Chapter 87
Chapter 87:
What on earth was Asher doing?
With that explanation, some of the tension drained from Colton’s stance. His focus shifted entirely to Kristine. “Why are you out here p>
She cast a brief glance toward Asher before replying evenly. “This place is enormous. I lost my way p>
Colton’s gaze dropped to the sneakers on her feet. The image of Asher helping her into them surfaced unbidden, and his grip on her wrist tightened. “I am taking you home p>
Instinctively, Kristine wanted to refuse. But her car was parked nearby. The moment Colton spotted it, he would understand everything. Panic surged through her — she could not let him find out.
With no better option, she let him guide her toward the front hall. Taking advantage of the moment his attention briefly wandered, she twisted around and shot Asher a sharp look.
He remained seated calmly in his wheelchair, a faint curve still resting on his lips.
R𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝗵е 𝗹а𝘵еs𝘵 𝗍r𝗲𝗻𝖽𝘴 o𝗻 ѕ.𝗰𝘰𝗆
Only once Kristine had disappeared entirely from sight did that expression dissolve into something restrained and unreadable.
Without ceremony, Colton ushered Kristine into the Rolls-Royce.
A lingering trace of perfume hung in the air. There was no mistaking it — the scent belonged to Elyse. Knowing that Elyse had occupied this very seat not long ago turned Kristine’s stomach. Instinctively, she pressed herself against the door, drawing as far away as she could.
Moments later, Colton climbed in and immediately caught the look of revulsion on her face — as though the car itself repulsed her. His gaze dropped to the sneakers on her feet, and irritation flared anew. With a sharp motion, he slammed the door shut.
Startled, Kristine jolted as her feet were suddenly lifted from the floor.
“What do you think you are doing p>
Her sneakers were removed before she could fully process what was happening, leaving her barefoot. Before she could understand what had triggered him, Colton moved in close. His gaze fixed on hers with an intensity that felt scorching.
A sharp intake of breath escaped Kristine as she found his face only inches from her own.
Being an adult, she recognized the heat burning in his eyes — yet fear did not take hold. Colton would not touch her. He never had.
And then, without warning, he bent down and claimed her lips with force, holding her there and giving her no chance to pull away.
That brief contact quickly proved insufficient, and his intent shifted toward something far more consuming. Each movement carried urgency and control. Kristine found herself unable to resist — the sensation overwhelmed her, like being swept up by a violent gust with no ground beneath her feet.
Her gentle cries and futile struggles marked what remained of her resistance. “Colton… Colton, stop it. Let go of me p>
Instead of slowing him, her struggling only seemed to fuel him further, the intensity in his eyes deepening.