Chapter 102: She looked breathtaking.
Later that evening...
When Elias returned to the hotel suite, he looked around for Elena.
"I’m back," he called, making his way toward the bedroom.
The moment he stepped inside, he stopped in his tracks.
Standing before the floor-to-ceiling window, Elena gazed out at the moonlit sea stretching endlessly beneath a sky scattered with stars.
His heartbeat quickened.
For a moment, he couldn’t decide which was more breathtaking—the view outside or the woman standing before him.
She wore an elegant backless evening gown of shimmering satin that hugged her slender waist before flowing gracefully to the floor. The open back revealed her smooth, flawless skin.
The gown accentuated her graceful curves with effortless elegance, making her look both sophisticated and irresistibly beautiful.
Slowly, she turned around. A gentle smile bloomed across her lips.
Elias forgot how to breathe.
She looked breathtaking.
The plunging neckline framed her delicate silhouette perfectly, showing a sumptuous amount of her cleavage.
He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. His breathing turned noticeably uneven.
"You said we’d have dinner together," Elena said with a warm smile as she walked toward him. "I’m ready."
Elias barely heard her. His eyes never left her.
At that moment, dinner was the last thing on his mind.
He didn’t want to go anywhere. He just wanted to pin her down to the bed and claim her right there.
"You... look sexy," he murmured.
His words made her heart flutter with nervous energy. Heat instantly crept onto Elena’s cheeks. She unconsciously pressed her lips together before slowly releasing them.
That tiny movement nearly shattered the last of Elias’s restraint. To him, by doing so, she was provoking him, luring him in.
"Do you know what you are doing to me?" he asked, his voice deep and husky. He slipped an arm around her waist and gently pulled her closer.
Her breasts pressed tightly against his robust chest. Her heart skipped several beats.
"Dressing like this..." His gaze roved over her. "What exactly are you trying to do to me, Elena?"
His teasing breath brushed her face, sending a pleasant shiver through her.
"I-I thought you’d like it." Her tone was barely audible.
"You thought?" He chuckled. He leaned closer until only a breath separated them. "I like it far more than you realize."
The tip of his nose almost brushed her cheek. "You look so beautiful that I’m beginning to question whether we should leave this room at all."
She couldn’t help smiling.
"Aren’t you hungry?" she asked in a hushed tone.
"Oh, I’m hungry," he replied with a teasing smile. "Just not for dinner. For something else."
Before she could answer, he gently captured her lips.
Elena instinctively tried to speak. "Elias... Mm..."
He didn’t allow her to speak. He sealed her mouth with his lips. The rest of her words disappeared into another kiss.
His lips lingered against hers with quiet affection, expressing everything words couldn’t. One hand rested against the bare skin of her back, sending warmth through her entire body.
Her skin burned wherever he touched. Without realizing it, she leaned closer.
The kiss deepened naturally as they melted into each other’s embrace. Their teeth collided, their tongues intertwining.
When he finally pulled back to breathe, he rested his forehead against hers. "God, Elena..." he whispered between the kisses. "You taste so good."
Elena was breathless. The taste of his mouth lingered on her lips. She could think of nothing but his lips, the maddening kiss they had just shared.
Unable to resist, she lifted herself slightly and kissed him again.
Feeling her respond so willingly made something inside Elias give way.
His touch grew frantic. His fingers dug into her butt cheeks.
"Uh..." she whimpered.
"I want you, Elena," he whispered between the kisses. "I don’t want to wait. I can’t."
"Then don’t," she whispered back.
At that, he paused and looked into her eyes, searching, studying her expression.
"Are you sure?" he asked, almost enchanted.
Instead of answering immediately, she asked softly, "Do you like the surprise?"
He blinked, this time completely caught off guard. "Is this the surprise you mentioned before? But you wanted me to wait."
"I did," she said breathlessly, her hands roaming over his chest. "But I changed my mind."
She had wanted to wait. She had thought him to be healed first completely. But truth be told, she was scared.
Her meeting with Vivian in the afternoon alarmed her. She was scared that someone else would snatch him away from her.
Vivian’s obsession with Elias was deeper and more dangerous than she had imagined. She was impulsive and reckless, which made her dangerous.
For the first time, Elena realized just how precious Elias had become to her. She was afraid that her constant denial would tire him out, and his interest would shift to another woman. She no longer wanted fear or hesitation to stand between them.
"Really?" he smirked. "What made you change your mind?"
Elena bit her lower lip. She couldn’t tell him about Vivian. She didn’t want to ruin this beautiful moment. Instead, she looked back at him with a soft smile.
"Does the reason matter?" She reached up and lightly touched his cheek. "Isn’t it enough that I am willing?"
He watched her for a long moment. This was everything he had hoped for—not obligation, not pressure, but Elena choosing him with her whole heart. And it was happening eventually.
He was excited and nervous at the same time.
"It’s more than enough," he whispered.
He leaned down and kissed her once more.
His hand moved up her back with reverence. His fingers grazed over her skin before loosening the delicate ribbon that secured the halter neckline of her gown.
The satin slipped. Startled, Elena instinctively caught the fabric against herself.
Elias watched her reaction. An amusing smile curled his lips. "You are still shy? I am your husband, Elena. Why are you hiding yourself from me?"
"I..." She looked away, unable to meet his eyes. "I-I am just..."
"You just what?"
Elena pursed her lips. She had already decided to give in to him completely. There was no room for hesitation.
Taking a slow breath, she let her hands fall. The satin slid gracefully to her waist, exposing her body.
Elias’s gaze remained fixed on her face for a while before slowly moving down. There was admiration in his eyes.
"You are perfect, Elena," he murmured hoarsely. "So incredibly beautiful."