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Chapter 32 - The Claim

GENESIS 

"I'm proud of you."

His words echoed in my head, making my face flush hot. I twirled the bottom of my pencil between my lips, lost in yesterday's memory—the way he moved inside me, each thrust sending waves of pleasure that left my body trembling. I crossed my legs tightly, my chest rising and falling as the heat returned to my skin.

"Genesis, that pencil is meant for your book, not your mouth," Liam's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I straightened up immediately, guilt flashing across my face as I met his unimpressed gaze.

"Want to share your thoughts?" he asked, tilting his head.

I looked down at my book and shook my head quickly. No way. I couldn't.

"You sure? You could write it down if talking too hard. Is something wrong?" he asked gently.

I shook my head again, unable to meet his eyes. If I did, he might somehow know what I was thinking—something I definitely shouldn't be thinking in class.

"If you say so," he said, and placed his hand gently on mine where it rested on the table. "Just remember, I'm always here to listen."

I gave him a small smile, trying to ignore the warmth of his touch. But he didn't pull his hand away. He just stared at me with a softness that made my stomach twist.

Until—

He suddenly stood up. "Mr. Blackwood."

I blinked and turned around.

Kier was walking toward us. His eyes weren't on Liam. They were on me.

I stood up at once, confused.

What was he doing here?

He was supposed to be at work. But something about his face made my pulse quicken—he was frowning. Had I done something wrong?

Kier stopped in front of me, his hand sliding around my waist possessively. Then, finally, he looked at Liam, eyes narrowing.

His grip tightened slightly, a silent warning.

The air thickened with tension. I could feel the heat rolling off him. He was upset. But why?

Liam, ever calm, didn't flinch. "Something wrong, sir?"

Kier shook his head, but the tight smile on his face betrayed him. "No. You're dismissed for today. I want to spend some time with my wife," he said, voice low and sharp, the word wife biting like venom.

Liam just smiled—like he knew something I didn't. He nodded, gathered his things, and stepped out from behind the desk.

"See you tomorrow, Genesis," he said, offering me a soft smile. I nodded and returned it.

Then he glanced at Kier, gave a small nod, and walked out.

I kept staring at the door, even after it closed.

But then..

Strong arms lifted me and set me down on the desk.

My heart jumped.

Kier hovered over me, his jaw clenched, eyes dark and intense.

"What did I tell you about smiling at other men?" he asked, his voice a low growl that sent a shiver through me. He stroked my arm slowly, and I bit my lip.

So that's why…

I'd forgotten—it was part of the rules.

"Fuck," he hissed, his fingers digging into my skin as he leaned closer, his face inches from mine. "Did you bite your lips like that in front of him?" His voice trembled with anger… and something darker.

His gaze dropped to my lips.

I pulled back, breath caught in my throat. I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff, and he was the wind pushing me closer to the fall.

I couldn't speak. I just looked up at him.

His touch moved from my arm to my cheek.

I should've felt scared. It should've brought back memories of my stepbrothers.

But it didn't.

I didn't want him to stop. I wanted more.

"I'm definitely losing my mind," he muttered.

His hand slid from my waist, up to my breast, and I felt a rush of heat pool between my legs—and another kind of wetness gather in my eyes.

"Seeing his hand on yours, I wanted to bash his skull in until he was a bloody mess. Then fuck you right there, in front of him. So he'd know who you belong to. No one should look at you like that. No one," Kier growled, pinching my nipple hard enough to make my breath hitch.

"Is that too much to ask? You're my wife. I have every right to want all of you," he said, voice low and tight with frustration—yet underneath it, something deeper stirred. Something raw and conflicted.

Then he looked up at me, his expression shifting to something resigned.

"Fuck it."

Before I could react, his lips crashed onto mine.

I froze for a second, caught off guard, just lying there as he licked and sucked at my lips, then pushed his tongue into my mouth. And somehow—without even knowing why—I let myself melt into the kiss. My eyes fluttered shut as he guided my hand to wrap around his neck, pulling me closer. His tongue moved deeper, and hesitantly, I sucked on it, tasting him.

"Shit," he groaned, voice husky.

Then, in a sudden frenzy, items on the table clattered to the floor, scattered like forgotten thoughts. He shoved my gown up and over me, and I heard the sharp sound of his buckle coming undone. I shivered, my body already aching, already wanting him.

He broke the kiss and looked down between my legs, pushing my panties aside. Then, without warning, he thrust into me in one swift motion.

A silent scream tore from my throat, tears pricking at my eyes. He covered my mouth with his, swallowing the sound as our bodies moved in sync, lips tangled in hungry kisses.

As we moved together, something made me open my eyes just a sliver—and I thought I saw someone standing at the door. A shadowy figure. But my vision blurred, and I couldn't make out who it was.

Then he thrust again, deep and hard, and my eyes fluttered shut once more, everything else fading away.

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