Chapter 225 As You Wish Reese Roman and his fiancée were already on the road to her hometown. If everything unfolded the way he planned, we’d be heading to Blackwood Manor within the next few days. Which meant I was going home. As promised to my brother, Alex. And technically, it also meant I would probably never see Elizabeth again. Maybe she’d come with us to the manor. Maybe not. Roman might change his mind after everything—after Serena, after the mess trailing behind us like smoke. But even if Elizabeth did come, it would be different. Controlled. Watched. I'm sure Roman would send her away before things even began going wrong. So yes—as the selfish bastard that I am—I decided to take what she’d been offering me so freely. Just once. I lifted my hand and knocked on her door. “Reese?” Her voice floated through the wood, soft and surprised. “Is that you?”“Open up, Elizabeth,” I said quietly. “It’s me.” “Give me a second.” I heard her footsteps, light and hurried, then the click of the lock. The door opened and there she was. An oversized sweater slid carelessly off one shoulder, exposing smooth skin that made my jaw tighten. Her hair was loose, falling around her face and down her back in soft waves, glasses perched on her nose like she hadn’t expected company. My body reacted instantly. Blood rushing south. A sharp, aching awareness settling low in my gut. “Do you need something?” she asked, brows knitting in confusion. “Yes.” She blinked once. “What?” “You.” I stepped forward, crossing the threshold. She retreated instinctively, took two slow steps back, her teeth catching her bottom lip as if she’d just realized how close we were to something dangerous. I shut the door behind me. “You wanted me, Elizabeth,” I said, my voice lower now. “I’m here to offer myself.” Her breath hitched. “You mean you—” “Yes.” I didn’t let her finish. “Let’s have sex, Elizabeth. I'm aching for you. Badly.” A smile curved her lips—soft, triumphant, a little breathless. “Thought you’d never give in.” “How could I not?” I murmured. She hesitated just long enough to ask, “Do you… have a condom? I don’t have one here.” I nodded. “I came prepared.” That earned me a quiet laugh, then she stepped closer until there was barely an inch of air between us. Her palms pressed flat against my chest, fingers curling into my shirt as she rose onto her toes. Her lips brushed mine first—tentative, testing. I slid an arm around her waist and pulled her in, deepening the kiss. Her mouth softened under mine, warm and eager, parting just enough to invite me closer. I took my time, kissing her slowly, deliberately, like I was memorizing her. She made a small sound—barely more than a breath—and tilted her head, fitting herself to me. Her fingers fisted in my shirt as if she was afraid I might disappear if she let go. I kissed her again. And again. Lingering. Unrushed. My thumb brushed along her jaw, tracing the edge of her cheek, and she shivered at the touch. When I finally pulled back, our foreheads rested together, breaths tangled. There was no going back now. And she knew it. Her hands flew to my shoulders, nails digging in through the fabric of my shirt as I walked her backward, step by step, until her spine hit the wall with a soft thud. The impact knocked a whimper from her throat, but I swallowed it, kissing her deeper, harder, my free hand sliding down to grip her hip, fingers splaying possessively over the curve of her ass. I bet she could feel me through my jeans, thick and hard as fuck, pressing against her stomach as I ground into her, the friction maddening even through the layers of fabric. My teeth grazed her lower lip, tugging just enough to sting, and she moaned, her body arching into mine without thought. "Christ, Lizzie," I rasped, my mouth hot against the sensitive skin below her ear. My hands slid under her sweater, skimming her ribs, my thumbs brushing the undersides of her breasts. "You feel fucking incredible." She moaned in response, arching into my touch, the coil inside her winding tighter. It was hot, messy, and desperate. My lips found hers again, hungry, demanding. My tongue swept into her mouth, claiming, exploring. She kissed me back with equal fervor, losing her fingers in my hair. My hands moved lower, gripping her ass, pulling her harder against the rigid bulge in my jeans. “Fuck. I'm hard for you, Elizabeth,” I growled against her mouth, my palm sliding up to cup her breast through the sweater, thumb flicking over her nipple. The lace bra offered no resistance, the peak already tight and aching, and she cried out when I pinched it, the sharp pleasure-pain shooting straight between her thighs. “You can feel it, can't you?” Elizabeth’s face burned. She was wet. I could practically smell her arousal. She had been since I walked in, since I made my intentions known. Her hands fisted in my shirt, yanking me closer, her hips rolling instinctively against the hard ridge of my cock. “Reese—” “Shh.” My lips trailed down her throat, teeth scraping over her pulse point before I sucked, hard enough to leave a mark. My hands were everywhere—one kneading her breast, the other slipping beneath the hem of her sweater, fingers