His Destructive, Toxic Love

Eliza froze.

He figured out she had given him the painting only after she had 'died?'

What a joke.

"I've recently developed an interest in painting, and having you as my teacher is a great honor. If you think the pay is too low, feel free to name your price," he said calmly, eyes fixed on her face. "Don't worry. I can afford it." "Aaron told me that you took some design courses, so you're not exactly a novice, right?"

"Design and painting are quite different," he replied, offering her a cup of coffee. "I ground it myself. Give it a try."

"Thanks, but I don't drink coffee." She didn't take it.

He held it for a moment, then set it aside.

"Ms. Valerie, you seem to have quite a few opinions about me. Is it because of what happened in the restroom last time?"

Eliza didn't want to waste words with him; she just wanted to finish teaching and leave.

"Shall we get started?" She looked at him, signaling for him to bring out his tools.

"Please, Ms. Valerie, lead the way," he said with a shrug.

Eliza set up the easel, arranging her brushes and paints neatly. As she painted, he stood behind her. He was so close she could feel his body heat.

She uncomfortably pushed the painting board forward. "You need to draw this line first, then add color based on the light and shadows, like this..."

Suddenly, he leaned in close, his lips almost touching her face. She jumped back, startled. "What are you doing?"

"I'm just watching the painting." he said, looking innocent.

Her face was tense, and he raised an eyebrow. "You keep painting; I'm going to..." He pointed toward the bathroom. "...take a shower." Eliza was confused.

Meanwhile, Aaron called.

"Eliza, I'll be back in Oak Falls in a few days. I have something important to discuss with you."

Eliza was taken aback. Aaron rarely spoke with such gravity. "What's so important? Is it about me?"

"Exactly. It's not something we can

discuss over the phone. Let's talbet

Wvoice was anxious yet somet

when I see you in Oak Falls,

"Alright, we'll talk when you get here."

"Okay, wait for me."

After hanging up, Eliza was lost in thought for a moment.

"Ms.

"

The bathroom door

cra and Casper called

"Could you bring me

bathrobe on the sofa, dout

Eliza took a glimpse at the neatly folded bathrobe. "Can't you get it yourself?" she said, reluctantly.

"If you don't mind, I'll just step out," he warned. He wasn't wearing a thing.

Casper must have lost his mind. Eliza unwillingly fetched the bathrobe and approached the bathroom door, "Here."

A hand reached out from the door crack, not to take the bathrobe, but to pull her wrist, dragging her in.

The overwhelming kiss caught Eliza off guard. He pinned her against the steamy wall, forceful and domineering, like a madman.

Unable to push him away, she lifted her leg and struck him in the most vulnerable spot between his legs.

"Hiss..." Casper's face turned pale with pain. He covered himself, breathing unevenly. "You're trying to end my lineage."

"Casper, if you dare to take liberties with me again..." She picked up a paring knife from the cabinet and said fiercely, "...I'll plunge it into your heart." én.swnovels.net

"You sound like we had some great vendetta in the past."

She glared at him. Wasn't there a vendetta?

A vendetta as deep as the sea.

He bent over, moving closer to her. That's when Casper's phone rang.

Holding the knife, Eliza stepped back cautiously and quickly left.

Casper, one hand covering his still-aching groin and the other reaching for the phone, didn't look too good at all. "Hello?"

"Mr. Casper, I've discovered a shocking secret." Dillon's voice was tinged with excitement. "Guess who I saw?"