Temptious lips

The wedding was like a glimpse; just before she could blink, it was all over. Emelia stared out of the window, watching the night light spread across the beautiful city. Her smile widened as she watched the folks go about their duties with charm and cheerfulness. Deep down, she wanted such a life; she wanted to feel real happiness and live for herself. 

Her eyes squint, holding back her tears as they threaten to fall. The car takes a new turn, making her aware of the change of direction. She snaps out of her thoughts, taking her head away from the window and turning her attention to the man before her. A sly smile plays on Fredrick's lips as he watches the puzzled look of the woman before him. To say he had not been expecting her to react would be a lie. 

"We are married," he stated the fact, not taking his eyes away from the front. He was too tired, but not exhausted enough. Emelia raised a questioning brow. 

"I know we are married, but why the change of direction? This is certainly not the way to the Williams mansion." Emelia stares back at him, her hands folded over her chest. 

"The ritual of purity will be held at dawn, Mrs. Fredrick, and it is advisable you stay over at the dark mansion tonight," the driver answered. Emelia wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole. She carefully tucked her head back to the window, watching the streets as they drove by. The wind blew right through her hair, bringing a few strands to her face. She occasionally shifted them away to have a clearer view. The clock was ticking slowly, much to her discomfort. Twenty-five minutes on the road, they finally arrived. 

Emelia sat up straight, watching the tallest trees leading their way up to the giant gates before her. She was never a fan of gossip and chit-chat, but she heard a few rumors widely spread throughout the pack. Unlike the other members of his family who chose the pack and nearby residence to settle, Fredrick Camfrey took solitude deep into the woods. His mansion was famously named the Dark Mansion because of its location. 

It was buried deep in the forest and was surrounded by trees tall enough to shade it away from peeping eyes at night and during the day. Emelia gulped down a huge lump, and the big gates opened before her, bringing into view a magnificent mansion shining in the dark. She did not like being the only stranger in a lookalike haunted mansion with a man as dangerous as Fredrick Camfrey.

The car soon stopped, and Fredrick climbed down, but she was unwilling. She wished she could have the driver turn and carry her back to her home. This was not her home, and just glancing at the giant mansion was enough to make her not want to set foot inside. It was too huge for her liking, the biggest of all. She could tell it had an exquisite taste from the outside, but she was not curious enough to want to explore.

"My lady?" The driver called out to her, holding the door for her, and only then did Emelia notice she had kept everyone waiting. "I'm so sorry." She stepped out, still holding her shoes in her hand, letting her dress drag behind her. She was too tired to do more than pull her limbs inside, following closely behind him. Every step she took made her heart tremble. This was a new, creepy environment, too scary for her liking. The giant doors opened only with a touch of his palm. 

"Your fingerprint will be set up tomorrow," he said coldly. "Other things will follow." The mansion looked nothing like it did from the outside from the inside. 

"Is he obsessed with Grey?" She murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, walking ahead, not letting her eyes glance over the place. She was too distracted to notice the man before her had stopped walking and turned his attention to her. Emelia was so lost in thought, walking right into the arms she wished to stay away from all through the night. 

"So eager to offer yourself? We could start right here… But I'm not as reckless as you think," he whispers into her ear, holding her tight in his arms. For a few seconds, which felt longer, Emelia could not breathe; her heart pounded, her lungs suddenly stopped taking in air, time seemed to have frozen, and her face was way too close while she found her eyes lingering on his well-carved lips. 

"Curious?" Emelia heard his words like a whisper. She quickly snapped out of her thoughts, pulling herself out of his grip.

"The contract states there won't be contact behind closed doors," she snapped, walking past him without another glance. 

"What contract?" he whispered. "You rejected it, remember… hence I own you." Emilia fled up the stairs, without looking back, letting her pride guide her rather than her sense of direction. The second floor was not as spacious as the ground floor. She walked into a room at the end of the paved hallway. Unlike the others, it was secluded and offered a sense of peace… she liked it. With such a room, she was certain to get some minutes, if not hours, of privacy. 

"I will take this one," she declared, glancing back, and there he was. "You don't need to worry; I like it and I'm staying here." Not waiting for his reply, she barged in. The room was the absolute definition of perfect; the balcony door slid open with ease, and the outstanding moonlight view was captivating. She could already imagine herself basking in the moonlight as hours waned away unnoticed. 

Emelia turned back towards the left, where two doors stood. Likely the closet and the bathroom. She head that way… But as she pushed open the door, she bumped into something solid. A gasp escaped her lips, her hands pressed hard against something hard… unmoving. Something or… someone, her eyes flew wide open