Chapter 31

ALINA

I might be stuck here, but I wasn’t broken.

Not yet.

I caught sight of myself in the mirror. The reflection staring back at me was unfamiliar—resentful, broken.

My breath hitched as my mind betrayed me, dragging me back to him. To the way he had slammed me against the wall, his grip firm, possessive, unyielding. His hands had been on my waist, holding me there as he laid out his rules—rules meant to control me, to strip me of any illusion of choice.

My stomach twisted in revulsion. Those filthy hands… hands that had touched God knows what—or who—before they touched me.

A shudder ran through me.

I needed a shower. I hadn’t washed since yesterday morning, and after everything—the dust and grime from the balcony, the lingering ghost of his touch—I felt anything but clean.

I made my way to the bathroom, double-checking the lock on the door. I needed to feel safe, even if only for a moment.

Slowly, I undressed, peeling the clothes from my body with deliberate, unhurried movements.

I turned on the shower, the cool stream hitting my skin like a jolt, momentarily numbing the chaos in my head.

I stepped under the water, letting it cascade over me, closing my eyes for just a moment.

Maybe if I stood here long enough, I could wash away the nightmare of my reality—erase the feel of his hands, the sound of his voice, the suffocating grip of his presence.

But no amount of water could cleanse the way I felt.

I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around myself, reaching for my clothes—only to remember that I hadn’t brought any in with me.

I reluctantly put the bra and panties I discarded..back on, feeling a wave of frustration wash over me.

It wasn’t a choice, but what else could I do?

I needed something to wear, but the only options were the pile of clothes that Bastard had sent me, the ones he’d expected me to wear.

With a disgusted shake of my head and no other choice, I stepped out of the bathroom, still feeling the dampness of my skin.

The lights were off in the room, which struck me as odd. I didn’t remember turning them off.

I reached blindly for something to wear from the clothes scattered on the floor, just as I was about to slip it on when a deep, rough voice interrupted me.

"I have to say, you have a sexy body."

I gasped and spun around at the sound, my heart pounding.

"Alexander..."

I stepped back, instinctively pressing the shirt against my body, desperately trying to shield myself from his gaze. My whole body trembled, fear coiling in my gut as my stomach twisted in anxiety.

What was he doing here?

Wasn't he supposed to be next door with that girl?

I looked at him, sitting comfortably in the chair as if he owned the room.

Oh yeah he did

His left ankle rested on his right knee, a small remote in his hand, which I now realized was probably used to turn off the lights. He wasn't wearing his suit, but his black slacks and open-collared black linen shirt revealed a glimpse of his hard, muscular chest. I quickly forced my mind to focus on anything but that.

His gaze was intense, unwavering, and focused completely on my body. There was no shame, no awkwardness-just calm, unrelenting confidence as his eyes raked over me.

"Your body is so irresistibly sexy, it's making me crave the kind of filthy, unforgettable night that would leave us both breathless and begging for more."

He smirked, his eyes narrowing as he leaned back against the sofa, his muscles clearly defined beneath his shirt, making him look even more imposing.

I forced myself to stand still, resisting the urge to fidget. I couldn’t show him fear—men like him thrived on it.

I tightened my grip on my shirt, feeling the tension coil in my chest. 

As the air in the room seemed to thicken, I realized I’d been holding my breath for too long. I let it out in a loud whoosh, then sucked in a deep breath, but it was pointless.

His eyes, hungry and predatory, travelled slowly down my body, and I felt frozen, unable to move. The sensation of his gaze made my skin burn, a tingling heat spreading across me. I squeezed my eyes shut tightly, but the feeling didn’t stop.

When he stood and started walking toward me, I instinctively shrank back, but it didn’t matter. His presence filled every inch of the room.

"Hmm... I’m going to enjoy my new toy," he muttered, his gaze never leaving me.

"A toy,?" I mumbled sarcastically, my voice shaky but laced with defiance.

"Well, don’t get too excited. You might find I’m more of a headache than you bargained for."

But even as I said it, my pulse raced, my body betraying my words.

As Alexander's face drew nearer, the air between us grew thick with tension. His cologne enveloped me, making my nostrils flare and my lips part slightly.

I darted my tongue out to moisten them, and Alexander's gaze zeroed in on the movement, his eyes burning with an unspoken hunger. He mirrored my action, his tongue sweeping across his lips in a languid motion that sent a shiver down my spine.

My body betrayed me, responding to his proximity with a flutter in my chest and a thrum of awareness between my legs. I clenched my thighs together, mortified by my reaction.

How could I be tempted by this man, who had so callously been with another woman just moments before?

Alexander's head dipped, his mouth hovering above mine like a promise of forbidden pleasure. My heart skipped a beat as I waited with bated breath for him to make his move. But instead of kissing me, he reached out and grasped the hem of my shirt, tugging it from my grasp. I felt a jolt of fear as he pulled back, his eyes raking over me with an unnerving intensity.

I stood before him in nothing but my black bra and panties, feeling vulnerable and exposed. Instinctively, I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to shield myself from his piercing gaze.

"Don't hide from me," he growled, his voice low and rough. As I shook my head wildly, he closed in on me, trapping me against the wall with nowhere to escape.

His fingers wrapped around my wrists like shackles, pulling them downward until I was forced to reveal myself to him once more. I felt a surge of panic as he loomed over me, his hot breath dancing across my skin like a whispered promise of seduction and surrender.

As Alexanders hand hovered above my chest, I could feel the heat emanating from his palm, making my skin prickle with anticipation. I shivered, despite the warmth that was spreading through my body like wildfire.

"Let go of me you pervert—I need to change. Can you at least have the decency to turn around?"

But my feeble attempt at sarcasm was lost on him. He didn't even flinch, his gaze still fixed on me with an unnerving intensity.

"Why would I turn around?" he asked, his voice laced with amusement.

"Why would I pass up the chance to admire what already belongs to me?"

And then, his finger made contact with my skin, sending a jolt of electricity through my body. I jumped, my eyes wide with surprise, as he slowly dragged his finger down my chest, stopping between my breasts.

I could feel my chest heaving, and each time my breasts brushed against his shirt, the tingling sensation in my lower region increased. It was as if my body had a mind of its own, responding to his touch with an eagerness that I couldn't control.

I swallowed hard, my voice barely above a whisper as I muttered,

"You're delusional if you think I'm yours."

But Alexander just kept going, his other hand coming up to travel down my neck. I was sure he could feel my pulse throbbing in fear - and anticipation - as his fingers danced across my skin.

"You have lovely skin," he muttered softly as he brushed his thumb over the throbbing vein in my neck.

"Smooth as silk." He paused for a moment before adding in a low growl: "So fucking beautiful."

But then he frowned like it pained him to admit it.

For a brief moment, confusion flickered across his face before his expression hardened into its usual mask of indifference. But his eyes—those burning depths—told a different story. They were filled with raw, unspoken desire, leaving no doubt about exactly what this man wanted from me.