Chapter 113 Announcing Our Marriage
Without answering, Elliot gripped her waist, easily moving her onto his lap. He pressed his forehead to hers, enjoying their mingled breath.
"If we go home now, the drive will feel very long." His voice was rough. "And I'm not sure I can be that patient."
She gasped as his hand began stroking her back—deliberate, meaningful.
"So," he continued with a teasing smile, "why don't we just find a hotel?"
The moment the hotel room door closed, Elliot pulled Audrey into his arms again—like the drive over hadn't been long enough to cool the fire between them.
His lips found hers hungrily, demanding more than what they'd stolen earlier.
With barely restrained urgency, their fingers worked to remove every barrier, letting skin touch without limits.
He lifted her, carrying her to the bed without breaking their kiss, then lowered her onto the soft mattress.
He looked at her for a moment—taking in every detail. His gaze, heavy with desire, met hers—hesitant but unable to hide her equal longing.
"You're so beautiful, baby..."
She bit her lip, feeling her whole body respond more than it should. Heart racing, breath scattered, while his gaze held her captive.
He smiled softly, then leaned closer, letting his nose trace her jawline, leaving warmth on every inch of skin.
"You don't know how crazy I am about you," he murmured, voice thick with barely restrained need.
She closed her eyes, letting herself drown in the sensation—intense, deep, real.
He kissed her again—slower this time—before his lips began tracing a more dangerous path.
From her lips, down her jaw, neck, bare shoulders—his hands followed, mapping her curves.
She bit her lip, unable to hold back soft sounds as he traveled lower, torturing her with patience.
He smiled at her responses, enjoying how her body softened beneath him.
He continued his journey, giving full attention to her most sensitive places, testing how far he could push her.
She bit her lip, trying to suppress sounds threatening to escape. But when he pressed further, a soft moan finally slipped out.
"Elliot..." Her breath hitched, fingers tangling in his dark hair.
"Yeah, baby?" He hummed roughly, voice heavy with desire. He didn't stop what he was doing.
She could only squirm, head pressing into the pillow as sensation overwhelmed her.
"Don't..." she whispered—but the tremor in her voice wasn't refusal. It was a plea for him to give her space to breathe.
He chuckled softly, hand stroking her gently. "Me?" he whispered, teasing. "I'm not ready to stop, baby."
She moaned softly, head falling back, fingers gripping the sheets as sensation hit her without warning—spreading through her body until she trembled. "Elliot!"
He savored every reaction, making sure tonight he wasn't just satisfying desire—but bringing her to heights only he could give.
"Elliot..." Her whimper was rough, almost begging him to pause.
He looked up, dark eyes satisfied. "Easy, baby," he whispered, voice heavy with want. "I'm not done with you yet..."
Beneath the sheets, Audrey curled against him, arms wrapped around his waist, while he stroked her back gently.
"You know... this is such a waste," she said randomly. "Spending all that money just for this."
He laughed, pulling back slightly to see her face—which was predictably adorable. "You're calculating now?"
She looked up, face innocent. "Not calculating. Realistic. Think about it—we paid for a fancy hotel room just to do what we could do at home."
One eyebrow arched. "You said the car was cramped. That's why I brought us here—ow."
"How can you be so... insatiable?" she muttered, face red.
He just chuckled, completely unashamed. He buried his face in her neck, kissing softly.
"I'm only insatiable with my wife," he whispered roughly, making her blush deeper.
She quickly turned away, pretending to glare. "Stop being so... much!"
He laughed, satisfied with her flustered reaction. "You're adorable when you're defensive, baby."
She huffed, hiding her face in his chest. "I'm not discussing this anymore!"
He stroked her back gently, kissing the top of her head. "Fine, we won't discuss it... but we'll still do it, right?"
She pinched his waist immediately. He winced playfully.
But inside, he cherished every moment with this woman who was now truly his.
"By the way..." His voice turned slightly serious.
She looked up.
He met her eyes. "Our marriage is officially registered now."
She stayed quiet, processing the information without letting her emotions show.
He waited. When she didn't respond, he continued, "I'm also holding a press conference next week. To announce our marriage."
Her body tensed slightly in his arms. He felt it clearly.
He stroked her arm with his thumb, trying to calm her. "I know you don't like this kind of thing." His voice softened. "But it has to be done."
She took a deep breath. She wasn't surprised—not really. From the beginning, she'd known that being Elliot Harrington's wife meant she couldn't escape public attention. Still, hearing it from him made it feel... heavy.
"Why a press conference?" Her voice was barely audible.
He kissed the top of her head gently before answering. "Because I want the world to know you're my wife."
He paused. "And also..." His voice dropped lower, deeper. "So no one dares approach you or question your place beside me."
Her chest tightened.
Elliot was always like this. Decisive. Dominant. Always finding ways to show he was untouchable. But beneath that declaration, there was something else. Something deeper than status or recognition.
He truly wanted her to be his. Not just on paper, but in everyone's eyes.
She exhaled slowly, looking at him with curiosity. "What if I don't want to?" she asked—though she already knew the answer.
He tightened his arms around her, chin resting on her shoulder. "If you don't want to, I can delay it." He paused. "But I can't cancel it."
She instinctively held him tighter. She understood his intentions. They couldn't hide this forever. Sooner or later, the media would find out.
She swallowed. "When?"
He studied her face. There was hesitation—but no rejection.
"Next week." His voice was calm, reassuring. "I want to make sure everything's properly arranged."
She looked down. It took a moment before she finally spoke. "Okay... if it has to be done."
He smiled softly, kissing her cheek. "It'll be fine. I promise."
She closed her eyes, holding onto his words.
Next week. One week until the whole world knows. No more secrets. No more hiding behind office doors or apartment walls.
Her fingers gripped his arm tighter.
He felt it. And he held her closer.
The real journey was just beginning.