Her body arched, chest rising and falling, as a wave of bliss washed over her, releasing soft moans she never imagined could escape in such a situation. His touch was intoxicating, breaking down the subtle resistance within her. She shouldn't feel this way, given the situation—but his touch sent her spiraling, driving her wild with desire.
She had never known such pleasure before. But when his touch faltered, replaced by a sharp thrust from his finger, the pain surged, unexpected.
"Ouch," she winced, her body trembling as caught his expression.
He seemed surprised.
A devilish smile curled his lips, like a predator drawn to his prey. "You're so tight. It seems I'll be the first to savor every inch of you; you're all mine tonight," he whispered in a breathless, possessive tone, making her heart flutter.
"Will it hurt much?" she whispered, as the tip of his manhood teased her entrance, eager and impatient to breach.
Zane leaned in close, his warm breath brushing her neck. "You can choose to cry and beg for mercy. Perhaps you'll endure it. The decision is yours." He whispered in her ear, sending a shiver through her nerves.
"Fine then," Selina nodded in acceptance. She could only pray it wouldn't hurt as much as he promised.
Whatever he wanted to do with her, she would try to endure it.
As he tormented her breast with his touch, his lips tracing a cruel path down her skin, Selina's breath hitched at the pain of his harsh thrust.
"AHH… it hurts!" she cried out, her body shuddering beneath him. Tears blurred her vision as the sting coursed through her, raw and unrelenting.
Zane's gaze hardened, cold and unforgiving. Sweat dripped down her spine as his words chilled her to the bone. "I told you," he sneered. "I won't give you pleasure."
"Please… be gentle," she pleaded, her voice a quiver of desperate hope.
Zane snorted, his lips curved into a dark amusement. "Don't delude yourself. I'm no gentleman."
He could feel the anticipation she had tried to build between them, but he shattered it with brutal force. Without warning, he thrust into her, and her scream pierced the thick, tense air.
As he claimed her, it was without mercy—a brutal and relentless act. Pain shot through her body under the weight of his emotionless gaze. It taunted her, reminding her of how vulnerable she was.
The man she had known to be gentle was gone, replaced by someone she didn't recognize. His eyes were now cold, filled with frightening emotions.
Selina's breath came in slow, shaky gasps as the intensity of their intimacy began to fade, leaving behind a sensation that felt both endless and hellish. Zane pulled away, leaving her lying on the bed, still aching from their encounter.
He stood, walked out of the room without a word, and left her behind, without a glance
Alone, Selina remained still for a moment, her body too weak to move. She tried to stand up slowly, but her legs betrayed her, and she stumbled, catching herself with a soft thud on the floor.
"Ahh," she sighed, exhaustion bubbling within her.
That cold-looking devil had lured her into this and then left her disoriented. Yet, there was something about their raw moment that left her with a strange, unshakable sense of pleasure.
Selina raised her hand as her fingers brushed through her hair, tucking a loose strand behind her ear. Her teeth grazed her bottom lip in a slow, involuntary motion as the thought of how he'd claimed her wholly lingered, stirring emotions deep inside.
With a deep breath, she pushed herself to her feet and made her way to the bathroom. The warm water of the shower brought a soothing relief, washing away the discomfort and easing the ache that had settled into her body.
Sinking herself under the shower, she thought of meeting her father once it was dawn to figure out more about what Mr. Zane meant. His accusations about her father troubled her left her restlessness.
***
The next morning, Selina stepped out of the room and quietly closed the door behind her with a soft click. With caution, she scanned every corner of the house like a sensor, checking if that cold devil was anywhere in sight.
'Cold devil'—the nickname she'd picked for him after last night's rough treatment. She needed to escape this chilly trap.
Noticing that Zane was nowhere in sight, nor anyone else, a rush of urgency struck her. With her heels in both hands, she tiptoed barefoot across the cool tiles of the staircase, descending as quietly as she could.
Selina quickened her pace toward the open entrance, glittering with the promise of freedom. Relief washed over her—until it vanished in an instant. Her heart jumped at the sight of the imposing figure stepping into her path from the corner.
Her body tensed, her mind scrambled, and her eyes widened.
Selina, halt!
Oh, no!
Too late!
