Chapter 68 Basement!
|| Author POV ||
Rosa quietly pushed the notebook toward Killian. Her lashes lowered and her teeth caught her bottom lip. She wasn’t sure if she got the answer right. She’d double-checked the sum three times, but fear still gnawed at her nerves.
What if it was wrong?
Killian didn’t even look at the page at first. His piercing gaze landed on her face to study her. Then, his cold eyes dropped before taking the notebook.
“Wrong.” he said flatly.
A chill passed down her spine. “I–I’m sorrie.”
Killian set the notebook down with a thud. “Sorry doesn’t fix it. Come here.”
Rosa blinked. Her heart skipped a beat at the sharpness in his tone.
Why does it feel like she’ll get punished?
With a small pout, Rosa stood up slowly. Her feet padded toward him. Her head lowered, fingers nervously picking at the hem of her shirt. She stopped right in front of him, unable to lift her eyes to his.
Killian turned toward her, sitting like a king on his throne.
His dead gaze dropped to her, standing nervously just steps away. Without a word, he reached out and clasped her wrist in his large hand, pulling her effortlessly between his legs.
Rosa’s breath hitched.
Her wide eyes lifted to his only for a second before she quickly looked away. Her lashes dipped low. To her, Killian looked scary.
When it’s about her study, he’s so serious and it scares her.
She again dared to peek at him but the sheer intensity in his gaze made her instantly look away.
“What are you scared of?” Killian asked in a deep voice. Rosa felt like she was falling for his voice again.
“I’m n-not.” she lied and her voice was no stronger than a whisper.
Killian’s eyes dropped to her fists which were tightly clenched at her sides.
“Liar!”
He grabbed one of her hands, opening it forcefully. Her palm was cold and damp with nervous sweat.
“See?” he whispered darkly, holding her hand in his. “Even your hands tell the truth.”
Rosa bit her lip. Her shoulders stiffened. He was too close. Too quiet. And that quiet always came before something twisted.
But Killian just kept staring at her like he was trying to decide what to do with her.
Or what to turn her into.
But beneath the surface, his mind was tangled in thoughts of the accident. His sharp gaze never left her petite form.
If his assumptions were true... then what?
Rosa’s round eyes drifted to his lips. Tentatively, she stepped closer and pressed her lips shyly against his, hoping to quell his anger and spare herself from punishment.
A soft peck would work, right?
Killian spread his legs even more, trapping her between them. Before she could pull away, he captured her lips fiercely.
“Hgh!” Rosa gasped. Her hands slipped helplessly to her sides as Killian pulled her tighter by the waist.
In that moment, he let go of all the storms inside his mind, lost in the sweetness of her precious lips.
But every time his lips met hers, control slipped through his fingers like smoke. Without breaking the kiss, Killian rose up. Rosa stretched on her tiptoes, still unable to match his height.
Frustrated, she gave up, just as he pressed her sharply against the closed door of his study.
His bulky body towered dangerously over her. Her head was pressed softly against the door as he deepened the kiss. Yet his hand cradled her head protectively like a violent tenderness beneath his obsessed hunger.
“Mhh.” A low grunt rumbled in his throat at the dangerous need of her taste. Rosa felt him grazing his sharp teeths against her flesh.
“AH!” Rosa jolted, a sharp yelp tearing from her throat as his teeth sank hard into her bottom lip.
Tears welled and spilled over. A small trickle of blood seeped from the bite. Without breaking the kiss, Killian’s tongue flicked out, licking the blood away with possessive care.
“Hic!”
Killian pulled back the moment he heard her soft hiccup. His dark gaze dropped to meet those frightened, tear-filled eyes that silently pleaded.
Was he just slipping out his frustration on her? He scared her.
Tenderly, Rosa brushed her fingers against her injured lip, wincing at the sting. Slowly, Killian clasped her trembling hands, lifting them to his mouth. Rosa’s lips parted, breath caught in awe and confusion when he gently kissed her small fingers, then her palm.
Rosa’s tears began to dry. A fragile warmth blossomed inside her.
In that moment, she thought as if he was adoring her, silently apologizing, soothing the pain he had just caused. But he wasn’t.
His right hand rose to cup her cheek. “It was your punishment.”
The light in her eyes flickered and died.
Killian chuckled roughly. “Such tiny hands.”
Before Rosa could react, he scooped her up. Her legs curled around his waist, clinging softly as she stole a cautious glance at his sharp eyes. Killian walked out of the study room.
His cold stare traced every delicate curve of her face.
Hunger simmered dangerously inside him. He studied the fear on her face. The craving to possess her body and soul was a beast clawing inside him barely restrained.
His affection was brutal, fierce like a savage tenderness that threatened to consume them both. His desire to consume her, to devour her whole grew fiercer each day.
Lately, he has been plagued by an uncontrollable cute aggression. He can’t control but wants to eat Rosa alive for looking so adorable.
Killian doesn’t know how he had been controlling himself back then. Thanks to her coward aunt. She made it a lot easier for him.
That woman handed the lamb straight to the wolf. And the wolf was done pretending to be tame.
Rosa pressed her cheek to his shoulder. Her breath was quick and shallow. She was terrified and lost to the dangerous man she loved.
Resting her face lightly on his shoulder, she felt his lips kiss hers again. She tried to move but this time, he wasn’t rough.
One thing gnawed at her heart, if he doesn’t love her, then why does he look at her like he was starving for her soul?
