Chapter ３４

I looked down at her expectantly, demanding submission.

She did not display any signs of surrender, such lowering her lashes. Her eyes never left mine; she seemed unable to tear them away.

“I… Okay, so I'll ask again: "What is it that you want?"

My chest let forth a deep, rumbling sound. A second passed before I realized it was indeed a chuckle.

Because of it, I relaxed a little. It's possible that I'm having an effect on her, but she certainly had me completely captivated. There was a limit beyond which I could not go. To put it bluntly, I didn't own her; Nicola did. And if I lingered much closer, I would do much more to keep her quivering for me, just as she is now.

To avoid more eye contact, I quickly surveyed the wreckage she'd left behind. When I stepped in, I saw that she had been looking through the drawer where I keep my sketchbook. That door remained locked.