Chapter 23 Finally alone!
Elara's POV
The elevator doors slide shut with a soft whoosh, sealing us in that intimate metal cocoon as it ascends smoothly toward the penthouse. The air hums with the tower's subtle wards—layers of magic and tech that Kael has woven into every inch of this empire—but right now, all I feel is him.
His hand envelops mine, warm and possessive, shadows coiling lazily around our intertwined fingers like affectionate vines, sending tingles up my arm that mingle with my golden light in a familiar, electric dance. The bond pulses between us, a living thread of gold and darkness that's grown stronger with every shared breath since the rut's end, amplifying every glance, every touch.
Gods, the way he looks at me now—golden eyes darkening with that feral hunger barely leashed, his massive frame crowding the space without even trying—makes my core clench with anticipation, a fresh wave of heat pooling between my thighs despite the professional facade we've maintained all day.
"Finally alone," he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that vibrates through me, echoing off the mirrored walls. He doesn't waste a second, turning me with effortless strength and pinning me against the cool glass panel, his body a wall of muscle and heat pressing into mine.
One hand braces above my head, the other sliding to my waist, fingers digging in just enough to remind me of last night's grips—bruising yet tender, claiming without apology.
Shadows extend from him like extensions of his will, brushing my thighs under my skirt, teasing the sensitive skin there with feather-light vibrations that make my breath hitch. "I've been patient, mate. Watching you all day—efficient, composed, that skirt hugging your ass like an invitation. But now..." His lips brush my ear, fangs grazing the lobe in a nip that sends sparks racing down my spine. "Now, I claim what's mine."
A soft moan escapes me before I can stop it, my body betraying me as always—arching into him, nipples hardening against my blouse, clit throbbing with need. The elevator's ascent feels eternal, every floor passed heightening the tension, but I revel in it, my hands fisting his shirt, pulling him closer. "Kael," I whisper, voice husky with the lust that's simmered under my skin since that stolen kiss in the kitchenette. "We could be seen—the cams..." But even as I say it, I know it's futile; his shadows have already shrouded us, muffling sounds, blurring feeds in that seamless way he commands.
He chuckles darkly, the sound sending shivers through me as his hand slides lower, bunching my skirt up inch by inch, exposing my thighs to the cool air. "Let them watch if they dare. But they won't—shadows hide us, Elara. Just like they hid your screams last night." His fingers find the edge of my panties, teasing the damp fabric before slipping beneath, parting my slick folds with agonizing precision. I gasp, hips bucking instinctively as he circles my clit, shadows joining the assault—one coiling around my thigh to hold me open, another vibrating against my entrance without entering, building that exquisite pressure. "Feel that? Already so wet for me, mate. Tell me—did the board call bore you? Or were you thinking of this, my fingers in your greedy pussy, shadows teasing like they did in the shower?"
Heat floods my cheeks, but I can't deny it—gods, how could I? The day's rhythm had been a tease: his shadows brushing my ankle during the holo-call, making me stifle a gasp mid-sentence; his mental pulses through the bond, filthy promises like "Later, I'll bend you over that desk and fuck you until you scream my name." I'd crossed my legs under the table, core aching, pretending to focus on reports while imagining exactly this. "Yes," I confess breathlessly, nails digging into his shoulders as his finger dips inside me, curling to hit that spot that makes stars burst behind my eyes. "All day—thinking of you, your cock stretching me, shadows filling me everywhere. Gods, Kael, don't stop..."
The elevator dings softly, doors opening to the penthouse foyer, but he doesn't pull away—instead, he lifts me effortlessly, my legs wrapping around his waist as he carries me inside, shadows slamming the doors shut behind us. The space welcomes us like a lover: vast windows overlooking the city now bathed in afternoon light, the massive living area with its leather couches and marble floors, the balcony beyond where we'd peaked under the moon. But we don't make it far; he presses me against the nearest wall, the cool surface contrasting his heat as he grinds against me, his hard length straining through his pants against my core. "Strip for me," he commands, setting me down with a growl, eyes blazing as shadows coil around my blouse buttons, popping them open one by one with deliberate slowness.
I obey, heart racing, the bond thrumming with our shared desire—my golden light flaring to meet his darkness, amplifying every sensation until my skin sings with it. My blouse falls away, revealing my lace bra, nipples peaked and begging; I shimmy out of my skirt next, letting it pool at my feet, standing in just panties, bra, and heels. His gaze devours me, fangs extending slightly as he sheds his own shirt, revealing the chiseled planes of his chest, the faint scars that my magic has softened. "Beautiful," he rasps, stepping forward to trace a claw down my sternum, slicing the bra clasp with precision—the fabric falling away as shadows catch my breasts, squeezing gently, pinching my nipples in rhythmic twists that make me keen. "On your knees, mate. Show me how much you missed this."