Forbidden Empire, page 3
"I have to taste you. It's haunted me for too fucking long."
In an instant, he removed my underwear and delved between my legs without hesitation.
"Oh, God," I cried out, my back arching off the bed as I fisted his hair in my hands.
He devoured me, driving my need higher and higher. Everything inside me tightened, reaching that point I craved so desperately. Then he thrust two fingers into my pussy, curving them to hit the right spot inside me, and I shattered.
It was exhilarating and what I needed.
But it also made me realize that Aidon was the one man who could do this for me, and I hated how much control he had over me.
He pulled away from my body and stepped off the bed to shrug off his clothes. He was a Greek god with a body designed for both fighting and fucking a woman senseless.
He climbed over me and caged me with his large body. His touch was electric, setting fire to every nerve I possessed. His lips found mine again, deeper and hungrier, a battle and surrender all at once.
The room seemed to pulse with the intensity between us, every sense heightened. His taste was an intoxicating blend of whiskey and something darker, something uniquely Aidon.
"Please," I whimpered, lifting my hips in desperation to feel him inside me.
His response was a low growl that vibrated against my lips. "What do you want, Esme?"
"You already know," I breathed out.
"Make it crystal clear," he demanded against the shell of my ear.
His voice was rough and commanding, impossible to ignore, igniting a deeper desire within me.
I held his gaze, unflinching. "I want you to fuck me."
"Are you saying that's all we do?" He fisted my hair, a crease forming between his brows as he positioned himself at my sopping entrance.
I responded without thinking, "It's all I can say it is."
"I see." He slammed into me with a ferocity that took my breath away.
The heat between us surged, wild and unrelenting. There was no more talking, just the primal sounds of carnal lust filling the room. Aidon pounded into me with a brutal and unrelenting rhythm.
I raked my nails down his skin, desperate to leave my mark on him. Our actions were raw and emotional, and neither of us would acknowledge them once it was over. But for now, we kissed, touched, and consumed each other.
My orgasm rushed over me like a volcanic explosion, my pussy clamping down on his pistoning cock, flooding him with my arousal.
This man could play my body like no one else.
It wasn't fair.
"One more time," he growled, and before I could even process what he had planned, his palm slid between us to circle my sensitive clit.
I lost myself in the sensations, knowing deep down that there was no future for us, no matter how much we both wanted it. But in this moment, as we came together again, calling out each other's names, nothing else mattered.
Four
Esme
On the day of the heist, the trip to Zeno's guarded vault was just as dangerous as the mission itself. We sneaked through the back alleys of Vegas, dodging patrols and bypassing security systems with ease. Using our forged credentials, we entered the building, our heartbeats pounding with every step.
We planned every move and action with meticulous care, right down to clearing the armed final checkpoint. Now was when we faced the real challenge of our quest.
My body trembled with nerves and adrenaline as Aidon and I waited, hidden in the shadows near the building housing Zeno's vault.
I'd waited for this moment for so long. My plan was coming to fruition right before my eyes. The air around us seemed to pulse with this electrifying energy, adding to my anticipation.
Except I couldn't allow myself the freedom of too much excitement. We were about to invade the monster's lair. That knowledge alone should frighten me.
Then, there was the low hum of the building's intricate security system, which constantly reminded us of the danger that lurked around us. The moon's faint glow illuminated our surroundings, casting long and ominous shadows that seemed to writhe and move on their own accord. Every second felt crucial despite our planned timeline. Even the most foolproof plans were not immune to disaster.
"Are you sure about this?" Aidon whispered beside me, his warm breath tickling my ear as his deep voice reverberated through my body and sent shivers down my spine.
I turned to him, a small smile playing on my lips. "Would you believe me if I said yes?"
He released a resigned sigh, amusement and annoyance flickering across his features. "Not for a second."
I pressed my body against the cold stone wall as I neared the security panel, the sharp chill piercing through my clothing. My fingers moved over the controls, each code coming to me as if it were a second language I had mastered through years of precise manipulation. Zeno built his vault to be an unbreakable fortress of secrets, but he never expected someone like me.
Aidon stood beside me, his presence both reassuring and unsettling. His dark eyes kept sweeping the corridor for any sign of movement. "You've done this before," he muttered.
I shot him a smirk, my lips twitching with amusement. "What gave it away?"
"The confidence," he said, suspicion lacing his tone. "And the recklessness."
"We have three minutes before the secondary alarm goes off," I informed him in hushed tones, ignoring his commentary. "Are you ready?"
He didn't answer. Instead, his sharp gaze lingered on me, assessing and calculating.
"Always," he finally growled, his words carrying more weight than they should have.
The lock disengaged with a soft click, and I pushed open the door. A sleek and high-tech chamber greeted us, shimmering with faint blue light. The stark brightness was jarring compared to the darkness we had just left behind. Steel cabinets lined the walls, their surfaces gleaming like secrets locked away.
"Impressive," Aidon murmured, his tone neutral, but his narrowed eyes betrayed his thoughts. "Zeno doesn't do subtle."
"No," I agreed in a softer voice. "He doesn't."