Why does he crave her touch as if it was the only thing that kept him sane, yet still hurt her in those fleeting beautiful moments they shared?
Why couldn’t they be like other couples, gentle and free? Why doesn’t he take her out for coffee dates like Aria’s boyfriend does?
She also wants to tell him what happens in the academy. Wants to tell what she likes. Wants to know what he likes.
She wants to spend beautiful moments with him too. But he’s so cold.
Then she remembers Killian once took her to Cinzía, calling it a date. She smiled inside. How can she forget that?
Killian’s grip on her small frame tightened as his lips moved slower this time. He pushed the door open behind her and Rosa pulled away just enough to look around.
It was his bedroom. She hugged his neck.
“I-I don’t want to do it.”
Rosa whispered with fear. Fear of having sex. With him. It’s as pleasurable as the pain. And she’s scared of that.
Killian let out a dry scoff. His eyes shifted with dark amusement. That innocent voice of hers and that sweet little refusal made him chuckle.
Rosa quickly lowered her gaze, trying to hide the flush rising on her cheeks when he reached the bed. Her eyes scanned his every movement. Her heart pounded as Killian gently laid her down on the plush mattress.
Rosa immediately turned to the other side, curling into a tight ball. Killian’s blank eyes fixed on her small form. She looked like a white bunny folded in slumber.
Slowly, Killian climbed onto the bed. Rosa squeezed her eyes shut, heart fluttering wildly in her chest. Killian’s strong arms wrapped around her waist before pulling her close against him.
Confused and breathless, Rosa didn’t know what she felt or thought. His warmth seeped into her. He gently flipped her to face him. Through long lashes, Rosa stole a shy glance at him.
He was so close. Her cheeks burned and she immediately buried her face against his neck, breathing in the scent of his fresh cologne.
“Good night.” she mumbled.
Her heart was beating violently. Killian didn’t reply. His eyes fixated somewhere.
|| AT MIDNIGHT ||
Moonlight splashed through the earth.
Suddenly, the shrill ring of the phone shattered the quiet waking Killian up. He rubbed his temple, eyes half-lidded and glanced down. Rosa, curled up against his chest was sleeping. Her soft cheeks were pressed tenderly against the pillow.
Who the hell dares call at this hour? Killian tsked. Irritation flickered through his haze.
He grabbed the phone and pressed it against his ear. A familiar voice crackled through the line. Killian’s brow narrowed as he listened to his men.
“Alright. Bring him in. I’m coming.” he muttered in a low voice. His eyes drifted back to Rosa’s peaceful face.
With a soft click, he ended the call and carefully slid out from under her warmth. Standing by the bed, his dark gaze stayed on her tranquil form.
Killian closed his eyes for a moment, then with a final glance, he left the room.
Nearly an hour had passed.
Rosa tossed in her sleep. Her hands reached out for the warmth that was no longer there. Her fingers met only the cold sheets. A faint pout formed on her lips. Her brows twitched as her lashes fluttered open.
She rubbed her nose with the back of her hand, blinking through the dim light. The bed felt too big... too empty.
Killian wasn’t there.
Rosa sat up sluggishly. Confusion etched her features. Her hair was tousled from sleep and eyes scanned the quiet room.
Where did he go in the middle of the night?
Her throat felt drier. There wasn’t even water in his room. Rosa dizzily pushed herself off the bed. Her bare feet brushed the cold floor as she slowly padded toward the door.
The moment she stepped into the corridor, a faint sound brushed against her ears.
Her brows furrowed. Rosa rubbed her half-lidded eyes with the back of her hand, trying to clear the haze. The vast hallway downstairs was enlightened. It always have been. Even in the night.
The sound came again, faint, muffled. Metallic, maybe? Something like... a low echo of human.
Unease filled her stomach.
Her steps hesitated before continuing. Slowly, Rosa descended the staircase. The lower she went, the louder the sound grew.
Is she dreaming?
Her feet touched the marble floor below.
Her heart thudded wildly in her chest as she reached the last step. Her lips parted slightly in fear. What if it was a ghost?
Rosa froze. Her feet rooted to the cold marble and chest rose and fell rapidly.
A man’s voice echoed. Pained and low like something torn from the depths of his throat. Like he was in pain.
Rosa’s head whipped to the side, heart lurching.
A thief? An intruder?
Her wide eyes locked at the partially open door near the back staircase.
This was the same room she saw while Lilia gave her a house tour when she first came here. She remembered Lilia saying ‘The guards told me not to come to this place. I don’t know why. This mansion has lots of rooms. Maybe master never uses it, so it’s just been left like that, getting old.’
\[ A/N : Refers to chapter 17. \]
It looked like a basement. Then why is it open? Why is there light spilling out from the room?
Rosa took a trembling step forward but her body stiffened when the groan turned into a strangled cry. She flinched hard.
What was going on in there? What’s going on in that abandoned room? Where is Killian?
Is he hurt?
Rosa shook the thoughts away. Her heartbeat now pounded like thunder in her chest. Step by step, she moved toward the door with her bare feet silent against the cold marble.
The light from the room spilled over her bare toes and she slowly tilted her head just enough to peek inside. Her lashes lifted. Her eyebrows slowly unknotted.
And then, her entire world tilted.
The blood drained from her face. Her lips parted. She couldn’t move. Couldn’t blink. Her pupils trembled at what was happening inside.
Goosebumps filled her body. The pure horror filled her veins like ice. The hair on her body stood violently as terror flashed infront her naive eyes.