The days that followed blurred together in a haze of tension and unspoken desire. I tried to resist him, to hold onto the pieces of myself that hadn't already been claimed, but Derek was relentless. He pushed, teased, and tested every limit I thought I had.
One evening, he found me standing by the grand balcony overlooking the sprawling estate. The golden hues of the setting sun cast long shadows over the grounds, painting the world in warmth that I didn't feel.
"You're quiet tonight," Derek murmured, stepping beside me.
I didn't turn to face him. "What do you expect me to say?"
His fingers brushed against my wrist, featherlight but electrifying. "Say that you want me as much as I know you do."
I yanked my arm away, my heart slamming against my ribs. "You're delusional."
Derek's smirk was slow, predatory. "Then why are you trembling?"
I hated that he was right. Hated that his proximity unraveled me in ways I couldn't explain. But I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
"You don't own me," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the evening breeze.
He leaned in, his lips just a breath away from my ear. "Not yet."
---
The estate was vast, filled with hidden corridors and grand halls that I had yet to explore. That night, after Derek left me alone with my thoughts, I wandered through the dimly lit corridors, my fingers grazing the cold stone walls.
A part of me itched to run, to find an escape, but deep down, I knew Derek had already thought of everything. The security, the watchful eyes of his men—I was caged, even without physical chains.
I ended up in the library, a massive room filled with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. I ran my fingers along the spines, their leather bindings cool beneath my touch.
"You're up late."
I spun around, my pulse spiking. Derek stood in the doorway, arms crossed, watching me with an expression I couldn't decipher.
I lifted my chin. "Couldn't sleep."
He stepped forward, his presence consuming the space between us. "You shouldn't wander alone."
I held my ground. "Afraid I'll escape?"
His lips twitched in amusement. "Afraid you'll get lost."
A slow heat curled in my stomach at the way his eyes darkened. He wasn't just talking about the estate. He was talking about me—about how easily I could lose myself in him.
And the worst part?
He wasn't wrong.