After their exchange in the gardens, the day went like a blur. Adeline had wandered into Elias’s room again, but this time, he wasn’t there. She found it odd that there were guards in front of her door, but not his. Didn’t he have more things to hide? Shouldn’t he need more protection?
Elias had duties of the nation to attend. Adeline was dying of boredom, thus, walked into his bedroom where she had seen an entire wall lined with bookshelves a day ago.
Sure enough, her eyes didn’t fool her. She stepped into the room, amazed by the bookshelves that took up an entire wall, from ceiling to ground. Her lips parted in amazement as she explored each part.
"Let’s see…" Adeline read a few of the titles, her brows knitting together in disappointment.
Economics, accounting, finance, philosophy, it was books that she expected someone of his caliber to read. She had hoped for fictional novels to entertain her. The non-fiction books he had on his shelves were ones she had already read or heard before.
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Adeline straightened up and quietly sighed. Viscount Marden had never allowed her to read informational things, but she always found a way. Asher would always sneak her whatever she wanted to read. She’d hide it with her other books and once she was done, would give it back to him.
"Asher has been missing…" Adeline straightened up, wondering if she should ask Elias for help. "I doubt he’d give guidance in this."
Adeline crouched down and began to look through more of Elias’s books. Her eyes lit up when she found an extremely small collection of fictional stories, but her shoulders sagged in disappointment. They were horror and thriller.
"Where could’ve Asher gone to?" Adeline opened one of the mystery novels. She read through the summary, but her mind was elsewhere. "The last time I saw him was weeks ago at the ball...."
Adeline tried to remember if he had told her about plans of going anywhere. He didn’t. He questioned Elias, but didn’t say anything about his life. Holding back a sigh, she brought the book with her to one of the couches in the room.
"It’s expected Asher would leave the Marden estate when I’m not there, but so soon?" Adeline touched the pages of the book and glanced towards the window.
The sun had set in the sky and nightfall was approaching.
Adeline stared into the distance, wondering if something happened to her dear friend. He was strong and well-trained. He wouldn’t have gone down without a fight. But then again, who would’ve targeted him?
"I should ask Elias for help. No matter what, I have to convince him."
"Convince me of what, darling?"
Adeline yelped in surprise, the book falling from her hands. It loudly thudded onto her ground. She turned around in a hurry, but didn’t see anyone there.
"Here."
Adeline shrieked. She turned back to her original position and found Elias standing directly in front of her. He placed the book infront of her. She glanced at his hand, large and calloused. Her heart raced in her c.h.e.s.t.
"Y-you scared me."
"Evidently."
Adeline took the book from his hands, hers shaking in response. She didn’t like to be snuck on.
"You must’ve been doing something naughty to have that reaction," he teased.
Adeline’s stomach knotted at his words, her heart racing. She lifted her head to see he was watching her. A dark, devious smirk twisted his perfect features. Sometimes, she’d hear the maids whisper about his good looks. Whenever he walked, the maids would bow, but risk their lives to sneak a peek at him.
"What were you reading? An e.r.o.t.i.ca?"
"Are you admitting to having them?"
Elias loudly laughed. He took the book from her hands and read the title. "Do I seem like the type of man who’d need an e.r.o.t.i.ca to entertain me? I’m not the innocent v.i.r.g.i.n with no experience here."
Adeline scowled at his words. She yanked the story back, but his grip tightened on it. He didn’t let go. "Who said I was a v.i.r.g.i.n?"
"Your reaction to my touch."
Adeline pressed her lips together. She dropped her hand from the book, deciding if he wanted it, he should just have it.
"So are you?"
"Are you a v.i.r.g.i.n, my sweet?"
Elias tossed the book aside. He pressed his hand into the couch, directly beside her head. He leaned down, until they were just a kiss away.
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"Why does that matter?" she muttered, her eyes flickering to his lips.
Adeline was aware of the wicked look on his face. She was also aware that he had seen her small action, for his smirk widened. She gulped and glanced away, but he only pulled her chin towards him and forced her to look again.
Adeline found it difficult to meet his gaze. It was burning with an intensity that licked her skin. Her body grew a bit warm, as she squirmed under his piercing stare.
"It was a simple question, darling. No need to get so fl.u.s.tered."
"I—"
"Who took it? Asher?"
Adeline jumped. She instantly shook her head. "No, Asher is like a brother to me."
"Hmm…" Elias released her chin. His hand gently c.a.r.e.s.sed her cheek, his fingers brushing lower and lower, towards her neck. She shivered at his icy, cold touch, her skin warming for him.
"Then who took it?"
She shook her head.
Suddenly, Elias had grabbed her waists and lifted her to her feet. She opened and closed her mouth as he effortlessly carried her. She watched with wide eyes as his eyes flickered with amus.e.m.e.nt. But beneath his good-natured stare, she saw the tips of the devil’s horns.
He dropped her onto the bed. Instantly, his body came on top of hers. She tried to sit up, but he slammed his hand on either side of her head. She was breathless, her c.h.e.s.t rising and falling with quickened air.
Elias bent his head, his lips brushing upon her ears. "Tell me, my sweet."
He fingered the collar of her dress, her body trembling in anticipation. Seeing her placid reaction, he continued exploring. He touched down her body line, gently cupping her b.r.e.a.s.t, giving it a slight squeeze.
"I’m not a patient man, darling," he whispered into her ear, lighting biting on the lobe when she shrank into the bed.
"Does it matter?"
Elias’s lips spread into a slow smile. He continued c.a.r.e.s.sing her lovely body, this time, his hand slipping down her t.h.i.g.h. He firmly gripped her milky skin, smooth and warm. He ran his hand under her dress, her breath hitching.
"Elias…"
"No, it doesn’t matter, but my curiosity needs to be satisfied, darling."
"But—"
"So, satisfy me."
Adeline bit her bottom lips when his thumb c.a.r.e.s.sed her s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e inner t.h.i.g.h. She wanted to clamp her legs shut, but knew it would only sandwich his hand in between her t.h.i.g.hs. He’d love that, wouldn’t he?
"Don’t keep me waiting for so long, darling."
Elias bent down and kissed the corner of her mouth. His finger continued wandering until it touched a soft fabric. Instantly, he hooked his fingers around the band, teasing her tender skin.
Her legs trembled, especially when he began to tug her p.a.n.t.i.e.s lower and lower.
"Why are you doing this to me?" she asked.
Everywhere he touched was warm. Adeline felt the heat pool near her lower stomach, his calloused skin an enthralling contrast upon her soft ones.
"Why not?"
She pressed her lips together. He bent down and kissed her cheek, nose, and everywhere but her lips. She wanted it upon the mouth, he was always an excellent kisser.
Finally, when her u.n.d.e.r.w.e.a.r was discarded, she knew it was time to confess.
"No one," she breathed out. "No one."
His lips twisted into a dark, knowing smile. Instantly, he captured her lips, his body pressing hers into the bed. Her arms slid up his shoulders, grasping tightly onto him.
He started off slow and gentle, learning the curve of her mouth. And soon, it became more pressing, more passionate, until her lips adhered to no one but him.
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