Heartprints in the Void
⊰ 24.5 ⊱ A Dress From Another Life

**Cade** [

The drive to the restaurant is a blur, the city lights flashing by as my mind wanders, drifting back to memories of Elysian.

I can't help but steal glances at her, my eyes drawn to the way the pink dress hugs her curves, the way her dark hair falls in soft waves around her shoulders. I've always thought she was attractive, but tonight, she's breathtaking. As if sensing my gaze, she shifts in her seat, her teeth worrying at her bottom lip. It's a nervous habit, one I remember all too well. The sight sends a jolt of heat through me, memories of those lips on mine, on my body, flooding my mind unbidden.

I force my eyes back to the road, my grip tightening on the steering wheel as I try to focus on the drive, on the music playing on the radio. But it's a losing battle, my thoughts driving to her, always her. *Why does that dress look so familiar..?*

Out of the corner of my eye, I watch the way it rides up her thigh just a little. But she pats it down, almost as if instinctive, a modest gesture. Her fingers twist in her lap, and I can practically feel the heat emanating off her, the tension crackling between us like electricity.

*Oh, my sweet Ely.*

"What's on your mind?" I ask, my voice rougher than I intend.

She glances at me, a forced smile on her lips. "Nothing. Just thinking about work."

*Is that so?*

I chuckle knowingly, brushing my thumb over my chin. "Sure you were."

Her head snaps towards me, her eyes wide. "What?"

I don't answer, and without thinking, I reach over and take her hand in mine, lacing our fingers together. Her skin is soft, her palm fitting perfectly against my own. My thumb traces circles on her wrist, feeling her pulse jump at my touch. It's something about the way her skin feels against mine that takes me back to a night, three and a half years ago.

We were at a club, the music pulsing around us, the air thick with sweat, alcohol, and lust. She wasn't sure she wanted to go, she had never been to a club before. But I thought it'd be fun, just to see how she'd fit in the scene. I quickly, *very* quickly, regretted it.

I watched as a man approached her at the bar, his eyes roving over her body, his intentions clear. Jealousy surged through me, hot and bitter, and before I knew it, I was at her side, my arm snaking around her waist, pulling her against me possessively.

She looked up at me, surprise and something else, something darker, flickering in her eyes. Almost immediately after, we left the club without a word.

The car ride back to my condo was filled with heavy silence, the air thick and heavy. I could feel her eyes on me, practically hearing the thoughts churning in her head.

When we finally made it inside, I backed her against the door, my body caging hers, my eyes boring into hers. "What were you thinking about in the car?" I demanded, my voice low and rough.

She bit her lip, her gaze darting away. "Nothing."

I gripped her chin, forcing her to meet my eyes. "Don't lie to me, Elysian."

I knew exactly what she was thinking, exactly what she wanted. I could practically smell her arousal. I just wanted to hear her say it. I wanted to hear her say that she got off on seeing me get possessive over her. I wanted to hear her say that she was thinking about me fucking her senseless.

She shivered, her pulse jumping beneath my fingers. "I was thinking about you," she whispered, her voice trembling. "About how jealous you got. About how much you wanted me..."

The way she was looking up at me, wide-eyed, her cheeks blushing, her lips tinted a rosy red-deceptively innocent. It drove me crazy.

I claimed her mouth in a bruising kiss, my hands fisting in her hair, my knee pressing between her thighs, denying her the slightest bit of friction where I knew she desperately wanted it. I hitched her dress up around her waist, my fingers delving into her soaking pussy.

She was ready for me, and fuck I wanted her.

"Is this what you want?" I rasped against her lips. "For me to fuck you, to claim you, to show you who you belong to?"

"Yes," she gasped, her hips rocking against my hand. "Yes, Sir..."

The memory fades as quickly as it came, leaving me hard and aching, my skin too tight. Disorientated, I pull my hand away from Elysian's, my fingers flexing on the steering wheel, trying to regain some semblance of control. "I-I'm sorry," I stammer.

