Chapter 104 I'm A Bastard
Audrey lifted her head slightly, wet eyes meeting his with an expression he couldn't read. She bit her lip, hesitant—but she didn't refuse.
Slowly, he unbuttoned his own shirt, letting it fall to the floor, then turned his attention to her.
His hands reached for the buttons of her blouse. Gentle. Unhurried. Like he didn't want to corner her further.
She said nothing. Just looked down.
He realized how fragile she was right now. And it was his fault.
When the blouse slid from her shoulders, he crouched, reaching for the zipper of her skirt. Again, slow. Patient. Giving her time to stop him if she needed to.
She stayed still.
Finally, when all the clothes had fallen away, he pulled her into his arms again—letting her feel his sincerity.
No lust. No anger. Only gentleness. Only him, trying to soothe her.
He let the warm water surround them, one hand slowly rubbing her back—the warmth he should have given from the start.
He kissed the top of her head. Once. Twice. A wordless apology.
Then he reached for the soap, pouring it into his palm before gently smoothing it over her wet skin.
She stayed still, letting him do what he wanted. But he could feel her body—still tense. Still afraid.
He bit his lip, holding back the ache in his chest.
"I'll massage you a little, okay?" Again, no answer.
But he did it anyway. Slowly. Carefully. Starting from her shoulders, her neck—the spots that felt tight. Gradually, he felt her muscles loosen under his touch.
"Better?" he whispered.
She nodded slightly.
He smiled faintly—relieved. Little by little, she was starting to feel comfortable again.
His hands slid to her back, pressing firmly there, then to her arms, her small hands. Occasionally, he traced her fingers with his thumb, squeezing gently.
He knew how cold those hands had been.
As the soap began to rinse away, he reached for a shower puff—wanting to make sure he cleaned her properly.
Her fingers wrapped around his wrist.
He stopped. Looked down at her hand, then at her face.
She met his eyes—still hazy, but not from tears anymore. He swallowed hard as he recognized what he saw.
"Enough," she said softly.
He nodded. "Okay."
Carefully, he rinsed her body, making sure no soap remained. Then he grabbed a towel for himself and wrapped another around her, pulling her close.
"Let's get out." He kissed her forehead briefly. "You need rest."
She nodded, letting him guide her out.
After drying her and dressing them both in comfortable clothes, he guided her to sit on the edge of the bed—her between his legs, facing away.
He dried her hair with a towel, gently squeezing out the water. Each strand felt cold in his hands, reminding him how fragile she was beneath the strength she always tried to show.
Guilt crushed his chest again.
Without thinking, he leaned down, kissing her bare shoulder where her sleep shirt gaped. Then her neck, leaving warmth there.
She shifted slightly.
"Why were you like that earlier?" she finally spoke.
He stopped. Exhaled heavily, steadying himself. "Because I'm a bastard."
She turned to look at him, brow furrowed. "What does that mean?"
He met her eyes—his sharp gaze now filled with regret.
"I hurt you." He looked down, fingers gripping the towel. "I lost control... almost hurt the person I'm supposed to protect."
She was silent.
He kissed her shoulder again—longer this time, like he was begging for forgiveness. "I'm so sorry, Audrey..."
She stared ahead, feelings tangled. She knew he meant it. She was still hurt—even if unintentional.
But what she couldn't deny was...
Her heart still trembled at the gentleness he was giving her now.
He set the towel aside, then wrapped both arms around her waist.
She felt the embrace—tight, warm, and... stirring.
His lips found her shoulder again. Soft kisses that slowly traveled up her neck. His warm breath was so close it made her shiver.
She bit her lip, trying to ignore the sensation coiling in her stomach.
He didn't stop.
One hand slid up, stroking her side gently, while his lips moved closer to her ear. "Baby..." His whisper was deep, tempting.
She closed her eyes briefly, fingers clenching on her own thighs.
It was too soft. Too tempting...
She didn't refuse.
She stayed still, letting him do what he wanted.
Because part of her knew... she wanted this too.
He traced every inch of her skin, lips moving slowly from her neck to her jaw, finally finding her lips again.
This time, his kiss was softer—still demanding, but different. Like he was trying to make up for what he'd done.
She moaned softly as his touch grew more intimate beneath her shirt. Her fingers gripped his thigh, searching for anchor in the storm of emotion.
Without breaking the kiss, he pulled her to face him, guiding her onto his lap. Her arms wrapped around his neck naturally, letting herself sink into an embrace that was both comforting and confusing.
He stopped, breath ragged, looking at her deeply.
"Do you want this?" His voice was hoarse. Barely a whisper.
She bit her lip, cheeks flushed with embarrassment and nerves. Despite the lingering desire from his touch, something in his eyes made her hesitate.
"But don't be angry..." she murmured softly, unconsciously sounding like she was pouting.
He paused. Then laughed quietly. His fingers traced her jaw before his thumb brushed her warm cheek.
"I wasn't angry." He looked at her intently. "I was jealous."
She tensed. Her eyes blinked rapidly, then she looked away.
"Jealous of what?" she asked, trying to sound casual—but the slight tremor in her voice didn't escape him.
He smiled slightly, arms tightening around her waist. His lips moved down, kissing her bare shoulder slowly, deliberately. "I don't like my wife being with another man..."
Her heart raced. She swallowed hard, trying to control the storm inside her.
"You're overreacting," she whispered.
He kissed her shoulder again—longer this time, like he was leaving a mark.
"Maybe," he said softly. "But I won't let any other man hope for you."
She sighed softly, body melting into his embrace. Her fingers gripped his arm without thinking, lips trembling as she whispered, "So... what are you... going to do?"
He looked at her again—intense, dominant. The smile forming at the corner of his lips was dangerously tempting. "I'm going to make sure you remember who you belong to."
He looked deep into her eyes, making sure one last time that she truly wanted this.
When she gave a small nod, his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer until their chests touched. His lips found her neck again, leaving soft traces that made her shiver.
As his hand slid down, touching her thigh and stroking slowly, she bit her lip, body filling with unfamiliar sensation.
Unhurried, he slid his loose pants down slightly, his fingers guiding her to sit closer. He stroked her back gently, comforting her before guiding them together.
She gripped his shoulders tightly, gasping as they joined slowly. Their breaths mingled, and he paused—letting them feel every sensation.
"You okay?" he whispered, voice rough with care.
She could only nod, cheeks flushed, arms tightening around his neck. Without thinking, she began to move.
He groaned low, feeling how tightly she held him. His hands gripped her waist, guiding her rhythm.
Their breaths quickened, merging in warmth meant only for them.
She bit her lip, fingers digging into his shoulders. Their faces were so close every breath touched skin. His eyes stayed locked on hers, watching every expression—and he loved it.
She was beautiful under his care.
"Elliot..." she breathed, voice full of pleading.
He slid his fingers into her hair, pulling her closer before kissing her deeply—pouring everything unsaid into it.
Their movements grew urgent, hearts racing. Until finally—release.
She buried her face in his shoulder. He held her tighter, letting them both ride the lingering warmth.
Silence wrapped around them. Only their ragged breaths remained.
He kissed her temple gently, hand stroking her back.
"You forgive me now?" he whispered against her ear.
She smacked his arm weakly, face scrunched in a pout.
He chuckled softly, pulling her closer.
A moment of quiet. Then—
"Can we do it again?"
She smacked him harder. "Elliot!"