Chapter 85: Uncontrolled desire

Words : 1061 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Chapter 85: Uncontrolled desire Augustine gave Gustave a subtle nod, silently signaling him to leave. Gustave understood immediately and left without hesitation, disappearing into the crowd. Turning his attention back to Anne, Augustine picked up a small piece of pastry with the spoon and held it up to her lips. "Let’s try it," he murmured. Anne met his gaze, searching his deep eyes for any hint of emotion—was he upset? Did he know more than he let on? But his composed expression betrayed nothing. With quiet hesitation, she parted her lips and took the bite. Satisfied, Augustine sliced another piece and ate it from the same spoon. His eyes, locked onto hers, held an intensity that made her pulse quicken. "Mm... sweet." His lips curled into a smirk. Heat crept up Anne’s face, spreading to her ears. The teasing glint in his eyes, the effortless way he shattered her composure—she had never imagined that someone so serious and controlled could also be such a tease. A soft, involuntary smile tugged at her lips before she could stop it. Augustine’s smirk deepened at her reaction. Handing her the plate, he leaned in slightly. "Finish it now," he said in a commanding tone, but the warmth in his gaze made it impossible to refuse. Anne hesitated a bit but ate quietly, following his silent lead, and even fed him in return. Throughout the entire time, Augustine never once looked away from her. His gaze was steady—tender yet intense as if he were memorizing every expression on her face. There was something nostalgic in his eyes, a quiet longing that made her heart race. Just as they finished, his expression shifted with something more profound desire, his pupils dilating. Anne was oblivious to the tiny smudge of cream clinging to the corner of her lips, but Augustine noticed it immediately. His throat tightened. The thought of tasting it, of tasting her, sent a spark of heat through him. He cast a quick glance around the hall, searching for a place away from prying eyes. His gaze landed on a dimly lit corner behind a large pillar draped in silk fabric and entwined with floral spirals. "Come with me." Anne barely had time to react before he whisked her away by her arm. He led her behind the pillar, out of sight from the rest of the guests. "Augustine?" She blinked up at him, confusion flickering across her face. "What? Why did you bring me here?" She tilted her head slightly, trying to read his expression. "Is there something you want to say?" "Yes." His voice dropped to a husky whisper. "I needed some time alone with you." His fingers brushed beneath her chin, tilting her face up to his. Anne’s pulse pounded as his thumb ghosted over her lips, his touch feather-light yet searing. She barely registered what he was doing until he wiped away the cream. Then, holding her gaze, he slowly brought his thumb to his lips and slipped it into his mouth. Anne’s breath caught in her throat. Her entire body tingled with warmth, her skin burning under his smoldering stare. The way he licked his finger, so deliberate, so intimate—it sent electrifying sensations through her veins. She pressed her lips together, trying to steady herself, but the fire in his eyes made it impossible. Augustine stepped even closer, the heat of his body radiating against hers. "You did that on purpose to drive me crazy, didn’t you?" His voice dipped into a husky whisper, laced with teasing mischief. Anne shook her head in denial. "I—" Before she could finish, he lifted her chin with a single finger, silencing her. His dark eyes burned into hers, filled with a desire that made her stomach tighten. "Intentional or not, you’ve set a fire inside me," he murmured. "And now I don’t know what to do... Because it’s getting harder to hold back." His face dipped closer, his lips barely a breath away from hers. Anne’s hands pressed against his chest, a feeble attempt to keep him at bay. "We’re at a party," she whispered. "There are people everywhere. Someone might see us." A slow, sinful smirk curved his lips. "Right now, I can’t think about anything else." Anne’s hands curled into the fabric of her dress, gripping it tightly. Her pulse roared in her ears, drowning out the sounds of the bustling party beyond the pillar. She closed her eyes, anticipation coiling in her stomach. Augustine leaned in further, his lips barely brushing against hers, testing, waiting—until the moment she could no longer resist. "Sir, the auction has started." Gustave’s voice cut through the tension like a sharp blade. Augustine turned his head slightly, his smoldering gaze landing on the man who had just unknowingly doused his moment of passion. Gustave, standing stiff as a board, immediately realized his mistake. His eyes widened in horror, his lips parting as if he wanted to take back his words. Anne, on the other hand, went rigid. A deep blush crept up her neck as she stepped back, suddenly hyper-aware of the compromising situation she had been caught. She didn’t know where to look, her gaze darting around as if searching for an escape. Augustine exhaled slowly, reigning in his frustration. The fire inside him had been ruthlessly snuffed out, leaving behind only the sting of irritation. "Everyone has entered the auction room," Gustave added hesitantly, sensing the storm brewing in his boss’s eyes. Augustine waved his hand, trying to compose himself. "Go and wait there. We’ll be there shortly." Gustave gave a quick nod, wasting no time in walking away. As Augustine returned his focus to Anne, ready to smooth things over, he found her already scowling at him in clear disapproval. "I told you someone would come," she muttered, crossing her arms across her breastbone. "But you wouldn’t listen to me." He sighed, his features softening. "Anne..." He reached for her hand, attempting to placate her. But she wasn’t having it. With a quick step, she dodged his grasp and brushed past him, deliberately knocking her shoulder against his arm as she went. Augustine rubbed the back of his head, watching her retreat with a mixture of amusement and resignation. Letting out a deep sigh, he followed after her, knowing that winning back her attention was going to be another challenge entirely.

Chapter 85: Uncontrolled desire

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