The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1989

He pressed himself against her, his large hand clasping her wrists, one leg propping her up as his lips deviated from their initial trajectory. The fiery kisses trailed down her skin, biting down hard at a sensitive spot, guiding her inch by inch toward an inevitable surrender.

He enveloped her completely, leaving no room for her to move. Each tremble, each bite at her neck, each shiver that followed the glide of skin on skin exhausted Cicely of all her strength.

The terror she had faced that night shattered her facade of resilience. Tears welled up in her eyes, their bitterness threatening to spill. "Seth, please don't. I'm scared."

At her tremulous voice, laden with unspoken grievances, Seth froze, his lips still pressed against her neck but motionless.

"Seth, Ray almost forced himself on me tonight. Are you going to do the same to me like he did?"

Slowly, Seth withdrew, looking down at her with eyes still bloodshot, yet the fierceness and cruelty seemed to recede.d2

Tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably as Seth's gaze followed their path, lingering at her jawline, then settling on the swell of her chest highlighted in the soft glow of the light.

His eyes darkened a shade.

Her collarbone heaved in irregular spasms as if she carried the world's sorrows on her shoulders. Seth felt it too, the weight of her despair, pressing down on him, softening the edges of his own hardened resolve. He wiped away her tears, noticing her eyelashes tremble with fear at his touch. His hand was wet, yet the tears felt strangely prominent between his fingers. He leaned in, resting his forehead against hers, his voice a hoarse whisper of contrition. "Sorry."

Cicely's eyes quivered, a single tear clinging to her lashes.

The fierceness of a moment ago was now replaced by a tenderness she had never seen. "What day is it even?" she thought, facing a side of Seth she'd never known.

"Leave, I need to shower."

After sensing the danger had passed, she spoke softly, her words interrupted by a sob.

Seth watched her for a moment, then quietly offered, "I can help you shower."

"I can do it myself."

Her whole being radiated resistance, and Seth didn't insist any further. After a pause, he simply said, "You have fifteen minutes."

And with that, he let her go. Drenched, he grabbed a towel, drying his hair as he left the room.

Cicely waited until the bathroom door closed behind him before finally letting down her guard. She adjusted the water temperature and stripped off her clothes.

When she emerged fifteen minutes later, Seth stood by the window, now in dry clothes that hung a bit loose on his frame. He turned at the sound of the door, the harshness gone from his face replaced by a composed and distant coolness.

He strode towards her with long steps and effortlessly lifted her, placing her on the bed.

"Got a thing for picking people up today, huh?" The discomfort in her body and the pain in her foot brought Cicely back to reality.

Seth crouched down, lifting her foot onto his knee. He removed the soaked band-aid, cleaned the wound gently, and applied a new one.

Cicely watched in silence as he took care of both feet. "Where is Danielle? You just left her there?" Her soft voice broke the stillness of the room.

With no expression, Seth placed her foot into a slipper. "Were two slaps enough to calm your nerves?"

Cicely scoffed, "Do you think that's enough? After tonight, Danielle and I have a lifetime to settle."