Chapter 552

Olive left! Her reaction wasn't feigned; she'd taken the pill. She'd lied—it wasn't a contraceptive, but an aphrodisiac. She had no desire for intimacy with Elvis, but he wouldn't let her go, so she'd taken it. This dose proved too strong; her body burned. She frantically tugged at his pajama belt, but growing worry and confusion overwhelmed her.

Elvis watched her distress. Her small face was flushed and hot, beaded with sweat, yet her eyes held a longing for him. He pursed his lips, a hoarse smile playing on them. "Slow down," he murmured. "Why the rush?"

Unable to undo the belt, Olive was near tears. She kissed his face, whispering, "Elvis, help me!"

Some time later, Elvis carried her from the bathroom and laid her on the large, soft bed. Olive closed her eyes, utterly spent; she couldn't even move a finger. Lil' Nathan slept soundly nearby. Olive attempted to join him, but a strong arm encircled her waist, pulling her close to a warm, solid chest. Elvis held her.

"I want to sleep with Nathan," she murmured.

"No," Elvis said, his chin resting firmly on her forehead. "You sleep with me."

This man! So strong, so domineering! He wouldn't let her bathe Nathan, nor sleep with him. Why this jealousy, even of his own son? Now, Olive slept between them—a tender scene. She remained still, burying her face in Elvis's lap, the powerful thump of his heart calming her. With a man like Elvis, the city's storms seemed to cease.

Olive raised a hand, her slender fingers tracing the hem of his nightgown, then settling on the scar from the knife she'd plunged into his chest three years ago. Gently, she stroked it, then her red lips pressed to the wound, kissing the scar softly.

Elvis lay beside her, one arm around her, his gaze fixed on the dim crystal lamp. He felt her tender kisses, a bright red flashing in his long, narrow eyes as his hand brushed her hair. "Isn't that enough?" he whispered.

Her eyelids fluttered; she quickly buried her face in his chest. "Mr. Augustine," she whispered, "I heard men with a lot of lust go bald easily."

A joyful curl formed on his lips. "So what will you do? Short-tempered and narrow-minded, your desires seem hopeless." Olive knew he understood her perfectly, but the world was blinded by his handsome, wealthy, powerful façade. He kissed her forehead, then her eyes, nose, and finally, her lips. She knew what followed.

His physical strength was formidable. Though only 32, he was demanding, frightening her. "I'm so sleepy," she mumbled, closing her eyes. "Good night."

He paused, watching her trembling lashes. It was late, almost dawn, her beautiful eyes shadowed with fatigue. Tonight, he'd experienced a night of intense passion. "Sleep. Good night," he said softly, hugging her close. He fell asleep, the first time in three years he'd slept with Olive in his arms. She nestled obediently against him, like a kitten. He slept soundly.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains. "Dad, are you awake?" Lil' Nathan's voice startled him. Elvis tried to return to sleep, hugging Olive.

"Dad, hurry! Mom's gone. Greenland."

Elvis jolted awake. Olive was gone. She'd left for Greenland.

His sleepy eyes cleared, and he sat up, looking at Nathan. The boy, dressed in a white shirt and bow tie, looked like a miniature aristocrat. He sat calmly in a chair, Aiden, his secretary, standing behind him. Nathan seemed like a cool, collected CEO. A hint of profundity touched his small, cold face.

Elvis felt a cold dread. She’d left. "Nathan, I've assigned someone to watch your mother twenty-four hours a day. She can't leave Imperial."

"Dad, I removed your tracking devices. I let Mom go."

"Nathan, do you want a beating?"

"Dad, you can't keep Mom."

"I feel you're often tricked by her. She sneaks into your bed." Elvis stood, his hawk-like eyes fixed on Nathan, then Aiden, who coughed nervously. He knew what Nathan said was true; Olive did often sneak into Elvis's bed.

"Dad, rest assured. As long as I'm here, Mom won't truly leave you. I'm just curious what attracts her to Greenland. Let's go see."

Elvis stared at his son, amazed at his sarcastic wit.