Chapter 89 Lingerie
Audrey had just returned to the room when the bathroom door opened.
Elliot stepped out, hair still damp, water droplets trailing down his neck, over his chest, following the lines of his abs. A white towel hung low on his hips, his skin gleaming under the soft bedroom light.
Audrey froze mid-step, reaching for her sleep clothes. Her eyes—again, traitorously—followed every detail.
Broad chest. Strong shoulders. That perfect V-line disappearing beneath the towel.
She'd seen him countless times by now. But like this? Casual, damp, effortlessly beautiful? It made her heart race every single time.
Stop staring, Audrey. STOP IT!
She tore her gaze away. "I'm going to shower."
She bolted for the bathroom, but as she reached for the door, his low laugh stopped her.
He definitely noticed.
She locked herself in, face burning.
While Audrey showered, Elliot dried his hair lazily, then walked to the TV stand. He opened a drawer and pulled out a small black pouch—Laura's gift.
His smile widened as he unzipped it, checking the contents. Satisfied, he closed it and walked to the bathroom door and knocked it.
No answer.
He knocked again, a little harder. "Audrey? Baby?"
The door cracked open. Her face appeared—still flushed from the steam, strands of wet hair clinging to her temples. Her eyes were wary.
"What?"
He held up the pouch.
She stared at it. Then at him. Then back at the pouch. Suspicion radiated off her in waves.
"What's that?"
He smiled. "Your promise for tonight. Pick one and put it on."
She reached for it slowly, hesitantly.
"And if I refuse?" she asked, eyes narrowing.
He tilted his head, considering. "If you refuse..." He leaned closer, voice dropping. "I'll pick one myself. And put it on you."
Her face went crimson. "Elliot!"
He chuckled, satisfied, and ruffled her damp hair. "Don't take too long. I'll be waiting."
Before she could respond, he turned and walked to the bed, settling against the headboard with infuriating calm.
Audrey closed the bathroom door and leaned against it, staring at the pouch in her hands. Slowly, she unzipped it.
Her eyes went wide.
Lingerie!
Not just any lingerie. The kind that barely covered anything. The kind that was basically transparent. The kind that left absolutely nothing to the imagination.
She wanted to scream.
Where did he even get this?! When?!
She stared at her reflection. Cheeks flushed. Heart pounding.
"Do I really have to wear this?" she whispered, panicked.
Or... did she want to refuse and face the "consequences"?
She groaned.
Either way, she was going to end up in that lingerie.
"Elliot Harrington. You're impossible!"
Elliot was scrolling lazily through his phone when the bathroom door opened.
He looked up.
And stopped breathing.
Audrey stood in the doorway, cheeks pink, hands clasped nervously in front of her like she could hide.
She wore black lace—sheer, delicate, framing her body in ways that made his brain short-circuit.
The damp waves of her hair fell over her shoulders. Her skin glowed in the soft light.
She looked down, biting her lip. "Don't stare like that..."
He smiled slowly, setting his phone aside. "Like what?"
She glanced at him, annoyed. "Like... like you want to eat me."
He laughed softly, rising from the bed. His eyes never left her.
"That's exactly what I want," he murmured, stopping inches from her.
She stepped back instinctively—but the wall caught her.
She swallowed hard, trying to steady herself. "I... I wore it, okay? So we should probably just—"
His hand found her waist, fingers tracing the lace. Warm. Deliberate.
She tensed.
"You look incredible, baby..." His voice was rough. Deep.
She bit her lip harder. "There. You've seen it. So we can go to sleep now!"
He chuckled, leaning in, one hand braced against the wall beside her head.
"Oh, baby..." His voice was low, dangerous. "You really thought I'd let you sleep after this?"
She swallowed. Oh no.
"But you only asked me to—"
He didn't let her finish.
His mouth found hers—hungry, demanding. She lost balance immediately, gripping his bare chest for support. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against him until there was no space left.
"Mmph—Elliot—" She gasped between kisses, but he didn't let up.
One hand gripped the back of her neck, dominating the kiss like he was staking a claim. The other traced down her spine, fingers exploring lace-covered skin.
She trembled. Her breath came in short gasps—not just from lack of air, but from the heat spreading through her body.
"Elliot..." She moaned against his mouth, voice broken.
He pulled back just enough to look at her—eyes dark with wanting, lips curved in triumph.
She blinked, trying to gather herself. "I... I did what you asked. So... that's it, right?" She was mortified.
He raised an eyebrow, thoroughly enjoying her surrender. "Who said?"
She panicked. "But you only asked me to wear it! Nothing else!"
He chuckled, lips brushing her ear. "I never said it stopped at wearing it, baby..."
Audrey wanted to cry.
She'd walked right into his trap. Again.
But then—surprisingly—Elliot released her.
She exhaled in relief, though suspicion immediately took its place.
Without breaking eye contact, he stepped back and dimmed the lights. Then he sat on the edge of the bed, legs spread, completely relaxed.
A slow smile spread across his face. His eyes—dark, hungry—locked onto hers.
"Dance for me."