Runaway Heiress, Reluctant bride

He stared at me, his eyes widening with disbelief. “Eighteen? Seriously?” He then scrutinized my face, making me feel self-conscious. “You’re pretty, and your legs are… impressive. But what caught my attention the most were your eyes. They’re so captivating. I wonder how they’d look under me.”

At first, I didn’t understand what he meant, but after a few seconds, the realization hit me like a ton of bricks. My cheeks burned with anger. “I’m here to work as your maid, nothing more. No touching, no flirting, or I’ll file a harassment charge.”

“Whoa, you’re a sharp one, Elena,” he said, his voice tinged with amusement.

“I am,” I shot back. “So you’d better watch yourself.”

For a moment, he seemed to consider something, then he groaned but said nothing. He turned toward the door, as though to leave, but then stopped short. “It’s just you and me in this house,” he added, “and there are plenty of rooms. Pick whichever one you like. I’ll be back in a minute.”

His offer to let me choose a room instead of relegating me to the servant’s quarters was generous, but I couldn’t help but feel annoyed at how he’d left me in the dark about what was expected of me. Still, I obeyed and followed his instructions. He’d gone left, so that’s where I went.

“Hey, come here,” Leo called, his voice drawing the attention of a brunette who was seated nearby. Nervously, she stood and walked toward him.

Without a word, Leo wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered something in her ear. The woman nodded, and within moments, they were in bed. My eyes widened in disbelief as I watched him strip her of her clothes.

“Baby, spread your legs,” Leo ordered, his voice low and commanding.

The woman complied, her body arching under him. He sank into her, and I gasped, feeling a strange mix of anger and discomfort at the scene unfolding before me. I couldn’t tear my eyes away, even though every instinct screamed at me to leave.

They moved together in a heated rhythm, the air thick with their moans. The woman’s voice echoed through the room as she called his name repeatedly. I wanted to run, but my feet felt as if they were cemented to the floor.

As Leo pulled away from her, I snapped out of my trance, panic flooding me. I turned to leave, but in my haste, I knocked over a vase from the console table. The sound of it crashing to the ground was too loud to ignore, and Leo’s head snapped toward the hallway.

I bolted down the corridor, but Leo was already on my heels. “Stop, or you’ll regret it!” he called after me, his voice sharp.

I didn’t dare look back, but Leo’s long strides quickly caught up to me. “I’m sorry, Leo. I got lost,” I lied, my heart pounding in my chest.

He scoffed at my excuse, clearly unconvinced. “What did you see?” he demanded.

“Nothing,” I lied again, my voice wavering slightly.

“Are you sure?” he pressed, his suspicion thick in the air.

I cursed under my breath. This man was relentless. “Fine. I admit it. I saw you with that brunette… doing things… like wild animals. Happy now? Can I leave?”

“Are you sure that’s all you saw?” Leo’s eyes darkened, and I could tell he didn’t believe me.

I let out a long sigh. “Yes, that’s all. Can I go now?”

Leo’s anger flared, and he took a step closer. “Don’t you ever talk to me like that, Elena.”

I met his gaze, unflinching. He was furious, but I didn’t care. “If you don’t want me here, just tell me, and I’ll leave.”

“No one leaves without my say so!” he bellowed, his voice booming down the hallway.

“I am not your prisoner!” I exclaimed, turning on my heel and walking away.

“Wait a minute!” Leo called after me, his voice filled with frustration. Every time he was disrespectful or insufferable, I regretted ever crossing paths with him.

“If you’ll show me to my room, I’d appreciate it. You know what? I’m not in the mood to argue right now. And if you want me to cook, you’ll let me take a nap first,” I added, crossing my arms.

Leo took a deep breath, trying to keep his cool, but I could see the flare of his nostrils as he fumed. “Of course, you’re welcome to my demands,” he muttered, his tone tight. He turned and started walking toward the hallway, gesturing for me to follow.