Chapter 38
Chapter 38
The room was bathed in soft, golden light when Alexandria finally stirred. Evening had settled over the room, the sun was beginning its slow descent, casting long amber and rose hues across the walls and ceiling of the bedroom.
For several long seconds, she lay completely still, blinking slowly as her consciousness returned in fragments. The sheets beneath her were luxurious and warm, carrying the faint, unmistakable scent of Jonathan Vance.
Her body felt heavy, drained, as if she had slept for days instead of hours. The medication had worked better than she expected. The sharp, stabbing pain and constant ringing in her ears had dulled significantly. Her head still throbbed, but it was manageable now.
She felt better physically, but mentally and Emotionally?That was another story entirely. Reality crashed over her as full awareness returned, she was still in Jonathan’s house, in his bed. Because she had been too weak, too drowsy, too concussed to be own her own.
The humiliation burned hot in her chest. She had let him bring her here again, after everything, after he had coldly told her to get out of his car, after she had vowed to stay away, she had still ended up right back where she didn’t want to be.
She needed to get out of here. She didn't have time to sit around and think about all that had happened, she just needed to leave. She needed to return to the penthouse and regain some sort of control.
She sat up too quickly, the room tilted for a moment, a brief wave of dizziness washed over her causing her to press a hand to her temple, breathing through it until the world steadied. There was something else bothering her aside the dizziness; hunger gnawed at her stomach insistently.
After an entire day with almost nothing to eat, her stomach felt completely empty, but she ignored it. Food could wait, she needed to leave immediately. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, feet finding the cool hardwood floor. Her shoes were neatly placed beside the nightstand, she shoved her feet into them without bothering to tie the laces, grabbed her bag from the chair, and headed straight for the door.
Her steps were hurried, almost frantic, it was almost like her life depended on leaving. She didn’t want to face him, didn’t want to see that calm, controlling expression or hear that low voice telling her what to do. She just wanted to go home, lock herself in her room, and pretend none of this had happened.
Pretend she was still the strong, independent girl she had fought so hard to become. Her hand closed around the doorknob, heart racing. But the door opened from the other side at the exact same moment. Jonathan stepped into the room, filling the doorway with his tall, imposing frame. He had changed into a more casual outfit of black sweatpants and a matching shirt, but he looked no less imposing.
His dark eyes landed on her immediately: on her shoes, her bag clutched tightly in her hand, her clear intention to flee. For a split second, surprise flickered across his face. Then it settled into something cooler, more controlled.
"You're awake,” he said, voice low and steady. “How are you feeling?”
The question snapped the last fragile thread of her restraint. Her sharp tongue got the better of her as always, it lashed out before she could stop it.
“Why do you care?” she bit out, voice trembling with exhaustion, anger, and weeks of suppressed emotion. “Did you finish telling Dr. Lockhart all about how you fucked your barely legal student? Did you have a good laugh about it with your friends? Is that why you brought me here? So you could keep your little toy close?”
She was so upset but she was determined not to let herself cry, not now, not in front of him. Jonathan’s expression shifted. He looked genuinely taken aback for a moment, dark brows drew together. But before he could respond, Alexandria tried to push past him, her shoulder bumped hard against his chest as she aimed for the hallway.
She didn’t make it far. Jonathan’s hand shot out with lightning speed, his fingers wrapped firmly around her upper arm. In one smooth motion, he backed her up against the wall beside the door. Alexandria gasped, instinctively struggling, she twisted her arm, pushing against his chest with her free hand, trying to break free.
But it was useless. He pushed her back effortlessly, pinning her against the wall with his body. Not hard enough to hurt, but firm enough that she had no hope of escaping. His taller, stronger frame caged her completely. One of his hands braced on the wall beside her head, the other still held her arm.
Their faces were suddenly inches apart. Alexandria’s breath faltered, her heart hammered wildly against her ribs. She tried to push him again, but he didn’t budge. The effortless way he held her in place left her stunned and breathless.
“I can tolerate a lot of disrespect from you,” he said, his voice was low but she knew better than to take it lightly. “But I will not tolerate you accusing me of something like that.”
Alexandria stared up at him, wide-eyed.
"No? But you found out I was your student and you still fucked me." She bit back sharply.
"Enough of that." He snapped, backing her further against the wall. He seemed more upset now. "I think you're becoming quite to rude."
The anger that had fueled her sharp words moments ago faltered and died under the intensity of his gaze. He looked displeased, deeply so. His jaw was tight, his dark eyes burnt with warning.
For the first time in weeks, she felt truly humbled. The fight drained out of her almost instantly, replaced by a trembling awareness of how close they were standing. How easily he had overpowered her. How little strength she had left to fight him right now.
Her sharp tongue failed her completely, she said nothing at all, she couldn't even breath properly. Jonathan didn’t move, he simply held her there against the wall, face to face, his displeasure radiating off him in waves. And Alexandria stood there trembling as she thought of every possible out of this.