“I want to talk to you first. I have been curious all day,” he said as he exhaled deeply.

“About what?” Ilyin tilted her head

“What is the secret you want to know?”

Aden had decided that it would be better to ask Ilyin what he wanted to know while she was lying relaxed in bed, and for the first time, she didn’t avoid his gaze.

“If I may ask,” she began.

“Yes.”

His answer was quick, and Ilyin placed her hand on his thigh and softly asked her question, “Do I freeze if our eyes meet?” Ilyin felt him twitch under her hand and thought it may not have been a good question. The silence was longer this time, and Aden’s voice was nearer when his hands reached up and covered her cheek.

“Would this be an answer?” Her nose gently met his, and she thought they were looking directly at each other in the darkness. Aden remained that way as their breaths mingled and she enjoyed the feeling of his warmth.

“Then, can you show me your face?” She knew she would only need a little light to do so. Ilyin felt his hand tighten on hers and she realized that she’d asked two questions already, but Aden didn’t seem to mind.

“Of course,” he replied. His answer was lighter than she had expected, but that had not been all. Ilyin felt his warm whisper in her ear, “But you have to promise me one thing.”

“What is it?”

His voice was sweet like the devil, “You cannot flee the castle after seeing my face, Ilyin.”

Aden embraced her like he wouldn’t let her go, no matter what her answer was, and his hand slid from her cheek to her soft, supple bre*st as he gently placed his knee between her legs. Ilyin felt his strong, muscular thigh through her clothing and he slowly rubbed himself against her, stimulating her cl*toris and her body immediately responded to his touch.

Feeling his hot hand on her skin, Ilyin thought she wouldn’t have asked him to reveal his face if she’d intended to run away. She closed her eyes slightly, knowing that she liked this place, although she’d been hesitant at first, she was certain now. Even though it was a cold, strange, and scary environment, she liked the Delroses and Aden, and her gut told her that he would never let her go.

Ilyin raised her hand to stroke Aden’s shoulder first and she felt coldness, but as her fingers traced his skin and reached his throat, she felt the heat radiating from his skin. Her hand shook a bit as she had not done such things before, and Aden’s lips opened like he wanted to say something.

She reached up to touch other areas of his attractive body and brushed against his eyelashes. She was intrigued to see what his face looked like after trying to picture it in her mind for so long, and she felt excited about finally getting to know the real Aden.

“Do you want to know my face?”

It would be a lie to say no, but Ilyin hesitated with her reply. She had been barely holding on at the Arlen estate and felt like she was at the end of her rope there, where only a deep abyss had welcomed her every night. She’d thought that it would only ever be in a dream that someone would wait for her and spend the night with her, holding her and comforting her, so this moment felt very surreal.

“You have one chance, Ilyin,” Aden whispered in a deep, clear voice. “If you want to run, do so now.”

“I will not run,” Ilyin answered, and his hand that had been on hers now moved up to her shoulder. Now his body was as hot as it was cold. Her gown slid from her shoulder, and his lips traveled lazily to her neck and her bre*st. Ilyin moaned softly as Aden unbuttoned her gown and gently brushed her collarbone. His fingertips drew circles along her chest as he teased her hard peaks, licking them with his hot wet tongue.

While Ilyin’s attention was focused on his fingers, his other hand moved between her thighs, and with a slight tug, he removed her skirt as his fingers continued to caress her skin. She was already wet because she knew what was coming. His hands played with her underwear, yet to be removed, and he stroked her cl*toris through her silky panties. The slow, teasing movements of his finger made her body writhe in anticipation and she trembled with lustful yearning as her moans grew louder.

Wet sounds filled the once quiet room as Aden supported one of her slender legs with his right hand and her hips rose in the air as he continued to gently rub her between her thighs.action