Chapter 1 I Want You

"Do you know who I am? How dare you seduce me?"

Elijah Warren's harsh whisper sent a chill through Ashley Kirk, who had climbed on top of him naked.

Beneath her was Elijah, leader of Daville's most formidable family, the Warrens. He was her uncle by title, though not by blood.

To dodge his probing, Ashley feigned intoxication.

"It's so hot. I want you," she murmured softly.

Trapped, she leaned in and kissed his Adam's apple, seeing him as her sole chance at survival.

Daniel Blake, her fiancé, had ostensibly taken her to a cruise ship auction that evening. However, his real plan was to offer her to a business associate.

Ashley, refusing to be manipulated like that, seized the first chance to escape.

Yet, deep within, she understood fleeing the Kirk family and her foster mother's influence was futile.

If she were to be seen as a commodity, she preferred to surrender to an influential man, someone the Kirks couldn't afford to mess with in Daville.

The lounge on the second floor was dark, yet Ashley could make out the noisy chaos below clearly.

Beyond the expansive windows, the auction was charged and animated.

Anxiety gripped her, causing her to act awkwardly.

It was common knowledge that Elijah practiced abstinence. No woman had managed to be intimate with him.

His indifference seemed confirmed as she failed to draw his interest.

"Is this all you have to offer? I expected more from a woman who dares entice me," he said, his eyes narrowing in apparent dissatisfaction.

He had just returned to the country tonight, and already a woman had boldly presented herself to him.

Despite her apparent ardor, her inexperience was evident.

Sweat lightly coated her delicate skin, and her long hair clung to her face. She had initiated this, yet her every action left her blushing more deeply.

Despite his first impulse to push her away, Elijah found himself drawn in. He caressed her waist gently.

"Let me teach you," he offered.

Lying back, his muscular form relaxed, he allowed her to lead.

He guided her with both his words and his gentle touches.

The auction continued beyond the window.

"Next, we present a rare antique, a sculpture of a beauty. This exquisite piece embodies timeless elegance and highlights the exceptional craftsmanship. The lifelike details and delicate texture of the sculpture are truly remarkable. We will start the bidding for this stunning piece at $3 million."

Elijah cradled the gorgeous woman in his arms.

Ashley's moans were muffled by the auctioneer's booming voice.

"$10 million, going once, twice. Sold right here."

The sound of the gavel merged with Elijah's deep breaths and Ashley's muted moans.

As the night grew darker, the rocking of the cruise ship with the waves paled in comparison to the entwined figures in the bed.

...

At dawn, the cruise ship returned to the harbor.

Ashley seized the chance to escape while he showered.

Pain in her waist and legs altered her walk.

She wrapped a woolen shawl around her shoulders and neck, hiding the marks he left.

She noticed Daniel, waiting restlessly with her friend, Sarah Mason.

She had long understood that Daniel and Sarah were involved.

Yet, she had no proof and couldn't end the engagement.

"Daniel, I'm back." Ashley approached, her demeanor submissive and obliging.

She once thought her fiancé would be her escape from the Kirk family, but he intended to exploit her just like her foster mother did.

When she reached out her hand, Daniel shrank back with a look of disgust. "Did you have a productive meeting with Mr. Wells? Were you able to finalize the agreement?"

How could that old man, Andrew Wells, last over three hours?

Daniel's expression shifted suddenly as his gaze rested on Ashley's face.

She stood before him with misty eyes, swollen lips, and a lingering flush on her cheeks, her breath carrying a nearly intoxicating allure. He couldn't help but feel drawn to her radiance.

"Yes, I did exactly as you asked," Ashley replied, her smile seductive.

Yet, her first experience had left her far from happy.

Elijah had been rough.

Suddenly, Daniel realized his thoughts and was struck by a wave of revulsion.

"That's all you're good for," Daniel scoffed.

In Daville, it was well-known that the daughters of the Kirks were mere high-class escorts, notorious for their promiscuity.

