𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐎𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐨𝐬 [𝟏𝟖+] ✓

22*

"Don't fall asleep yet." Velvet and chaos ordered.

"Too much sex for a night, Arsewipe," I mumbled, my voice sleepy.

A surprised scream left my lips when I felt I was being lifted up by strong, masculine arms. Peeling my eyes open, I gazed at Hayden. "Where are you taking me?"

"Bed."

Walking over to my bed, he disposed of me on his bed. The mattress dipped underneath me; I sank into the soft bed, confusion knitting my brows.

Palming the soft bed, I whispered, "This isn't my bed."

"I'm aware."

"So, what now? After you fuck me on your bedroom floor, I get to sleep in your bed?" I cocked a brow at him, acting nonchalant when my heart was ricocheting in my cage.

Silence descended around us, interspersed by Hayden's footfalls, leaving me behind with questions.

Closing the door on my disappointment, I let my eyes coast around Hayden's bedroom. If I thought the mansion was luxurious, then Hayden's bedroom was a league of its own.

A pair of intricately carved double doors made a fitting entry, screaming unadulterated luxury. A golden chandelier from the ceiling loomed over the bed like a halo bathing the room in light. From the sheets to the wall, the curtains by the window to the carpet on the floor, everything relied on ceramic white. Patterns of gold on the headboard complimented with a pair of show-stopping bed lamps. A combination of silk, cotton and furs in gold provided a rich contrast to the marble flooring. A walk-in wardrobe with glass sliding doors boasted an outstanding build of fully lacquered shelves, clothes hanging rail, and storage units.‎‎

Hayden returned, dressed in a dress shirt and trousers, and tossed one of his pullovers at me from across the room. Catching it in my hands, I let my hands scan his figure as he gazed down at me.

"What?"

"Starting today, you'll stay here. I'll let Jennifer know to move your stuff into this room," he announced.

"Why?" Why are you sharing your room with me, now?

Hayden just stared at me wordlessly. Thankful for the cosy pullover, I reached to pull it over my head. As I struggled to navigate my hands through the oversized pullover, Hayden held my right hand in his and pushed the sleeve gently over my hand.

"I don't want you to be alone."

As his words registered in my head, I wondered if maybe this was Hayden's way of pitying me for my misery. The thought left a bitter taste on my tongue. Surveying the bandage around my right hand, I bit my lip, wanting to disappear somewhere. If Hayden asked me to stay, I wanted him to do it because he wanted me, not because he pitied me. Was I nothing without the voice in my head?

"Didn't realise I was promoted to be your charity work." My eyes clashed with his, bitterness stiffening my shoulders.

"Charity is the last thing I would do, and you, my Spitfire,"—His hand wrapped around my neck, fingers possessively grazing the marks on my neck—"are a catastrophic distraction."

My heart ricocheted in its cage, threatening to plunge out of my body and fall at Hayden's feet. Lips curving into a smile, I craned my neck and planted my lips against his cheek in a silent gesture of gratitude.

Tilting his head in the direction of the cake. "Finish the cake. Drink the water and sleep. I need a shower."

Joy bubbling in my veins, I nodded my answer and reached for the cake Hayden had bought on our way home from the cliff. After finishing the cake, I went to my room to get my AirPods, my phone charger and my comfort blanket. Plugging my phone in charge, I connected my AirPods and started listening to Empire Of Lust by Rina Kent on audible, getting cosy on the left side of the bed.