Chapter 6

Anna POV

The steam in the bathroom was thick, curling around me like a living thing as hot water from the showerhead drenched my clothes and hair. My thin cotton tank clung to my skin, heavy and useless, while droplets slid down my face, blurring my vision.

Edward’s presence was a force, unyielding and electric, as he closed the distance between us in one swift move. His lips crashed into mine, hard and commanding, the kind of kiss that didn’t ask for permission. It was pure him—Wall Street predator, king of his domain, claiming what he wanted without a second thought.

I couldn’t breathe. My lungs burned, oxygen slipping away as my legs turned to jelly beneath me. I stumbled, instinctively grabbing onto him, my hands pressing against his chest, feeling the heat from his body.

I hated how my body reacted, how it leaned into him despite everything screaming in my head to pull away. The glass walls of the shower reflected our tangled silhouettes in the fog, distorted and shadowy, like some messed-up piece of art I’d never draw.

Then, a sound pierced through the haze—sweet, lilting, and way too close. Vera. Her voice floated from somewhere beyond the bathroom door, muffled by the top-tier soundproofing of this space. I couldn’t make out the words, just the tone, that syrupy warmth she always poured on like honey. My body stiffened instantly, every muscle locking up. I pushed against Edward’s chest, trying to break free, but it was like shoving a brick wall.

He didn’t even flinch. Didn’t care. His hands tightened on my waist, pinning me against the cool, slick marble of the wall with a control that was almost infuriating. My heart jackhammered in my chest as I bit down on my lip, covering my mouth with one shaky hand to stifle any sound.

Another voice joined in—Mrs. Thompson, calm but firm, her words just as blurred as Vera’s. I could picture her out there, the ever-loyal housekeeper, probably steering Vera away with some polite excuse.

Edward had been crystal clear from day one: no one enters his space without his say-so. Not even Vera, no matter how much she fluttered those big green eyes. After a tense few seconds, the muffled voices faded. Silence settled again, heavy and thick, broken only by the steady rush of water around us.

I dropped my hand, glaring at Edward through the steam, my face hot with anger and something else I didn’t want to name. My blue eyes must’ve been blazing, wide and sharp, because I felt the heat of my own stare. My chest heaved, still rattled from the close call. Vera’s interruption had shaken me, splintered my focus, but Edward didn’t seem fazed at all.

He stepped closer, his presence suffocating, and when his lips brushed my ear, a shiver shot through me despite myself. I let out a tiny, involuntary sound—barely a whisper, but it was enough. His gaze darkened, those cold, calculating eyes now burning with something raw and hungry. Every little noise I made seemed to pull him in deeper, like I was some kind of drug he couldn’t quit.

The air between us crackled, dangerous and tight, my nerves fraying with every second. My body trembled, caught between the heat of the water and the storm of emotions churning inside me. I was pissed, yeah, but there was more to it—fear, want, confusion, all tangled up in a knot I couldn’t untie. And Edward? He was feeding off it, every damn bit.

My tank was soaked through, the flimsy straps doing nothing to hide how the fabric molded to my skin. Edward’s eyes flicked down, darkening further, and with a single tug of his long, calloused fingers, the strap slipped off my shoulder. The whole thing slid down, pooling on the wet tile floor, leaving me exposed.

My skin prickled under his stare, pale against the dark marble backdrop. His wet skin caught the dim bathroom light, muscles taut and defined, screaming power and aggression in a way that made my breath hitch.

I wanted to hate him for this—for everything. So I did the only thing I could think of to push back. I leaned in and bit down on his shoulder, hard enough to leave a mark, my teeth sinking into the firm muscle. It was petty, childish even, but it felt like a tiny victory, a way to scream out all the frustration and hurt of this messed-up marriage.

He didn’t even wince, just let out a low, rough sound that vibrated against me.

Our eyes locked through the mist, and I quickly looked away, my cheeks burning hotter than the steam. But Edward wasn’t having it. His fingers gripped my chin, forcing my gaze back to his, and then he kissed me again, fierce and possessive, like he was branding me as his. I tried to hold back, to keep some piece of myself locked away, but every stifled sound I made seemed to unravel him more.

His breathing turned ragged, and he leaned in close, his voice a gravelly whisper against my ear. “Don’t hold back. I wanna hear you.”

His words hit like a punch, and his movements grew more intense, like he was determined to break through every wall I’d built. I couldn’t stop the sounds then, no matter how hard I tried—soft, desperate gasps that echoed in the enclosed space. Each one seemed to fuel him, his grip tightening, his pace relentless, until I felt like I was drowning in him.

Hours later, the night finally bled out. The Manhattan skyline glittered through the massive windows of Frost Estate as I somehow made it back to the guest bedroom at the end of the hall. I didn’t even remember walking here, my body heavy with exhaustion, my mind a foggy mess.

I collapsed onto the bed, the soft, familiar sheets a stark contrast to the chaos I’d just left behind. My art supplies were still scattered on the nightstand, sketches and pencils untouched since earlier. I didn’t have the energy to care.

As I drifted into a heavy, dreamless sleep, a fleeting thought—or maybe a memory—brushed against my mind. A gentle press of lips on my forehead, warm and unfamiliar, almost tender. I frowned, half-asleep, and dismissed it instantly.

No way. Edward didn’t do tender. That had to be a trick of my tired brain, some pathetic wish sneaking through the cracks. I turned over, burying my face in the pillow, and let the darkness take me completely.