Bound by Lust

Esme and Kael locked eyes, their faces so close that their breaths mingled. The space between them was almost nonexistent, their lips barely an inch apart. Esme's heart pounded in her chest

—not just from fear, but from something else entirely. The intensity of his dark gaze made her body tense.

Before she could fully process the moment, Esme turned her head, her eyes darting to the men who had just run past the car. A brief moment of relief washed over her-they hadn't noticed her.

"You're running away from those men," Kael stated rather than asked, his voice smooth yet laced with amusement.

Esme quickly turned back to him, her pulse still racing. "!....." she stammered, but before she could find her words, Kael's long fingers wrapped around her face, squeezing her cheek.

"Did you run away from the strip club?" he asked, his tone unreadable.

Fury flared within Esme as she slapped his hand away, her eyes burning with defiance.

Kael blinked in disbelief. He slowly turned his gaze to the hand that had just been slapped away, his lips curling into a scoff.

• "I'm not a stripper!" Esme shouted, frustration evident in her voice.

In an instant, Kael's fingers encircled her neck, pressing her head against the car's headrest.

Choking sounds filled the air.

Esme clawed at his grip, gasping for breath. "P-please... it hurts," she choked out, tears pooling in her eyes.

Kael studied her for a moment before loosening his grip, allowing her to take in sharp, desperate breaths. She coughed violently, struggling to regain her composure.

"Talk," he commanded, his voice laced with impatience.

Esme's body trembled as she whispered,

"I'm Esme Luna..." She paused to catch her breath. "Those men aren't from the strip club. I was sold off by my father to their boss… f-for…."

"Go on." Kael's grip tightened again.

Tears spilled down Esme's cheeks, her lips quivering. The sheer cruelty in his eyes made her chest tighten with fear.

"F-for marriage..." she finally admitted, her voice breaking.

Silence filled the car.

Esme, still on top of Kael, stared at her trembling hands.

Kael leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable. "And this man... what's his name?"

Esme hesitated before answering in a whisper. "

"...Roman Duke."

Kael scoffed, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Roman Duke?" He let out a mocking chuckle. "That old bastard is old enough to be your father, you know?"

Esme frowned, her voice bitter. "Yes, I know! Why do you think I ran away, huh?

Who would want to marry such a person?" she muttered, pouting in frustration.

Kael squinted his dark eyes at her, observing her every move. "You know... I could easily hand you over to them right now."

Esme's breath hitched.

Her body stiffened, panic seeping into her bones. "No, no! Please don't!" she begged, her voice breaking as she clutched his shirt desperately. "I can't go back there! He'll kill me if he finds me.

Please... don't let them take me back to him!"

Kael tilted his head slightly, enjoying the sight of her despr, te plea. "Mmm... and why shouldn't I?' asked, toying with her.

Esme clasped her hands together in a pleading motion, her eyes filled with raw fear.

"Please... just please..." she sobbed.

"'Il do anything! Just don't let them take me!"

Kael raised a brow, intrigued.

"Anything?"

Esme, still trembling, hesitated before nodding.

A smirk played on Kael's lips. "Would you marry me?"

Esme's eyes widened in shock. "What?" she breathed, unable to believe what she had just heard.

Kael leaned in closer, his voice low and teasing. "Didn't you say you'd do anything?"

"But... but why?" Lome stuttered, utterly baffled

"That's none of your business," Kael replied coolly.

"Marriage…..?" Esme still couldn't wrap her head around it.

"Mhmm," he hummed, tilting his head slightly. "At least I'm not an old man. And let's be honest, I'm very good-looking." He leaned in even closer, his deep, seductive voice sending an unexpected shiver down her spine. "There's nothing to lose."

Esme's lips parted, but no words came out.

The silence in the car was deafening.

She searched Kael's eyes, trying to read him. Marriage? Is he joking?'

Before she could gather her thoughts, voices from outside interrupted them.

"Did we lose her? Didn't you say you saw her in this mall?"

Both Esme and Kael turned toward the window. The men who had been chasing her were now standing at the entrance of the mall.

Kael's hand moved to the door handle, ready to step out. "No?" he asked, giving her one last chance.

Esme's heart nearly stopped. Her mind raced, and without thinking, she blurted out, "Yes!"

Kael's hand paused. His dark eyes flickered with amusement. "Mmm?" He was enjoying this too much.

Esme shut her eyes tightly. "I'll marry you. Just... make sure they never get me," she said firmly, her voice filled with desperation.

Kael nodded, his smirk growing. "I guess I'll have to go without my driver then," he mused before shifting in his seat. "Get off me."

Esme quickly climbed off him, her cheeks burning with heat. She shuffled to the far end of the backseat, trying to make herself as small as possible so the men outside wouldn't see her.

Kael stepped out of the car casually, sliding into the driver's seat. Without another word, he started the engine and drove off.

As they sped away, Kael made a quick call. "Maria, make up an excuse. I won't be coming back with the driver," he said before hanging up.

Esme sat silently in the backseat, her hands clenched into fists on her lap.

Tears rolled down her face, her silent cries shaking her body. Her entire world had collapsed in the span of days-first, her mother had died. Then, her father had sold her like she was nothing. And now... she was engaged to a complete stranger.

A stranger whose family didn't even acknowledge her presence.

'Of course. who am I to them?' she thought bitterly.

Her fingers trembled as she wiped away her tears.

"I hope I don't end up regretting this decision..

The car continued down the road, carrying her toward an unknown future.

****. ****. ****.