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Chapter 18/Beyond Possession

Chapter 18: 18/Beyond Possession

Chapter 18

Cedric’s Point of View

Damn Alexander and his interference! I don’t understand how he dares to stick his nose into my private affairs. I sat behind my desk, thoughts clashing in my head over how to solve the dilemma of this cursed engagement.

My train of thought was broken by the ringing of my phone; it was Isabella. I exhaled in frustration and didn’t answer. I poured a glass of whiskey and downed it in one go, hoping it would douse the fires raging in my chest, while my phone continued its persistent screaming.

Finally, I picked it up and answered coldly, "Yes, Isabella."

Her voice came through reproachfully, "My honey, Cedric... why aren’t you answering my calls?"

"I was busy," I said shortly.

"Busy with what? We haven’t met in three weeks, Cedric. Are you avoiding me?"

"Isabella, I have a lot of work and I’m at the island house. I can’t come and meet you."

"Fine, I’ll come to you."

"No!" I shouted with a sharpness that made her fall silent for a moment.

"What’s wrong? Why such an outburst?"

I tried to regain my forced composure. "You’ll distract me, and I have important matters to attend to."

"Do you mean my beauty will distract your focus?"

"Yes, Isabella," I said with a dull, mechanical tone.

"Oh, Ric... I love you so much."

"Fine."

"Fine? What does that mean?"

I grit my teeth and gave the usual lie: "I love you too."

"Goodnight, my love."

"Goodnight."

I hung up feeling hollow. A full year of engagement and I haven’t been able to feel a shred of love for her. It was my grandfather’s decision an insistence on an alliance between the strongest mafia families to create an invincible power but I can’t imagine my life with her.

All my life, women were for one night; I had never fucked a girl twice... but Stephanie! Damn it, that girl is driving me insane. I want to possess her completely, not just once, but countless times. She has ignited something inside me I never thought existed. I’ve started to care for her, despite my old hatred for red hair the exact opposite of my brother, who used to adore it.

The maid interrupted my thoughts with a soft knock. "Dinner is ready, sir."

I went out to the dining table and saw Stephanie coming down the stairs quietly. She came forward and sat, but suddenly her face turned pale and her expression shifted. "Stephanie, are you okay?" I asked with concern.

"I’m fine," she said with difficulty, pressing her hand against her stomach.

The maid approached and asked innocently, "What would you like to eat, Miss? Shall I serve you the chicken?"

At the mere mention of "chicken," Stephanie bolted. She stood up like a flash of lightning and ran upstairs.

I followed her, not understanding a thing. She burst into her room and threw herself into the bathroom, kneeling over the toilet, vomiting with all her might. Panic seized me. I rushed to her and grabbed her long red hair from behind, lifting it away from her face to help her.

"Go, Cedric," she gasped, choking.

"No, I’m staying with you."

"I don’t want you to see this," she said before retching again.

I placed one hand on her back to support her trembling body, and the other held her hair. "Don’t worry about that. I’m staying right here."

It went on for several long minutes until I thought something was seriously wrong. "Should I take you to the hospital?"

She raised a finger in a "no" gesture, panting. When she finally stopped, I helped her up. She washed her face and brushed her teeth, looking utterly exhausted. "I’m sorry. I didn’t intend for this to happen in front of you."

I took her face in my palms; her skin was cold. "Don’t apologize, Stephanie. Shall I take you to the doctor?"

"No, this is normal in pregnancy. I get nauseous when I see chicken."

I said firmly, "That thing will never be on the table again."

"Go eat your dinner. I’ll rest on the bed."

"Aren’t you going to eat anything?"

"I can’t right now. I just want to sleep a little."

"Fine, come here." I took her shoulder and led her toward the bed; she was like a soaked bird in my hands. I pulled back the covers and asked, "Are you going to sleep like that?"

"Yes, I can’t change my clothes, Cedric. Just let me sleep."

"Sit up," I said in a tone that brooked no argument. I went to the closet and pulled out comfortable pajamas a T-shirt and short shorts. I approached her and reached out to unbutton her shirt.

"There’s no need for this, Cedric," she whispered in a low voice.

"Don’t argue with me."

I slowly removed her shirt and skirt and dressed her in the sleepwear. She looked at me with weary eyes. "Thank you."

She laid her head on the pillow, but my heart wouldn’t let me leave her. I took off my jacket and shirt, remaining in only my trousers.

"What are you doing?" she asked in shock as I climbed into bed beside her.

"I’m staying with you tonight. I can’t leave you alone."

"Cedric, you don’t have to do this."

"Sleep now and don’t exert yourself."

I pulled her toward me and wrapped my strong arm around her. She placed her head on my chest, surrendering. I began to gently stroke her red locks... how beautiful this color has become in my eyes now! For the first time in my life, I was sleeping with a woman in the same bed without fucking her.

I was simply holding her, protecting her. And for the first time, I felt that my heartbeat was no longer the same it had begun to beat for her alone.

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Stephanie’s Point of View

I surrendered to his strong hand as he pulled me toward him. I placed my head on his bare chest, feeling his heat penetrate me. I wrapped my hand over his sculpted stomach, over those perfect six-pack muscles.

Despite my extreme fatigue and the lingering nausea gnawing at my insides, a strange comfort spread through my body in his embrace.

He was stroking my hair gently; this red hair that Alexander swore he hated, he was now running his long fingers through it and caressing it with silent passion.

How did he follow me to the bathroom? How did he hold my hair and not feel disgusted by the sight of me vomiting in front of him? He even changed my pajamas himself! Every act he performed struck a chord in my heart, making butterflies take flight in my stomach.

I had no energy to resist, so I closed my eyes and surrendered to a deep sleep in the sanctuary of his possession.

In the morning, I woke to a soft ray of sunlight creeping into the room. Cedric was still with me, and I was still in the same position, trapped between his arms and his chest. I lifted my head slowly and found him sleeping with a tranquility I had never seen in him before.

"Damn... he is so handsome!" I whispered to myself, admiring his sharp, masculine features while they were relaxed. The many tattoos covering his body piqued my curiosity irresistibly.

I couldn’t restrain myself; I began to touch them with my fingertips with extreme gentleness, tracing their intricate lines on his hot skin. I looked at him; he was still asleep, his breathing steady and calm.

Slowly and very quietly, I brought my lips to his chest. There was a tattoo I didn’t quite understand, but it looked magnificent and complex; I pressed a tender kiss onto it. Then I looked back up at his features.

His eyes were closed, but his lips... those lips that had kissed me with violence and passion on that ill-fated night were now arousing me insanely.

I wanted to kiss him... just one kiss, since he was asleep and wouldn’t feel a thing. I approached him with extreme caution, my heart thumping loudly in my chest.

As soon as my lips touched his warm lips, I felt his body jolt, and in the blink of an eye, he grabbed my face with both hands, firm and steady, opening his eyes to meet mine with a look that electrocuted me!