Addicted To Her The Alpha'S Irresistible Contract Mate novel Chapter 33

33 Chapter 33 Does he like someone?

Naomi’s pov: 0

I stormed up the stairs after Elias’s little charade in the living room, my cheeks burning with humiliation.

A maid? He’d reduced me to that in front of his blonde cousin, like I was some hired help dusting his precious family heirlooms. The nerve of him–after everything, after last night when he’d claimed me like a conquest, growling about enemies and possession while I trembled under him.

I slammed my bedroom door, the sound echoing through the mansion’s halls. Pacing the room, I glared at my reflection in the mirror: disheveled hair, eyes flashing with fury. He thought he could cage me, control me, lie about me?

Fine. Two could play that game. I’d make things hard for him–push his buttons, expose the cracks in his perfect alpha facade. If he wanted obedience, he’d get it with a side of chaos.

By dinnertime, the aroma of roasted chicken and garlic potatoes wafted from the kitchen. I’d helped the actual cook earlier–anything to stay busy and avoid thinking about the soreness between my legs that still made walking a reminder of his roughness.

I smoothed my sundress, a simple blue thing that hugged my curves just enough to annoy him, and headed downstairs. The dining room was set elegantly. Elias sat at the head of the long oak table, his dark shirt unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a hint of the chest I’d clawed at last night, Lucy was across from him, chattering about some art exhibit.

I didn’t hesitate. With a sweet smile plastered on my face, I pulled out the chair right beside Elias and sat down, my thigh brushing his under the table. He stiffened slightly, but I ignored it, unfolding my napkin like this was the most natural thing in the world. Lucy paused mid–sentence, her fork hovering over her salad. Her blue eyes widened, bouncing between us.

“Um, why is she sitting here? Isn’t she just the maid?”

I kept my expression innocent, batting my lashes as I reached for the bread basket. “Oh, I’m simply following Elias’s orders.” I turned to him, tilting my head with mock

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33 Chapter 33 Does he like someone?

sweetness. “Right? You did say I should always join you for meals, didn’t you?”

I braced for his anger–a growl, a glare, maybe even dragging me out by the arm. But when our eyes met, he wasn’t furious. He was smirking, that infuriating curve of his lips that made my stomach flip despite myself.

Sick bastard. He is enjoying this. The mate bond hummed, sending an unwelcome warmth through me, but I shoved it down.

Elias raised a brow, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. “That’s right. I don’t discriminate. Everyone eats at the table in this house, maids included.” He leaned back, crossing his arms, his voice smooth as silk but laced with challenge. “Pass the potatoes, would you?”

Lucy blinked, clearly thrown, but she shrugged it off with a laugh. “Okay, weird house rules, but whatever. I’m Lucy, by the way. Elias’s cousin. What’s your name? How long have you worked here? You look way too young to be a maid— what, like twenty–two? And that dress is cute; where’d you get it?”

I forced a polite smile, dishing food onto my plate while shifting subtly in my seat, the soreness from last night making it hard to sit still without wincing.

“Naomi. I’ve been here for a few weeks. The dress? Oh, Elias picked it out.” I shot him a sidelong glance, watching his smirk deepen. Let him squirm a little, wondering if I’d spill more. “He’s got good taste.”

Lucy nodded enthusiastically, peppering me with questions through the meal about my “duties,” if I liked the mansion, even my favorite books. I answered vaguely, playing the demure role: “Cleaning, cooking a bit. The library’s my favorite spot.”

Elias stayed mostly silent, his knee occasionally brushing mine under the table, sending sparks up my leg. I hated how my body responded, the bond purring at his nearness. By dessert, Lucy seemed satisfied, chattering about family gossip while I nodded along, plotting my next jab.

After dinner, I cleared the plates, sticking to the “maid” act for irony’s sake and retreated upstairs, exhaustion settling in like a heavy blanket. I was about to slip into my room, dreaming of a hot bath to case the aches, when my phone buzzed–a text from Elias.

‘Come to my room.’

My heart skipped a beat, a traitorous flutter that made heat pool low in my belly. Was

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33 Chapter 33 Does he like someone?

he calling for sex? Images flashed: his mouth on me, his body pinning mine, rough thrusts that had left me moaning despite the hate.

No. I scolded my racing pulse-*Get a grip, Naomi. He’s your captor, not your lover.* The bond didn’t care; it tugged insistently, urging me toward him. I squared my shoulders, ready to face whatever game he was playing. Maybe I’d push back harder this time, make him regret caging me.

But as I turned the corner toward his wing, I collided with Lucy.

“Whoa! Sorry!” she exclaimed, steadying me with a hand on my arm. Her touch was warm, friendly, a stark contrast to Elias’s possessive grips.

“It’s fine,” I muttered, stepping back. “Just heading to bed.”

She pouted, glancing around the empty hall. “Bed already? It’s only nine! I’m so bored, there’s nothing to do in this big old place. Elias is probably buried in work emails or whatever. Come on, talk to me? We can go to the garden; it’s gorgeous at night with

the stars out.”

I hesitated, glancing toward Elias’s door. The text burned in my pocket, but defying him even indirectly felt like a small victory. Plus, Lucy seemed harmless, all bubbles

and no bite.

“Uh, sure. Why not?”

She grinned, linking her arm through mine and dragging me down the back stairs

toward the French doors.

“Yay! Girl talk. I need it after that flight.”

The garden was a moonlit oasis: manicured hedges, blooming roses that scented the cool air, a stone path winding to a gazebo overlooking the estate’s pond. We settled on a wrought–iron bench, the night breeze rustling leaves. Lucy leaned back, sighing dramatically.

“So, tell me about yourself, Naomi. Family? Siblings? Boyfriend? You seem too pretty to be stuck cleaning up after my grumpy cousin.”

My stomach twisted, nerves firing like warning shots. Family? I couldn’t mention my father, the traitor who’d orchestrated the hit on Elias’s parents. If Lucy was suspicious, if she pieced together why I looked “familiar,” it could unravel everything. Elias had lied to protect whatever of his secret, but one slip from me…and I’m done for.

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