Page 35 of The Cruel Heir
Sterling tilted his head, his smirk faint but growing. “Interesting. And the merger with the Johnston family’s holdings? Was that part of the stability?”
My stepmother, ever the opportunist, jumped in with a laugh. “Sterling, dear, you make it sound so calculated. John and I fell in love. It was natural.”
“Naturally,” Sterling echoed, his gaze flicking to me briefly before returning to her. “And that John’s finances were in shambles?”
“Sterling,” my father snapped, his tone warning. “That’s enough.”
But Sterling wasn’t deterred. “I’m simply curious. After all, The Kingsley Family Trust values transparency, doesn’t it?”
The tension was palpable, and I sank deeper into my chair, wishing I could disappear. Sterling’s hand found its way to my thigh under the table, his grip unyielding. My breath hitched as his fingers brushed against my skin, the casual way he invaded my space infuriating.
“Sterling,” my stepmother said with a forced smile. “Let’s not spoil dinner with business talk. Tonight is about family.”
Sterling leaned back in his chair, his smirk widening. “Of course. Family.” His hand squeezed my thigh before finally retreating, and I exhaled quietly, the tension in my body momentarily easing.
The conversation shifted, but I could feel Sterling’s eyes on me, his gaze heavy and invasive. I focused on my plate, pushing the food around with little interest. The weight of his attention made it impossible to think clearly.
As the main course arrived, my father turned to me, his expression stern. “Zara, we need to discuss your education.”
I looked up, startled. “My education?”
“It’s time you return to Saint Bipal University,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “It’s the best option for someone in your position.”
“N-no,” I blurted, my eyes widening in astonishment. I hadn’t meant to say that out loud. I was just spiraling.
“Excuse me?” The man, who was a sorry excuse for a father, growled at me and Sterling straightened.
“I think that is a wonderful idea, John, and I know The Family would fully support it.” His tone brooked no argument.
I tried to figure out the dynamic now. Sterling wasn’t the King yet, he was almost there, but my father had no power. Why would he need to ask The Kingsley Family Trust for permission for anything, especially something regarding me?
“Right,” John cleared his throat. “I’ll have a driver take you to and from campus on Monday, Zara. Your enrollment was already handled after the wedding.”
Sterling cut in before I could speak. “No. I’ll provide a driver. My business meetings are at the same campus complex, and it would be careless not to extend The Family’s service to her.”
I almost chuckled, as Sterling put my father in his place, but then I realized I would be alone in a car with him, and I didn’twant that. We would have a driver, but how would they help save me from a monster like him?
Before I could beg my father for an alternative, Sterling’s hand squeezed my thigh so tightly and unexpectedly that I let out a small squeak. That gained me the attention of his mother, who fixed her hawk gaze on me.
“Are you alright, dear?” Even though she smiled, her words had a bit of a bite to them. I nodded, and went still as I felt Sterling’s hand slide higher, until it was underneath my dress. He moved my panties to the side as I reached a shaky hand toward my drink.
I didn’t want to gain anyone’s attention by trying to force his hand away from my body. I sipped on my water, my glass trembling in my hand, while the men spoke about some topic I didn’t understand.
I barely noticed Sterling’s mother getting up to yell at a servant, who spilled a bit of wine on the tablecloth. My eyes crossed as his thumb brushed over my clit. I tried to clench my legs, but he pried them open.
His hand was like a magician’s, as he played my body like a fiddle. Throughout each course he ramped up his fingering, all while he spoke to my father with a smile on his face. A demon wearing a man’s skin. That was what Sterling became in this moment.
At long last, after being edged for almost twenty-five minutes, the last course came out. I breathed a sigh of relief but, before I could reach for the right fork, Sterling shoved three fingers as deep as they could go within me.
With a bite to my lip, I held back the long suffering moan I wanted to let out.
Sterling leaned over and whispered in my ear. “You are soaking my hand, hummingbird. Does this naughty pussy needto cum at the dinner table? You just can’t seem to get enough, hmm?” He growled, fucking me harder and faster.
For a breath, I hated how my body answered him. Heat pulsed through me, need humming low beneath the shame. If I were honest, God, if I ever dared, I wanted the man who could whisper storms into me, even when I swore I would drown. Tonight I would not give him that truth, but the wanting was there, slick against his palm, betraying every lie on my tongue.
I bent over my plate as I whispered, “N-no. No. No.”
“Let go, little hummingbird, and cum all over my fucking hand in front of our parents.” He pinched my clit, and I banged my forehead on the table, just so I wouldn’t shout my climax to the rooftop. Those words shouldn’t have turned me on so hard.
