Chapter 185: He found himself at a crossroads, uncertain whether to confide in her. In the end, Kellan decided against holding back.
"It's something I enjoy, something I cultivate," he said, his voice husky, resonating with a depth that mirrored the stormy glint in his eyes, betraying layers of suppressed desires. Kellan had long acknowledged his unconventional nature, recognizing a craving for stimulation that others might find excessive. These unique preferences weren't something society readily accepted. The media, after all, portrayed him as a business titan, a prodigy whose less conventional side remained shrouded in secrecy.
He hadn't anticipated revealing this aspect of himself to Allison so frankly. "So, if you find it repulsive or feel the need to distance yourself, I completely understand," he continued, maintaining a facade of calm, embodying the aloof CEO of Lloyd Group. Inside, however, he felt a profound pang of vulnerability. He knew some secrets could be hidden, but never truly erased. Perhaps confession was wiser.
Before he could elaborate, Allison's question caught him off guard. "Why do you feel the need to explain so much to me?"
He'd anticipated disgust or disdain, but Allison's expression was one of mild curiosity, slightly puzzled, unconcerned. "Because you and I are friends," he finally stammered, struggling to articulate his compulsion for transparency. Perhaps it was the warmth in her eyes that made him hesitant to deceive her. He wanted to lay bare every facet of himself—the triumphs and the shadows—to be genuine. "I want no deception between us."
Throughout their conversation, there was no trace of disgust or rejection on Allison's face. In fact, she smiled. "Indeed, we are friends." If the moment hadn't been so charged, she might have savored the revelation more fully. She hadn't expected such contrasting facets in Kellan: the frosty, detached CEO, and the man who found pleasure in submission. This contrast intrigued her, especially considering that the man who commanded authority and respect was, that night, entirely under her influence, genuinely affectionate. It was undeniably intoxicating. Their kiss in the elevator, in the underground garage, had been born of mutual attraction.
"Mr. Lloyd, you're overthinking this," Allison said, snapping back to the present, finding humor in the situation. "What's the big deal? Everyone has their quirks these days." Was she being judged through his lens? She was no innocent girl, incapable of accepting such truths. She teased, "Besides, I often find joy in tormenting others. Watching people weep brings me delight, too."
"Really?" Kellan took a step closer, his presence looming, intensifying the air of dominance, especially with his shirtless torso on display—chiseled abs, striking V-line—radiating undeniable allure. Allison, instinctively, took a step back, her back hitting the cold wall. Her fingers brushed against the knife discreetly hidden on her person.
"Are you planning to silence me?" she asked, bewildered by his demeanor. He seemed dangerously enigmatic, cornering her, his expression inscrutable. Moments ago, everything had been fine. If Kellan intended to act, Allison wouldn't be an easy target. She resolved to speak, but before she could, Kellan's breath brushed her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.
"If you enjoy it, I wouldn't mind being tormented by you."
The space between them was minuscule. Allison could see his long, curled eyelashes, his intense gaze. She pulled back, her eyes locked on his. Despite the inappropriateness, she sensed a weight to his words, more like a vow than a mere discussion of preferences. Their closeness thickened the air with palpable tension. Her hands found his waist, feeling the heat beneath her fingertips. His broad shoulders and narrow back were adorned with scars, each a story adding to his rugged allure.
Looking up, she asked, "What do you want?" The intensity of their proximity, the thickening ambiguity, wrapped around them like a heavy fog, charged with unspoken possibilities.