Chapter 27: What I Learned From Eva

Chapter 27: Chapter 27: What I Learned From Eva

~Frederick’s POV~

SNNAAPPP.

Eva stepped forward and lashed out, her hand cracking hard across my cheek.

"How dare you talk to me like that?!"

I didn’t flinch. I simply glared down at her, refusing to let the sting of the slap show.

"You’re pissed because I told you the truth," I said, my voice low and filled with anger, though I kept myself under control. "I regret ever knowing someone like you. I regret every damn year I wasted on you."

Eva’s eyes turned bloodshot, fury radiating from her as she stared at me.

"Remember this, you’ll regret it! That boy will do worse to you. No one will ever truly love you, Frederick. No one!"

"As long as it’s not you, I couldn’t care less," I replied coldly. "I’ll never want someone like you again."

Eva stared at me, the fight suddenly draining from her as hot tears spilled down her cheeks. "We’ll see," she whispered before turning sharply and storming away.

I stood there alone, letting out a long, slow breath as the silence settled over the pathway again.

My jaw tightened as I thought about everything that had happened.

Money. That was always what they wanted.

I had seen it too many times to count. People came close, smiled at me, told me everything I wanted to hear, and the moment they realized the kind of power and wealth I wielded, their true, greedy intentions clawed their way to the surface.

Eva had been different once. Or at least, that was the comforting lie I had allowed myself to believe before she bled me dry of my patience and trust.

She had taught me better.

And now there was Reynold.

I knew why he wanted to be with me. He needed my financial support to secure his future and finally break free from the suffocating hell his family had trapped him in. And honestly? I was fine with that. I needed his body for satisfaction, too, because he pulled at my senses in a way that made it impossible to look away from him.

To keep myself from repeating the same catastrophic mistakes, I had let the contract exist. While he took what he needed from me, I would take everything I wanted from him. It was a purely transactional arrangement, a cold, calculated win-win for both of us.

At least this time, knowing we were bound by ink and paper rather than false promises, I wouldn’t have to worry about someone pretending to love me just to twist the knife in the end. I wouldn’t let myself be used like a fool ever again.

I stood there in the quiet darkness for a moment, taking a few slow breaths until my anger began to settle. I composed myself, letting the calm mask I always wore fall back into place before turning and walking toward the pulsing lights of the party.

As I stepped back into the party, I scanned the terrace, looking toward the spot where I had left Reynold. My eyes moved through the flashing lights and clusters of chatting guests until I finally spotted the empty chair.

My guard was still standing beside it, but Reynold was nowhere to be seen.

My chest tightened with a sudden spike of unease. I strode quickly across the patio and stopped beside my guard.

"Where is he?" I demanded, my voice low and dangerous.

The guard straightened slightly. "He went to use the restroom, sir."

"When did he leave?" I snapped, my jaw tightening. "And why the hell didn’t you follow him?"

"He said he would be fine on his own, sir," the guard replied, tension creeping into his voice. "He only left a few minutes ago."

"You fool," I hissed, fury boiling over as I loomed over him. "You had one job, and you couldn’t even do that properly. I told you to look after him, and you let him go to the restroom alone? Did I pay you to be stupid?"

"I’m sorry, sir," the guard stammered, shrinking under my glare.

"You’re apologizing?" I snapped, my fists clenching at my sides. "You better pray he’s fine. You stood here guarding an empty chair instead of following him like you were supposed to, you idiot. Which way did he go?"

"That way, sir." The guard hurriedly pointed down the dimly lit corridor leading to the private guest restrooms.

I sucked in a sharp breath, spun on my heel, and marched down the hallway, the guard hurrying anxiously behind me.

When I reached the restroom, the door was half-open. My bodyguard stood outside as I stepped inside. Reynold was standing in front of the marble sink. He had just finished washing his hands and was running his fingers through his hair, brushing it back from his forehead.

I closed the door behind me and quietly walked up behind him. Before he could notice me, I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled him against my chest.

Reynold let out a sharp gasp, flinching in my arms.

"Little pet, why are you so jumpy?" I murmured against his neck.

He pressed a hand to his chest and turned his head, his eyes wide. "You scared me... Where have you been?"

"I had to take care of some business," I answered smoothly, resting my chin on his shoulder.

"Alright," he whispered, turning back toward the mirror to finish fixing his hair.

"Did you miss me while I was gone?" I asked.

He nodded. "Yes. I don’t know anyone here except you, so sitting alone was kind of lonely."

"Sorry about that," I murmured, keeping my arms wrapped around him.

"It’s fine," he said with a smile.

I buried my face in his neck, inhaling the sweet scent of his skin. The closeness between us made me want to hold him even tighter. My hand slowly moved down from his waist, tracing the curve of his hip before reaching for the zipper of his trousers.

Reynold flinched again, his hands immediately covering mine. "What are you doing?"

I pressed my hard cock against his backside, my voice dropping to a rough, demanding whisper. "I’m hard. I want to fuck you... right here."

"What?" Reynold turned slightly in my arms, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Didn’t we do enough this morning already?"

"I want you," I muttered, dipping my hand past his waistband to hook my fingers into the elastic of his underwear, trying to pull his cock free.

"Stop it, Frederick," he hissed, swatting my hand away. "Anyone could walk in here and see us."

"Why do you care?" I urged, pressing closer. "Just satisfy me, little pet. I’ll give you anything you want."

"Not here. I’m not doing it."

"Name your price," I countered, ignoring his protests as I reached back down to tug at his trousers.

With a sudden burst of strength, Reynold whipped around and shoved both hands hard against my chest. He stumbled back, eyes blazing with fury.

"I said I’m not doing it! I’m still completely sore from this morning, and you already want another round? In a public restroom where anyone could walk in? Do you seriously not care at all?!"

I took a slow step forward, irritation flickering through me at his resistance. "Come on, little pet. Just a quick one."

Before he could move away, I reached up, shoved his crop top high up his chest, and sealed my mouth over one sensitive nipple. I sucked hard, murmuring against his skin, "I’ll give you any amount of money you want, Reynold. Just take me."

"Stop it!" he yelled, shoving me away with a force that actually made me stumble back a step.

"Reynold," I warned, my voice dropping dangerously. "Did you just push me away?"

He scrambled backward, quickly pulling his clothes into place with trembling hands. Tears of frustration and humiliation filled his eyes.