Chapter 5 Fearless or Foolish

I let out a loud snort as Nolan dragged me back into the mansion. His steps were long and confident, while I had to struggle just to keep up and not get pulled off my feet.

"This is kidnapping!" I protested, trying to pull away without success. "I have the right to be free!"

Nolan gave a small laugh, not slowing down. "Kidnapping? Sweetheart, you're my wife. If I want to take you somewhere, I have every right."

I nearly slammed my head against the wall in frustration. "We both know this marriage was forced!"

"But the outside world doesn't know that." He finally stopped in front of my bedroom door and opened it with one hand, still gripping my wrist with the other.

He pushed me inside with no effort, and before I could make a run for it, the door was already shut behind him.

I groaned in frustration. "Nolan, seriously, you can't keep locking me up like this!"

He looked at me for a moment, then walked calmly to a chair near the window and sat down, crossing one leg over the other.

"Then give me a good reason to let you go."

I opened my mouth, then closed it again. Okay, I didn't have a solid answer. But that didn't mean I was giving up.

"I can live on my own!" I said firmly. "I don't need your protection!"

"You don't need my protection?" Nolan repeated my words, amused. "So what are you going to do? Go outside with the money you stole from me, and hope some other mafia doesn't find you first?"

I clenched my jaw. "I can protect myself."

"Oh really?" He leaned forward, his blue eyes sharp. "With what? The kitchen knife you took from the dining table?"

I flinched. Okay, that wasn't fair. I did take a knife-but it was just in case!

"I just want my freedom, Nolan," I said, lowering my voice, trying to sound reasonable. "I don't want to be stuck here forever."

Nolan stayed silent for a moment, then let out a soft sigh. "Then let's make a deal."

I looked at him suspiciously. "A deal?"

He nodded. "I'll think about letting you go... but only if you do one thing."

I waited, but he didn't say more.

I narrowed my eyes. "What's the condition?"

He gave a small smile. "I want you to show me something."

I tensed. "Show you what?"

Nolan stood and walked toward me slowly, way too relaxed. He reached out, lifting my chin gently with one finger.

"Prove to me," he whispered, "that you're really not afraid of me."

My heart started pounding.

I tried to read his expression, but as usual, his face gave nothing away. I wanted to say I wasn't afraid, that I just wanted freedom-but Nolan wasn't going to be convinced with words.

He wanted proof.

And I hated to admit it... but I wasn't sure I could give it.

I stood frozen, my body stiff from how close he was. His finger slowly slid from my chin down to my neck, barely touching my skin like a soft breeze.

"I'm waiting, Kelly," he whispered again.

Heat rose to my skin. I wasn't stupid-I knew this was a game. He was testing me, waiting to see how far I'd go.

So, I lifted my chin and looked him right in the eye. "And how exactly am I supposed to prove I'm not scared?"

He smiled slightly, full of arrogance. "That's up to you."

His hand moved further, brushing along my shoulder, his thumb stroking slowly like he was deciding something. His eyes scanned my face, watching closely.

I swallowed hard. Fine. If this was what he wanted...

I took a step forward, closing the distance between us. I felt Nolan's body tense slightly. He didn't step back, but I saw a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

"You want proof?" My voice sounded calmer than I felt. "What if I touch you first?"

I didn't wait for him to answer. Slowly and deliberately, I raised my hand and placed it on his chest. His skin was warm under my palm, and I could feel the tension in his muscles.

Nolan didn't speak, but I saw his jaw tighten.

So, I went a little further. My fingers slid up his neck and stopped at his jawline. I gently traced its sharp edges, watching for his reaction.

"Is this enough?" I asked, my voice lower than I intended.

Nolan took a slow breath. "Can you do more than that?"

I almost laughed. So this is what he wanted? Alright then. Let's see who gives in first.

Quickly, I rose onto my toes and whispered in his ear, "If I touch you any longer, you think you can handle it?"

For the first time, I saw something shift in his expression. His jaw tightened, and his eyes turned sharp.

Then, before I could pull back, Nolan flipped the script.

In seconds, my back was against the wall, his body pinning me in place. His hands pressed my wrists above my head, his expression darker than before.

"You're playing with fire, Kelly," he said, voice low and rough-almost a warning.

I looked him straight in the eye. "So who's gonna get burned first? Me or you?"

His smile returned, but there was something wilder in it this time. "Careful. I might make you regret saying that."

"Or I might make you lose control first," I shot back.

We stared each other down in silence. Every second stretched longer, the tension between us thickening, the air around us heating up.

Then suddenly, he let go.

I gasped, caught off guard.

He stepped back, still locking eyes with me. "You're braver than I thought," he said, and... was that satisfaction in his voice?

I straightened my shoulders and caught my breath. "So, did I pass?"

Nolan smirked. "Not yet."

Before I could ask, he leaned in again, his face just inches from mine. "But I'm curious to see how long you can last."

He held my face gently, his thumbs brushing my cheeks with a softness that didn't match the intensity in his eyes.

"Stop challenging me if you're not ready for what comes next," he murmured, voice like a growl.

I swallowed hard, refusing to back down. "Who said I'm not ready?"

He narrowed his eyes, like he was trying to figure out if I was bluffing. But something in my answer sparked something in him.

And in the next moment, his lips crashed onto mine.

There was nothing soft about that kiss. No hesitation, no calm. Just pure, wild fire.

My breath caught as he pressed me harder against the wall, his body burning against mine. I could feel every movement-how he demanded, claimed, like he wanted to make sure I'd never forget this.

I should've pushed him away. I should've said stop.

But I didn't.

Instead, my hands grabbed his shirt, pulling him closer as I kissed him back just as fiercely. I felt his breath hitch, his fingers tightening on my jaw, taking control of every second.

He pulled back just long enough for me to catch my breath. His eyes roamed over my face like he was memorizing every expression he just caused.

"You should be afraid of me," he whispered, voice heavy with warning.

I stared back, lips still tingling from the kiss. "And you should know I don't scare easy."

He let out a breath, part frustrated, part amused. Then, without warning, he kissed me again-harder, deeper, like he couldn't get enough.

The kiss deepened, rough and consuming. I gasped for air, feeling how hard Nolan was trying to keep himself in check. His hands slid down to my waist, pulling me closer like he didn't want to let go.

I knew exactly where this was heading-and I wasn't about to let him have it that easy.

With what was left of my self-control, I acted.

I slipped my hand between us, pressed it to his chest, and gave him a strong push.

He stumbled back just slightly-enough to create some space. His dark eyes met mine, full of frustration and want. His jaw clenched tight; he was clearly holding something back.

"Why'd you stop?" he asked, voice deep and rough, almost like a growl.

I could see the frustration in him. He ran a hand through his hair, realizing just how out of control he'd gotten.

Nolan stared at me for a long moment, his breathing still heavy, his gaze dark and dangerous. He was on edge-and I was standing right on that line, playing with fire.

Then, without a word, he cursed under his breath and turned away. His steps were fast and sharp as he walked toward the bathroom.

I held back a laugh, feeling victorious. "Where you going?" I asked, playing innocent.

He paused at the doorway, turning just enough for me to see the hard set of his jaw and the fire still burning in his eyes.

"You know exactly where," he muttered, and shut the door a little louder than needed.

As I heard the water running from the bathroom, I let a smug smile spread across my face. I walked over to the bed, sat down, leaned back against the pillows.

Nolan may be used to having the upper hand.

But this time? I won.