16. Chapter 16

Chapter 16

-Jared-

With Alison confined to her bed, opportunities for entertainment were limited. Despite my attempts to engage her with books, she dismissed them disdainfully, claiming they offered less excitement than staring into empty space. Determined to prove her wrong, I took a different approach, removing some of my own garments to nestle in behind her and read aloud.

Immersed in the story, I was suddenly struck by the peaceful ambiance surrounding us. Alison lay nestled in my embrace, her eyes closed in quiet contentment as she listened. This unexpected intimacy with her filled me with a sense of awe. I never envisioned finding myself in such a situation, yet now I was determined to cultivate more moments like these in our lives. A smile played on my lips at the decision, momentarily slowing my reading pace.

"Why did you stop?" Alison's voice interrupted my reverie.

"Sorry, I drifted off," I confessed.

"See? Boring," she teased, a smile tugging at her lips as I resumed reading, my free hand gently caressing her cheek, eliciting a soft moan of pleasure from her. Her subsequent relaxation and eventual drifting off to sleep underscored the importance of her healing process, despite the inevitable boredom that would accompany it. Yet, I preferred her boredom over the alternative of further internal injury.

Lowering the book, I contented myself with tracing patterns on her skin, gazing into the distance with a sudden realization of Vince's prescience. His words echoed in my mind, reminding me of his warning that I would never want Alison to leave once she confessed her love. Holding her close, I acknowledged the surreal nature of our situation. The joy of having her by my side, even in pain, filled me with an inexplicable sense of possessiveness. Every aspect of her—her agony, her presence, her love—was a balm to my soul, a craving I couldn't deny.

Leaning closer, I inhaled her scent, finding comfort in its familiarity, though missing the hint of vanilla. Nevertheless, the anticipation of infusing our surroundings with her fragrance once more thrilled me. Her very being had become an intoxicating addiction, one I had no desire to break free from.

As I pressed my lips to her neck, savoring the sensation of her skin against mine, I acknowledged the need to indulge in her presence fully, knowing that tomorrow night would belong to my wife and her darker desires.

My resilience would soon face its ultimate trial, with Astrid's relentless need to dominate me serving as a reminder of the past I sought to escape. Yet, I refused to surrender, immersing myself in Alison's embrace as a shield against the impending storm. Though Alison stirred slightly within my firm grasp, she made no request for release as I continued to shower her neck with kisses, relishing the sensation of her skin beneath my lips.

Her soft moan was followed by a subtle shift of her head, a flicker of uncertainty fleeting across her eyes before recognition settled in.

"Still here," I reassured her, understanding the need for reassurance.

"Is it wrong that I want to check?" she confessed.

"No, I understand. I've done the same for years," I admitted.

"What?" she inquired.

"When I was no longer living in my father's home, I would still lock my bedroom door or sleep with a knife under my pillow. Whenever I woke up, I would search the entire room, ensuring he truly wasn't there. Even then, I found it hard to settle down," I admitted.

"You aren't upset that I need to check?" she asked, her concern obvious.

I shook my head. "No, because whenever you look at me, you calm down," I assured her, a gentle smile gracing my lips.

With her eyes closed once more, she nestled closer to my chest, and I resumed my gentle ministrations, reveling in the security and tranquility her presence offered. This connection, something I once resisted, now became an indispensable source of peace, a lifeline to my inner child.

A soft giggle escaped Alison's lips as I playfully teased her ear.

"Jared, that tickles," she whispered playfully.

I smiled, repeating the action, eliciting a small whimper of protest from her. Afterward, I pressed a tender kiss to the skin behind her ear, savoring the moment as I ran my nose down her neck, attuned to the subtle changes in her breathing. Aware of her condition and respecting her boundaries, I refrained from any further intimate contact. My desires were not driven by physical gratification. They stemmed from a deeper yearning.

Continuing to explore her skin, I felt the familiar tension between us heightening. Her nails traced patterns down my chest, evoking a deep rumble of satisfaction within me. Slowing my movements, I trailed my lips over her exposed collarbone before ascending higher, teasing her ear once again. This time, her breath hitched, a shiver of arousal coursing through her.

Pressing my lips to her forehead, I reveled in the intimacy of the moment before trailing my fingers down her back, a gesture laden with unspoken affection.

"Are you all right?" she murmured, sensing the shift in our dynamic.

"Perfectly fine," I assured her, driven by an insatiable hunger for her. "I feared I would find you shattered, but here you are, whole," I confessed, savoring every moment with her.

