced down at her, eyes drinking in the sight of her flushed cheeks, her parted lips. God, she was beautiful like this. So damn helpless.

Would she love being chained, helpless beneath me?

The thought alone made me even harder.

“Chris.” Her voice snapped me out of my thoughts, but the sharpness in her tone only made me want her more. She had no idea how perfect she was when she fought back.

“Yes, love?” I whispered, dragging the word out, knowing it would rile her up.

“Get off me.”

“No.”

Her jaw clenched, frustration clear in the way her teeth ground together. “Chris, I’m not in the mood for this.”

I smirked, leaning closer, letting her feel every inch of me against her. “Well, I wouldn’t have to do this if you were a good girl and listened.”

Her cheeks flamed red, her anger barely contained. “W-What did you just say?”

“You heard me."

She doesn't say anything because she knows I'm right.

"You like it when I call you a good girl, don’t you?” I let the words drip like honey, knowing exactly what they’d do to her. Her body trembled, betraying her as her breath quickened. I could feel her pulse racing beneath my fingertips, and it only fueled the fire inside me.

Her breathing hitched, and I grinned as I leaned in even closer, her body betraying her as it always did. She could pretend all she wanted, but we both knew the truth.

She wanted me. She wanted this.

“Get off, Chris,” she said, but I knew it was a lie. She wanted me to chase her, to push her to the edge.

I let go of her wrists, but she didn’t move. She still held them above her head, as if silently begging me not to stop.

“I will,” I whispered, trailing my hand slowly down her arm, over her cheek, and stopping at her chin. My thumb brushed her lower lip, and for a moment, I was tempted to kiss her again, to make her lose control like she had the night before.

I’d promised her it was only going to be one night, but I was dangerously close to breaking that vow.

“But first, you’ll eat,” I said firmly.

"I’m not hungry,” she tried again, but her voice was weaker this time.

“Fuck that.” The words came out harsher than I intended, frustration leaking through. “I don’t care if you think you’re not. You're going to eat."

She stared at me, her eyes narrowing as if she were trying to figure out how to argue. But there was no argument here.

"And if I don't?" She asked, challenging me.

I leaned in, my mouth close to her ear. "You don't have a choice, Sarah."

We glared at each other, the tension between us thick enough to cut through. It didn’t take long before she finally broke the silence.

“Fine.”

I nodded, holding her gaze. “Fine.”

But neither of us moved. Her eyes flickered down to my lips, and I watched as she licked her own, making them even pinker, more inviting. It was torture. Every second stretched between us, and I could easily say to hell with it and kiss her right now—but I didn’t.

"Good," I said, breaking the moment as I got off the bed and straightened my suit, ignoring the way she sat up, clearly flustered. Her eyes darted down, and I knew exactly what she was looking at.

“I’ll see you later, Sarah,” I added, forcing a casual tone as I glanced at the plate of food. “And hopefully, you’ll finish the dish I made.”

Her eyes widened as they darted between me and the food. “You made this?” She sounded incredulous, like the idea of me cooking was something out of a dream. “Seriously?”

I shrugged, playing it off as if it were no big deal. "Is that a problem?"

“Oh, no,” she said quickly, shaking her head. “I just didn’t think people like you cook.”

“People like me?” I raised a brow, amused. “Should I be offended by that?”

She chuckled softly, leaning back against the headboard. “If you want to be. It’s just... I didn’t think royals knew their way around the kitchen.”

“Of course we do. We just don’t advertise it. Mother’s against it.”

Her brow furrowed. “Against what?”

"“Against royals doing things servants are meant to do,” I replied, the words laced with disdain. “She believes those tasks are beneath us.”

“So she thinks those jobs are for commoners?” Sarah asked, her voice soft but laced with curiosity.

I sighed, an unpleasant memory creeping in. “Sadly, yes.”

She didn’t respond immediately, just nodded slowly, as if processing the weight of what I’d said. The room fell silent, and that gave me my cue to leave.

I had too many things to handle—tomorrow was the official announcement of my ascension to the throne. And as much as I was trying to figure out what Alex had meant about finding Elliot, I needed to show my father that I was fully invested in the responsibilities ahead.

