Chapter 32: The Devil’s Desire [1] [Music: Me And The Devil By Soap&Skin] ARES "No." I never thought a single word would make me burn and lose my damn mind. She’s toying with me. That’s the only explanation, because I felt her dripping for me, eyes begging me to take control, and I know she loves it when I do. "If you’ll excuse me, I need to use the restroom." My eyes tracked her movement, the delicate sway of her hips as if she was tempting me. My cock pulsed in the confinement of my pants, and I knew I was done for. I dropped my napkin and fell back on my seat, hand pressed into the side of my cheek as I struggled with my own self-control. I heard my phone ring, and a name popped up. Athena. I picked. "Where did you guys go? You stole her away before we could hang out, that’s not fair! I want us to bond... bond. How are we supposed to do that if you get in the way, you simpleton!" "Athena." "Does she not like me? She glares most of the time like she wants to throw me off the building or lure me to some dark dungeon and torture me. What am I gonna do?" I could tell she was tapping her foot impatiently, a habit of hers when she was deeply stressed about something. "What really happened at the equestrian?" I cut to the chase. One deep breath, followed by two more, before she replied. "I-I behaved." "..." "I promise!" "..." "W-We only played a game!" "A game..." I finally spoke. "I-I didn’t hurt her. Please don’t hate me." "Never." I tapped a finger on the table, waiting for her to spill. "I behaved!" This is pointless. I was about to speak, but Athena was quick with her words. "You found the ring. The point of hiding it was not for you to find it, cold-blooded snake!" I wouldn’t have known if Reed hadn’t told me that Catherine had gotten lost while riding and that Athena had company. I knew something was off at that point. Athena and I used to make that estate our hunting grounds. I know that area like the back of my hand, and she hid the ring in a place that no one would think to look. On a fucking twig. "I shouldn’t have kept it on that marked tree," she grumbled under her breath. "You shouldn’t have..." I agreed. "I don’t get why you’re doing all this. Why her?" I continued tapping my finger waiting for her to catch on. "Wait... She’s the one?" A smile tugged on my lips briefly. "Yes." Athena gasped in delight. "That explains everything! All the more reason to be her bestie!" "You don’t force your friendship on someone," I stated, grabbing my wine glass and twirling it a bit before drinking. She huffed. "If only she didn’t have any friends, then she would have been mine. Maybe I should deal with that... Victoria. What do you think I should do? Make her leave Midnight and never come back or—" "Athena," I reprimand calmly. "Whatever." I could feel her rolling her eyes and stomping her foot. "Give Catherine space. I don’t want you anywhere near her in the meantime, and don’t touch Victoria Dalton." "But—" "Listen." "Fine!" She ended the call. I hope she listens this time, and I won’t take it lightly if she doesn’t. She was smart enough to know that. My phone rang again, and this time, the caller was different. I pushed to my feet, one hand in my pocket as I walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows, watching the city’s lights pop up for dusk. I picked the call. "We found him." Now this does put a smile on my face. I heard sharp heel noises, and I turned. "Don’t touch him until I get there," I said, but quickly changed my mind when I thought of the times his hands have been on her. "Break a few fingers." I ended the call. Catherine set those eyes on me, and I’m pulled like the sea calls its sailor. I shoved my phone in my suit pocket and moved a finger as a motion for her to come. She obeyed without question or hesitation, like a moth to a flame. There was a submissive air around her that enticed me. "Shall we continue our last conversation?" I asked. "What’s there to continue? I already gave you my answer," she countered. "I’m not satisfied with that answer, baby." Her chest rose and fell heavily, acting like I was too much for her. "Then that’s none of my business." That bratty little tone of hers. "Careful..." A familiar look in her eyes blossomed... the look to defy me and how I want her to. "What’s wrong, Mr. King? Never had a woman who isn’t attracted to you?" I licked my lips, bidding patience, and I’m a very patient man, but Catherine has this thing that wants me to drive my body first without thinking. "Speaking about other women is a violation of our contract," I said. She sank her teeth into her bottom lip and leveled her gaze, but I took her chin and tilted it so that our eyes locked once more. Divine. "Admit it," I said in a whisper. She chose silence. It’s alright, I like a challenge. The want... no need to have her entirely caved to me, both body and mind, was like a next level of starvation. I don’t easily want things, but when I do, I make sure I have them. I want Catherine Lane. "Admit what?" she cooed. Her body betrayed her because I could feel her quiver under my touch, and her hazel eyes had never been more beautiful with desire gleaming in them, calling me, begging me. I love the chase. I released her and said, "It’s time to leave." That disappointment flashed in her eyes, and my lips twitched from an incoming amusement. Bad girl. ~☆~ I drove us back to the penthouse, but this time I maintained a cool speed. She was traumatized enough for one day. Catherine’s eyes were glued to the sunset, keeping still and never saying a word. I’m always up for the silence, but I craved her voice. When she really got into it, she got chatty, and I found myself enjoying every bit of it. I stopped the car. "I have something important." She huffed. "Always something important. What exactly do you do when I’m not needed?" "Do you want to know?"