"No, it's okay," she rushes to assure me, even as I try desperately to get a hold of myself.

But it's too late.

The damage has already been done.

I can feel Elysian's eyes on me. I can practically taste her curiosity, her need.

*Fuck!*

I can't do this. I can't sit here, next to her and pretend I'm not affected, that every fiber of my being isn't screaming at me to pull over and take her, consequences be damned. "Hey..." I feel her gentle touch on my shoulder, her voice wary as she asks, "Are you okay?"

Without a word, I veer off the highway, pulling into a darkened corner of the restaurant parking lot, far from the valet stand and prying eyes. I kill the engine, the sudden silence deafening.

"Cade, what's going on?" She asks, confusion and concern lacing her tone.

I don't answer. I can't. If I open my mouth, I'm afraid of what might come out, of the confessions that claw at my throat, desperate for release.

Instead, I wrench my door open, slamming it behind me as I stalk around the car to her side. I yank her door open, my hands finding her waist as I haul her out, pressing her against the car, my body crowding hers. "Cade, what"

I cut her off with my mouth, my lips crashing against hers in a bruising kiss. She stiffens for a moment before melting against me, her hands fisting in my shirt, her mouth opening under mine.

I kiss her like a man possessed, like she's the air I need to breathe. My tongue delves into her mouth, tasting her, claiming her. My hands roam her body, skimming over the curves I know so well, the ones I've dreamed about every night since I recollected the memory of taking her for the first time.

I tear my mouth away from hers, my lips trailing down her throat, my teeth nipping at her pulse point. "I had you in this little pink dress," I rasp against her skin. "I remember bending you over the counter and fucking you with my hand on your throat and your hands tied behind your back. I made you scream and beg me to forgive you. What did you do, Elysian? What did you lie about?"

I know exactly what she did. I know exactly what she lied about. I remember it so clearly.

But I want to hear her say it. I want to know that she remembers, that she knows better than to sit there and lie to me.

"I lied to you," she breathes out, her chest rising and falling unevenly.

"Lied to me about what?"

I pull back slightly, just far enough to look at her face. She glances up at me, but quickly snaps her gaze down, away from mine.

I tighten my hold on her waist, my voice hardening as I reiterate, "Lied to me about what, Elysian?"

"About what I was thinking," she confesses, her voice barely above a whisper. "We were in the car on our way back to your place from a club, and I...I was thinking about you...about us."

*Good girl.*

I fight the smirk that so desperately wants to curl the corner of my mouth, satisfaction washing over me. I firmly take her jaw, tilting her head up, forcing her to meet my gaze. "Look at me when you speak."

She complies, her eyes locking with mine, a soft whimper escaping her lips. "Yes, Sir."

*So submissive...*

A fire ignites in me, something so consuming and addictive, at the way she so easily falls back into old patterns. She may have grown a backbone, but I still know just how to make her fold.

I don't hide it anymore, a smirk tugging at my lips as I study her, my thumb brushing over the seam of her mouth. "Good girl," I murmur, my voice low and rough. "Don't ever lie to me again."

"Yes, Sir." The words tumble from her mouth, automatic, ingrained. It's as if no time has passed at all, as if her body remembers my touch, my command, even if her mind tries to resist it.

I hold her gaze for a moment longer, letting the weight of my dominance settle over her, reminding her of her place, of who she belongs to. Then, I release her jaw, my arm sliding down her waist, pulling her close as I lead her towards the restaurant.

I can feel the confusion radiating off her, the questions surely swirling in her mind. But I remain unfazed, my steps sure and steady, my grip unyielding.

Tonight, I'll remind her of what she's been missing, of the pleasure only I can give her. I'll make her body sing and her soul weep, until she's begging for mercy, until she's pledging her devotion once more.

She's always been mine, even when she tried to pretend otherwise. And now, I'm going to make sure she never forgets it again.