Elena's POV
I was late. Almost 10 PM. Exhausted. After the marathon with Mariana ,shopping, nails, spa, dinner , all I wanted was a hot shower and to crash.
I stepped inside the mansion. Dead silent. At least he wasn't home... or maybe he was asleep? I didn't want a confrontation tonight.As I said I just wanted to nap.
I Kicked off my heels, sighing at the relief of my feet hitting the cold marble floor and flipped on the lights.
"Jesus, Rio!!, what the fuck?" I gasped, dropping the bags I had ,clutching my chest , wide eyed and spooked .
"You scared the shit outta me."I say breathlessly.
I bent to pick up the bags scattered on the floor. Why was he standing in the dark like some damn shadow freak? Oh, right - because he is a freak.
"Where the hell were you!!?" His voice was low and dangerous.
Like, seriously? Who tf does he think he is ?
I rolled my eyes and headed for the stairs, ignoring him because I was too tired for his bullshit.
He slid in front of me, blocking my path.I tried to slip around - nope. He stopped me again.
We were inches apart. His eyes dark as midnight , pinning me in place , I couldn't look away . The air crackeld with tension.
"You didn't answer my fucking question, El," he whispered.
God, when he talks like that - husky, deep - it's like a damn lingerie commercial playing in my brain. Pants dampening included.
I was a mess, I know.
"Don't call me that. And I don't answer to you, Rio. I know I stay here, but that doesn't mean I have a curfew. I'm not a damn child," I said, finger wagging.
"It's 10 PM. I didn't know where the fuck you were. You weren't answering my calls, Elena. You're wanted by dangerous people - you can't just be walking around at night!"his voice was raised now , angry , his chest heaving ,hands ran through his hair like he needed to rip it out.
He does that a lot. And... damn, I kinda like it. He was just worried. And I was being a total bitch.
"After shopping, we got our nails done, then spa - massage and scrubs - and grabbed dinner at an Italian place. That's why we're late," I said, watching him step back and pour himself a drink.
He needs to cut back on that. Lately, it's been way too much.
Why do I care? No clue.
"You should've told me," he muttered, eyes dark through the rim of his glass.
Silence settled. I didn't move. He didn't either.
I looked down. Awkward. Time to go.
"Wait," he sighed. I stopped mid-step.
I looked up. Tightening the grip on the bags I was holding.
"Just... stop being so cold with me, Elena. You didn't give me a chance to explain Jess..." he started, but I cut him off, hand raised.
"You're cold to me almost all the time, Rio. And I can't be that way? You don't even need to explain - it's like we're a thing." I said , suddenly angry and pissed just by the mention of Jessica's name .
"You fucked me, then kissed her. Was it really that bad? Or were you just using me to get what you wanted?"I ask stepping closer to him now .
I needed closure. Never felt this used before. Like my feelings were invisible.Like this whatever this is was nothing.
"It's nothing like that, Elena. She forced herself on me," he said, voice hurt. I scoffed and stepped back.
Am I supposed to believe that crap ?
"She pulled me to her and kissed me the second you walked in. I pushed her away - not because you walked in - because I didn't want her any where near me Elena , much less kiss her "his voice was hurt , his eyes held guilt .
Never seen him like this. Should I believe him? I don't know.
Do I want to believe him? No.
Will I believe him? Yes.
Why? No idea
I said nothing. Just looked up at him because I can't stop looking at those eyes .
He leaned down to eye level, lifting my chin.
"The only lips I want on mine are yours, princess. The only person I want to touch is you."his voice drops to a low rasp..his lips brush my ear , his body pressed gently on me .
"The only one I want to fuck mindlessly - is you. Don't you ever think what happened in that elevator was a mistake - because it wasn't. You're enough for me. "his words and voice make my skin tingle ,his thumb brushes on my lip and my eyes meet his .
"Jessica's just crazy. But you? You're all I think about every damn day. So stop being stubborn and drop the fucking attitude."
His voice was a deep rasp, low and commanding, finger pointed at me like a warning.
Did he just say all that to me?
My stomach did that thing. I gulped.
Clenching thighs, flooding heat.
"I... I didn't - well, I just..." I stuttered, trying to form words. I closed my eyes, took a breath to steady myself.
I finally opened my eyes , a bit glossy and emotional from all those things he just said to me . I relaxed against him .
"I was just confused. Hurt. I'm Sorry I didn't give you a chance to explain," I admitted, looking up. Guilt hit me like a train.
"I should've listened."I add
"It's okay. You being mad at me was driving me insane," he smiled softly.
