Married To The Billionaire Alpha King-Chapter 36 - some air

36

~Darlon’s POV

I slammed the office door behind me, frustration coiling in my chest. Elara left. Just like that. Didn’t even wait for me to take her home because that was what I had in mind. My jaw tightened, and I ran a hand through my hair.

And also, she didn’t want us to go shopping together.

"Why?" I muttered under my breath. "Why won’t she just... let me be there?"

The next day, David came in, brisk and professional. "Sire, you have the commemoration for the new buildings today, and then there’s the meeting with Lira and her parents about the shares. You can’t skip it."

I slammed my hand on my desk. "I don’t want to go."

"Sire..."

I scowled. "Fine. Let’s get it over with."

The day dragged. Buildings, speeches, handshakes, signatures. I didn’t spend more than five minutes with Lira or her parents. I just signed, nodded, and left. My mind was already on her, on how she would be waiting at home.

Finally, night fell, and I returned. My boots echoed on the marble floor. I barked at the maids, "Where is my wife?"

"In her room, Sire," one said, bowing.

I strode toward the door, announcing as I walked, "Tell her to come to the dining room."

A moment later, she appeared. My heart stopped.

She wore a deep red, body-hugging dress, glossy and sharp, catching the candlelight in a way that made it impossible to look away. My eyes traced every curve, every line. My chest tightened. She looked... stunning.

But then, I saw it, the small hesitation in her eyes, the way her hands clutched the fabric as she could hide inside it. She was shy, or maybe nervous. My chest softened, and I forced myself to breathe.

"Sit," I said softly, motioning to the chair.

She obeyed, delicately placing her hands on her lap, still looking nervous.

As she unpacked the black card I had given her, she looked up, guilt flashing across her face. "Darlon... I... I think I went too far," she said quietly.

I shook my head, smiling. "Elara... It’s yours. You can use it. You earned it."

Her eyes widened. "I... I can’t accept this."

I leaned forward, reaching for her hand. "Who are you to me?" I asked.

She hesitated, then whispered, "I’m your Luna."

I nodded firmly, a small, satisfied smile on my lips. "Then that’s exactly why it’s yours."

We continued eating, soft light from the candles reflecting off her hair, her eyes flicking up at me from time to time. My gaze kept finding her, tracing her face, her hands, her lips, and I realized I couldn’t look away.

She laughed nervously, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I must look ridiculous," she said.

I caught her hand, squeezing it gently. "Not at all. You’re perfect."

She looked away, like she wasn’t sure whether to believe me. Her fingers brushed the edge of her plate, tapping lightly, a small nervous habit I was beginning to learn. I watched her, really watched her, and something warm settled in my chest.

I sat there, pretending to focus on my meal, but the truth was, I kept glancing at her like some fool who couldn’t act his age.

She didn’t notice at first. Or maybe she did, and she was just too shy to look up.

After a moment, she gave a small breath of laughter, the kind that slips out accidentally. "I’m serious... I probably look strange. Or out of place. I don’t dress like this often."

I leaned back in my chair, taking her in again. "You look beautiful."

Her head shot up, eyes wide. She opened her mouth, closed it, then opened it again like she wanted to argue but didn’t know how.

"Beautiful?" she repeated, almost whispering.

I nodded. "Yes. Very."

She looked away again, but this time her cheeks warmed, the pink color spreading slowly. Her fingers curled into the fabric of her dress as if she needed something to anchor herself. It made her look so soft, so real, and it hit me again how unused she was to this place, to me, to being seen.

She cleared her throat gently. "I... I wasn’t sure I should wear it. Janae said..." She paused, smiling awkwardly, "she said it would suit me. I didn’t think it would."

"She was right," I said quietly, watching her eyes flicker in uncertainty. "It suits you perfectly."

Her breath stilled. I wondered if anyone had ever told her things like this. Honest things. Simple things. Not because she needed to hear them, but because they were true.

She reached for her water, almost knocking it over, and laughed softly at herself.

Her lips parted slightly, unsure, and I saw the small tremor in her shoulders. I leaned closer, voice low. "Come with me."

She followed silently, her hand in mine, and I guided her to my room. The door clicked shut behind us. I pinned her gently against it, letting my forehead rest against hers.

"Darlon..." she whispered, breath uneven.

I didn’t answer. I kissed her softly, carefully. She froze at first, then her arms wrapped around my neck, melting into the kiss.

I kissed her again, softer this time, lingering, letting my hands move over her arms and shoulders, feeling how small and delicate she was beneath me. Her lips were hesitant at first, unsure, and I could feel her shiver against me. I let my hands guide her, tilting her chin, pressing closer when she didn’t know how to respond.

"Relax," I whispered against her mouth. "Let me show you. Just follow me."

Her eyes fluttered closed, trusting me but still trembling. I moved slowly, letting my lips trace hers, teasing her, pulling her just enough to make her melt into my touch. My chest tightened, my pulse racing, and I realized how damn aroused I was. Every inch of her felt electric, and I hated that I wanted more but had to be patient.

I tilted her head back gently, kissing down her jaw, her neck, feeling her breath hitch. Her hands drifted nervously over my shoulders, unsure where to go, and I guided them softly. "Like this," I murmured, taking control because I could feel she didn’t know exactly what to do, and it turned me on in a way I didn’t expect.

She moaned softly, almost soundless, and I leaned into her fully, my lips finding hers again, this time with more hunger. My hands pressed lightly at her waist, pulling her closer, feeling her warmth. She moved instinctively against me, and I could feel her body responding, tentative but real.

Then, suddenly, she pulled away, gasping for breath. Her chest heaved, and her cheeks burned bright red. Her lips were slightly parted, trembling.

"Darlon..." she whispered, voice small and hesitant. "Did... did you meet with Lira tonight?"

I nodded slowly.

Her expression shifted immediately, her bright blush dimming into a storm of emotions. Confusion, hurt, maybe even a little fear. Her jaw tightened, and she swallowed hard. I opened my mouth to explain, but she shook her head before I could get a word out.

"I... I need some air," she muttered, voice tight, still panting, and without waiting for me, she stepped back and walked toward the door.