We moved in perfect synchronization, silent and efficient, as if we had been partners for years instead of just tolerating each other out of necessity. I fixed my gaze on the far end of the room where a small, ornate case sat on a pedestal. The surface was etched with intricate patterns, and the gold caught the faint glow of the security lights like a beacon.
"There," I whispered, pointing toward it. "That's what we need."
Aidon wasted no time, moving toward the pedestal with a predator's grace. He reached for the box, his broad frame casting shadows that danced across the walls. His jaw tightened as he studied it, his fingers brushing over the ornate surface as if testing its reality.
"Do you know what's inside?" he asked, his voice cutting through the quiet.
I hesitated, the truth threatening to escape from my lips like an unspoken confession I wasn't ready to share. The weight of what was inside that box felt heavier than all the secrets I kept.
"It's leverage," I said, my voice calm but subdued now. "That's all you need to know."
His gaze flicked to mine, suspicion darkening his expression. His intense stare made me want to look away, but I held his gaze, refusing to back down. Whatever doubts or questions he had at that moment, he let them go, at least for now.
Without saying another word, he lifted the box from its pedestal, holding it as if it were delicate and risky. The tension in his jaw eased just a little as he nodded toward the door.
"Let's go," he said.
The sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the hall, shattering our fragile quiet. My pulse quickened with adrenaline, sharpening my focus.
"Too late," I muttered, drawing a slim dagger from my belt. "We have company."
Aidon's expression darkened, his free hand moving toward the concealed weapon at his hip. "How many?"
I listened for a moment, counting the steps. "Three. Maybe four."
His lips twisted into a grim smile. "Easy."
The door burst open, and chaos erupted. The guards encircled us, but they did not expect Aidon's ruthlessness or my unpredictable nature.
Ducking low, my heart pounded as adrenaline raced through me. My blade flickered in the dim light as I struck the nearest guard with a quick blow to the leg. He collapsed to the ground with a grunt, and I spun around to face another opponent. Aidon moved like a flash, his attacks precise and deadly. In moments, the guards lay groaning on the ground.
Wiping a streak of blood from my cheek, I couldn't help but remark, "Remind me never to piss you off."
Aidon shot me a look that almost seemed amused, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "Too late for that."
Together, we moved into the shadows, with our target tucked away in Aidon's hold. Tension simmered between us, driven by the adrenaline of battle and something even more perilous. Every accidental touch of our hands felt electrifying, and each stolen look sparked a blazing fire inside us.
Stepping into the cool night air, with the shimmering lights of Vegas in the distance, my breathing slowed. But relief didn't flood my senses, and an electric charge refused to dissipate.
"We're clear," I said, my voice betraying a hint of unsteadiness.
Aidon turned to face me, his dark gaze lingering on my face. "What's next?" he asked, his tone softer now with an edge of something undefinable.
Stepping closer, I could feel my pulse quicken at his proximity. "We use what we took to destroy Zeno," I said.
"Is that all?" he asked, his eyes dropping to my lips.
"Not even close," I admitted, feeling a hitch in my breath as his fingers brushed against my cheek.
His lips captured mine in a fierce kiss, unapologetic and driven by need. It was a clash of fury and desire that consumed us both. There was no hesitation, no pretense, just the raw intensity building between us since we met. My hands gripped his jacket, pulling him closer until there was no space left between us. His hands, strong and commanding, wrapped around my waist as if he couldn't bear to let me go.
The kiss grew more intense, his tongue exploring every part of my mouth, claiming me in a way that made my knees weak. A low growl rumbled from his chest as my fingers tangled in his hair, tugging just enough to make him take a sharp breath.
"Esme," he murmured against my lips, his voice thick with desire. "You make everything so complicated."
"Good," I whispered back, my voice trembling as his hands roamed lower, igniting a fire within me. "Complicated is more fun."
He chuckled at my reply, causing a chill to run down my spine. His lips parted from mine, leaving a trail of hot kisses along my jaw and down to my neck. The scrape of his teeth against my sensitive skin made me gasp, and I arched toward him.
"You're going to be the death of me," he growled, his voice dripping with need and danger, each word like a promise.
"If you're lucky," I replied, unable to control the rush of heat pulsing through my body as his hands traced the curve of my hips.
In that cold, dark alleyway, our fire burned brighter than anything else. Each touch and kiss was a battle, a surrender, a constant reminder of everything we couldn't say. And as we pulled apart, our breaths mingling in the cool night air, the world seemed quieter and the stakes higher for what was yet to come.
The sound of distant sirens reached our ears, and reality crashed in.
"We need to move," I said, stepping away.
"Let's go," he agreed, though his hand lingered on mine for longer than necessary.
As we disappeared into the shadows, the tension between us remained unspoken but potent, a volatile current charged with the weight of what had happened and the undeniable pull of what was still to come.
Five
Aidon
The ornate box sat untouched on the polished coffee table, its intricate designs catching the light and reflecting it in myriad colors. It was a mesmerizing display that seemed to promise secrets and danger. My eyes couldn't help but be drawn to it, my mind racing with thoughts of what could be inside. I leaned against the edge of the desk, arms crossed tight over my chest as I watched Esme pace back and forth across the room. Every step she took seemed purposeful yet hesitant, a contradiction in her usual confident demeanor that left me feeling on edge.
