Bound by Lust

What's going on here?"

The deep voice cut through the lighthearted moment like a blade.

Esme's chopsticks froze mid-air, a noodle hanging off as she slowly turned her head. Kael stood at the entrance of the kitchen, his sharp black eyes locked onto the two of them. His jaw was tight, the veins in his hand visible as he gripped a wine glass. The way he leaned against the doorframe was casual, but there was something dangerous in his stance.

Lucan, unfazed by the sudden interruption, leaned back slightly and crossed his arms. "I was just making Esme something to eat," he said smoothly.

Kael's eyes flickered to Esme, scanning her expression. He didn't miss the way her cheeks were slightly flushed or the way she was sitting so comfortably beside Lucan. His grip on the glass tightened.

"You're cooking for her now?" Kael's voice was calm, but the edge was unmistakable.

Esme swallowed the food in her mouth, suddenly feeling like she was caught doing something she shouldn't. "I just— I wanted to make something myself," she said quickly. "Lucan was just helping."

"Helping?" Kael's gaze lingered on her, then drifted back to Lucan. "How generous of you."

Lucan smirked. "I wouldn't say generous. Just being a good host." He placed his elbow on the counter, looking far too relaxed for Kael's liking.

Esme could feel the shift in the air. The atmosphere was thick—almost suffocating. She wasn't sure what was going on between these two, but it was clear that Kael was irritated by something.

Lucan, on the other hand, seemed amused.

"I didn't realize you cared so much about what Esme does in the kitchen," Lucan added, tilting his head slightly.

Kael took a slow sip of his wine, his gaze never leaving Lucan's. "I don't," he said coolly. "But she's under my protection now. I'd hate for her to get the wrong idea about where she belongs."

Esme stiffened.

The weight of his words settled heavily on her chest. Where she belongs?

Lucan's smirk widened as if he had just won something. He looked at Esme before turning back to Kael. "Right. Because nothing says 'protection' like dragging her out of a mall and disappearing for hours."

Kael's grip on the wine glass tightened further. A moment of silence stretched between them before he finally placed the glass down on the counter with a soft clink. He stepped forward, closing the distance between them.

Esme felt her breath hitch as he got closer.

Kael turned his head slightly, his sharp eyes now focused solely on her. "You're done eating. Let's go."

Esme hesitated. "But I—"

Kael didn't wait for a response. He reached out, wrapping his fingers gently around her wrist, and pulled her up from the stool. Esme barely had time to react as he guided her out of the kitchen.

Lucan let out a quiet chuckle as he watched them leave. "Possessive, aren't we?" he muttered under his breath.

Kael ignored him.

Esme, on the other hand, could feel the heat of Kael's hand around her wrist as he led her through the dimly lit hallways of the mansion. She didn't understand why, but her heart was pounding. Was it from fear? Or was it something else entirely?

She swallowed hard.

She wasn't sure she wanted to find out.

As soon as Kael and Esme stepped out of the kitchen, the tension between them was thick. Kael walked ahead, his hands stuffed into his pockets, his jaw tight with an emotion Esme couldn't quite place. She struggled to keep up with his long strides, her heart still racing from the intense moment they had shared.

"You're unbelievable," Kael muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

Esme frowned, quickening her steps until she was walking beside him. "Excuse me?"

Kael stopped abruptly, turning to her with narrowed eyes. "You heard me. What exactly are you trying to do, huh?"

Esme blinked, confused. "What are you talking about?"

Kael scoffed, stepping closer, forcing her to look up at him. "First, you cling to Lucan like some lost puppy, and now you're in the kitchen, blushing and giggling while he cooks for you?" His voice was laced with irritation, though his expression was unreadable.

Esme's brows furrowed as she placed her hands on her hips. "Oh, so now I can't even have a normal conversation with someone without you assuming things? Are you jealous or something?"

Kael let out a dry laugh, his tongue poking the inside of his cheek. "Jealous? Please. You think too highly of yourself, Princess."

Esme folded her arms. "Then what's your problem?!"

Kael stepped even closer, his voice dangerously low. "My problem is that you belong to me now. And I don't like sharing what's mine."

Esme's breath hitched. His words sent an unexpected shiver down her spine, but she quickly masked her reaction with a glare. "I am not an object, Kael. You don't own me."

Kael smirked, tilting his head slightly. "Then maybe you shouldn't have agreed to marry me."

Esme opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. He had a point. She had willingly walked into this arrangement—though, at the time, she had felt like she had no choice.

Kael seemed satisfied with her silence. He leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "Stay away from Lucan," he whispered before pulling back and walking off, leaving Esme standing there, stunned.

To be continued…

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