Chapter158 – Don’t touch me!
He stopped, just enough to hold her tightly and whisper against her skin, “Only you make me feel this way… Still think you’re powerless?”
“I…” Clarissa’s cheeks were flushed, her fingers curled into his collar, her voice trembling. “You always twist things—this… this is different…”
Atticus stared at her, his gaze dark and searing. “You lie,” he whispered, lifting her chin again. “Don’t tell me you feel nothing.”
Clarissa opened her mouth to protest, but Atticus pressed his thumb to her lips.
“This pretty little mouth always says one thing while your body tells me the truth,” he murmured, his tone wicked and slow.
And then he kissed her again—deep, consuming, and final—cutting off any more denials she had left.
.......
When they finally emerged from the room, Clarissa’s cheeks were flushed, her lips swollen from his kisses.
She marched ahead, fast and flustered, not daring to look back.
Atticus strolled behind her leisurely. “Sis, why the rush?”
Clarissa ignored him, her heart still pounding, her fingers clutching the railing.
Atticus caught up in two long strides, reaching for her wrist. “Clarissa!”
“Let go!” she snapped, shaking his hand off. This shameless little devil—she didn’t want to speak to him ever again!
“Sis, I just wanted to let you know…” Atticus said innocently. “You’re going the wrong way. The elevator’s this way.”
......
The elevator was antique—carved wood and wrought iron, barely big enough for four or five people. When Atticus stepped inside, his tall frame instantly made the space feel even smaller.
Clarissa hesitated at the door. The air felt thinner already, and he hadn’t even moved.
She stepped inside cautiously, only for Atticus to shift closer.
Her eyes narrowed. “What are you doing now?”
Atticus gave her a wicked grin. “Why so tense? I’m not going to eat you.”
“Liar,” Clarissa shot back, pressing herself to the side. “I’ll never trust you again!”
Atticus chuckled. “Clever girl. But unfortunately for you…”
He moved so fast she barely had time to breathe. He backed her into the wall, caging her between his body and the wooden paneling.
Clarissa stiffened, both hands braced against his chest. Her voice shook. “Att… Atticus! I’m serious—I’ll get mad!”
He smirked, lowering his head so their foreheads nearly touched.
Atticus’s gaze remained fixed on Clarissa’s slightly swollen lips. Desire coiled in his chest like fire—raging, unrelenting, impossible to extinguish.
But he didn’t want to scare her away, so he forced himself to rein in the craving, holding onto the last threads of self-control.
Still, her scent lingered in the air, sweet and soft, seducing him in ways she couldn’t possibly understand. The warm elevator light wrapped around her like honey, casting a golden glow across every elegant curve of her body.
His gaze trailed downward—the curve of her spine beneath the fitted riding jacket, the way her pants clung to her hips and sculpted her long, powerful legs. The fire, barely tamed moments ago, ignited again—hotter this time, deeper.
Suddenly, he grabbed her face, fingers trembling slightly from restraint. His voice was hoarse, rough with hunger.
“I can’t take it anymore... Clarissa, this is your fault. You’ve been tempting me from the start.”
Before she could speak, before she could even blink, he crushed his lips against hers.
Clarissa was stunned. What? When had she ever seduced him?
She lifted her hand, ready to slap him across the face, but Atticus was faster. He caught both of her wrists in one hand, raising them above her head and pinning her against the elevator wall.
His kiss was wild, consuming—like he was trying to devour every part of her. Clarissa felt dizzy, her mind blank under the relentless pressure of his mouth and the intensity of his touch. Her knees weakened, and if not for the strength of his arms around her, she would have collapsed.
Ding.
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime.
Standing right outside was Yuriko Nomiya.
Atticus barely glanced over, annoyance flashing in his eyes like lightning. Someone had the audacity to interrupt him now?
Seeing Yuriko at the threshold, he sneered. “This elevator’s full. Take the next one.”
Then, with the arrogance in the world, he hit the button to close the doors right in her face.
Yuriko blinked, frozen. Her fingers curled into fists. Her eyes, once cold, now burned with fury.
Inside the elevator, Clarissa was still dazed, lips parted, breath shallow. Atticus pulled her into his arms again, whispering softly, “Relax. It was just a woman.”
A woman. Thank God. If it had been a man, and he'd seen Clarissa like this...
He’d gouge out that man’s eyes with his bare hands.
When the doors opened again, morning sunlight spilled into the narrow space. Clarissa blinked, as if coming out of a trance. The next second, she shoved Atticus away and marched out.
“Sis—” he called, but as he reached for her hand, she slapped it away with uncharacteristic force.
“Don’t touch me!”
Atticus stood frozen, watching her glare at him with eyes filled with fury.
“You’re unbelievable! If you ever do something like that again, I’ll go back home. I mean it!”
Clarissa bit her lip, clearly struggling to find the right words. “You’re... you’re not allowed to follow me today!”
With that, she turned and stormed off, her boots clicking furiously on the marble floor.
Atticus stood there, stunned. She was rarely this angry—not with him. He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. Okay, he had gone a little too far. He’d have to find a way to make it up to her later.
Just as he was brooding over how to coax her back into a good mood, a familiar voice called out beside him.
“Mr. Atticus, my master wishes to see you.”
David. Annoyance flashed in Atticus’s chest. But he masked it with a charming smile. Gabriel was still useful. Now wasn’t the time to show teeth.
“Please, lead the way,” Atticus said smoothly.
He glanced one last time in Clarissa’s direction. She had a maid with her. She’d be fine.
With that, he turned and followed David toward the carriage.
Clarissa let out a quiet sigh of relief when she realized Atticus wasn’t following her.
Whenever she was near him, there was this invisible pressure that weighed on her chest. He kept forcing her to accept him, and it left her breathless.
Her emotions were in turmoil. She feared that if she let her heart soften even a little, she would give in.
Say yes to him?
The mere thought made her heart beat faster.
No—if they crossed that final line, there would be no going back.
Clarissa wandered forward absentmindedly, her thoughts tangled, when her foot suddenly caught on a loose stone. Before she could react, she pitched forward.
“Careful!” A pair of strong hands caught her just in time.
Clarissa looked up—and met Lawrence’s gentle, elegant face. The glint of his retro chain glasses caught the light, and his white riding jacket framed his refined figure perfectly.
“Are you alright?” he asked softly.
“N-No… I mean, yes. I’m fine,” she stammered.
Lawrence looked at her, concerned. “You don’t look well. Did something happen?”
“It’s nothing,” Clarissa said quickly, steadying her breath. She straightened her back and offered him a polite smile. “I’m fine. It’s just... the sun is a little strong today. But thank you for catching me.”
Lawrence gave her a warm smile. “It was nothing. Are you heading to the stables now?”
Clarissa nodded. “Yes. The maid said someone would help me choose a horse.”
“Let’s go together, then. I know a bit about picking horses too.”
“Mr. Lawrence, I—”
“Clarissa,” he cut her off gently. “I’ve always liked you.”
Her eyes widened in surprise, but Lawrence only smiled and added, “As a friend, of course. I think you’re kind, well-mannered, and very genuine. I’d really like to be friends with you—if that’s alright?”