CHAPTER 191: CHAPTER 191: THE CLAIMING, COMMAND, CONTROL

~Evric’s POV~

We headed straight to the parking lot where my driver was waiting patiently. Just as I reached the door of the car, my name was called out sharply.

"Evric!"

I turned. Standing a few yards away, looking professional and slightly frazzled, was Thorley.

"Hey, Thorley," I replied, forcing a smile.

He greeted me back with a polite nod.

"How are you doing?" I asked, keeping the conversation brief.

"Fine," Thorley said. "And you?"

"I’m fine also."

He shifted his weight, his expression suddenly more direct. "The last time I looked for you after the wedding, I couldn’t find you. I gave your brother my card to deliver it, but you’ve never reached out since."

Oh, that’s true,

I thought, a sharp stab of guilt hitting me as I remembered the card I’d completely forgotten. I immediately put on a convincing act. "Hey, Thorley, I’m very sorry about that," I lied smoothly. "Yeah, my brother did give me the card, but I mistakenly lost it."

"It’s okay," he said, accepting the excuse without question. "Since I’ve seen you again, I don’t need to give you another card." He pulled out his phone. "Just put your number in here so I can add you and make sure it works before I leave."

I hesitated for a brief moment. Was this a bad idea? But then I reasoned, it’s not that bad, he’s an old friend. I quickly dictated my number. He added me on the messaging app, sent a quick test message, and confirmed my contact.

"I’ll chat you up later," he promised.

With a final nod, we parted ways, and I climbed into the car. I immediately told my driver, "Drive home. Straight there. I need to meet Zayn."

The drive was mercifully short. When I arrived, I went straight upstairs, not bothering to stop anywhere else.

Zayn was exactly where I’d left him, sprawled out on the bed, deep in sleep. I went over and gently shook his shoulder. "Wake up, lazybones," I murmured. "Stand up and get dressed so you can go get your massage."

Instead of moving, he simply turned and clung to me, his arms locking around my waist in a sleepy hug. "No," he mumbled, pulling me closer. "Cuddle first."

"Okay, baby," I sighed, already defeated. I shucked off my suit jacket, unbuttoned the top two buttons of my dress shirt, and kicked off my dress shoes, shedding the last remnants of the morning’s business.

I climbed onto the bed, settling beside him.

He burrowed instantly against my chest, seeking the warmth. I stroked his hair, running my fingers through the soft strands. The scent of him, sleepy, clean, and intimately familiar, was the best stress reliever in the world.

"You feel better, though?" I whispered, needing the reassurance.

He tilted his head back, his eyes still half-closed, giving me a soft, contented smile. "Much better now," he confirmed.

We lay there in comfortable silence for a while, the quiet presence of his body against mine chasing away the last remnants of the morning’s stress.

Finally, I spoke, knowing the clock was ticking. "Should we go now?"

He sighed happily, burying his face deeper into my neck. "Just want a cuddle," he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. "I don’t feel like going anywhere. Just cuddle me, baby."

I laughed softly, accepting my defeat. The massage could wait. "Okay," I agreed, kissing his hair. He smelled so good and holding him felt better than any planned outing.

~Nuala’s POV~

It had been months since I first developed a serious crush on Vanya Martixus. She was the kind of woman who commanded attention without demanding it: a young CEO, classic, sharp, and profoundly elegant. She possessed a quiet confidence, the kind of woman who moved through a room like she owned the air, her style impeccable, her composure untouchable.

I’d never had the courage to approach her. But a couple of weeks ago, fate intervened. I was out shopping, and she happened to be at the same upscale boutique. I spotted her first, attempting to be subtle, not realizing she had already seen me. I tried to time my departure to hers, hoping for a casual encounter.

When I was finally done, I went to give the cashier my card, intending to pay for my purchases and everything Vanya had selected a bold, silent gesture. To my surprise, she was faster. Before I could even speak, the worker informed me my entire bill had already been settled by the lady ahead of me. I smiled, realizing she hadn’t just noticed me; she had acknowledged the intent.

I followed her out to thank her. From that exchange, we moved to contact information, and now we were officially seeing each other. I’d visited her office a few times, and her home once, but she was taking things agonizingly slow. I, however, was not built for patience.

Today, she called and invited me over for a drink. I accepted instantly. I was going because if she didn’t make a move tonight, I was going to. I simply needed to claim the body I’d spent weeks dreaming about touching.

Finally arriving at her door, I rang the bell, and Vanya opened it herself.

"Hey, beauty," she greeted me, that soft nickname making my heart skip.

I offered a confident smile. "Hi. How are you?"

We walked straight into her minimalist, stunning living room. The space was immaculate, all sharp lines and expensive neutrality. She gestured toward the plush seating. "Are you hungry?" she asked, her voice calm and welcoming.

While she went to the bespoke bar area, selecting a bottle of deep red wine and gracefully pouring two glasses, I watched her. She brought one glass to me, the crystal cool against my hand, before settling across the sofa.

I looked directly at her, letting my intention fill the air. "Yes," I said.

"Okay, what do you want?" she asked, reaching for the house phone. "I can ask the maid to prepare anything for you."

Instead of answering, I stood up and crossed the space between us, sitting close beside her on the sofa. I picked up the glass of wine she had poured for me, then set it down again, holding her gaze.

"I learned something from my closest brother," I told her, my voice dropping to a low register.

"What is that you learned, and which of your brothers is giving you advice?" she asked, an amused curiosity playing on her lips.

I smiled, setting the wine down. "Evric said if you want something so bad, you have to make the move first."

I looked straight into her eyes, leaning closer.

I lifted my hand, my fingertips tracing a searing line from her jaw, down the elegant curve of her neck, and lower still, until my index finger brushed the soft fabric covering her stomach. "You asked what I want to eat, Vanya," I repeated, my voice a low, seductive rasp.

I watched Vanya swallow hard, her eyes darkening. She knew exactly what I meant.

"Yes," she managed, her voice suddenly breathy. "I asked you what you want to eat." She swallowed again, visibly.

My gaze dropped, heavy and deliberate, over her mouth and throat before returning to meet her intense stare. "It’s you I want to eat, Vanya. I want to use my tongue on you. I want to eat you down there." I leaned in, my breath hot against her ear. "I didn’t come here just to hold a glass of wine.

I came here to hold your breasts, to make my hand useful inside your pussy. I could finger you until you scream my name—"

Vanya didn’t let me finish. With a sharp, sudden movement, she surged forward, attempting to climb onto my lap.

But I was faster. This wasn’t about her control; it was about my claim. I corrected her instantly, gripping her waist and smoothly reversing our positions.

I lifted her off the cushions, turned her, and pinned her gently beneath me, climbing onto her instead.