Bound by Lust

Esme had expected Kael to ignore her after their little encounter in his office—to go back to his usual cold indifference. But something had shifted between them.

She could feel it.

The air between them was different now, charged with an unspoken tension that neither of them acknowledged.

And that was exactly what she wanted.

Dinner that evening was quiet, almost too quiet. The grand dining room felt emptier than usual, despite the two of them seated across from each other. The sound of cutlery clinking against fine china was the only thing filling the space.

Kael hadn't spoken a word to her since their moment in his office, but Esme wasn't about to break the silence first.

Instead, she took her time, cutting her food delicately, sipping her wine slowly, deliberately dragging out every little movement. She could feel his gaze on her, even if he pretended to be focused on his meal.

Good.

Let him wonder.

Let him simmer.

She leaned back in her chair and sighed dramatically. "I had an interesting conversation with Lucan earlier," she mused, twirling her wine glass between her fingers.

Kael didn't react immediately, but she caught the slight pause in the way he lifted his fork.

She smirked.

"He's always so attentive," she continued, as if lost in thought. "He actually listens when I speak. It's refreshing, really."

Still, Kael remained silent.

But Esme wasn't done.

"Did you know he offered to take me to the gallery next week?" she added, watching him carefully. "He said I'd enjoy it."

Kael finally looked up.

His dark eyes locked onto hers, unreadable, but she caught the brief flicker of something—something possessive, something almost dangerous.

"You seem awfully interested in Lucan lately," he said, voice smooth, but laced with something sharper underneath.

Esme took a sip of her wine, feigning innocence. "Is that a problem?"

Kael tilted his head slightly, studying her. "If I cared, it would be."

She smiled. "Then I suppose I can do whatever I want, can't I?"

The tension between them deepened.

Kael's fingers tapped lazily against the table, his expression giving nothing away, but Esme could feel the shift in him.

He didn't like this.

He didn't like her playing games.

Which only made her want to push further.

She set down her glass and leaned forward slightly. "Tell me, Kael," she said softly, her voice almost teasing. "Does anything ever get to you? Or are you just incapable of feeling anything at all?"

Kael held her gaze for a long moment, and then, slowly, he smirked.

"You want to test me that badly?" he murmured, voice low, calculated.

Esme didn't blink. "Maybe."

Kael leaned back in his chair, his smirk widening slightly. "Careful, fiancée," he said smoothly. "You might not like what happens when you push too far."

Her pulse quickened at the underlying threat in his tone.

But she wasn't afraid.

No.

This was exactly where she wanted him.

And she wasn't backing down.

Not now.

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