Chapter 55 HER RIBBON
Ixora's stomach churned, her breath growing more shallow as she adjusted her position.
"S... stop," she said, almost in a pleading tone.
He ignored her, slowly tracing the ribbon up her arm, down to her exposed cleavage.
Ixora's stomach flipped, a riot of butterflies erupting within her.
She bit her lips and twisted her wrists, struggling to free herself.
Hot breath escaped her lungs when he ran the ribbon along her chest.
She could feel her knees weakening.
"What?" He asked, rubbing the ribbon on her inner ear.
She tightened her teeth on her lips, preventing whatever sound that was trying to escape.
Adrenaline rushed through her chest down to her stomach and to her thighs. She clasped her weakened knees, trying so hard to balance on the ground without feeling anything.
"Man whore," he said, as if reminding her of what she had called him.
She gasped when he blindfolded her with the ribbon. The background faded to black, leaving her in his world of relentless torture. His hot breath fanned her neck, sending a throbbing sensation to her pulsating core.
"P... please," she pleaded, unable to handle the feeling anymore.
He was making her feel something new. Something no one had ever done, and he was doing it without using his hands.
"You should try harder," he whispered, his voice sounding so raw in Ixora's ears.
Slowly, he untied the blindfold, tracing it down to her back, then to her stomach.
Ixora's knees wobbled, her core getting slick from her wetness. Her breathing grew hotter and heavier when he began running the ribbon around her body, seductively fast. Her belly button, collarbone, her forearm right before her armpit, and her chin.
She breathed out, a sound of pleasure trying to escape from her mouth. Her eyes turned glossy as she couldn't believe her body was reacting to his cruel antics.
It got worse when he traced the ribbon from her legs up to her thighs.
"Ah...hmmm," she moaned.
The sound she had been trying to hold in escaped those lips of hers. Her middle was a mess because of her wetness.
His lips twitched, running the ribbon from her core to her waistline.
"Ahh..." She moaned, the tear slipping down her cheek.
It wasn't tears of pain, but pleasure, the very same one she hated her body for. She could feel her stomach tightening, her clit throbbing more.
Drexton ran the ribbon from her back to her shoulder, then hung it on her shoulder.
Ixora's breathing was still shallow when he got the keys and unhandcuffed her. She rested her back on the wall, slowly catching her breath.
Drexton placed the handcuffs on the table beside her.
Then he looked at her, their gazes locking.
"Your ribbon. The cuffs." His eyes twitched, he turned and began walking out of the place.
Ixora's eyes fell on his retreating figure, using her nails to slowly scratch the wall.
No one has ever turned her on so badly. Her eyes went to the handcuffs on the table and then the ribbon on her shoulder.
Her clenched thigh was a gentle reminder of how he ran the ribbon all over her body. She felt so ashamed of herself. The very ribbon she used to keep her hair in order, he used to mess with her body. And her stupid body reacted to his cruelty.
She stood straight, the ribbon falling on her foot. She stepped away from the ribbon, as if it were a curse on her skin, feeling relieved about the clothes she was wearing. At least it was able to conceal her soaked thighs.
"Pervert." She remembered his deep, husky voice.
She closed her eyes, still feeling his breath all over her shoulders. She immediately snapped her eyes open, cursing herself inwardly.
She exhaled, put back her heels, and headed to the door. She remembered her phone had fallen off at the restaurant.
The night was thick. How was she going to get home? There was no taxi in sight.
"What a cruel man? Can't believe he left me here. Jerk," she fumed, frustratingly taking off her heels.
The honking of a car made her look up.
"I was asked to get you," the driver said.
Ixora looked around before facing him.
"Me?" she asked, pointing at herself while wondering who might have sent the car.
"Yes. Sir asked me to get you."
"Get in, miss," he said, pulling a confused Ixora out of her thoughts.
Nevertheless, she got in after concluding he looked trustworthy.
As soon as they drove off, another car followed behind them.
Ixora picked at her nails while wondering if Drexton was the one who sent the driver. She peeked outside the window, feeling the strong urge that somebody was following them.
"Are we being followed?" she asked.
"I don't think so," the driver replied, his eyes fixed on the road.
"Stop the car."
The driver did as told. Ixora got out of the car, but saw no one.
"Am I only hallucinating?" she thought, getting back into the car.
The drive continued, and soon, they got to Castellan's gate.
Ixora alighted from the car, and the driver drove off.
She stretched her gaze and saw the lights were still on, which meant her mom was probably waiting for her.
She exhaled softly and started going inside.
Drexton, from his car, watched her until she entered their mansion. He closed the window and drove away.
\--
"Ixora," Blake called as soon as she stepped in.
He rushed and pulled her in a tight hug.
"You're okay. I was so scared," he whispered.
Ixora slowly wrapped her arm around him.
"I'm fine," she muttered.
He broke the hug, and that was when she had the time to look at the faces in the house.
Blake, Nelly, Georgia and Inspector Williams. Blake must have called Inspector Williams when Drexton abducted her.
"Mom, I'm fine." She flashed a smile.
"Xora, what happened to you?" Nelly asked, knitting her brow in concern.
Blake held her hand. "You don't have to be scared. I told the inspector all that had happened. You all have to confirm that all that I have said is the truth, then he will be arrested."
"Blake is right. All we need is your statement," Inspector Williams added.
Ixora gulped, tracing her gaze to Georgia, who gave her an assuring nod. Then she looked at Nelly; she couldn't quite understand her look.
Should she say yes and turn Drexton in? He would be out of her life forever. She'd be free from his web and clutches. But, deep down, a part of her was scolding her to deny the claims. A part of her didn't want him to go to jail.
Was it because she, too, wasn't innocent anymore? Or simply not wanting to see him behind bars.
"Xora, you don't have to feel scared or threatened," Blake said, drifting her back to the present. "I'm here with you, we all are. There are some people ready to testify against him. He abducted you in the open, remember? All you have to do is admit it all, then I promise he'll never trouble you again."
Ixora's gaze met his own before she faced Inspector William's.
"I appreciate your time and effort. I am back home and seem to be alright. You may leave now, sorry for the inconvenience," Ixora said.
Inspector William gave a nod and left.
"Xora, why did you tell him to leave? You could have said yes, and he'd be arrested," Blake said, grabbing her shoulder.
"I know you care about my well-being, and I truly appreciate it. I don't think involving the police is necessary. It is my own problem, and I can handle it." Ixora locked her gaze with his.
"Have you gone mad? That man is literally making your life a living nightmare."
"Blkae is right. What even gave him the right to abduct you? I'm going to file a case against him," Georgia said, getting her phone.
"Don't do it, Mum," Ixora said.
Blake's hands slipped off Ixora's shoulder.
"Why are you defending him despite all the wrong things he has done to you? He burnt the keytar I gave you. Compelled you to move around with a knife. Made you go to jail. Why do you keep on lying because of him? What the hell has gotten into you?!" Blake yelled.
"Blake, don't shout," Nelly said.
"I don't have the answer to any of that. I myself don't know. I... I need some time alone," Ixora muttered and went upstairs.
Nelly's eyes met Blake's. She shook her head before going after Ixora.
Georgia, too, walked away with billions of thoughts running through her mind.
Blake stood there, unable to move. His mind was revolving around all Ixora said.
As he kept standing, something slipped down his cheek. Something hot.
Tears.