Chapter 5 Chapter Five
Elena's POV
"You are drunk?" I shake my head violently.
“I’m not,” I tried to say, but the words came out slurred. I blinked hard, trying to focus on his face. “It was just two glasses… plus the one Arabella gave me...”
He cut me off with a harsh whisper. “Enough. Please don’t embarrass me, Elena. If you can’t handle alcohol, then don’t drink.”
Embarrass him.
The words struck harder than his grip.
I wanted to explain, to tell him something wasn’t right, that the wine felt different, that my head wasn't spinning from just alcohol. But he didn’t give me the chance. His fingers dug deeper into my arm as he pulled me toward the staircase.
“Go upstairs,” he ordered through clenched teeth. “Now.”
“Rafael, please..." I tried to pull his hand, but he swatted his hand off mine.
“Quiet.” His tone left no room for argument. “Go now."
My throat tightened. I nodded, barely holding back tears.
Arabella appeared then, she is always everywhere, like a ghost, her calm voice slicing through the thick air. “I’ll take her upstairs,” she offered sweetly, touching Rafael’s shoulder.
I didn't want her beside me, I didn't want a two-faced bitch beside me, but as usual, Rafael thinks she is the best candidate to manage me.
He nodded once, already turning back toward his guests.
But just as she led me toward the stairs, Arabella suddenly stopped, pretending to check her phone. “Oh, I just remembered,” she said lightly. “There’s something I need to do for Mr. Rossetti. Can you manage on your own, dear?”
I hesitated, swaying slightly. “Yeah,” I murmured. “I will be fine.”
She smiled. “Good girl.”
And just like that, she walked away.
I gripped the banister, willing my legs to move. Each step felt heavier than the last. My heart was racing, and my vision kept blurring, edges of light smearing into gold and white. Something was wrong. I could feel it in the pit of my stomach, this wasn’t just wine.
I forced my eyes to stay open, but I didn't have any strength. I only felt hot, anxious, and dizzy. My head was dizzy, but fire was burning every inch of my body.
Halfway up, my knees buckled.
The world tilted violently. I gasped, reaching out, but my fingers caught only air. The floor rushed up to meet me
But I never hit it.
Strong arms caught me, steady and warm. The smell of not-too-familiar cologne was heavy on my nostrils. I blinked, disoriented, my vision swimming as I looked up.
A face came into focus, unfamiliar yet strangely intense. Dark eyes stared down at me, sharp and unreadable, framed by the soft glow of the chandelier above.
“Easy,” the man said, his voice low, steady. “Are you okay?”
My lips parted, but no sound came out. His scent, cedar and smoke surrounded me, grounding me even as the room spun.
“Who?” I managed to whisper, my voice barely audible.
He tilted his head, studying me. “Careful,” he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “You shouldn’t be alone like this.”
My chest tightened. I wanted to speak, to explain, but the world dimmed again, my body growing heavy in his arms.
"I should bring you upstairs..." His sweet soothing voice filled my ear.
"Rafael..." I whispered as I tried to bury my face in his chest, somehow I felt stupid and betrayed, and tears were slowly wetting my lashes.
"It's..." The young man tried to tell me something as he kicked the door open, to one of those rooms, upstairs, but I didn't hear a single word of his because I was so hot. I struggle unconsciously in his hands.
He lowers his head and looks at me, "Kitten, you would be fine." He muttered before he gently placed me on the bed. I don't think he knows what I am going through. I am burning, and there is no way I would be fine. I grabbed the neckline of my gown pulling so hard. "What are you doing?" His voice was shaken and confused.
"I am burning..." I voice out, as I reach for my zipper behind me, tugging it too hard, but the stuff refused to give way. "Please help me out..." I pleaded
"You..." Yet again I didn't get what he said. I felt flushed. Now I know I was drugged. The drugs in my body made me grasp the man's hand. My chest continues to go up and down, subconsciously twisting my body violently.
My brows would descend, and deep wrinkles would crease my cheeks. I made a subtle sound, "Rafael..." I felt he found this intense sensuality irresistible, but somehow he was keeping his feelings in check.
"No, we can't do this..." He mouthed for the first time I could hear his complete voice.
"Why?"
"It's because I can't, Rafael would kill me." He curses, pulling from me, creating distance between us.
"You are not Rafael?" I stuttered, forcing my eyes to stay open.
"No, I am..."
"Please help me..." I begged cutting him off when I felt the throbbing between my thighs. I have no idea what to do anymore. I couldn't even picture what was happening to me. The hotness inside me was increasing every second and I cringed and cried, "Ahhh!"
"What are you doing?" He growled when my hand finally ripped off my gown, exposing my chest that was covered with just my bra. "I'm sorry... But... I'm really hot... And I can't control it..." I cried in a stuttering voice.
"Shhh! I understand it's not your fault, so just relax let me get the doctor." He whispered, wanting to leave me when I grabbed his hand.
"Please don't leave me..." He sighed, leaning over and touching my cheeks, gently trying to comfort me.
"Don't be afraid, I am not going to leave you." His voice was soothing, but his touch was making me burn more, even though his hands were cold.
I couldn't help it, so I moved my fingers and touched his muscular hands. It was like electricity. He quickly retrieved his hand and turned his back on me. I could see him inhaling rapidly but he couldn't dare to look at me.
I felt the emptiness when his hand moved away from me, and my longing to be touched had intensified. The effect of the alcohol was wearing off, but the fire in my body seemed to be spreading rapidly. I couldn't help it but whispered, "Please don't punish me... I can't take it."
He turned suddenly, I guess it was too painful for him to hear my crying voice. He moved slowly toward me and sat at the edge of the bed, but tried not to touch me. He was restraining himself from touching me, "I am not punishing you, I'll go get Rafael, he could help you with..."
"Kiss me..."