A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 515

If she didn't give in, he definitely wasn't going to stop at just a few pecks.

However, she couldn't afford to test his patience any longer. "If... if I say it one more time, we're done, right?"

After all, there was that one time they had only been separated from the outside world by a single door, and he had pinned her down and kissed her breathless for an eternity.

Rowan nodded. "Yeah."

Desperate to escape, Elissa spat it out with absolutely zero emotion. "Rowan."

It was incredibly perfunctory.

"Rowan?" A knock suddenly sounded on the bathroom door, followed by Rex's heavily amused voice. "You've been washing your hands for quite a while. Dinner's about ready."

Elissa wanted the floor to swallow her whole. She shot Rowan a furious glare and struggled to push past him.

"Coming," Rowan called out casually. He made no move to let her go, staring down at her intensely. "It doesn't count if you don't mean it."

He was so demanding.

The thought of the older woman and Rex waiting right outside made Elissa panic. "Rowan! Rowan! Are you happy now?"

That hit the spot.

That tone was exactly like when she was a little girl. In the past, she had always stubbornly called him by his last name—Murphy, Murphy, Murphy. It was only when he forced her to correct it that she would impatiently bark out his first name.

Oh, and when she wanted something from him.

But back then, she used to whine and look at him with pathetic, pleading eyes.

Thoroughly satisfied, Rowan released his grip, and Elissa immediately bolted for the door.

Thankfully, Rowan had actually considered the people waiting outside and hadn't gotten entirely carried away.

The light kisses hadn't ruined her makeup.

Rex wasn't waiting in the hall; he had already gone to the dining room with Mrs. Garrett.

A maid saw her step out. "Miss Elissa, let me show you to the dining room."

"Thank you," Elissa nodded.

Although she had been to Rivercross Residence before, it had always been a rushed visit in and out.

She wasn't familiar with the layout.

When Mrs. Garrett saw her walk in, she peered behind her. "Elissa, where's Rowan?"

"He should be right out."

Because of that, she was completely accustomed to the food.

When she first came to live with Rowan, she wasn't a picky eater at all; she ate whatever was put in front of her.

But over time, being thoroughly spoiled, she developed preferences. She figured out what she liked and what she didn't, and the chef made numerous adjustments specifically for her tastes.

A long while later, Rowan strolled into the dining room at a leisurely pace. He pulled out the chair on her other side, sat down gracefully, and said, "Take your time eating. When you're done, I'll take you home."

He looked every inch the perfect, considerate gentleman.

A complete contrast to the man who had trapped her in his arms and refused to let go just minutes ago.

Elissa had taken a cab over. Just as she was about to speak, Mrs. Garrett interjected, "There's no need for you to take her anywhere. Elissa is staying here at the residence with me for a while."

Watching Rowan put on a flawless display of being slightly surprised, Rex silently cursed him in his head.

What an absolute fox.

Rowan nodded thoughtfully. "Alright."

"You still need to take me back quickly, though. I have to grab my clothes and daily essentials."

Elissa thought for a moment. "Since you live at Vistapeak Gardens anyway, you can just drop me off. I'll take a cab back here later."