17. Ariana

CHAPTER 17

ARIANA

V alen's eyes, usually a storm of guarded emotions, soften as he talks about his past. His voice carries with it memories, some painful, some nostalgic. He’s shared more tonight than I expected, and it touches me deeply.

“Genuine. Real.” He hesitates, as if weighing his next words carefully. “You see me for who I am, not just the facade.”

His honesty disarms me completely. I close the distance between us and press my lips to his in a kiss that feels like both a thank you and a promise.

He responds immediately, his hands finding my waist and pulling me closer. The kiss deepens, and I can’t help but move to sit in his lap, straddling him. His arms wrap around me securely, as if anchoring me to him.

“This is unexpected,” he murmurs against my lips, though there’s a hint of amusement in his voice.

“Unexpected good or unexpected bad?” I ask between kisses.

“Definitely good.” His hands travel up my back, sending shivers down my spine.

We continue to kiss, losing ourselves in the moment. His touch is both gentle and possessive, making me feel cherished and desired all at once. Every brush of his lips against mine sends electric currents through my body.

“You have no idea what you do to me,” he whispers huskily.

I pull back slightly to look into his eyes. “I think I have some idea.”

He chuckles softly but then grows serious. “You mean more to me than I can put into words.”

My heart swells at his confession. “You mean a lot to me too, Valen.”

His grip tightens ever so slightly. “I’ll protect you always, Ariana.”

“I know,” I whisper back.

His eyes darken with intensity as he kisses me again, this time with more urgency. It’s as if he’s trying to convey all the emotions he can’t put into words through the kiss alone. And I respond with equal fervor because in this moment, actions speak louder than any words ever could.

The world outside fades away—there’s only Valen and the overwhelming connection we share.

I pull back from our kiss, my breath coming in shallow gasps. Valen’s eyes are dark with desire, and I can feel the tension in his body, the restraint he’s exercising. I want to push him over the edge, to make him lose control.

“I want to do something special,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.

He raises an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “Oh yeah? And what might that be?”

I don’t answer with words. Instead, I slide off his lap and kneel before him. His eyes widen in surprise, but he doesn’t stop me as I reach for his pants, slowly undoing the fastenings.

“Ariana,” he growls, his voice a low rumble. “You don’t have to?—”

“I want to,” I interrupt, looking up at him. “Let me.”

He swallows hard. “Fuck, you’re incredible,” he murmurs, his hands finding their way into my hair.

I take him into my mouth, and he lets out a low groan, his fingers tightening in my hair. I can feel his pleasure, his desire, and it fuels my own. I want to give him this, to make him feel as good as he makes me feel.

I bob up and down, taking as much of his length into my mouth as I can. Inch by inch, I tease it in a little bit deeper. His grunts of approval cheer me on, making me push myself further than I ever have before.

It's so good, I almost feel like I never want to stop.

His breath hitches, and I can tell he’s close. But just as he’s about to reach the edge, he stops me, his hands gentle but firm on my shoulders.

“Not like this,” he says, his voice rough with need. “I want to be inside you.”

I stand up, my legs shaky with anticipation. He helps me out of my panties, his fingers lingering on my skin, sending shivers down my spine. Then he pulls me onto his lap, guiding me to straddle him.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispers, his hands running up my thighs, over my hips, and up to my waist. “So fucking perfect.”

I can feel him, hard and ready, and I lower myself onto him, gasping as he fills me completely. His hands grip my hips, guiding me as I begin to move, finding a rhythm that feels right, that feels good.

His eyes never leave mine, and I can see the intensity of his feelings, the depth of his desire. It’s overwhelming, but it’s also exhilarating. I feel alive, I feel wanted, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

Our bodies move in sync, our breaths coming in ragged gasps. The chair creaks beneath us, a testament to the passion and intensity of our lovemaking. I can feel the tension building, the pressure increasing, and I know I’m close.

“Valen,” I whisper, my voice barely a breath. “I’m—I’m going to?—”

“I know,” he says, his voice rough with need. “I can feel it. Let go, Ariana. Let go for me.”