Pressured by his family, Daniel had agreed to engage Ashley, the third daughter of the Kirks. His family aimed to connect with the Warren family, the Kirk family's ally, through the engagement.

Consequently, he had become the laughingstock among his friends, mocked for having a fiancée who got around.

With no permission to break the engagement, Daniel had resorted to using Ashley to amuse his business contact.

"Daniel, Ashley must be exhausted. Let her go home and rest," Sarah suggested, leaning against Daniel with a coy smile.

Ashley, feigning ignorance, played the role of the demure and compliant girl.

"Sarah, you're so considerate. Since you and Daniel are both headed the same way, we should let him take you home," Ashley responded with feigned casualness.

It became clear that Sarah had befriended her in school only to ruin her reputation and charm Daniel away.

But Ashley had no desire for such a despicable person!

"I got it," Daniel exclaimed, feeling an unexpected warmth surge through him at Ashley's sight.

As soon as they were in the car, he drew Sarah in for a passionate kiss.

"Daniel, slow down. Ashley hasn't left yet-what if she sees us?" Sarah protested playfully, which only heightened Daniel's urgency.

Though Ashley was strikingly beautiful and well-formed, it was rumored she had been with many men, while Sarah only had been intimate with him. Hence, he preferred Sarah to Ashley.

...

Upon returning to the Kirk family's residence, Ashley found her foster mother, Claire Kirk, in the living room.

"Mom, I secured a business deal for Daniel tonight," she declared, kneeling submissively at Claire's feet.

Claire observed the love bites on Ashley's neck and commended her. "Ashley, as a woman, your highest duty is to heed your partner and ensure his happiness."

"I'll remember that, Mom," Ashley responded, her smile forced as she clenched her fists.

"You've done well. I'll take care of Hadley's medical bills this month," Claire stated, resorting to her usual manipulative strategies.

Ashley's anxiety melted away with her foster mother's reassuring words. "Thank you, Mom."

A decade ago, Claire had adopted Ashley and her twin, Hadley Kirk, from the orphanage.

Hadley's severe heart condition led to daunting medical bills, effectively shackling Ashley to this family-a bond she could not break.

Before heading to freshen up, Ashley handed her dress and jewelry over to Peyton Gill, the family's housekeeper.

Peyton scrutinized each item and then demanded coldly, "Where's the other earring?"

"It can't be-it should be in my bag!"

She was certain the jewelry hadn't been misplaced as she had taken it off herself last night.

Digging through her bag, Ashley located the missing earring and gave it to Peyton for examination.

After ensuring all was correct, Peyton sternly cautioned, "Remember, Miss Kirk, all that you possess is bestowed by Mrs. Kirk. Should you steal jewelry again as you once did, you'll find yourself confined to the basement. Do you comprehend?"

"I won't do it again," Ashley murmured, averting her eyes.

Yet, once Peyton departed, Ashley's gaze lifted, showing a resolve unmarred by fear.

She resolved to break free from this confinement and seize her freedom!

...

The following day, Robert Warren, Elijah's father, hosted a welcoming banquet.

On such occasions, Claire would adorn Ashley exquisitely to captivate influential men.

As they made their entrance, the Warren family's relatives mingled, paying no heed to Ashley and Claire.

Then, a black sports car pulled up.

"It's Elijah!" someone shouted.

At that, Ashley tensed and shifted her focus towards the vehicle.

The crowd hurried to welcome Elijah.

Elijah remained in the car, merely lowering the window and proffering his left hand, which clutched a cigarette.

A signet ring adorned his thumb.

This ring had tormented Ashley during their intimate moments last night.

At the sight of the signet ring, embarrassment heated Ashley's cheeks, and she reflexively averted her gaze.

Suddenly, Claire nudged her forward, urging, "Elijah hasn't returned in three years. Go greet him."

Taking a deep breath, Ashley approached him slowly.

It had been three years since their last formal encounter.

Ashley wondered if he recognized her from last night.