Chapter 52 Fifty Two
DANIKA
Heart pounding, I turn around. My soul nearly leaves my body when my gaze rests on the woman before me. It's definitely her. Tyler's mother. She's wearing a blazer dress and stilettos, with a pair of glasses hiding her eyes.
"Oh my god, what the hell are you wearing, Dani?!" She exclaims, taking off her sunglasses. And all I can think about is the fact that I've been busted. If she looks a little to the side, she's definitely going to realize that I'm here with her stepson.
My brain scrambles for a response, my pulse frantic.
"And what exactly are you doing in a place like this?!" Her voice goes an octave higher, dripping with disbelief.
I'm desperate for the ground to somehow cave in and swallow me. I part my lips to say something random only for a hand to wrap around my waist, the lovely scent of dark chocolate flooding my senses. I'm convinced I'm going to die today.
"Can you not raise your voice at her, Ember?" Kaziel says, and blood drains from her face, her jaw dropping.
"W-what is this?" She sputters, her gaze roaming over the spot where Kaziel's hand curls around my waist.
"Don't be dramatic. You look like you're about to have a stroke," my mate utters, totally unbothered.
Meanwhile, I'm on the edge of total collapse.
"What are you talking about?! Kaziel, she is my daughter, and you...you—"
"Ember?" A third voice joins in, and I look up to see Kaziel's dad.
He doesn't seem to notice Kaziel at first. He's just about to slide his arm around my stepmother's waist when he freezes, his gaze colliding with Kaziel's amused gaze.
My nervous system feels like it's crashing in its attempt to understand the unholy situation unfolding before my eyes.
"You two...are together now?" Kaziel asks, unblinking. My stomach drops.
"Wait, are you cheating on my dad?" I breathe, flabbergasted.
Ember pulls away from Kaziel's dad, shaking her head vehemently. I can't believe this. It hasn't even been long since the wedding. I'm going to be sick.
My stepmother. His father. This family tree needs a freaking exorcism.
"Come on, sweetheart. Let's go before they ruin our date," Kaziel whispers in my ear, and I nod, letting him steer me away.
By the time we're seated in a private lounge in the hotel, my cheeks feel hot.
Kaziel crouches in front of me while I sit on the chair, breathless. His soft gaze meets mine as he reaches for my hand and holds it gently.
"Are you okay, dove?" He asks, and I shake my head. He presses a kiss to my knuckles.
"You're worried that she's going to tell your dad about us," he points out, and I nod.
"She won't," he tells me, and I sigh, knowing he's right. We've got dirt on her. Thinking about the possibility that she might be cheating is beyond repulsive. Poor Mathew.
"You're not worried," I point out, and he smiles.
"You are mine, Danika. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can change that. So, why should I be worried? Now, come on, let's have dinner. You must be hungry."
Oh, I am hungry. Those words he'd uttered had awakened my soul, stirring up a hunger to be claimed like never before.
A little while later, we're settled in the diner, and all the appetizing food on the table makes my mouth water. Kaziel watches me as I shove food into my mouth, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
"What?" I say, reaching for more food.
"Nothing, just...watching you eat is a whole different kind of entertainment I didn't know I needed," he replies, and heat creeps up my face.
"Don't judge me. I need food for energy," I mumble, and he smirks.
"You're right. You will need the energy," he drawls. My mind instantly flashes on the filthy red light. Damn him. He's triggering my corruption.
Once we're done eating, we take a walk hand in hand along a beautiful garden in the hotel. It's lit with golden fairy lights that make the moment magical.
"I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Dani," Kaziel tells me, our fingers entwined.
"I want that too," I whisper.
"After the curse is broken, I'll make you mine indeed," he adds and arches a brow.
"How so?"
"Well, I haven't marked you completely because of the hollow curse. It's too dangerous to do that," he responds, and I nod in understanding.
"Do you...miss her sometimes? Your ex-girlfriend?" I ask, and he sighs.
"I..." He shakes his head. "It hurts too much to think about her."
I squeeze his hand gently to comfort him.
We walk in silence for a while, surrounded by serenity.