And so I do. I let go, and I fall, and he catches me, his arms strong and secure around me. And in that moment, I know that I’m his, completely and utterly. And he is mine.

He drives into me harder, faster. I'm so overcome with the aftershocks of my own orgasm, I'm barely cognizant when he grunts out my name one more time.

"Ariana," he growls, holding me tight against him.

He fills me fully, and a feeling of pure contentment washes over me as we catch our breaths.

"Stay with me tonight," he says between ragged breaths. "Stay in my bed."

There's a strange sense of vulnerability and his request, along with a hint of more to come.

"Gladly," I reply.

I wake with a start, the soft sheets tangled around my legs. Sunlight streams through the ornate windows, casting long shadows across Valen's opulent bedroom. My hand reaches out, seeking his warmth, but finds only cool, empty space.

"Valen?" I call out, my voice still thick with sleep.

No answer.

Sitting up, I scan the room. His clothes from last night are gone, the chair we... occupied... neatly pushed back into place. It's as if he was never here.

A knot forms in my stomach. Was I just another conquest? A distraction from his mysterious business dealings?

I slide out of bed, wincing at the slight soreness between my thighs – a reminder of our passionate night. As I gather my clothes, scattered across the floor, doubts creep in like a chill.

"Get it together, Ariana," I mutter to myself. "You're not some naive girl."

But aren't I? I barely know this man. Sure, he shared some of his past, but how much was truth and how much carefully crafted fiction?

I pause at the mirror, studying my reflection. My hair's a mess, lips slightly swollen from his kisses. I look... well, thoroughly ravished. But also lost.

"What does he really want from me?" I whisper to my reflection.

The woman staring back has no answers. Just more questions.

I dress quickly, my mind racing. Every tender word, every passionate touch – was it all just part of his game? Is this how he treats all his conquests?

"Stop it," I scold myself. "You don't know that."

But I don't know the opposite either. And that's the problem.

Are there other maids who have been in this position? Are they shaking their heads and silently pitying me? Why didn't they say anything? or worse, maybe they all leave or are fired once he sues them all up.

I march down the corridor, my footsteps echoing off the polished floors. My heart pounds as I approach Valen's study, a mix of determination and uncertainty churning in my gut. Without knocking, I push the door open.

Valen looks up from his desk, surprise flickering across his face before his usual composed mask slips back into place. "Ariana, I wasn't expecting you."

"Clearly," I say, my voice sharper than intended. "I woke up alone."

He sighs, running a hand through his dark hair. "I apologize. There was urgent business I needed to attend to."

"More urgent than..." I trail off, unsure how to finish that sentence.

Valen stands, moving around his desk. "I hoped you'd enjoy a good breakfast. Did you eat?"

"That's not the point," I say, crossing my arms. "Valen, I... I have feelings for you. Strong ones. But I'm not sure what to do with them."

His green eyes soften slightly. "Ariana-"

"No, let me finish," I interrupt. "I need to know. Am I just some conquest to you? Another notch on your bedpost?"

Valen's jaw tightens. "Of course not. You mean more to me than that."

"Do I?" I challenge, searching his face for any sign of deception. "Because right now, I'm not entirely sure I believe you."

He takes a step closer, his presence overwhelming. "You're not a conquest, Ariana. You're... important to me."

I want to believe him, but there's something in his tone, a slight hesitation that makes me doubt. "Important how, Valen? As an employee? A friend? Or something more?"

He doesn't answer immediately, and that silence speaks volumes. When he does speak, his words are careful, measured. "You're special, Ariana. What we have... it's unique."

It's not the reassurance I was hoping for. His words are nice, but they feel hollow, rehearsed. I take a step back, creating distance between us.

Unique feels like a funny way of not saying anything at all. I thank him, and apologize for interrupting his business. He falls back into his work as I leave, heading to the kitchen for breakfast.

Somehow it feels like he answered everything and nothing for me. I don't know what to do with these feelings. Worse, I don't know if he has any at all.