Chapter 12: TWELVE

RAFFAELE

I was good at reading people, good at being two steps ahead and that always served me well. But never have I imagined Celestia standing utterly bold and brave in the face of the adversity I threw at her.

It was meant to teach her a lesson, a lesson in obedience and the consequence of defiance, but she was a different ball game altogether. Even when she surrendered, she did it with grace and sheer willpower.

Somehow, a part of me was both stunned and proud of that. Celestia wasn’t just a hollow beauty, but a framework of boldness and bravery filled to the marrow of her bones. And maybe for this reason alone, she was different.

Fuck different, my mind screamed, but my gut went without it.

I knew she was trouble but I gladly invited her in.

Hardening my expression, I raised a questioning brow at her. Celestia quickly turned sideways, fisting the hem of her t-shirt with trembling fingers.

“No,” I forbade at once. “Turn around and face me.”

I saw the angerglowing on her face at once, like a wild ember of a roaring fire. I thought she’s going to resist but she just obeyed. The t-shirt was pulled over her head, revealing the lacy bra my staff had provided her earlier. Next, she roughly pulled down the track pants, angrily tossing them near my feet and stood with her arms hugging her petite frame.

“This is enough for you,” she declared boldly even when her voice quaked.

I shook my head. “Not even by a long shot. When I say strip, I mean everything.”

Celestia stared at me for a long second, hoping for leniency I wasn’t going to spare because a small, selfish part of me was heady watching her submission even it came under duress. Crestfallen, she reached behind her back and unhooked the bra but didn’t let it fall until she covered herself with one arm. This time, I allowed her.

The sight of her, of her creamy skin and generous breasts, was probably the most beautiful of god’s creation I have ever laid my eyes on. She was shaped to perfection but not the generic definition of flesh and bones.

“As much as I like a slow striptease, I don’t have all day, Celestia,” I reminded her.

“Besides, the sooner you comply, the quicker it gets over.”

Without a reply, she dragged down her panties and let it pool around her legs while the other hand tried to cover her sex.

Celestia Donovan was a sight to behold. Standing there like that, she held some kind of power in her nakedness. And it’s undeniable that I was already rock hard in my pants at the display. It felt like I was the one being punished rather than her.

“I hate you,” she gritted out with blushed face when I crossed the little distance between us.

I smiled and then ordered again, “Put your hands behind your head and lock your fingers.”

“You said all I have to do is strip; I did. You can’t go on with this—”

“What is the point of undressing when you are trying to cover yourself up?” I shook my head. “Do what I said.”

I watched her hands curled into fists before she clasped them behind her head. The posture coerced her breasts out, and I noticed how her dark areolas peaked. As much as she hated to be displayed, her body responded in the opposite way.

I traced a finger across her collarbone, feeling the softness of her skin. It was like caressing expensive smooth velvet. Celestia shivered a little but didn’t break her posture. Good girl.

“I don’t know if anyone ever told you this, but you are beautiful, Celestia,” I whispered solemnly, my hands moving to cup her breasts.

“And you are a jerk,” she sneered back.

I throaty chuckle vibrated within me as I pressed her delicate peaks between my fingers, testing her reactions. She gasped immediately, taking in a lungful of air.

“Clearly, you haven’t heard too many compliments, bambi.”

My gaze dropped down to her crotch, lingered a bit over her small thatch of silky curls that was trimmed like an amateur’s job. When I touched the pelt, she jerked back.

“Shh. Relax.” I wrapped the free arm around her waist to still her movements. “If you were mine, I would keep you shaved.”

Fuck, I didn’t mean to say that. But when the scarlet blush of shame flooded her cheeks, hardened her nipples further, I was more than sure that Celestia was intrigued with the idea. Whether it was the idea of being mine or being bare—I didn’t know.

“Turn around,” I ordered, releasing her.

The view of her back, every curve and dip of her back, was perfect. And when I traced down a finger, stopping at the crack of her ass, she clenched her behind in anticipation. Her shapely thighs were as much sensitive as the rest of her. Even under lightest of caress or feather touch, they quivered and squirmed.

A sea of wild possibilities crossed my mind. She was so beautifully submissive and yet wholly unaware. Under different circumstances, I would have shown her the potential of dark pleasures and erotic touches which we would have enjoyed more than she would admit. Yes, under different circumstances, one that doesn’t involve capture or blackmail.

“Get dressed,” I said and shifted towards the tripod to dismount the camera.

It was bad enough that I was blue balled last night, and now the sight of Celestia’s forbidden body felt like a brand of exquisite torture. How did I switch from a sadist to a fucking masochist in just one night?

Part of me didn’t want to turn around while she dressed on her own because I wasn’t sure if I could afford another sight of her nicebody without getting my cock twisted to death. The logical side of me simply wanted to keep it impassive and cold because that’s the only way I could keep her in check.

By the time I faced her, Celestia was well-clothed and softly sniffling. Fat tears rolled down her apple cheeks, and for the first time, I felt bad…even a little terrible. At that point, the hardened manhood became the least of my worries.

“If you go weak now, she’d try and walk all over you again.” The rational part of my brain voiced, and I couldn’t disagree. The entire household watched her blatant defiance.She challenged the authority in my field so she had to be educated. And the second part of her lesson was yet waiting for her.

Backing out wasn’t an option—for both of us. Celestia was stuck with me as much as I was with her.

“Here.” I dropped a handkerchief on her lap, and her eyes shot up.

She glared daggers with her red, tear-laden orbs and shoved the handkerchief aside, wiping away the tears with the back of her pam. Great! I was worried if the fire had snuffed out of her completely. Not that I expected so, but at times Celestia was too pig-headed for her own good.

“Since you are all decked up,” I mocked drily, “—it’s time to go down for breakfast. While the servants wouldn’t mind waiting all day, I do. I am getting late for work.”

“Why? Are you planning to kidnap another innocent woman for ransom?” she retorted.

“It’s cute how you insinuated that you are innocent.” I chortled.

“It’s disgusting how you called your perverted, criminal activities ‘work’.”

I stalked towards her and stood ground, shoving my hands into the pockets. “Bravery is a good thing. So stop while I am still admiring it.”

The way her teeth gritted together, I inwardly smiled. Her stubbornness was well-matched with mine.

“I will stop once you send me home. I don’t know what bones you have to pick with my mother—but it’s unfair to put me between you and her.”

I had half a mind to inform her that her Kyla Donovan was quite the dishonourable white-collar criminal who parented her but reserved the information for some other time…some other day. After all, Celestia wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon, especially after today.

“I will tell you what’s unfair.” I grabbed her by the elbow, hauling her towards the door and marching down. “The fact is that I have warned you far so many times and yet the words don’t register in your head. So now I have no choice but to drag you downstairs myself.”

Halfway down the hall, Celestia jerked her arm away. “Fine, fine.” The flash of resignation returned as her mind warred with her fiery spirit. “You don’t have to drag me down like a farm animal. I will walk.”

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