Edward walked out of Gabrielle's room; her insult minutes ago smeared his skin and clung to him like a wet cloth.
She didn't know him?
His thoughts were erratic as his feet stomped their way out.
He could still taste the metallic tang of her bruised lips: his nostrils flared.
He swung his clenched fists as he went down the stairs. His eyes were on the stairs as flashes of her neck came into play. He suddenly felt hot, his hands tugging at his tie, his anger bubbling hotter.
He raised his head too late, colliding with his brother. His feet went off balance, and he clung to his brother's sleeve for support.
" What the –" he said, shocked. He and Adrian struggled for balance.
His legs finally leveled, and he shot Adrian a stern look. "What the hell, man?" he fumed, a sour expression on his face.
Adrian stepped back, disengaging from his brother. "I –" his brows knitted in confusion, noticing the expression Edward wore.
" What happened?" he uttered, worry etching his features.
His words brought back images of Gabrielle: her creased brows as he said the words he knew had torn her apart.
He groaned.
Well, she deserved it; she shouldn't have insulted him. His eyes wandered frantically from his brother to the floor.
He raked his fingers through his hair as irritation with the individual in front of him grew.
"Fuck off!" he grunted, starting down the stairs.
" It's Gabrielle, isn't it?" Adrian's voice was accusing, judging even. It stopped Edward's rushed descent.
He turned back slowly, facing Adrian. His hands balled into tight fists. "What do you want with Gabriellle?" his voice was a hiss of mock astonishment. His head tilted slightly to the side as if in a patient wait for his brother's next words.
Adrian backed up instantly, unsure eyes studying him." What have you done to her?" he asked with caution, his voice two tones lower, as if to calm Edward's ignited rage.
His brother always thought himself the righteous one—the one who could do no wrong.
He eyed him as Adrian stood there, like a one-man morality police officer indicting him for sins he had definitely committed.
His pulse was thudding with the high of his cruelty." Stay away from her, Adrian," he commanded.
" Don't think I didn't see where your interests stayed at the party," He growled, low and final. A violent tremor ran through him at the thought of Gabrielle with his brother. She was his.
He turned and stalked down the stairs, leaving Adrian to ponder his words.
Reaching the last steps, his feet the only sound in the long, quiet hallway, he took a sharp left— the direction of his study.
He needed a stiff drink to calm his aching head.
His hand was on the doorknob of his study; he turned it and entered, flicking the light switch by the door.
As he walked further in, he stopped, realizing someone was there.
His gaze hardened as the image of Eloise came into view. Her nightgown hung over her slender figure loosely, as her backside grazed his table. Seductive as ever, her hair fell over her shoulder, her poised hands resting on the table as she leaned slightly back, exposing hints of her breasts.
He sighed. She meant to lure him into her bed tonight. "Get out, Eloise." his voice was cold as ice.
" Don't think I have forgiven your transgressions?" he snarled as his irritation grew.
He leveled his finger at her." You know home visits are off-limits," he bellowed.
He hadn't expected her to defy him." Still, you came here?" he asked, his voice laced with annoyance. "To provoke me perhaps?" he sneered, one brow arching.
She edged herself off the table and slowly walked towards him, her hands reaching for his chest.
He groaned but let her. His eyes were trained on her, watchful.
Her lips brushed his ear." Let me please you," she whispered, her voice gentle, coaxing.
He knew her game.
He allowed it. This was why he had her anyway; she exuded sex in its purest form.
Her hands stroked his chest in an erotic rhythm. His blood burned hot.
Yes. This was what he needed. Mind-numbing sex to clear his system.
Her hands trailed lower until she met his belt. They slowly traced the edge of his buckle; it clicked open.
He let out a low breath as desire clouded his senses; he pulled her closer.
Unbuckling his trousers, she slid her hand into his pants; she claimed him, hot and large in her hands.
He muttered profanity under his breath, his jaw tightening.
Her lips moved, spreading hot kisses from his ear to his neck— he stiffened.
Everything he wanted to forget flooded his mind— Gabrielle's hickey; his mark, her harsh words.
Eloise sensed a change in him." Baby, what's wrong?" Her voice was etched with worry.
He exhaled. Every bit of desire in him left. He removed Eloise from his person.
His face was hard, the veins in his neck bulging." Leave," a command she knew not to disobey.
Eloise left.
As the door of his study closed with a thud, he cursed under his breath.
He pondered why her words had this much effect on him as he walked around his solid mahogany table and sat in his chair.
She had left him. She left. His feelings for her had long since died.
She thought she could come into his life and disrupt it? He placed his elbows on the table. She was in for some rude awakening. A smile played on his lips as he took out his laptop from a cabinet under his table.
He was going to type out the terms of their parenting agreement. He leaned in and got to work. Every clause he typed was a way to make sure Gabrielle paid for her words.
Moments later, he was done, and the printer hummed to life. This wasn't a simple agreement— it was a trap designed with precision.