Before she could stop, her forehead collided with his broad, firm chest. She stumbled back, lost her balance, and plopped onto the floor.
"Ouch!" she winced, rubbing her forehead.
Zane, unfazed, crossed his arms across his chest. "Were you trying to escape?"
How did he appear out of nowhere like a ghost? She fumed silently, her face twisting.
An awkward chuckle slipped from her lips. "No, I was just… admiring the mansion before I bumped into you."
"I didn't bring you here to admire the scenery. My business with you isn't over yet. So brace yourself," Zane said coldly, his words hinting at whatever dark intentions lay beneath.
Selina stood up, brushing off her hands. "What business is that?"
Zane leaned in, his gaze sharp. "Are you that desperate for another round?"
"What… what round?" Selina stammered, blinking at his shameless remark. "My body is already aching. Maybe we should skip today," she muttered.
Zane raised an eyebrow, a devilish smirk curling his lips. "You seem fine to be on your feet. I believe I went easy on you. So gentle that I might just want more."
Gentle? Selina scoffed inwardly. Was that a compliment or a jab at how helpless she'd been under him?
"I don't remember much of it, but you can't keep me here forever," she said, her gaze drifting past him, unable to meet his intimidating stare. "I have my own life, my dreams. I need to work hard, earn enough, and build a future beyond these walls."
"I never said I'd confine you here," Zane replied coolly, his voice trailing off as he turned, descending the steps. His black trench coat swept behind him, boots echoing on the stone as he walked away without looking back.
Selina stood dumbstruck, as if she'd just heard something utterly shocking. Was this… a change of heart? He had promised to torture her—didn't that mean locking her up?
A small smile crept onto her lips. She hurried to catch up with him, stepping into his path.
Zane slowed.
Walking backward, she lowered her head in a dramatic bow. "Thank you, Mr. Zane. I won't forget your kindness and mercy."
She then looked up with a radiant smile and winked at him.
Zane slid his hands into his pockets, wondering if she was always this dramatic, like someone out of a '50s movie. He doubted her gratitude would last once she saw what awaited her next.
He stared at her, noting how her bright eyes locked onto him—familiar, yet distant, as if something faint flickered behind them—before he quickly looked away.
Selina cleared her throat, a sudden idea sparking. "Let me repay you with dinner. Since I can't afford a meal at my restaurant, I'll find a nice place for us. What do you think?"
She needed to get close to him and understand this hellish conflict between him and her father before it tore everything apart.
"I'm not your friend," Zane said flatly, turning her down.
Selina nodded, recalling how he always ate alone at the restaurant. She stopped in front of him again, blocking his path. He raised a brow at her bold move, ready to tell her to get out of the way—when she gently raised her hand and touched his forehead.
The back of her hand lingered for a moment, leaving Zane motionless. His brows furrowed, astonished.
She slid her other hand into his palm, feeling how cold his skin was against hers despite the scorching weather.
Her eyes softened. "Are you unwell, Mr. Zane?"
Zane snapped back, yanking his hands away, fury flashing in his eyes. Rage boiled beneath his skin at her uninvited affection.
"So impulsive and audacious," he muttered, his voice low but heavy, making Selina retreat.
She blinked, unsure why he was upset. Was he really that cold?
"I was just worried about you."
Zane's expression didn't shift. "You should worry about yourself."
"But you don't seem fine."
"Don't act like you know anything about me," he rebuked quietly, a cold edge in his voice.
Selina took a slow breath. "I don't. That's why I've been trying. I want to understand… I want to be by your side."
Zane clenched his jaw, his patience thinning. Her boldness, her endless chatter, her softness—it gnawed at him. And now she dared to want to stay by his side? What a reckless, foolish wish.
His face darkened, his fists tightening as he struggled to keep his fury in check. For a moment, the fire in him felt uncontrollable, ready to burn everything in its path—including her.
But he swallowed it down and said sharply, "Let me make this clear. I would never need someone like you by my side."
With that, he brushed past her without a glance back.
Selina stared after him, a frown tugging at her lips. "How could he be so blunt with his rejection?" she muttered, watching his retreating figure.
When she saw him take an unfamiliar path, she hurried to follow. "Where are you going?"
"Come with me quietly," Zane ordered, his voice low and dangerous. "Or I'll rip your tongue out."