Chapter 53 FIFTY-THREE

Chapter 53 FIFTY-THREE
M A R K O V

She blushed, her hands clenching into fists. I had hit a nerve.

"You're disgusting," she said, her voice tight.

"You love it," I countered, my eyes on her. "You love the way I talk to you, the way I touch you. You love the way I make you feel. Admit it."

"Never," she said, her head held high.

"We'll see about that," I replied, a confident smile on my face.

I started the engine, the rumble vibrating through the car. The ride to the grocery store was tense, filled with a heavy silence that was thick with unspoken words and unresolved tension. I could feel her anger, her resentment, but underneath it all, I could feel her desire. It was a potent combination, and it was driving me crazy.

I wanted to pull over, to take her right there in the car, to fuck her until she forgot her own name. But I knew I had to play my cards right. I had to be patient.

We finally arrived at the grocery store, and I found a parking spot near the entrance. I turned off the engine, the silence suddenly deafening.

"Well, let's get this over with," she said, grabbing her purse and opening the door.

I followed her, my eyes on her swaying hips. She was trying to act like she was unaffected, but I knew better. I could see the slight tremor in her hands, the way her breath hitched whenever I got too close.

We walked into the store, a thick tension between us.

She grabbed a cart, her movements jerky and agitated.

"What are you looking at?" she snapped, catching me staring at her.

"Just admiring the view," I replied, a smirk on my face.

She rolled her eyes, pushing the cart down the aisle. I followed her, my hands in my pockets, my eyes never leaving her.

She grabbed a can of tomatoes, her movements a little too aggressive. She was trying to distract herself, to keep her mind off me. But it wasn't working. I could see the flush on her cheeks, the rapid rise and fall of her chest.

I decided to have a little fun. I walked up behind her, my body brushing against hers.
"Need any help with that?" I whispered, my lips close to her ear.

She jumped, nearly dropping the can.
"What the hell are you doing?" she hissed, turning to face me.

"Just trying to be helpful," I replied, my expression innocent.

"I don't need your help," she said, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Are you sure?" I asked, my gaze dropping to her lips. "Because I can think of a few things I could help you with."

"Markov, seriously. Knock it off," she warned, her voice low.

"Or what?" I challenged, my eyes glinting with mischief.

I let her go, walking ahead of her to the next aisle. I could feel her eyes on me, and I knew I had gotten to her.

She followed me, her movements a little less aggressive now. She was trying to regain her composure, but I could see the war waging inside her.

I decided to take the shopping into my own hands and started packing lots of meat into the cart. I didn't have to eat, but it was fun to see her get flustered. And plus, the more food I bought, the more she would owe me.

"What do you think you're doing?" she asked, her hands on her hips.

"Shopping," I replied, my expression innocent. "You said I could come. I'm helping."

"You're buying way too much meat," she said, her eyes wide. "What are you, a caveman? And I don’t have the money for all that, keep it back."

"I'm a growing boy," I replied, a smirk on my face. "I need my protein. And who said you have to pay for anything? I'm buying."

"I'm not letting you pay for my groceries," she said, her chin held high.

"Why not?" I asked, my gaze unwavering. "Are you too proud to accept a gift?"

"It's not a gift, it's a bribe," she shot back, her eyes flashing with defiance.

"And what, pray tell, am I bribing you for?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"For... for..." she stammered, her cheeks flushing. "For... you know."

"I don't know," I said, my expression unreadable. "Enlighten me."

"For... for sex," she finally blurted out, her voice barely a whisper.

I burst out laughing, the sound echoing in the quiet aisle. I haven’t had a good laugh like that in centuries. I almost forgot what it felt like.

"Jade, Jade, Jade," I said, wiping a tear from my eye. "You really think I need to bribe you for sex? Haven't I already proven that I can have you whenever I want? That your body betrays you every single time?"

She stared at me, her eyes wide with disbelief. But then, a slow smile spread across her face, a dangerous, calculating smile that made my blood run cold.

"You're right," she said, her voice sweet as poison. "You don't need to bribe me for sex. But you do need to bribe me for my forgiveness. And that, my dear Markov, is something you'll never have. So go ahead, buy all the meat you want. It won't change a thing."

She turned on her heel and walked away, leaving me standing there, speechless.
She had played me. She had turned the tables on me, and I hadn't seen it coming.

I stood there for a moment, a slow smile spreading across my face. This was going to be more fun than I thought. She wasn't as easy to crack as I thought. She was a challenge, and I loved a good challenge.

I continued to load the cart with more food, a new plan forming in my mind. I was going to make her mine, no matter the cost. And I was going to enjoy every minute of it.

I caught up with her at the checkout, the cart overflowing with groceries. I intentionally did so because her salary paid little to nothing. I saw the way she winced at the total. I smirked as I handed the cashier my credit card, my eyes never leaving hers. She was trying so hard to maintain her composure, but I could see the cracks in her facade. I could see the turmoil in her eyes, the war raging between her pride and her desire.

"You're such an asshole," she whispered, as I helped her load the bags into the car.

"I know," I replied, a smug smile on my face. "But you love it."

"I don't," she lied, her gaze fixed on the road ahead.

"Sure you don't," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

I smirked as I loaded the car trunk with bags, watching her struggle to keep her composure. She hated that I had this power over her, this ability to see right through her facade. But she also couldn't deny the attraction between us, the magnetic pull that drew us together despite our best efforts to stay apart.

"Let's go home," I said, my tone final.

"Fine," she huffed, crossing her arms and got into the passenger seat.

I shook my head. She was a piece of work. But she was my piece of work, and I wouldn't have it any other way.