Aviana, never one for subtlety, was about to greet him when Myra mped a hand over her mouth and dragged her out of the kitchen.


    Now, they were alone.


    Sensing the silence, Elsie was about to turn around when Elvis covered her eyes with his hands. She shivered, her lips parting slightly. "Elvis, stop ying."


    "Tsk, you knew it was me without even guessing? Can''t you be a little more romantic, sweetheart?" Elvis chuckled, removing his hands and letting them slide down her slender waist, his calloused palms cupping the curve of her hips.


    "Don''t be improper," she whispered, her body trembling at his touch. She leaned back into his embrace, her eyes welling up with tears of love and longing.


    "This is just the beginning." Elvis lowered his head, his lips capturing hers in a deep, passionate kiss. "Hold me," he murmured against her mouth, his voice a low, husky growl.


    As he kissed her again, Elsie let out a soft moan, her arms wrapping around his neck, her small hands smudging flour all over the back of his ck coat.


    "Did you miss me?" he whispered, his stubble brushing against her cheek, making her skin tingle.


    "Yes..." she answered, her voice barely audible.


    "Prove it."


    "It''s all in the fridge. I made you all your favorites while you were gone... pickles, pastries..." Elsie''s eyes shone with happiness, though her cheeks were flushed. "They''re not worth much."


    A lump formed in Elvis''s throat, and he pulled her tighter. He had been born into wealth but had spent his life chasing shadows. All he had ever truly wanted was this simple, domestic bliss. Elsie had given him everything he had ever craved.


    "Don''t say that. Anything you give me is the most precious thing in the world," he said, his voice thick with emotion Elste melted into his


    embrace, her face buried in his


    chest. "Ellie, I love you. I love you so much."


    Elsie blinked, a yful glint in her eyes. "Then you prove it to me."


    "I could prove it to you for three days straight without ever leaving this room," he


    whispered, his lips nibbling her earlobe, his eyes burning with a wild, untamed desire.


    Elsie''s face turned scarlet as she tried to push him away.


    Later, Elvis carried a sleeping Elsie to the bathroom to clean up. As the warm water flowed over her skin, she slowly opened her eyes. She was naked in the tub and Elvis


    wearing a robe, was sitting on the


    edge, gently washing her.


    She let out a small cry and instinctively covered herself, sshing water everywhere.


    "Ellie, what''s wrong?!" Elvis was soaked, but he didn''t care, his hands gripping her trembling shoulders. "It''s okay... I''m here! Don''t be afraid!"


    Elsie stared at him, her lips parted, her face pale, like a drowning victim who had just broken the surface.


    "Was it a nightmare? It''s okay... I''m here," he soothed, pulling her into his arms.


    "I... I can do it myself," she stammered, trying to hide the old scars on her body. The long, dark years at The Velvet Haven, the abuse, the humiliation—it all came rushing back, suffocating her.<fnf0ae> This update is avable on FιndＮovel</fnf0ae>