He suddenly tilts his head, a sly smirk tugging at his lips. "Now... about that list."
My body stiffens. My fingers tighten around his as heat floods in places I shouldn't even be thinking about. The way he says it, calm but commanding, is extremely magnetic.
"I... I..." I falter, my cheeks burning.
Kaziel leans closer, so close that I can feel his breath ghost across my ear. "Don't be shy, dove. You know how much I love your wild side."
I glance down at the small journal hidden in my bag. My hand trembles as I pull it out, my heart hammering like a drum. "Here..." I whisper, my voice unsteady, knowing the moment I hand it over, there's no going back.
I watch as he slowly opens it with the same hand he's holding it with. My stomach twists with a mix of nerves and anticipation.
At first, he reads silently, his eyes scanning every word. I can see his jaw tightening, the subtle flare of his nostrils, and the way his fingers curl around the edges of the journal just slightly. My pulse hammers in my ears as I realize... he's reacting.
"Dani," he murmurs finally, his voice rumbling from his chest. I glance up at him, my heart in my throat. His eyes are fixed on me now, a storm raging in their cobalt blue.
"Come with me," he says, and I follow him out of the garden. He leads me to the elevator. Then he reaches over to a small service panel near the elevator. With a fluid, almost predatory motion, he pulls out the 'Out of service' panel and sets it in place. My stomach tightens. Even in a public, luxurious hotel, he's already taking control, creating a world where it's just the two of us.
He glances back at me, that dark smirk playing at his lips. "Come on," he murmurs, holding out his hand. I hesitate for just a moment before I place my trembling fingers in his.
Once we’re settled in, the elevator doors slide shut, and I catch sight of my reflection on the mirrored walls.
Holy moly, I look like I’m intoxicated, and he’s barely even touched me.
My heart hammers in my chest as Kaziel rolls up the sleeves of his shirt to reveal his strong, veiny arms. Then he moves to stand behind me, steering me towards the mirrored wall. He hands me the journals and places his hands on my waist.
“Go ahead, dove. Read number one,” he tells me, his hands gliding up my body.
“Um…okay,” I croak, my breathing quickening as he slides my dress up.
“Hmm, why aren’t you talking?” He demands, cupping my ass with his large hands, leaning in to rest his chin on my shoulder.
I bite my lower lip, my throat going dry as he slaps my ass lightly.
“I…want…” A gasp slips from my lips as his hand slides in between my thighs, his knuckles brushing against my clit.
“No stopping, dove. For each stutter or pause, I get to spank you. Now, read,” he says in a commanding voice, my pussy growing wet at the mere sound of his voice.
“O-okay. I want to be—”
A moan slips from my lips as he runs the tips of his fingers along my slit. Electricity races down my spine as he slaps my butt cheeks again, a little harder. My legs are already shaking, my heart threatening to jump out of my throat.
“Focus, Dani. One more mistake and I’ll spank you three times,” he whispers in my ear, biting lightly.
Damnit. I want more.
Trembling, I part my lips to read again.
“I want to be fingered roughly and spanked while he forces me to watch myself in front—”
My body shudders as he sucks at my neck, flicking my clit hard enough to send a delicious jolt running through my entire body.
“P-please,” I whimper. My legs are barely holding me up on my heels.
“Shhh, take your punishment like the needy little princess that you are,” he says softly. “Now count.”
“O-one,” I stammer, letting out a cry as he spanks me again.
“T-two,” I groan, my juice sliding down my thigh as his hand connects again.
“T-three!” The last hit has me shaking like I’ve been electrocuted. I’m enjoying this way too much.
He chuckles, kissing my temple. “Good girl. Now, get back to reading.”
Steeling my resolve, I swallow past the lump in my throat.
“I want to be fingered roughly while he forces me to watch myself in front of the wall of an elevator,” I blurt out the words, breathlessly, even as he strokes my clit and squeezes one of my boobs.
His dark gaze locks with mine through the mirror.
“Now watch the mess I make out of you,” he utters darkly, slipping two of his fingers into my cunt until he’s knuckles deep.