"You still haven't told me what's inside," I said, my voice low and even but laced with an underlying sharpness. The question felt like a blade aimed right at her, a challenge to reveal the truth.
She stopped mid-stride, her back still, her shoulders rising and falling with each controlled breath.
She turned and spoke, her words clipped and measured. "I told you, it's leverage."
I repeated, 'Leverage,' then stepped away from the desk and moved behind her.
My voice was sharp, and I was losing patience. "That's not an answer, Esme. What is it inside that Zeno would risk everything to keep safe?"
She turned to face me then, emerald eyes flashing with defiance as she met my gaze head-on. But beneath that familiar steel was something else, a flicker of uncertainty, a hint of vulnerability she was trying to conceal.
"It doesn't matter," she said. "You wanted a way to destroy Zeno. This is it."
"It matters if it's going to backfire on me," I growled, closing the remaining distance until we almost pressed against each other. The tension between us was palpable, crackling like electricity in the air. "Tell me what's inside, Esme. Now."
Her lips pressed into a thin line, her shoulders squaring as if bracing for a fight. Her fingers twitched, a nervous energy coursing through her body.
"You'll find out soon enough," she finally replied, her voice hollow but still tinged with defiance.
I closed the space further, backing her up against the wall until we were almost nose-to-nose. The live-wire tension pulsing around us grew stronger, sparking every nerve in my body and rendering me unable to think straight.
"Do you think you can manipulate me, Esme?" I growled, my hands braced on either side of her head as I trapped her against the wall. My voice lowered to a dangerous whisper. "After everything we've been through, you still don't trust me?"
Her chin lifted, an unspoken challenge in her gaze that dared me to call her bluff. "Trust is a luxury neither of us can afford in this game, Aidon," she shot back.
The tension between us was thick and charged, like a spring coiled tight and waiting to snap at any moment. As I leaned in closer, our bodies almost touching now, I couldn't ignore the heat radiating off her or the intoxicating scent of her perfume that seemed to lure me in further. Every second felt like a high-stakes game, one I couldn't afford to lose, yet couldn't seem to stop playing.
"This isn't just a game to me," I said, as I closed the final inch between us. "And if you're lying to me..."
"You'll what?" she interrupted, her voice sharp but breathless. She tilted her head, the moonlight glinting off her emerald eyes as she stared at me with an unreadable expression. Her lips curved into a daring smirk that didn't quite reach her eyes, giving her an air of confidence and defiance. "Kill me? Turn me over to Zeno? We both know you won't."
Her words were a taunt, her tone a challenge to push me closer to the edge. I could feel my control slipping, my emotions and desires warring inside me.
I remained quiet.
Instead, I let the silence stretch between us, heavy and charged. I watched the way her chest rose and fell with shallow breaths, her pulse visible in the hollow of her throat. Her defiance was a shield, but cracks were starting to show, and I couldn't help but wonder what lay behind it. Was it fear? Or something darker, something even she couldn't control?
For a moment, I thought she might crack, that she'd let the truth slip from behind her mask. Her lips parted, revealing a hint of vulnerability in the hesitation flickering in her eyes. It was a fleeting moment where she seemed unsure whether to push or pull away.
But then she did the one thing I wasn't expecting.
She kissed me.
It wasn't gentle. It wasn't sweet. It was fierce, desperate, and unapologetic, a clash of anger and need that left no room for doubt. Esme's hands fisted the front of my shirt, pulling me closer as though she could silence every question I would dare ask her. Her nails dug into the fabric, and I could feel her strength and frustration in every movement.
I should have pushed her away and demanded answers. But instead, I surrendered to the chaos; my hands slid to her waist and pulled her against me. The taste of her was intoxicating, a mix of defiance and fire that left me craving more, each second more consuming than the last. My grip tightened, my fingers tracing the curves of her body as her breath hitched against my lips, a sound that sent a jolt through me like a live current.
"Esme," I groaned against her lips, my voice thick with desire and frustration. "You're impossible."
She pulled back just enough to meet my gaze, the moonlight casting shadows on her face and giving her a hint of mystery. Her emerald eyes blazed with a mix of triumph and something softer, something unspoken.
"You're just figuring that out?" she whispered, her lips curling into a wicked smile.
I didn't give her time to say anything else. I captured her mouth again, deepening the kiss and consuming her. My resolve unraveled with every touch and every sigh. The world outside ceased to exist, reduced to nothing more than the feel of her in my arms and the heat of her skin beneath my hands. There was no room for doubt, no space for questions, just the raw, unrelenting need that consumed us both in that moment.
Then, just as fast as it started, she pulled away, leaving me breathless and off balance.
Her gaze was unreadable. It was a mix of determination and something darker, something I couldn't place but knew would haunt me.
Her jaw tightened as though she were holding back words she wanted to say or truths she feared to reveal.
"You'll thank me for this," she said, stepping around me with a fluidity that made her feel untouchable, untethered. She moved toward the box with purpose, her shoulders set with the resolve that came before something final.
