CHAPTER 88: BURNING BOUNDARIES

Stephanie’s eyes widened in shock as her heart hammered deep in her chest. The closeness of this man made her body feel weak—like she could melt right into his arms. She had never felt this way before, and it terrified her.

Even more shocking was the way he held her, as if they had known each other for a long time, when she was certain he had never spared her a glance during his previous visits. How had things come to this?

"Oh, try it and watch me scream," she retorted, her face still pressed against the wall, his large frame caging her small one.

Zekel’s eyes dilated slightly at her words—he hadn’t expected that. But then it hit him: she meant it literally.

"You wouldn’t dare," he said, his jaw ticking in disbelief.

"Oh, watch me," she replied, her heart still racing.

"Try it," he growled lowly, "and I’ll make sure my tongue enters that mouth of yours and shuts you up."

Her body froze. No wonder they said not to judge a book by its cover. Was this really the calm and composed Lord Zekel acting like this? Was she dreaming? No—the heat coursing through her body was too real to be a dream.

Before Zekel knew it—

"Helppp! Somebody! Anybody!" Her voice rang out.

His eyes widened, jaw ticking again as he cursed under his breath. Swiftly, he spun her around. She flipped lightly, now facing him. His once warm brown eyes had darkened—now like black coffee—as he looked at her with cold displeasure. She watched his lips curl into a tight, frustrated line.

"I thought you didn’t mind rumors, hmm? Great Lord Zekel—"

Her words cut off as he suddenly gripped her thighs and hoisted her up. A surprised gasp escaped her lips. Her breath caught as her emerald eyes met his—defiant and sharp.

What was this man up to?

"You better let go of me, or I’ll damage the part that’ll make you less of a man than you already are..." Her voice trailed again when she felt his hand lightly tighten around her throat.

"It seems you really want my tongue inside your mouth, Lady Stephanie," he murmured, her name falling from his lips like a slow, dangerous spell as his lips now widened.

"Because why else did you keep talking after I said I would stick my tongue into you?"

Her heart trembled in sweet pleasure. Butterflies stirred wildly in her stomach. She couldn’t speak. She couldn’t move.

He leaned in closer, his breath brushing against her lips.

"All you have to do... is ask." He watched her eyes flash with shock, and before she knew it, she spoke—as if something unknown had suddenly taken over her.

"Uh... the thing is, I would have accepted your humble request..." she paused, her eyes shifting to his mockingly. "But I don’t do virgins."

Zekel’s body froze as she continued.

"I’m not into inexperienced men like yourself, so I advise you to leave." She spoke quickly, hoping those words would make him leave. Her body was feeling strange—something she hadn’t felt before. The heat coursing through her thighs made no sense. Why was this man making her feel this way?

But instead of flinching, his lips curled upwards. His hands gently released her throat, and his thumb brushed lightly against her neck. A soft gasp escaped her lips once more. Her eyes widened as she immediately clamped her hand over her mouth in disbelief. She hadn’t expected that. She threw him a glare—a hard one.

"Your body is reacting to my touch..." His husky voice rang out calmly as he stepped back, his expression falling back into that unreadable calm, as if nothing had just happened between them.

Her chest rose and fell as she tried to collect her thoughts—to pull her mind away from what she had just felt moments ago.

"You’re on your heat period, darling," he said, his lips curving into a dark smirk.

Stephanie’s eyes flew wide, her cheeks burning in disbelief. What did this man just say to me?

To her surprise, he turned just like that—as if nothing had happened. She watched him begin to walk away, and then she spoke again.

"Oh, Mr. Virgin—or should I say, Virgin Zekel? Was that too much for you to handle?" She shrugged. "I wouldn’t blame you... just like those men who talk, especially the ones with little d*cks."

She deadpanned, lips curling into a satisfied smile. She finally felt better. She would not let this man win—even though the words she’d just spoken didn’t sound like her. She turned to walk the other way, thinking Next time, he would never..

Her thoughts cut off as her body staggered back.

He stood there in front of her. His lips parted into a predatory smile, his gaze burning into hers.

H-how did he do that? her face read in shock as she stared at him in disbelief.

"How about you check it yourself, darling?" Her eyes widened at his words, and yet the seriousness in his expression told her he wasn’t joking.

