Chapter 9 REASSURANCES

DANIEL

I waited patiently as my penthouse's floor-to-ceiling windows let in the soft glow of the city lights. With each slight twist of my wrist, the rich red liquid swirled in the wine glass in my palm, which remained undisturbed. The world was asleep outside, oblivious to the tempest that was building inside of me. The time was 2:51 a.m. Unnoticed, she had sneaked out. My men were trained professionals, and none of them had noticed her absence. It served as a sharp reminder of her independence. She left because she didn't have to. Because she wanted to, she stayed. Since sSinceerished me. However, she conveyed a different message tonight, reminding me of her true self, her abilities, and the reasons why even my mention of her name made deadly rivals shudder. The last several hours had flown by. Bids from competitors are being withdrawn. Overnight, my stock increased. My adversaries shook as if they had seen a ghost and dispersed like leaves in the wind. Her face was not concealed. She desired for them to recognise her. I would also be afraid if I were the object of her rage. However, I wasn't. She had me. And one of the many reasons I loved her was because of her strength-her fire. I had the entire world at my feet. Empires bowed to me. But if it meant having her all to myself and keeping her safe, I would sacrifice everything. I didn't turn when the door behind her snapped shut. The silence between us stretched like a taut wire as I gave her the opportunity. Then I said something. "Rebel, where were you?" I sounded calm, but not really. My shirt was undone at the neck, and my normally perfect dark hair was a little unkempt-an uncommon disorder that reflected the turmoil within. She paused. I learnt everything from that little silence. With a catchy voice, she started, "Daniel." "Where were you?" It was even more hazardous because of how gentle my tone was, like a velvet-clad razor. As she moved farther into the space, her eyes darted away, her motions deliberate but elegant, like a creature examining its environment. She replied softly, almost too nonchalantly, "I couldn't sleep." "I took a stroll to clear my mind. I glanced at her, taking in every detail. The thin stain of blood on her glove's edge. Her boots were stuck in the dirt. There was a smile on my lips, but it was cold. "You think I'll believe that?" "Don't-Daniel." I stopped her in her tracks. I closed the distance between us in a single sweep, wrapping my hand around her wrist and drawing her in. Even though her breath caught, she didn't fight it. This is not how she ever opposed me. With my eyes piercing hers, I whispered, "I know everything, Rebel," my voice a perilous whisper. "Everything." Her barriers broke down. Lying was no longer useful. She trembled as she murmured, "I did it for us." With my other hand reaching up to hold her face, I tightened my hold on her wrist. With such tenderness that belied the tempest brewing beneath the surface, my thumb touched her cheek. "You don't think I saw? The late evenings? The looks from afar? With a hint of pain that I hardly ever displayed, my voice grew softer. Rebel, I've allowed you to play your little games. But just because I was curious about how you wanted to pull it off, I let you be. She looked away, but I wouldn't allow her to get away with it. She was forced to look into my eyes as my fingers tipped her chin forward. I lowered my voice to a whisper and declared, "You're mine." "You've been mine forever. If you want the world to burn, tell me. I'd bring Hades to earth if I have to." Her shoulders appeared to soften as the weight of my words seemed to draw her in. I continued, my lips grazing the back of her ear, "You're not leaving me." Not for the world. I couldn't tell if she was shivering because she was afraid or for some other reason. I favoured ignorance. My grip on her, the unadulterated, uncompromising bond that bound us together, was something I enjoyed. "I don't want to leave you," she said, her words falling out of her mouth like a confession. I laughed ominously, the sound resonating between us. Naturally, you don't. Since nobody will ever love you as much as I do. I need you more than anybody else ever will. I released her wrist and grabbed her face with both hands, following the thin line with my thumbs.line of her mouth. "Rebel, you are everything to me. For you, I would set the planet on fire. Are you aware of that? She kept her gaze fixed on her glistening eyes. She made a tiny but determined movement when she nodded. I answered in a quiet but firm voice, "I've built empires." "I've taken over markets and destroyed competitors. But without you, none of it counts. Then, with a forceful, relentless kiss that spoke of possession, desperation, and love so overwhelming it almost bordered on lunacy, my lips took hers. Initially tense, she eventually entwined her hands in my hair and drew me in. She kissed me with the same ferocity and rawness as myself. Our foreheads were close when we split apart, and our breaths mixed in the charge with silence. quiet. I touched her cheek and whispered, "Never let me doubt you again." "If you deceive me once again... The implied threat hung heavily in the air as I trailed off. She vowed, her voice hardly audible, "I won't." Then I smiled a real smile and kissed her forehead tenderly. "Well done." I gathered her into my arms and held her close as if I could hold her there indefinitely. I didn't love her with gentleness or purity. It was hazardous, it was consuming, it was fierce. Still, it was love. I wished she knew that. She muttered something about wanting a shower as we stood there, encircled by one another. Reluctantly, I released her and watched as she vanished into the bathing room. I lit a cigarette and I gazed out at the metropolis below while smoking a cigarette and feeling the sharp smoke swirl about me. I told her I would stop, but I needed the advantage it provided tonight. I had gone crazy at the idea of her leaving, even for a little time. After I finally put out the cigarette, I undressed and went into the bathroom with her. The calming pattern of the water's sound welcomed me, a stark contrast to my heart's thumping. With her back to me and the water running down her skin, she was washing her hair. The sight of me in the glass's reflection did not startle her. Rather, she eased up, a little smile spreading over her lips. I moved behind her and touched her hair. I lathered the shampoo, my fingers stroking her scalp with a gentleness that caused her to sigh, and she returned the favour by helping me wash, her touch just as personal, just as significant. The tension between us changed, turning into something else entirely, and as her hands remained on me, I pulled her close, my need for her overwhelming. She washes her hair while she helps me wash up, and after a while she's on her knees, taking my girth in, bobbing her head up and down, and I'm lost; this is her way of saying I'm worried, but I'd be taking much more. I pull her hair, and as I hit the back of her throat, I spill and come so hard, but I'm just beginning. She's still getting used to me, but every part of her body will adapt to my cock since it's hers. I pull her up and turn her back to me as she spreads her hands flat on the glass and I suddenly plunge into her pussy. I fuck her hard and fast with no intention of slowing down, while she cries and her shouts are silenced. I kiss her for a long time. After a while, I turn to face her and drive three fingers into her at once. She climaxes as I slide back into her and go really hard till I cum since I'm so close. "I love you"."I love you too". She responds. After turning off the shower, I pick her up and carry her to the bedroom in bridal fashion. Before anything else, we must get some sleep. The night has been long.