"Missed me?" she teased, a playful glint in her eye.

"So much," I confessed, my longing laid bare as I pressed a tender kiss against her skin, intoxicated by the sweetness of her response.

I sensed her tension beneath me, as if she struggled to comprehend my feelings, yet I had already made it clear that our connection was inevitable.

"You shouldn't miss someone like me," she murmured.

"Why not?"

"Isn't everything that happened merely my punishment? Karma, as they say," she reflected.

"I don't believe in the universe's powers. If that were true, then why was my father never held accountable?" I challenged.

She sighed in agreement. "Still, the things I did to you…"

"Alison, let's not dwell on the past. Despite it all, we've chosen to be together, haven't we?" I reminded her, seeking to ease her doubts.

"I fear you'll grow tired of me, that you're only fulfilling a need for now and will leave me eventually. I have nothing but you," she confessed.

In that moment, a wave of fulfillment washed over me, and I had to stifle a moan of satisfaction. Alison's admission marked the end of my plan, her dependence on me fulfilling a deep-seated desire. Though my initial vision had been to push her away, leaving her to realize her solitude, Vince's insight proved true. As Alison surrendered herself fully to me, I found myself unable to let her go. She was mine, wholly and completely, igniting a hunger within me unlike any other.

For someone who had known little love in his life, this newfound connection brought not just bliss but a profound sense of peace. With a contented smile, I nuzzled closer to her, relishing the sweet embrace of our shared bond.

"What did you say?" I murmured, a dark edge creeping into my tone.

"I said I have nothing but you," Alison repeated.

Oh God , I thought to myself, moaning the words in my mind. Reaching for her hand, adorned with the ring that symbolized our connection, I pressed my lips to it before meeting her gaze squarely. "I keep returning to you, Alison. No matter how many years slip by, if I can endure over a decade without you by my side and still find myself drawn back, do you truly believe the next 10 will change anything?"

"But you thought of revenge," she countered, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

"I did, but this time I seek something different," I asserted, gently stroking her hair.

"What?"

"Peace," I confessed, surprising even myself with the admission.

"I thought you said that was unattainable for people like us."

"I thought so too, but once I find our way out of this, I believe it might be possible," I admitted optimistically. "I just need to tie up the last few loose ends, and then I will be free to make my own choices."

Though Alison remained wary, I knew I could prove to her that my commitment was unwavering. For individuals like us, love wasn't an emotion we felt. It was an all-encompassing fascination, a deep enchantment that left us craving more. Alison embodied that fascination for me, fulfilling the desires I had long suppressed.

She sighed, resting her head against me, her cheek pressed to my chest. "I can't deny I'm still fearful. Relying solely on you is daunting. You hold the power to utterly crush me."

"I always have," I declared, a hint of amusement coloring my tone.

"True, but you're different," she insisted, her voice tinged with sincerity.

"Different?"

"I've told you before, there's no one else like you. I could rebuild my life, but there's only one Jared, and I refuse to lose him," she confessed.

"Who's the romantic now?" I teased, earning a chuckle from her.

"It's a good thing I never denied being one. You're the one who claim not to believe in love," she retorted.

"I said I couldn't feel love," I corrected.

"That just makes me feel awful."

"Yeah, well, someone from my world shouldn't feel it," I explained with a tinge of regret. "We just end up being crushed underneath it."

Alison sighed deeply, drawing herself closer to me in a tight embrace. "Thank you for finding me," she whispered.

"I wasn't going to let you stay with the bastard. I'm the reason you were taken," I reminded her, my protective instincts flaring.

"No, Jared, I meant earlier. Thank you for coming back into my life," she clarified, her words catching me off guard.

"Why would you thank me for that? I made you sell yourself to me," I countered.

"And I'm glad you did," Alison admitted, her voice tinged with joy. "Then I no longer had to pretend I didn't like you. I could finally have what I wanted."

Her revelation stirred a mix of emotions within me. While I had intended to hurt her through the contract, I had inadvertently granted her deepest desire. Yet, amidst the turmoil, I couldn't ignore what I had gained—a profound connection with her.

"Don't thank me for that. You're ruining all my plans," I teased, hoping to lighten the mood.

"Ah, yes, your master plan of my downfall. I feel utterly ruined," she quipped back, her sharpness a welcome familiarity.

As we lapsed into a comfortable silence, I couldn't help but smile, cherishing the moment of shared banter.