She seemed afraid, despite all her boldness, and he could feel the trembling in her hand. Anna pulled him back onto the bed and he let himself go.
She stopped and looked at the bed and released him. He began to enjoy himself. He understood what she wanted, but he couldn't. Ryan might find out, and he suspected that this girl was like a drug. The longer he stayed around her, the more dependent he would become. He needed to get away, because he felt he wasn't the same man anymore.
"You'd better not." He said and saw her eyes get hurt.
"I know. Sometimes I talk too much... But you weren't very flattering with your choices..."
"No."
"I understand." She said and walked over to the window and stood with her back to it. "You must decide for me. Tomorrow, you think you'll know..."
Anna was interrupted by the surprise of Adam grabbing her violently, pushing her to the wall, and encircling her with both arms, she lowered her head towards him, started breathing fast, her eyes closed. It was as if he was making a decision, as if he was gathering his strength to repress his desires with all his might, and when he opened his eyes again, he had lost that battle. Adam lifted her up right there, supporting her body against the wall.
Adam wasn't gentle, but the way he took pleasure in touching the most sensitive parts of her body was too exciting. He made her feel special, unique and desired. He caressed her in places she had never imagined she could feel aroused.
Adam covered her mouth with his hand and she realized that her moans should sound louder in a house like this, and he had guests. The spell was broken. Adam pulled away, still showing that he was doing this with all his self-control and fighting his willpower, and the two of them stared at each other.
"Adam, I..."
"No." He said and moved further away, starting to walk towards the door.
"Adam..."
When he was at the door, he turned around and Anna was leaning against the wall, looking at him thoughtfully.
"You don't understand, Anna. I... I need to know more about your origins."
"What does it matter?"
"What's going on... What you make me feel... It's not normal. I'm not myself when I'm around you."
"Why?"
"That's what I intend to find out."
"Have you ever hesitated before, Adam? Maybe... I'm not attractive enough..."
"You're the one thing I despise most in a woman, but still..."
Anna stared at him with pain in her eyes.
"Maybe I'll look attractive if you don't see my face..."
Adam seemed lost in thought, but when she said those words, he turned to her.
"I've never hesitated before, Anna. And I don't think hiding your head in a pillowcase is going to solve the problem. You were bought to be a 'product', and even if I haven't inserted my penis into you. I've gone too far. There are rules. Rules that even an Alpha must follow." He said cuttingly. "I negotiated you with Ryan. You can choose him, if you think it's a better option, but you'll end up in the green house, because my cousin is weak and won't take the pressure of the other family members."
"And if I choose the second option..."
He stared at her for a few seconds, looking lost, but then he stared back.
"Despite everything I've just said, miss... I'm not sure I'll allow you to choose anything other than the second option. I..."
They both seemed to want to say something. Adam looked down at his feet as if searching for the right words, and Anna looked up at the window thinking of a way to prolong that moment, a reason for him to stay, but they couldn't even face each other. After a while, Adam left. And when she was alone, Anna cried.
...
The younger cook knocked on the door, came in with a tray, and waited for Anna to get into bed before placing a bowl of soup and a glass of juice in front of her. Anna had showered and thought about going downstairs to prepare breakfast, but when she thought that she would have to face those hostile women from lunch the day before, her body became even more tired, and she lay down and slept again.
"Everyone has had lunch and I thought you might like something to eat." The cook said, watching Anna's swollen, red eyes. "Is the boss being mean to you?"
She asked with such genuine concern that it triggered a memory in Anna. She needed an ally. She had one option. Run away. Disappear into the world. She looked at the cook.
"Are you married?"
"I have a boyfriend, but... I don't think it can be compared to your relationship with the boss."
"I don't have a relationship with the boss."
The woman looked at her pityingly.
"Don't worry. Only Jenna and I know. We've been watching you."
"Jenna?"
The woman looked at the door, and Anna sensed her intention to leave.
"If I asked, would you help me?"
"No. I have a family. Parents, brothers and sisters."
Anna lowered her eyes to her soup, dejected.
"But Jenna can help you."
Anna looked at her in surprise.
"And where is she?"
"No one ever has that information."
"So maybe when I see her again, it might be too late."
"There's no way of knowing."
"I don't need you to commit... Just put on men's clothes, discreetly in the bathroom, on the day the wedding takes place..."
She shook her head thoughtfully.
"Eat your soup, Anna. You don't want to lose the curves of your perfect body and look unattractive to..."
Anna began to eat uneasily. The soup was good, but she wasn't hungry, even though she hadn't eaten a meal after lunch the day before.
"Did the chef notice I wasn't at the table?" Anna asked as the cook organized the books that had fallen off the reading table.
"Don't kid yourself, miss. The boss will take any woman to bed, and never gets attached to one. Of course he's noticed your absence. He's the boss and he's always on the lookout for everyone and everything. But he didn't say anything about it. But the table was lively today. The three women were almost clawing Ryan's eyes out. I think he offended them." She finished with a smile.