Page 31 of The Library

I hit send, watching the screen dim as my message is delivered. There’s a sense of satisfaction in knowing she’s already on her way, already making the choice to come to me. It’s what I’ve been waiting for, what I’ve been planning for since the moment I saw her.

I stand up, running my hand through my hair as I pace the room. The house feels too small, too quiet, like it can barely contain the energy buzzing inside me. I’ve spent years learning to control these urges, to keep them at bay. But with Lilith, it’s harder. She’s the first woman who’s ever made me want to break my own boundaries. She’s the first one who’s ever pushed me to the edge of losing myself.

Last night was proof of that. The way she looked at me in the bathroom, her body trembling with need, her breath hitching every time I touched her. She wanted me then, I could see it in her eyes. But I held back. It wasn’t easy—it took everything in me not to fuck her right there, covered in that fake blood, her skin flushed with desire. But I want more than just her body. I want her mind, her soul. I want every part of her, and I want her to give it to me willingly.

Because once I have her, there’s no going back. She won’t be able to escape me, even if she wanted to.

I glance at the clock. I still have time before she arrives. I need to prepare, to make sure everything is ready for her. This isn’t just a meeting—it’s the beginning of something muchbigger. It’s the moment where she steps fully into my world. On her terms.

The thought of her walking through my door sends a wave of heat through me, and I feel the familiar pull of desire low in my gut. But I push it back, forcing myself to stay focused. This isn’t just about sex. It’s about control. It’s about claiming what’s mine, on my terms, in my way.

I grab my keys, heading for the door. There’s work to be done, and I won’t leave anything to chance. By the time she arrives, everything will be in place. And when she steps through that door, she’ll know. She’ll understand that she belongs to me now.

* * *

I start the engine of my car, the low rumble vibrating through the silence of the afternoon, like a pulse under my skin. As I pull out onto the street, a dark calm washes over me, settling deep into my bones. This is it. The moment I’ve been waiting for.

Every twist of the wheel, every mile I drive, it’s like the world fades away, leaving only one thing in focus—her. My blood hums, thick and hot, with the promise of what’s to come. Anticipation courses through me, dark and primal, the kind that makes a man feel alive, dangerous. The kind that makes me want to tear the world apart just to see how far I can push her. How far she’ll go for me.

I grip the wheel tighter, the leather creaking under my hands, and I can feel it—the power, the control. She thinks she’s playing the game, but the truth is, I already own her. And tonight, she’llstart to understand just how deep this goes. How far I’ll drag her into my world, until she’s drowning in it.

There’s no turning back now. Not for her. Not for me.

My mind is laser-focused, every thought consumed by her. By the way she tasted last night, the way her body reacted to my touch. I replay it over and over again, the sound of her breath hitching, the way her skin flushed under my fingertips. She was mine in that moment, even if she didn’t realize it yet.

But tonight, I’ll make sure she understands.

I drive with purpose, my hands gripping the steering wheel as I navigate through the streets. I think about Derek, the way he thought he could touch her, the way he dared to think he could have what was mine. It was almost laughable, really. The audacity of it. But he’s gone now, and she’s one step closer to being fully mine.

As I drive, I think about all the ways I’ll make her beg for me, all the ways I’ll make her realize that no one else will ever touch her again. No one but me.

The rest of the day passes in a haze of preparation. I cleaned up the evidence from last night—Derek’s blood has already been scrubbed from my hands, his body disposed of—but there’s still a sense of finality in the air. I’ve set the stage for tonight. Everything will be perfect.

I make sure the house is just right. The guards and housekeepers are here, but rarely seen unless needed. Low lights, the air thick with the scent of wood and leather, a mix of dark and warm. It’s a reflection of me, of the world she’s stepping into. She’ll feel it as soon as she walks in—the weight of something far bigger than herself, something dangerous, something she can’t escape.

When I finally pull back up to my house, I feel a surge of anticipation run through me. The night is still, the air heavy with the promise of what’s to come. I step out of the car, my footstepsechoing on the pavement as I head inside. The house is ready, and so am I.

I pour myself a glass of bourbon, leaning against the counter as I wait for her to arrive. My mind is already racing with thoughts of her, of the way she’ll look at me tonight. The way she’ll try to fight it, try to pretend that she’s still in control. But I know the truth. I’ve always known.

By the time 8 PM rolls around, I’m sitting in the dimly lit living room, a drink in hand, waiting. Lighting up a cigarette, the anticipation is like a live wire, buzzing under my skin. I know she’ll come. I know she won’t be able to stay away. She thinks she’s going to hold her own with me tonight—that much was clear from the way she sent that text. Like she’s the one calling the shots now, stepping into my world with some illusion of control. I take a slow drag from the cigarette, letting the smoke curl around me, a smirk tugging at the corner of my lips.

It’s fucking adorable.

She thinks she can play this game, can put her foot down and pretend she has the upper hand. But I know better. The second she walks through that door, she’ll realize just how little power she really has. She’s been running from this—running from me—and now she thinks she can face it on her own terms. It’s laughable, really. She has no idea what’s waiting for her, no idea what kind of darkness she’s stepping into.

I take a sip of my drink, the burn of alcohol grounding me, reminding me of what’s to come. Tonight isn’t just about being around her. It’s about showing her who she really is, tearing down that facade of control and making her see the truth. The darkness she’s been running from? It’s the same darkness that’s going to set her free.

And I’m the only one who can give it to her.

I hear the sound of her car pulling up outside, and I set my glass down, a slow smile spreading across my face.

And then, like clockwork, there’s a knock at the door.

I take my time answering, letting her wait just a little longer. She’s probably standing out there, her heart racing, wondering what the fuck she’s about to walk into. And she should be nervous. She should be scared.

Because after tonight, nothing will ever be the same.

When I finally open the door, she’s standing there, looking more beautiful than ever. Her dark hair falls in loose waves around her shoulders, and her blue eyes are wide with a mix of apprehension and curiosity. She’s dressed simply—a tight sweater and jeans—but it doesn’t matter. She could be wearing anything, and I’d still want to rip it off her.

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