sliding over the damp heat of her panties. “You’re mine for the rest of the day. Say it.” “I’m yours,” she gasped, the words tumbling out before she could stop them. I chuckled, hooking her thigh over my waist as I unzipped my jeans “Damn right you are.” She felt my fingers fumbling at my waistband, and heard the rasp of my zipper starting to give way. Then suddenly, panic—sharp and sudden—sliced through the haze of desire. "Wait," she breathed, breaking the kiss, pressing her forehead against mine. Her voice was shaky. "Not here. Not like this. Bed. Please." I paused, my breath coming in harsh pants against her skin. I searched her face, my entire body clouded with lust and a flicker of confusion. "Bed," I repeated, the word rough. “As you wish.” I didn't argue. In one smooth motion, I hooked an arm under her knees and the other behind her back, lifting her easily. She clung to my neck as I carried her to the bed. I laid her down gently on the sheets and pulled out the condom from my pocket and dropped it on the nightstand. I followed her down, my body covering hers, reclaiming her mouth with a hunger that stole her breath. My hands were everywhere—at the hem of her sweater, dragging it upward in one rough motion. She lifted her arms on instinct, letting me peel it off, the cool air hitting her skin a shock after the heat of my body. The sweater dropped to the floor, leaving her in nothing but the flimsy black lace bra and matching panties, the fabric already damp with arousal. My breath hitched, my gaze raking over her, lingering on the way her nipples pressed against the lace, the flush spreading down her chest. “Elizabeth.” My voice was rough, almost pained. “You’re a fucking temptress.” She didn’t have time to respond before my mouth was on her again, crashing into hers as my hands cupped her ass. I unhooked her bra and pushed her panties down her legs. She fumbled with the buttons of my shirt, her fingers trembling. Skin met skin, warm and smooth. I groaned as she finally freed me from my jeans and boxers, my hard length pressing urgently against her thigh.I rolled her onto her stomach. The mattress dipped as I moved behind her, one hand parting her thighs, the other reaching past her towards the nightstand for the condom. Another bolt of panic hit her. "No," she said. I chuckled then whispered. “Relax, Elizabeth. I'll make it good. I promise.” “I said no.” She said sharply, her voice firmer. I stopped immediately. And raised both hands, confused. “Okay. This is weird.” She twisted under me, pushing against my chest until I partly rolled off her. "Not like that." She flipped onto her back again, looking up at me. “Elizabeth, what's going on?” I asked, annoyed. “I thought you wanted this.” "I want this," she said quickly, before I could question it further. “But not like that. Not yet. Let's do it the other way.” I ran my hands through my hair, my entire body burning with need. “Great. Just my luck.” “No, wait.” She grabbed my arm. “I really want this. I want you.” “Well, it sure doesn't look like it.” She reached for the condom in my hand, her hand closing over the small foil square. "Let me." She reached for me, her touch tentative at first, then more confident. She rolled the latex down my length, her fingers brushing the hot, velvety skin. I hissed through my teeth at the contact, my stomach muscles clenching. The moment it was done, I was on her again, my body pressing hers into the mattress. Chest to chest. I nudged her thighs wider apart, positioning myself. My eyes met hers—just to be completely sure. She wrapped her legs around my hips, arching up to meet me, a silent yes. Fucking finally. Now to the fun part. I didn’t hesitate. With one swift, forceful thrust, I buried myself inside her. But the sound that followed… wasn't what I expected. And neither was the feeling. Elizabeth screamed. Loudly. I froze instantly above her, my cock still buried to the hilt, my face a mask of shock. She felt tight. Way too fucking tight As tight as a virgin…A sharp, involuntary cry tore from her throat—not pleasure, pure shock, pure pain. Her back arched off the bed, her nails raking down my arms as her body locked up, her muscles clenching around the intrusion. I finally gathered enough courage to look down at where we were connected. And it confirmed everything. Blood. My breath stopped. "Elizabeth?" My voice was a harsh rasp, laced with disbelief. “You had better have a good fucking explanation for this.” She could barely breathe, the pain a white-hot brand. Tears pricked her eyes. “I'm sorry.” “You're a virgin.” I said. The word even tasted bitter in my mouth. “Why didn't you tell me? You deceived me.” “Does it really matter?” She said, breathless. “Can't we talk about this later?” “I asked you a fucking question, Elizabeth!” I lashed out at her. “I demand an answer. You knew… all along. Why?” She squeezed them shut, forcing air into her lungs. "I didn't want you to stop," she gasped. "Don't stop. Please." I didn't move. My body was taut wire above her. "You lied to me.” The shock from earlier had vanished, replaced by a strong, burning anger mixed with something else. Betrayal I started to pull back slightly…