Chapter 50 You Promised

At least, Tilda couldn’t find the words to describe Jude.

He looked so regal, almost unreal—like some fallen god walking the earth, forced to go through a trial.

Maybe Jude noticed her staring, because he suddenly turned his eyes on her.

The second their gazes met, her heart skipped.

It felt just like getting caught peeking at someone—she felt guilty and embarrassed.

“Don’t know how to eat it?”

“Uh… I was just wondering—do I eat it straight, or do I cut it first?”

“Up to you. Don’t let the looks fool you, it’s soft. Like cake.”

“Oh, really? Thanks…”

Tilda ducked back into the kitchen right away.

Gosh… why does it feel like I’ve just been caught red-handed?

I’m in my own house, for God’s sake!

She shook her head hard.

Must be the hunger messing with my brain.

She grabbed a knife and fork before cutting into the weird black lump.

She lifted a piece to her lips, swallowed nervously, then shut her eyes and went for it.

The moment the flavor hit her tongue, her eyes flew open.

It’s… so good.

She had never tasted anything like this before.

She couldn’t stop herself—minutes later, the whole thing was gone. Every last bite Jude had brought.

It was only after that she realized.

Wait…

It’s gone already?

Her stomach was full, but she still wanted more.

How could anything taste that good?

The craving pushed her back into the living room.

“Mr. Bell, can you tell me exactly how this was made?”

“You wanna know?”

Jude’s lips curved, as if he’d been waiting for her to ask. He stood up, his tall frame casting a long shadow that swallowed her whole.

“Uh, you could’ve just said it sitting down, you know.”

The closer he came, the harder it was for her to breathe.

He wasn’t being threatening at all, but his moving closer was dangerous all by itself.

Dangerous enough that her blood felt hot.

Like it was boiling.

Is this some Omega-type thing? A reaction from just being near him?

Before she could untangle her thoughts, his scent reached her.

She’d never been this close to him before.

It was faint, but intoxicating—hard to name.

Just like him.

Elegant, Mysterious. Dangerous.

And yet breathing it in made her chest itch, her heart pound against her ribs.

She felt like a vampire waking up after 100 years and finally finding the blood it craved.

She wanted just one bite.

“If you like it that much, I can bring it every day.

“As for how it’s made… it’s with high-tech machines and a perfect golden ratio. Not something a human could ever do.”

His deep, magnetic voice pulled her out of her daze.

Every word brushed against her ear like warm breath, and her skin prickled; her ears twitched like a rabbit’s.

“Mr. Bell, you don’t need to stand that close. My hearing’s fine; I can hear you perfectly.”

She quickly backed up a few steps.

Damn it. I really just lost myself for a second, only from his scent.

That’s never happened before.

The only reason must be that Jude carries some special Omega-type marking scent.

It triggered my instincts, fogging my mind.

Another side effect?

“The only reason I got close was to take in your scent.

“Otherwise, I wouldn’t rest easy tonight.

“I hope we both sleep well tonight.”

Jude wasn’t even pretending anymore.

He hadn’t signed a contract with her yet or shared a bed—only that would completely erase the Omega-type side effects.

But even the two times he’d touched her before, it was just enough to let him sleep.

Just not deeply.

What he really wanted was to hold her close and fall asleep with her in his arms.

He was drawn to her scent, helpless against it.

That pull was the bond of equals, the call of shared blood, a mark impossible to fight.

He couldn’t stop the obsession or resist drowning in her.

And he knew that Tilda felt it too.

Once marked, prey could never escape.

Tilda… you’re already mine.

She opened her mouth to speak, but Jude reached out, pressing a finger lightly against her lips.

“If you want more, I have plenty.

“As long as you’re willing to sign the contract, everything I have can be yours.”

Tilda stared at him, shocked.

Her lips, under his touch, flushed pink and hot.

They looked soft and vulnerable, the kind of lips that made Jude want to bite, just to taste the sweetness.

“Mr. Bell, you promised—you said I could think about it. You said you wouldn’t pressure me.”