I smiled back. Glad we were okay.
But what are we? That question would have to wait.
"At least we'll attend the ball on good terms," he smirked, brushing hair off my face.
My smile faded. Oh no.
Shit. The ball.Chad..ohhh no
"What?" he asked, concern sharp in his tone.
"What's going on? Everything okay?"his voice held concern as I slipped away from his hold .
I ran fingers through my hair. This was bad. Rio's gonna kill Chad when he finds out.
"Elena. Talk. Now."he commands and I stop mid pace.
"Well... I... thought you didn't want to go with me after the thing with Jess earlier, so I accepted Chad's offer to go with him ," I rushed out.
His face darkened. Oh boy, I'd poked the beast.
"You what?" His voice rose, and I flinched.
"I thought you didn't want me. Plus, I didn't want to go with you after... you know. So I thought the deal was off," I tried to smooth it over. Yeah, that didn't work.
"Call him. Cancel. Now." He stepped closer.
With that tone? I wasn't saying no.
I Pulled out my phone. Switched it on.
Three missed calls from Sam. Twenty-seven from Rio.
What? Is he insane?
"Rio, 27 missed calls? Are you crazy?"I ask wide eyed.
"You drive me nuts. Now call that fucker and cancel."he says voice annoyed .
I blushed, even though I knew I shouldn't.
I Dialed Chad. First ring - answered.
Me: "Heyyy, Charles." Rubbing my forehead.
Him: "It's Chad, Elena." he Chuckled.
Me: "Oh, yeah. Chad, sorry. I have something to tell you." I glanced at Rio - scowling, arms crossed. This guy had no right looking that good.
Him: "Yeah? What is it?"
Me: "I can't go with you tomorrow."
Him: "What? Why?" Surprise and hurt in his voice.
Me: "I'm coming with someone else. He asked me before you did."
Him: "Who? Why'd you accept me then?"
Me: "Mr. Mariano."
Him: "You're kidding. Our boss?"
Me: "Yeah, sorry."
Him: "Shit. He's gonna kill me. Did you tell him I asked?"
Me: "No." (Lied.)
Him: "Alright, cool. He'd fire me." Chuckled. At least he wasn't mad.
Me: "No, he won't. I'll make sure of it."
Him: "Okay then. Goodnight, Elena."
Me: "Goodnight, Chad."
I switched off my phone.
"I'll kill him," Rio grumbled.
I glared.
"No, you're not. Not doing that."I roll my eyes. Picked up my stuff and strated headed for my room.
"Oh, so now you're defending him?" Rio's voice rose. Brow cocked.
"It wasn't his fault. Don't do anything stupid," I warned, walking away - until he grabbed me.
I dropped my bags again, for the millionth time tonight.
He lifted me, placed me on the table behind me. I gasped my back hitting the wall the cool desk sending shivers allover my body .
He spread my legs roughly, trapping me. His eyes screamed danger. As he stepped between them .
He smirked.
Yeah. That smirk. The one that makes my heart skip, and my body betray me.
"Listen good. You're mine, Elena. Doesn't matter if you're mad at me or not. I'm not easy to be with, but you don't have much of a choice."his voice was low his breath brushing my lips .
My breath caught from how close he is and what he just said .
"Be with?" I whispered, voice small.
"Yeah."he whispered back .
Whispers, like we were doing something wrong.
"You never asked me out or to be your girlfriend or something," I said, eyes wide. I needed clarity to know if it's just fucking.
"You're my girlfriend," he said, thumb brushing my lower lip.
"That wasn't a question." I chuckled.
His eyes were soft with adoration - like I was his whole damn world.
I felt it too. Chaos. Wild, messy chaos. But I craved it.
"As I said, you don't have a choice. I'm not asking."he adds . Before I could respond.
His lips crashed on mine.
Hands tangled in my hair, pullingme closer, deepening the kiss.
I kissed him back with the sams urgency, all the tension between us pouring into one kiss . I tilt my head and my hands wrap around his neck pulling him closer
I tugged on his hair, earning a growl from him .. His hand moves to my neck and the other to mywaist, choking me gently as he kissed me harder, pulling me against him.
He squeezed my neck and I moaned, giving him entrance.
Our tongues danced in a messy tango.
We broke apart, gasping for air.
He bit my lower lip, dragging it as we caught our breaths.
His eyes held lust - and maybe love?
"I'm yours," I whispered , breathlessly
His smile was all the answer I needed.
"I know," he murmured, crashing his lips back onto mine.