Chapter 20 Damn It
Red rose petals were scattered on the floor, forming a large red heart. The air was thick with a tantalizing, almost suffocating fragrance.
Nathaniel opened the door and effortlessly carried Christina into the room. She felt light in his arms, like a delicate doll.
“Let go of me! I’m not some toy!” Christina’s voice trembled with frustration. “Are you deaf?”
With a sudden motion, the door slammed shut behind them. Nathaniel threw Christina onto the bed and pinned her down. The temperature in the room seemed to drop sharply as his muscular body leaned in closer.
Christina’s heart raced. She felt like she had wandered into a lion’s den as she stared into his piercing eyes.
“It doesn’t matter who you are,” Nathaniel’s voice was low and commanding. “You’re mine, and that’s all that matters.”
His words left Christina speechless. She had no chance to argue. The divorce agreement she had so carefully torn up seemed to be nothing but a distant memory now. Christina was still his, and deep down, she knew it was true.
Her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment, her ears burning with shame. “Go away,” she murmured, barely able to look at him.
Nathaniel chuckled darkly, a predatory glint in his eyes. “Hmm? It seems like my little darling needs a lesson in respect.”
His cold laughter filled the air as he held her chin firmly, lowering his head to kiss her.
His breath overwhelmed her senses, pushing into her mouth and slowly stealing away her breath. His fingertips traced her arm with an intensity that made her body tremble. Even though they had been intimate before, the sensation still caught her off guard.
Her lips ached, blood staining them from the pressure of his kiss. Tears welled up in her eyes as the pain mingled with her emotions.
Nathaniel paused, surprised by her response. He stopped and gently wiped away the tears from her cheeks.
Despite her pain, Christina’s face was filled with defiance. She refused to give in.
Nathaniel smiled, his eyes softening slightly. “Not bad. A little bit of arrogance makes you even more perfect.”
Christina felt a shiver of fear run down her spine. She pushed him away, desperate for air. “I despise you,” she snapped.
Her words seemed to amuse him, but his gaze darkened. “Christina, you truly are unique. And the more I see of you, the more I find myself growing fond of you.”
Her breath caught in her throat as he held her in place. “What a shame,” she said, trying to mask the confusion in her voice. “I can’t say the same.”
Christina got to her feet and walked toward the door, intent on leaving. But before she could even touch the handle, Nathaniel’s large hand gripped her wrist, trapping her against the door.
Her pulse quickened as his imposing form pressed in on her. His face was dangerously close now.
He whispered in her ear, his voice smooth and seductive, “I’ll make you fall for me, Christina. You won’t want anyone but me.”
His words were like a dark promise, sending a wave of dread through Christina. She realized what he meant, and her cheeks flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment.
The strength between them was incomparable, and Christina knew she couldn’t rely on physical strength to escape. She’d only provoke his possessiveness further.
So, she decided to play along for now. If she pretended to obey him, maybe she could buy herself some time.
With a soft, childlike tone, Christina gently placed her hands on his chest and moved them up to his neck, looking up at him with feigned innocence. “You smell,” she said, almost pouting. “Why don’t you take a shower first?”
Nathaniel’s eyes narrowed in thought. His usual clean freak nature made him realize that he needed one. He nodded slowly. “You’ll wait for me, won’t you?”
“Of course,” Christina answered, flashing him a bright smile. She walked into the room, sitting down on the bed. “Hurry up, or I’ll get bored!”
Nathaniel looked at her with an air of confidence, thinking that she would never run away. He took a last look at her and walked into the bathroom.
Once the bathroom door closed, Christina breathed a sigh of relief. She glanced back at the door, watching it carefully.
Taking out her phone, she quickly dialed Yasmine’s number. Yasmine had gone to pick up Peacock earlier, and Christina knew that she would be back soon.
As soon as the call was answered, Christina gave Yasmine the room number and urgently asked her to bring Peacock over right away.
Christina kept glancing nervously toward the bathroom door. The plan had to be executed flawlessly.
Soon after, Yasmine arrived with Peacock. Christina quietly opened the door and ushered them in.
“Remember,” Christina whispered to Peacock, “the guest is in the bathroom. Keep the mask on, and don’t take it off. Play the music, and dance your heart out.”
Peacock nodded, then walked inside.
With her escape plan set in motion, Christina quickly tiptoed out of the room. The air felt much fresher without Nathaniel’s presence. She moved swiftly, confident in the success of her plan.
After receiving her pay via Yasmine’s phone, Christina quietly left the bar.
Meanwhile, inside the room, Nathaniel had just finished his shower. He emerged wearing only a towel around his waist, water droplets glistening on his muscular body.
The room was dark, the only light coming from the faint glow of the night. Nathaniel noticed the atmosphere felt off. It was almost as if Christina had deliberately turned off the lights.
Assuming she was too shy, he walked toward the bed, his footsteps deliberate.
The music began to play, and a woman dressed in a mask started dancing in front of him. She seemed familiar, but Nathaniel couldn’t place her at first.
His sharp instincts soon kicked in, though, and something felt wrong. He turned on the lights, and the room was instantly illuminated.
The woman before him wasn’t Christina.
Peacock immediately noticed the change and removed her mask, approaching him nervously. “What’s wrong, sir? Are you not feeling well?”
Before she could get too close, Nathaniel growled in warning, “Get out.”
Peacock froze, terrified by the anger radiating from him. The man’s aura was overwhelming, and she knew better than to test him further.
Nathaniel’s handsome face twisted in fury as he realized he had been tricked by Christina. His grip tightened, and he smashed a glass against the wall in frustration.
“Damn it!” he hissed. “Christina actually dared to run away with some random woman!”
The tension in the room was suffocating, his rage unmistakable. It seemed that this was just the beginning of the storm to come.