The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1809

He wanted her.

The thought hadn't appeared out of nowhere.

It had taken root in his mind a long, long time ago.

But never before had it been this clear, this profound.

He was no gentleman; all this time, he had simply been exercising restraint.

He didn't want to hurt her or scare her.

However, her month-long disappearance had felt like twisting open a tightly sealed valve.

Now, although that valve had been mostly closed again, it had still weakened his resolve. Something feral in him strained against restraint, one breath away from snapping.

Joshua closed his eyes, taking several deep breaths, trying to calm himself.

Just then, the woman's unconscious murmur shattered the last of his sanity.

"Joshua…"

In the next second, Joshua couldn't stop himself from lowering his head and capturing her red lips.

Even with the nagging feeling that something was wrong, the desire to have her ultimately triumphed over reason.

At this moment, he would have willingly plunged into the deepest abyss.

-

Stella hadn't completely lost consciousness, but her thoughts were slow, and she was in a half-dreaming state.

As her clothes were removed, a chill washed over her, and her mind briefly cleared.

She groggily opened her eyes and saw Joshua's dark, deep eyes, like an abyss ready to devour her.

His eyes were filled with her reflection, the affection in their depths as thick and indelible as ink.

"Star," Joshua called her name, his voice low and bewitching.

His eyes seemed to burn with fire, his scorching breath on her skin sending an inexplicable shiver through her.

"Is this okay?"

Stella's mind was sluggish. She vaguely remembered Joshua telling her she had been drugged.

The man's eyes were as dark as lacquer, reflecting her stunned expression.

He gently kissed her forehead, his voice low, husky, and sensual.

"Morning."

Stella's eyes flickered, finally showing a reaction.

She discreetly glanced under the covers.

Stella's breath caught in her throat, the shock in her eyes growing more pronounced.

She wasn't wearing anything.

Embarrassing fragments of memory flashed through her mind.

She had thought it was all a dream… but it was all real?

She didn't dare look Joshua in the eye. "Last night, we…"

"It's exactly what it looks like," Joshua said, looking at Stella's flushed face, kindly reminding her, "Star, you were drugged last night."