Chapter 20: Soon
"What do you mean?" Anna asked softly, her lips still grazing against William’s thumb. His words felt foreign, as if he were speaking in a language she couldn’t quite translate.
William’s lips curved into a knowing smile as he slowly withdrew his thumb, his fingers trailing along her jaw before cupping her chin with a touch that was both gentle and possessive. "I think I’m being quite clear," he replied. "You said you’d do anything for revenge. You promised to listen to me—to obey me. Are you ready to prove it?"
A tremor ran through Anna, her lower lip quivering despite the lingering sweetness of the chocolate melting on her tongue. It left her mouth watering, yet she wasn’t sure what she truly craved—another taste of something sweet, or... something far more dangerous?
William leaned in, his presence so close that she could feel the warmth of his breath ghosting over her skin. "By now," he continued, his voice like silk laced with steel, "you should already understand—I don’t tolerate hesitation. When our plan is finally set in motion, I won’t be this patient."
Anna inhaled sharply, as if the very air between them had thickened, making it hard to breathe. Her lips parted, and on an exhale, she whispered, "Then tell me... what do you want me to do?"
William stilled. For a fleeting moment, his heart skipped a beat—an unfamiliar, unwelcome reaction. The delicate warmth of her breath brushed against his lips, stirring something primal, something long buried. A fire flickered to life deep within him, threatening to consume the carefully built walls around his heart.
He had believed those feelings were long dead. But they had only been lying in wait, hidden in the darkest corners of his soul, waiting patiently—until now.
Suddenly, a low chuckle escaped William’s lips, deep and unhurried, before he pulled away. His fingers released Anna’s chin in a deliberate, measured motion, as if reluctant to let go.
"There will be plenty of things I’ll ask of you in the future," he said quietly, his gaze lingering on her. "So take this time to think about what you want. As I said, this is a mutual agreement. If there’s anything you need from me... just say the word."