From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 69

Chapter 69

I squeezed his hand tighter. “Don’t look back. He’s pathetic.”

We entered the building together.

The elevator ride felt eternal. Caelan stood perfectly still beside me, his jaw clenched tight, staring straight ahead at the brushed metal doors. The silence was so thick I could practically taste it.

I stole a glance at his profile. That sharp line of his jaw was rigid, the muscle there jumping every few seconds like he was grinding his teeth. His shoulders were set in that particular way that screamed barely controlled tension.

What’s wrong with him? Is he angry about what happened tonight with Darrell?

The numbers above the door climbed slowly. Fifteen. Sixteen. Seventeen.

I wanted to ask him what was bothering him, but something about his expression warned me off.

‘Caelan,” I started. “You should head home early. It’s been a long night, and-”

The words died in my throat as the door swung open.

Before I could even step inside, Caelan moved behind me. One long stride brought him through the doorway. His hand slammed the door shut.

I spun around to face him, eyes wide. What are you-

The question never made it past my lips.

Caelan’s hands shot up to cup my face. His mouth crashed down on mine with desperate hunger.

I froze completely, my eyes flying wide in shock. This wasn’t the gentle, controlled Caelan I knew. This was something raw and desperate and barely contained.

His lips moved against mine with fierce intensity. One hand tangled in my hair while the other pressed against the door beside my head, trapping me between his body and the solid wood.

The kiss was consuming. Desperate. Like he’d been dying of thirst and I was the first drink of water he’d found.

Slowly, my shock melted away. My eyes drifted closed as I felt the warmth of his mouth, the way his breath mingled with mine. His lips were soft but demanding, coaxing a response I couldn’t hold back.

My hands found his waist, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as I pulled him closer.

That tiny gesture seemed to unleash something in him. His tongue traced along my lower lip, then pushed between them. He sucked my tongue completely into his mouth, holding it there while his own tongue wrapped around mine, stroking and sucking with deliberate intensity.

I couldn’t suppress the soft moan that vibrated against his lips.

Then he released my tongue only to thrust his own deep into my mouth. The tip of his tongue found the sensitive roof of my mouth, circling and stroking the tender flesh there. The sensation sent tingles racing down my spine, making me feel dizzy and breathless.

My panties were instantly soaked through. The ache between my legs became almost unbearable.

Esme’s voice echoed through my consciousness with a throaty moan of approval. “Yes… more…”

Caelan’s hand moved from my hair to cup my breast through my shirt. His fingers found my nipple, already hard and straining against the fabric, and began to knead gently. The pressure sent shockwaves straight to my core.

I couldn’t hold back the series of soft whimpers that spilled from my throat. Each squeeze of his fingers made the ache between my legs more intense.

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Chapter 69

His lips moved lower, finding every sensitive spot along my neck. He kissed and sucked with desperate hunger, like he was trying to memorize the taste of my skin.

When he reached the base of my neck, he sucked hard enough to leave a mark. The sharp pleasure-pain made me cry out softly.

“Sabi…” His voice was strained, like he was fighting for control. “You know what I want right now?”

I could barely think past the haze of desire clouding my mind. “What?”

His forehead pressed against mine, our breathing heavy and uneven. “I want to mark you. Right here, right now.”

The words sent a shock of pure want through me. My heart hammered against my ribs so hard I was sure he could hear it.

“I thought you said we should take things slow,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

His mouth found mine again, hungrier than before. Like he was trying to devour me whole.

I lost myself in the kiss.

My hands slipped under his shirt, finally touching bare skin. His muscles jumped under my palms, and he made a sound that was half-groan, half-growl.

“Sabi,” he breathed against my mouth. “If we don’t stop now, I won’t be able to stop at all.”

Even as he said it, his hands were moving, exploring. One slid down to cup my ass, pulling me harder against his erection. The pressure made me gasp.

I don’t want him to stop. I want this. I want him.

But just as I was about to tell him exactly that, my phone rang.

The shrill sound cut through the haze of desire like a bucket of ice water.

We both froze, breathing hard, staring at each other with wide eyes.

The phone kept ringing.

‘Ignore it,” Caelan growled, his hands still on me.

But something about the late hour, the insistent ringing, made me hesitate. “What if it’s important?”

He cursed under his breath but stepped back slightly, giving me space to reach for my purse.

I found my phone and the display made me frown. “Dad?”

Caelan’s expression immediately shifted to concern.

I swiped to answer, my voice still breathless. “Dad? Is everything okay?”

‘Sable, sweetheart. I hope I’m not calling too late.”

“No, it’s fine. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong. I just…” He paused, and I could hear him taking a deep breath. “I wanted to call and apologize. For hitting you. For the things I said.”

My chest tightened. I glanced at Caelan, who was watching me with sharp attention.

“Dad-

“No, let me finish. I was angry and hurt, and I took it out on you. That was unforgivable. His voice cracked slightly. “You’re my daughter. You’re the most important thing in my life, and I should have protected you, not hurt you.

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Tears pricked at my eyes. ‘I wasn’t exactly innocent either, I said some terrible things.”

You were defending yourself. And you were right about a lot of it. He sighed heavily, I’ve been thinking about our conversation, about everything you said. You deserved better from me.”

1 sank into the nearest chair, suddenly feeling drained. The adrenaline from moments before was fading, leaving me emotionally raw,

“Dad, I-

There’s something else, he continued. “Daisy’s birthday is this weekend, I know things have been… difficult between us, but she’s been asking about you constantly. She misses her big sister.”

The thought of Daisy made my heart clench. Sweet, innocent Daisy who didn’t understand why her family was falling apart.

Td like you to come,’ he said quietly. Both of you. If Caelan is willing.”

I looked up at Caelan. He nodded immediately, not even hesitating.

“And Sable?” Dad’s voice grew thick with emotion. “I want to make an announcement at the party. About you coming home. About you being my heir.

My breath caught. “What?”