Chapter 23:
Makenna’s POV
I locked eyes with Clayton, and it hit me—I was still in that revealing black lingerie, laced and barely there. The neckline dipped scandalously low, struggling to contain my bosom. My waist, half-bared, met the cool air, and the hemline’s daring cut exposed my entire leg. One careless move, and there’d be nothing left to the imagination.
“Argh—” I yelped, instinctively trying to shield my chest.
But before I could, Clayton’s grip tightened around my wrist, pulling me sharply into his embrace. I crashed against him, my heart racing as he wrapped an arm around my waist, holding me so firmly that struggling seemed pointless.
“Prince Clayton…” I stammered, lifting my head in a panic only to be met with his dark, smoldering gaze. His usual gentle eyes were now clouded with desire—a far cry from the man I’d known just moments ago.
Lost and bewildered, I wanted to plead with him, but as soon as I opened my mouth, he seized my chin and crushed his lips against mine.
I muffled a gasp. My eyes flew open in shock as Clayton’s kiss deepened, his teeth grazing my tongue. The tender man from earlier had vanished, replaced by this hungry stranger.
How did everything change so suddenly?
Fear and disbelief coursed through me as I struggled against him with all the strength I could muster. Clayton, despite his gentle facade, was remarkably strong. His hand clamped my waist, while the other slipped beneath the thin fabric of my lingerie. His fingers found my breast, rubbing against it with deliberate slowness.
His hot palm pressed against my skin, and his nails teased my nipples, sending a shiver down my spine. Strange sensations flooded my veins, and before I knew it, a soft moan escaped my lips as my legs weakened beneath me.
The mix of tension, fear, and growing desire left me unable to stand. Suddenly, Clayton released me, and I tumbled backward onto the sofa, caught completely off guard.
My mind spun into a blank slate. As I tried to sit up, I saw Clayton had already stripped off his shirt, revealing his muscular chest.
ｍ𝚘𝚛ｅ ｕ𝚙ｄ𝚊ｔｅｓ 𝚒ｎ ɢ𝚊ｌ𝚗𝚘ｖ𝚎ｌ𝚜.𝚌𝚘𝚖
My heart skipped a beat as I inched backward. Though Clayton appeared leaner than his brothers, the sight of his bare torso revealed a hidden strength, and I could feel the danger looming.
Terror made my voice tremble as I curled up on the sofa. “Prince Clayton, please be reasonable…”
Before I could finish, Clayton’s fingers grasped my chin, pulling me into another kiss. One hand pressed against the back of my head while the other anchored me to him, forcing me to mold against his body. His kiss was relentless, stealing my breath and leaving me helpless, only able to produce small, incoherent sounds.
Clayton finally broke the kiss, trailing light pecks from my chin down to my flushed ear. His lips captured my earlobe, biting it gently before playing with it using the tip of his tongue.
I whimpered, turning my head away. My thoughts were in chaos, all sense of reason drowned out by the overpowering waves of lust.
The sensation was maddening.
Clayton continued his descent, pausing when he reached my chest. His silver hair brushed against my skin as his mouth found my nipple. His tongue circled it, teasing every curve before he sucked it hard into his mouth.
The moment his lips enveloped my nipple, my body jerked like a fish out of water.
But Clayton didn’t seem to notice. His hand slid down my back, his slender fingers edging closer to my most intimate place. With deliberate slowness, he cupped it with his palm, his thumb brushing against my clit.
A wave of electric pleasure shot up my spine, and I couldn’t hold back a moan. The sound horrified me, and I quickly covered my mouth with my hand.
This couldn’t be happening…
I could feel Clayton’s erection pressing insistently against my thigh, heightening my fear. Tears began to slip down my cheeks.
I couldn’t let this happen…
Even though I knew this moment would come sooner or later, the thought of being with a man I barely knew filled me with dread.
Desperately, I pushed against his shoulders, my sobs turning into pleas. “Prince Clayton… Please, I’m begging you… let me go.”
Clayton froze suddenly.
His eyes met mine, and for a moment, he seemed to wrestle with something deep within. He closed his eyes and inhaled sharply.
“I’m—” Clayton sighed heavily, rising from my body.
