Mated to the Mad Lord-Chapter 49: Kiss me!

"What?" Cain asked, a rare frown creasing his usually calm and blank face. His intense gaze bore into Violet as he pressed her for clarity. "What do you mean you don’t know?"

"I’m not attracted to men, but I like looking at you! That’s all! I swear!" Violet blurted out, her words tumbling over one another as her discomfort grew. Honesty was her only shield, but it was the last thing she wanted to admit. The urge to bolt out the door surged within her, yet she stayed rooted, unable to escape his penetrating gaze.

Cain’s eyes lit up with a dangerous glint, one she didn’t understand but instinctively knew to be trouble.

"...You like looking at me? Is that all?" he asked bluntly. His gaze slipped from her face to her chest, slow and deliberate, like a predator sizing up its prey.

Violet stepped back instinctively, but before she could create any real distance, Cain’s arm snaked around her waist, pulling her firmly against him. His other hand buried itself in the roots of her hair, forcing her to look up into his golden-brown eyes. The intensity there was enough to send shivers through her, yet she couldn’t look away.

"...You don’t want to touch me?" he murmured, his voice dripping with both amusement and provocation.

Violet’s head snapped side to side in denial, but her words failed her as his fingers began to trace lazy circles along the base of her neck. The touch was maddening, making it impossible to think clearly.

"Really?" Cain’s voice deepened, lowering to a near whisper that sent heat rippling through her body. "You can’t know that. Not when you’ve never touched anyone before."

His words were laced with challenge, and before Violet could formulate a coherent reply, he leaned closer. His breath was warm against her ear, his fingers sliding from the nape of her neck to the delicate spot just behind her ear. His touch left a trail of fire in its wake, clouding her thoughts further.

"Lo-Lord Cain!" Violet gasped, her voice trembling as panic and unfamiliar sensations warred within her. "I’m a man! Men aren’t supposed to—"

Her plea was cut off when Cain’s grip around her waist tightened, drawing her even closer to him.

"...And what exactly are we doing?" he whispered, his breath brushing against her ear in a way that made her knees weak.

Before she could respond, she felt his lips press against her earlobe. The sudden, intimate gesture sent a jolt of electricity through her body. She gasped, her hands instinctively reaching out to steady herself by gripping his shoulders.

"Lo-Lord Cain!" she stammered, her voice rising as she tried to urge him away, but he didn’t stop. His lips traveled down the sensitive curve of her neck, his movements deliberate and possessive. He only paused when her clothes created a barrier, something she was immensely grateful for—until she saw the dark glint in his eyes as he pulled back.

Cain’s golden-brown eyes smoldered, their intensity making Violet’s stomach twist and her heart pound violently. A faint, knowing smile tugged at the corners of his lips as if he could hear the frantic rhythm of her pulse.

His hands moved to cradle her face, his palms warm against her skin. "Viole. Kiss me."

The demand was soft yet powerful, his voice laced with an authority that left no room for argument. His gaze burned into hers, consuming her whole.

A part of Violet screamed that this was a trap—a cruel game designed to ensnare her. Yet another part, weaker but insistent, felt bewitched by the magnetic pull of his presence. Her gaze drifted downward to his lips, red and slightly parted as he waited for her.

His arm around her waist and the weight of his gaze promised that refusal wouldn’t save her. If she hesitated, he’d take what he wanted anyway.

One kiss can’t hurt.

The thought slipped into her mind, unbidden and dangerous. Her body still buzzed from the heat of his touch, the lingering press of his lips on her neck. If that had felt good, how much better would his lips feel against hers?

Just this once. Just one kiss, she rationalized, leaning in slowly, her curiosity burning brighter than her fear. Her eyes fluttered closed as the space between them vanished, their breaths mingling.

The moment their lips were about to meet, the door slammed open with a deafening bang.

Violet jerked back so fast she nearly lost her balance, her heart pounding louder than ever as she turned toward the intruders. Cain’s grip loosened, and he let her go, his expression darkening instantly as he directed his seething fury at the unexpected interruption.

Guards flooded into the room, their knees hitting the floor in unison as they knelt before Cain in a straight row.

"You’d better have a good reason for this," Cain snarled, his voice laced with unbridled anger. The tension in the air was suffocating, his rage palpable as he glared at the guards.

The most decorated among them, his chest heavy with medals, stepped forward to speak. "Lord Cain!" His voice was firm, though he kept his head bowed to avoid meeting Cain’s eyes. "The border is under attack, my lord. The reports coming in...they’re not good. You gave orders to be informed immediately if such a situation arose."

Cain’s scowl deepened, his arms folding across his chest as he leaned back slightly. "Shouldn’t the border guards be enough to handle this?"

"Yes, my lord," the decorated guard answered quickly. "But we’ve received confirmation that pureblood vampires are involved. Unlike werewolves, they’re far harder to kill."

The guard kept his head low, but even from her spot across the room, Violet could see the tension in his shoulders. Cain’s aura was suffocating, a dark wave of power that sent shivers down her spine.

Cain’s gaze swept over the guard, sharp and piercing. "Fine," he said at last, his tone clipped. Without another word, the guards rose to their feet as Cain strode past them, his movements swift and purposeful.

Before leaving, Cain glanced over his shoulder, his burning gaze pinning Violet in place.

"DO NOT LEAVE THIS ROOM," he ordered, his voice a growl that brooked no argument.

Violet swallowed hard, nodding silently as he disappeared through the doorway with his guards in tow.

Alone, Violet collapsed onto the nearest chair, her legs trembling beneath her. Relief and regret battled within her as she berated herself for what had almost happened.

Are you out of your mind, Violet? How could you? she thought furiously. How could you think about kissing Cain?

Her heart still pounded wildly, her thoughts spinning.

He’s the lord of the district. Worse, he’s a killer. A murderer. And he’s obviously mad! ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Her chest tightened as she recalled his fiery gaze, the way his touch had set her skin alight.

What happened to distancing yourself from him? she scolded herself. What happened to protecting yourself from his madness?

Yet even as the fear and self-recrimination flooded her, Violet couldn’t shake the memory of his touch—or the maddening intensity of the moment they’d almost shared.