BATTLE OF WILL'S

Chapter 6: Battle of Will's

Serena had always prided herself on control. On keeping her emotions locked away, untouchable. But with Nathaniel, every wall she built crumbled with a single touch.

His kiss deepened, slow but possessive, as if daring her to deny him. His fingers traced down her spine, sending a delicious shiver through her.

This wasn't just attraction.

It was something far more dangerous.

Nathaniel pulled back slightly, his lips hovering just above hers. "Still convinced this is a mistake?"

Serena's breathing was uneven, her heart racing. She should say yes. She had to say yes.

But instead, she whispered, "I don't know."

Nathaniel's smirk was slow and wicked. "Then let me help you decide."

Before she could respond, he flipped her beneath him, pinning her wrists against the sheets. The raw hunger in his gaze made her stomach twist in anticipation.

"You're not running from this, Serena," he murmured. "Not anymore."

His lips trailed down her neck, his touch setting her skin ablaze. She arched against him, her body betraying her mind.

She should stop this.

She should think about the contract, about the consequences.

But as Nathaniel's hands explored, as his mouth left a trail of fire down her body, thinking became impossible.

All that existed was him.

The way he made her feel.

The way he consumed her completely.

And Serena realized something terrifying—

She wasn't sure she wanted to stop.

---

Serena gasped as Nathaniel's lips traveled down her body, slow and deliberate. His touch was demanding yet reverent, like he was savoring every reaction he pulled from her.

Her fingers tangled in his hair, her breath coming in uneven bursts. This was madness. A mistake.

But she couldn't stop.

Didn't want to stop.

Nathaniel lifted his head, his dark eyes filled with a hunger that sent a shiver down her spine. "Still overthinking?"

Serena bit her lip, her heart pounding. "Shut up and kiss me."

A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest. "Gladly."

He captured her lips again, claiming her completely. The silk sheets tangled around them as his hands explored, each touch unraveling her piece by piece.

Serena had never felt this alive before.

With him, there was no contract. No business arrangement. No pretending.

There was only them.

Nathaniel's lips brushed her ear, his voice a low growl. "You're mine, Serena."

Her body arched into his, her nails digging into his shoulders. "Then prove it."

His smirk was wicked as he obeyed, sending her spiraling into a world where nothing else mattered.

And as the night stretched on, Serena knew one thing for certain—

She had just crossed a line she could never uncross.

---

The room was bathed in the soft glow of the early morning sun, but Serena remained still, wrapped in the warmth of Nathaniel's arms. His breathing was slow and steady, his bare chest rising and falling beneath her cheek.

Reality hadn't set in yet.

She should be thinking about what this meant—what last night had changed. But all she could focus on was the lingering heat of his touch, the way her body still trembled from his.

Serena shifted slightly, careful not to wake him, but Nathaniel's grip around her waist tightened.

"Trying to escape?" His voice was rough with sleep, but his lips curved into a knowing smirk.

Serena froze. "I wasn't—"

Nathaniel's deep chuckle sent a shiver down her spine. "You were." He opened his eyes, dark and unreadable, as he brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Do you regret it?"

Serena hesitated.

She should say yes. She should remind them both that this was supposed to be a business arrangement, that feelings had no place in their contract.

But when she met his gaze, something inside her wavered.

"I don't know," she admitted softly.

Nathaniel studied her for a long moment, his fingers tracing slow, lazy circles on her hip. "Good."

Serena narrowed her eyes. "Good?"

He smirked. "Because I'm not done with you yet."

Her heart skipped a beat.

This was dangerous.

Whatever had started between them last night wasn't just physical anymore.

And the worst part?

She wasn't sure she wanted to stop it. Know

Serena sat up, clutching the sheets around her as she tried to gather her thoughts. Nathaniel leaned back against the pillows, his smirk infuriatingly smug as he watched her.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, her voice sharper than she intended.

Nathaniel stretched, his muscles flexing as he ran a hand through his tousled hair. "Like what?"

"Like you've won something."

His smirk deepened. "Haven't I?"

Serena's stomach twisted. She didn't want to admit how easily he had unraveled her last night—how much she had wanted it.

"This doesn't change anything," she said, forcing her voice to remain steady.

Nathaniel's gaze darkened, but his smirk never wavered. "Keep telling yourself that." He reached for her wrist, pulling her toward him. "But we both know you crossed a line last night."

Serena swallowed hard. "We can forget it happened."

Nathaniel's grip tightened slightly, his voice dropping. "Is that what you want?"

She hesitated.

Lying to him was pointless.

Nathaniel leaned in, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear. "Because I have no intention of forgetting."

A shiver ran through her, but she forced herself to pull away. "This is a business deal, Nathaniel. Nothing more."

His eyes flickered with something unreadable. "For now."

Serena turned away, slipping out of bed and reaching for her robe. She needed distance, clarity—anything to stop her heart from racing.

But as she walked toward the bathroom, Nathaniel's voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Running won't change what's already happened, Serena."

She clenched her fists.

She knew that.

But it didn't stop her from trying.

Serena stood in the bathroom, gripping the marble sink as she stared at her reflection. Her skin was still flushed, her lips slightly swollen from Nathaniel's kisses. No matter how much she tried to compose herself, her body betrayed her.

Last night was a mistake.

A dangerous, intoxicating, unforgettable mistake.

She turned on the faucet, splashing cool water on her face, as if it could wash away the emotions threatening to consume her.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Are you planning to hide in there all day?" Nathaniel's voice was teasing, but there was an edge of amusement in it.

Serena closed her eyes and exhaled.

She opened the door, stepping out to find Nathaniel leaning against the wall, shirtless, his dark hair slightly tousled. He looked effortlessly perfect, which only irritated her more.

"I'm not hiding," she said, crossing her arms.

Nathaniel arched a brow. "Really? Because it looks like you're running from something."

Serena lifted her chin. "I'm not running. I just—"

"Regret last night?" he asked smoothly, stepping closer.

Serena swallowed. The heat in his gaze sent a fresh wave of uncertainty through her. "I… I don't know."

Nathaniel smirked. "Liar."

Her breath hitched as he reached out, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "You want this just as much as I do, Serena," he murmured.

She shook her head. "This is supposed to be a business arrangement. No emotions. No complications."

Nathaniel tilted his head, studying her. "Who said emotions have to be a complication?"

Serena's heart pounded. "Because they always are."

He let out a low chuckle, his fingers grazing her jaw. "Then let's make this simple."

She swallowed hard. "How?"

Nathaniel leaned in, his lips a breath away from hers. "You stop overthinking."

Before she could respond, he kissed her again, slow and deliberate, pulling her back into the fire she had tried so desperately to escape.

And just like that, she knew—

She had already lost this battle.

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