I was lost in thought when Sarah’s voice pulled me back. “Thanks for the food.”

I blinked, realizing I’d been staring at her, completely zoned out. “Anytime,” I replied, forcing a brief smile. I turned and made my way to the door, reaching for the handle when she spoke again.

“Are you still looking for your brother?”

Her question hung in the air, freezing me in place. I didn’t turn back immediately, my hand hovering just above the door.

I hesitated, wondering if she knew more than she was letting on, or if it was just an innocent question. Either way, her timing couldn’t have been worse.

“I mean, you’re still looking for him, right?”

Her voice was hesitant, almost cautious, and I turned to face her. There was something in her eyes, something that made me wonder why she brought this up now, but I stayed silent, letting the moment stretch between us.

My reaction must have said more than I intended because she quickly rushed to fill the silence. “Sorry for bringing it up. The thought just came out and—stupid me—I just had to talk it out—”

“You’re not stupid,” I cut her off, stepping a little closer. My voice was softer than I meant it to be, but I didn’t care. “It’s okay if you’re curious.”

“Really?” Her voice was small, tentative.

“Yes, really.” I nodded, watching her closely, trying to read the flicker of emotions on her face. “It’s normal to be curious about my brother. I’m just surprised that you… care.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly, a spark of something—maybe annoyance—lighting them up. “Why wouldn’t I care? You told me about his disappearance. Anyone in my position would be curious and want to know if you’ve found him.”

She was so earnest, her eyes searching mine. It was in moments like this, when her guard was down, that I found myself drawn to her even more.

Is it too late to kiss her now?

"Not everyone would care," I said, my tone sharper than I intended. "You might think they would, but funny how most people I’ve been with couldn’t give two fucks about my brother’s disappearance."

“People?” Her eyes narrowed as she shifted slightly, her tone tinged with skepticism.

I nodded, feeling the weight of her gaze. "Yes."

She uncrossed her legs, folding her arms as if bracing herself for my response. “People… or the women you’ve been with?”

She got me there.

I bit back a chuckle, noticing how serious she looked, her lips set in a firm line. "Right. The women I used to be with." I emphasized the word ‘used,’ hoping she’d catch the meaning, hoping she’d understand that I wasn’t talking about her.

“I see.” She nodded slowly, her eyes drifting from mine as she licked her lips, biting down on them, a nervous habit of hers. It was sexy as hell, but I knew it meant she was uncomfortable. She shifted in her seat, trying to adjust, but I caught a flicker of pain cross her face before she masked it.

It didn’t hit me immediately, but a second later, I realized.

“Are you hurt?” I took a step closer, my voice softening. “Was I too rough last night?”

She scoffed. She fucking scoffed.

This woman.

“I’m fine,” she muttered, trying to brush it off. “Just need to prepare myself better when this happens again—” She stopped, eyes wide as she realized what she’d just admitted.

I blinked, unable to stop the smirk creeping onto my face. Did I hear her right?

“Happens again?” I could feel my pulse quicken, the restraint I’d been holding onto slipping away. She kept pushing my buttons, and fuck, she was driving me insane.

“You heard wrong!” she blurted, jumping up from the bed, startling me with her cute little outburst. “Please leave my room!” And before I could respond, she slammed the door behind her, leaving me standing there, grinning like an idiot.

God, this woman.

I should come here more often.

“Okay, my love!” I called out, raising my voice so she could hear me. “I’ll be gentler next time!”

“Oh, fuck you, Chris, it was a mistake!” Her voice was muffled, but I could imagine her cheeks flushed red, the frustration boiling inside her.

“No, I’ll fuck you, and you know it wasn’t!” I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped me. This back-and-forth was too good, but I knew when to give her space. She needed a minute to cool off. “I’ll see you later, Sarah!”

As the silence stretched, the smile on my face grew. She didn’t respond, but she didn’t need to. From that exchange, I knew one thing for certain.

I was breaking her. Slowly, surely.

And soon, Sarah… soon enough, she’d give in.