Chapter 9

Elsa

The tour ended at the highest point of the iland, with a breathtaking panoramic view of the azure ocean stretching into the horizon. The private yacht waited at the dock below to take us back to the main complex—a gleaming white vessel with two separate cabins, bobbing gently on the turquoise waves.

"The yacht has two separate cabins," I explained, adjusting my skirt where it had ridden up after my earlier fall. My ankle still throbbed, but I'd be damned if I'd show weakness. "Mr. Stone, perhaps you'd like to take the main cabin with—"

"You'll ride with me in the main cabin," Drake cut in, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Vera, take the second cabin with Taylor and the representatives."

Vera's lips pursed into a thin line. "But Drake, I thought we could—"

"I need to discuss some matters with Ms. Hale," he said, already guiding me toward the yacht, his hand on the small of my back sending electricity up my spine.

The cabin door closed behind us with a soft click, and I moved to sit across from him as the yacht's engines rumbled to life. My inner wolf paced anxiously, whining and scratching beneath my skin.

Fuck, fuck, fuck. She was practically drooling, desperate to roll over and present herself to our Alpha. Traitorous bitch , I thought bitterly, trying to ignore the dampness already forming between my thighs.

Drake's eyes, amber with flecks of gold, locked onto mine. Without a word, he reached across, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me onto his lap.

"What the fuck are you—" I started, but his mouth was already on mine, hungry and demanding. His hands gripped my hips, fingers digging into the fabric of my skirt. My wolf howled in triumph, while my rational mind screamed in protest.

When he finally broke the kiss, I was breathless, my pussy embarrassingly wet against his thigh. "Someone could see," I whispered, glancing at the large windows surrounding the cabin, though we were now moving across open water with only seagulls as witnesses.

"Let them," he growled, one hand sliding up my thigh, pushing my skirt higher. "You know what these stockings do to me." His fingers traced the lace top of my thigh-high, and I bit my lip to stifle a moan. "You wore them on purpose, didn't you? To torture me?"

I didn't answer, but my body betrayed me—my nipples hardening to painful points under his gaze, my cunt clenching with need. Drake always loved me in stockings, especially with skirts that gave him easy access. I'm pathetic , I thought, even as I ground against his hand. Two months of trying to forget him, and I'm soaking wet after five seconds in his lap.

His fingers continued their upward journey, and his eyebrows raised when he encountered the thin strip of my thong. "Well, well. Not exactly standard office attire, is it, Ms. Hale?"

"Fuck you," I whispered, but there was no heat in it. Just raw need that made my voice crack.

He chuckled, the vibration rumbling through his chest against me. "That's the plan." His fingers slipped beneath the thin fabric, finding me embarrassingly wet. "Two months away and you're still so responsive to me. So fucking wet."

I closed my eyes, hating how easily he could play my body. My wolf was whimpering, tail wagging frantically as she submitted completely. His thumb circled my clit while two fingers pushed inside me, and I had to bite my lip until it bled to keep from crying out.

"That's it," he murmured against my ear, his hot breath making me shiver. "You can fight me all you want up here," he tapped my temple, "but your body knows who it belongs to."

The yacht slowed as it approached the main dock, and I glanced at the approaching platform. People were waiting there—including Vera, who would be disembarking from the second cabin.

"Shit—we're almost there," I gasped, pushing at his chest, even as my hips betrayed me by grinding down. "We can't—someone will see—"

Drake growled, his eyes flashing dangerously with pure Alpha dominance that made my wolf cower. Clearly displeased at being interrupted, he withdrew his hand with obvious reluctance. I scrambled off his lap, adjusting my clothing with trembling fingers, the scent of my arousal heavy in the enclosed cabin.

"Here," I said, handing him a bottle of water from my bag. "You might want to... cool down."

His nostrils flared as he inhaled my scent on his fingers before taking the water. As the yacht docked at the marina, I exited first, desperately trying to compose myself.

Drake stepped out behind me, his face a mask of cold professionalism, but I could smell his arousal—sharp and demanding.

Before I could make my escape, a man approached me—one of the Moon Shadow representatives.

"Ms. Hale," he said, standing too close, his eyes trailing down my body in a way that made my skin crawl. "I had some questions about the eastern villas. Perhaps we could discuss them over dinner?"

I took a step back, maintaining my professional smile despite my wolf's disgusted growling. "I'd be happy to have my assistant email you the details, Mr. Whiteclaw."

He moved closer again. "I'd prefer a more... personal touch." His eyes lingered on my chest, his meaning unmistakable.

Drake had been walking toward the waiting cars with Vera, but at that moment, he stopped abruptly. His head turned, nostrils flaring. In three long strides, he was beside me, his arm sliding possessively around my waist.

"Is there a problem here?" he asked, his voice deceptively soft, but I could feel the tension radiating from him. The scent of territorial Alpha aggression poured off him in waves.

Whiteclaw backed up immediately, recognizing the challenge from our Alpha. "No problem, Mr. Stone. Just discussing the project."

"Ms. Hale has other commitments this evening," Drake said, his fingers digging into my hip. "You can direct any questions to her office tomorrow."

Vera called from the dock, her voice high with annoyance. "Drake? Are we leaving?"

Drake turned to her, his voice suddenly cold and hard. "Go back to the hotel. I'll join you later."

Her face fell, but she didn't argue.

Drake guided me toward the administrative building, his hand still firmly on my waist. Once inside, I tried to create some distance.

"Thank you for the intervention, but I could have handled—"

"Your office. Now."

Holy shit. My body responded instantly to the command, a shiver running down my spine, wetness flooding between my legs. I led him to my office, heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst. As soon as we entered, Drake locked the door behind us, and I moved to pull down the blinds on the glass wall facing the corridor.

The moment the blinds closed, he was on me, turning me around and pressing me against the wall. His mouth crashed down on mine, hungrier than before, all pretense of control gone. His hands were everywhere—in my hair, on my breasts, sliding up my skirt.

"Two months," he growled against my neck. "Two fucking months without this." He bit down on my shoulder, hard enough to mark. "Mine."

I should have fought him. Should have maintained some dignity. Instead, I melted against him, my body betraying all my resolutions. "God damn you," I whispered, even as my hands scrambled at his belt.