Cornelia's POV
Sleep refused to come to me tonight. My mind churned with everything that had unfolded during the day, leaving me emotionally drained in ways I hadn't experienced in years. The events had been overwhelming, particularly my encounters with that infuriating man, David.
Despite my attempts to push away these thoughts, I found myself restlessly shifting in bed for hours. Finally, as the clock struck midnight, I gave up on sleep entirely. I slipped from beneath the covers, my bare skin meeting the cool air as I reached for my silk robe. I didn't bother with undergarments - sleeping nude was my preference, and I saw no reason to change that now.
Wrapping the robe loosely around myself, I padded barefoot from my room into the sprawling corridors of this unfamiliar mansion. The place was like a labyrinth, all gleaming marble and endless hallways that seemed to stretch into darkness. I had no destination in mind, simply hoping that wandering might quiet the chaos in my head.
The silence was almost oppressive, broken only by the soft sound of my feet against the cold marble flooring. Each step echoed faintly in the vast space, reminding me just how alone I was in this strange new world.
Then I heard it - a low, guttural sound that made me pause mid-step. I held my breath, straining to listen, but heard nothing more. Just as I was about to continue walking, the sound came again, deeper and more distinct this time.
Someone was in distress. The possibility that someone might be hurt sent me moving toward the source of the noise without hesitation. I followed the sounds until I found myself standing outside a partially open door, the faint noise drawing me closer.
Curiosity overrode my better judgment as I peered through the gap.
The room was bathed in shadows, with only pale moonlight filtering through tall windows to illuminate the scene before me. But even in the dim light, I could make out every detail with startling clarity.
David sat in a leather chair, completely naked, his powerful frame gleaming with perspiration. His legs were spread wide, and his hand moved rhythmically along his hard length with urgent, desperate strokes. His head was thrown back, his jaw clenched in concentration and pleasure.
I should have looked away immediately. I should have given him privacy and returned to my room. Instead, I found myself transfixed by the raw masculinity on display. The way his muscles flexed with each movement, how his chest rose and fell with labored breathing, the sheer intensity of his expression - it was mesmerizing.
Heat bloomed low in my belly, a familiar ache that had nothing to do with anger this time. My body responded traitorously to the erotic scene, warmth spreading through my veins like liquid fire.
His breathing grew more ragged, his movements more frantic. A deep groan escaped his lips, raw and primal.
"Ah, fuck... Fuck, fuck, fuck. Cornelia... I'm so—"
My entire body went rigid. Had I heard correctly? Surely not. But then he said it again, my name falling from his lips like a prayer or a curse.
"Cornelia," he moaned, his pace increasing desperately. "You're driving me insane."
The realization hit me like a physical blow. He was thinking of me while pleasuring himself. I should have been disgusted, outraged, appalled. Instead, liquid heat pooled between my thighs, my body betraying me completely. Without undergarments, I could feel the evidence of my arousal dampening the silk of my robe.
My legs felt weak, my breathing shallow. I knew I should leave, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from this beautiful, tortured man lost in fantasies of me.
"Enjoying the show?"
I jumped violently, spinning around to find another man standing mere inches behind me. In my startled movement, I collided with his bare chest, solid and warm against my face.
Gasping, I tried to step back, but before I could accidentally alert David to my presence by hitting the door, strong hands gripped my arms and spun me around. I found myself pressed against the opposite wall, trapped between cool marble and masculine heat.
Unlike David's aggressive approach earlier, this stranger maintained some distance while holding my wrists above my head. The hallway offered no windows, leaving us in complete darkness. I couldn't make out his features at all.
"Release me," I whispered, hoping to keep my voice low.
"You're Cornelia," he stated, his voice carrying a rough edge that sent shivers down my spine. His breath was warm against my cheek.
"Yes, now let me go."
"Did you enjoy watching David beat his meat with your name on his lips?"
My cheeks burned with embarrassment, and I was grateful for the concealing darkness.
"Don't be ridiculous. Move aside."
"Tell me, Cornelia," he continued, his voice dropping to an intimate purr, "are you wet right now?"
Another Dolf brother. How many sons did their father have? I was already exhausted by their games.
"Will you just-"
"I can sense your arousal," he interrupted, his voice heavy with desire. "I can smell how much you want this."
"You're disgusting," I hissed, struggling against his grip. "Just like your brother."
"Oh, sweetheart," he murmured, leaning closer to inhale deeply at my neck just as David had done. "I'm far worse than he is. But I'll give you a pass this time - I don't appreciate being called disgusting."
I stopped fighting, realizing from my earlier encounter with David that resistance only seemed to encourage these men.
"Please," I said softly, hoping reason might work where force had failed.
"Mmm." His nose brushed along my throat, making me gasp involuntarily. "You smell incredible, Cornelia. Is this why father brought you here? Your scent is awakening things in me I thought were long dead."
Before I could process his cryptic words or ask what he meant, he moved closer, pressing his body against mine slowly, deliberately. The evidence of his desire was unmistakable, hard and hot against my hip.
This was my second encounter with a Dolf brother in less than twenty-four hours. The situation was spiraling beyond my comprehension.
"Focus on me, Cornelia," he commanded softly, pulling me from my racing thoughts. "I need your complete attention."
His grip on my wrists tightened as he shifted, sliding one muscular thigh between my legs, directly beneath my robe.