Eternal Echoes of Love

Chapter 20 – Bound by Desire

The moment Elias carried Serena inside, the world outside ceased to exist. The only thing that mattered was the way he held her—as if she was something precious, something he had no intention of letting go.

Serena's heart pounded against her ribs as he set her down gently in the dimly lit penthouse. The space was bathed in a golden glow from the city lights spilling through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long shadows across the sleek, modern interior.

Elias didn't let go.

His hands remained on her waist, firm and possessive, his gaze locked onto hers with an intensity that stole the breath from her lungs.

She swallowed hard, trying to steady herself. "Elias…"

His name barely left her lips before he reached up, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering against her cheek.

"You're staying," he murmured, more statement than question.

Serena felt the weight of his words, the depth of what they meant. This wasn't just about desire—this was about something deeper, something neither of them had the courage to name yet.

But tonight, words weren't necessary.

She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm staying."

A slow, knowing smile tugged at Elias's lips, but there was something softer in his eyes—something vulnerable, as if he couldn't quite believe she had finally stopped running.

Then, with deliberate slowness, he reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers as he led her further into the penthouse.

The air between them was thick with anticipation, a charged silence stretching as they moved. Every step sent Serena's pulse racing, every glance from Elias made her skin tingle with awareness.

When they reached his bedroom, he stopped, turning to face her fully.

Serena's breath caught as she took in the space—minimalistic yet warm, dominated by a massive bed that seemed to invite something dangerously intimate. The city lights filtered through the windows, painting silver streaks across the dark sheets.

Elias brought her hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. "Tell me if this is too much."

Serena exhaled shakily, her heart hammering in her chest. "It's not."

A flicker of something dark and unreadable passed through his gaze. "Are you sure?"

Instead of answering with words, Serena stepped closer, closing the distance between them. She reached up, placing her hands against his chest, feeling the steady, powerful rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her fingertips.

Elias inhaled sharply, his body tensing beneath her touch.

"I want this," she whispered. "I want you."

That was all it took.

Elias's restraint snapped like a taut wire.

In an instant, his mouth was on hers, claiming her with a hunger that sent fire coursing through her veins. His hands slid up her back, pulling her flush against him, and Serena melted into his touch, her body molding perfectly to his.

The kiss deepened, growing desperate, urgent. Elias tasted like wine and something distinctly him—something intoxicating, something Serena knew she could easily become addicted to.

His fingers traced slow, deliberate patterns down her spine before settling at her waist, gripping her with a possessiveness that made her knees weak.

Serena gasped against his lips, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as she pulled him closer, needing more—needing everything.

Elias groaned softly, his lips moving to the curve of her jaw, then lower, tracing a path down the sensitive skin of her neck.

"You have no idea," he murmured against her skin, his breath warm, "how long I've wanted this."

Serena shivered, her hands sliding up to tangle in his hair as he continued his slow, torturous exploration.

"I think I do," she whispered, her voice trembling with need.

Elias pulled back just enough to meet her gaze, his expression dark with desire. "Then let me show you."

Serena barely had time to process his words before he scooped her up effortlessly, carrying her toward the bed.

She let out a breathless laugh, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You like doing that, don't you?"

Elias smirked as he gently laid her down, bracing himself above her. "What? Carrying you around like you weigh nothing?"

Serena rolled her eyes, but her smile gave her away. "Yes, exactly that."

Elias leaned down, brushing his lips against hers in a teasing kiss. "Get used to it."

Her heart clenched at the promise in his voice.

But before she could dwell on it, his lips found hers again, and then there was no more room for thoughts—only sensation, only the intoxicating feel of Elias's hands, his mouth, his body pressing against hers.

Time blurred, the night stretching on in a haze of whispered words and breathless laughter, of slow, lingering touches and stolen kisses that burned their way into Serena's soul.

She had never felt anything like this—never felt so utterly consumed, so completely undone by someone's touch.

Elias worshipped her, cherished her, made her feel like she was the only thing that had ever mattered.

And Serena knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that after this night, there would be no going back.

She was his.

And he was hers.

To be continued...