"Go on. Remove my belt and check the f*cking d*ck yourself," Zekel said, his voice low. He was in disbelief that this woman had really pushed him this far. He never imagined he’d say such words just to prove himself—but she was driving him insane.

Never had he told a woman this... and yet—

Stephanie stared at him, still in shock. Her mind was trying to grasp everything—he appeared out of nowhere, turned her inside out, and now this?

"Oh, Stephanie, you should’ve just remained quiet and left..."

She didn’t know why she was saying all this. Was she really in her heat period? This wasn’t her—this wasn’t like her at all. She never believed she could be this bold, not even to herself. And yet, here she was, saying words she could barely believe.

"You wish..."

Her words trailed off as Zekel’s lips crashed into hers. Her body froze in surprise—she hadn’t expected that in the slightest. His lips pressed against hers, hard and rough, almost like punishment. One hand gripped the back of her neck while the other held her waist in place. This woman had really pushed him too far.

Stephanie’s mind screamed at her to push him away, but her body seemed to have a mind of its own. He pushed his tongue in as he kissed her harder, and she moaned into his mouth.

"Ahhmmm..."

The sound drove Zekel to the brink of madness. He pushed his tongue deeper, syncing it with hers like they were made for each other. Stephanie’s insides throbbed, and her knees weakened. As if sensing it, Zekel moved his hands to hold her waist firmly against him.

His body stiffened the moment he felt her wrap her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. The soft sound of lips meeting echoed faintly through the hallway, adding to the overwhelming pleasure coursing through them.

And just as Stephanie opened her mouth more—he stopped. Her eyes widened as he pulled away immediately.

Why did he... her thoughts trailed off. She couldn’t believe she was actually feeling annoyed that he had pulled away. What had come over her? Was this really her? Why would she even feel disappointed over a kiss?

Her face burned—she couldn’t face him. Not after all she had said. And now, she was the one getting all disappointed over a kiss?

"F*ck," she heard him curse. Her body stiffened. Was he regretting the kiss? Her heart stung unknowingly. Not to mention... this was her first kiss. She bit her lip hard as her eyes unknowingly watered. And just as she moved, Zekel cursed again.

"Where the f*ck do you think you’re going? I’m not even done," he growled. And before she knew it, he lifted her like a sack over his shoulders and began walking. His movement was quick, and Stephanie’s eyes flew wide. What did he want to do?

He stopped and lowered himself, taking her shoes in one hand while the other held her in place over his shoulder.

"Where are you taking me to?" she asked.

"To my room," he replied immediately, his deep, husky voice freezing her in place.

Her hair fell over her face due to the way he carried her.

"Drop me down, you d*ckhead!" she yelled, her body stiffening as she heard a chuckle escape his lips.

"D*ckhead? Seriously? I can see you’re really into d*ck. Let’s go in and you’ll show me what skill your tongue can pull on mine."

Stephanie’s body turned rigid—she was not expecting that. Her face burned. She couldn’t believe what she had just heard. Silence fell as Zekel’s lips curled into a smirk. He had finally shut her up—just as he wanted. He opened the door to his room and entered, clicking it shut behind them.

He dropped her down. As her flushed face lifted to him, she shot him a hard glare. But her body stiffened as he flashed her a smile.

Her back pressed to the doorframe.

"Why did you bring me—"

Click.

Her heart skipped as he locked the door.

"Now do me a favor," he said, his eyes locking with hers.

"Climb the bed."

"WHAT?" Stephanie’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at him in disbelief.

As if Zekel knew this would be hard, his hand brushed through the back of his hair, his jaw ticking.

"I won’t f*ck you. Don’t worry. Just climb on it and raise the covers to your face. That’s all I want," he said.

Before Stephanie could think, there was a knock at the door.

Her eyes flew wide as she immediately moved. She climbed the bed and covered herself with the duvet. Her heart began to beat wildly, her body curling slightly as she inhaled his masculine scent.

But he hadn’t opened the door yet. Time passed, and she still didn’t hear it creak open. Just as she peeked out from under the covers, her eyes widened—Zekel’s bare, well-sculpted back came into view.

’W..why is he...’

As if that wasn’t enough, a white towel was securely wrapped around his waist as he finally opened the door.