Page 50 of Semper
The familiarity of it—Jill Valentine, the T-Virus, the constant chaos—was a welcome distraction. We settled in as the movie started, the sound of distant gunfire and the screech of zombies filling the room. I picked at the popcorn out of habit, barely tasting it.
Alexander sipped his drink slowly, his eyes flicking between the screen and me.
It was like he was waiting for something, his gaze so intent that it made my skin prickle. I forced myself to focus on the film. For a while, it worked. The action, the suspense, the noise—all of it pulled me in just enough to keep the memories of earlier at bay. At some point, I found myself leaning into him, resting my head on his shoulder as Jill Valentine fought her way through Raccoon City. Naturally, the respite was temporary. My mind began to wander, replaying the scene back at the Delacroix residence.
As if he sensed my thoughts drifting away from the film, Alexander shifted beside me, his hand slowly moving to my face. His thumb stroked my cheek in a way that felt almost tender, but there was that ever-present possessiveness behind the touch.
“Tell me what’s on your mind,” he murmured.
I didn’t answer right away, unsure of how much to say.
He lowered his hand and reached for his drink. I could feel his eyes on me, waiting for a response, and the pressure to speak became unbearable.
“I can’t stop thinking about what happened earlier,” I admitted finally. “And all of this. About…Anya too.”
For a moment, he was silent, as if weighing his words. When he finally spoke, his voice was calm and controlled, but there was an edge to it. “Anya.” He repeated her name slowly. “She’s the past, Lolita.Yourpast. But she doesn’t belong here.Youdo.”
I looked at him, searching his face for something—anything—that would ease the knot in my chest. “But she’s my best friend, Alex. I can’t just...forget her.”
He exhaled softly, almost pityingly, and reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “I’m not asking you to forget her. I’m asking you to focus on what’s in front of you. On what matters now.” He paused, his fingers trailing down to my jaw, tilting my face up so I couldn’t look away. “Do you understand? You’re not the same person anymore, Lolita. And Anya...she wouldn’t fit in this world.Ourworld."
There was a finality in his tone that made my stomach twist. I took a breath, trying to steady myself. “But I need to know, Alex. What happened to her?”
His grip on my jaw tightened, just slightly—not enough to hurt, but enough to remind me of the power he held. The softness from moments before evaporated, replaced by a simmering intensity that made the air around us heavy. “Lolita,” he said slowly, his voice low, dangerously calm. “You’re pushing something you don’t want to push.”
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. “I deserve to know—.”
“What you deserve,” he interrupted, “is to accept that she’s gone.Thisis your life now.Iam all you have now.Iam your life now.”
I felt a cold shiver run down my spine. “What do you mean she’s gone?”
His eyes narrowed, the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. “You’ll find out soon enough.” Then, just as quickly as the tension had built, he released me. “Don’t look so heartbroken,deliciae.” The nickname rolled off his tongue, sweet and poisonous. "The little whore isn’t dead yet. She’s gone in the sense that she’s no longer worthy enough to be in your life. You already knew that. It’s for your own good. You’ll see that soon. I’ll prove it.”
I swallowed, my mind reeling.Not dead yet.I wanted to press further, force him to tell me exactly where Anya was and what he had planned for her, but there was no forcing this man to do anything. I knew if I kept pushing him now, it would only make things worse—for me and for her, wherever she was being kept. With a deep breath, I settled back on the couch, pretending to focus on the movie.
My eyes followed the scenes playing out on the screen, but the images blurred together, my mind too preoccupied to take in anything. Alexander knew I wasn’t paying attention anymore, but he didn’t comment. Instead, he reached over, taking my legs and stretching them across his lap. He shifted slightly, settling in, utterly relaxed, his eyes fixed on the screen, as though nothing had changed. As though everything was as it should be.
CHAPTER TWELVE
That night had shifted something between us, though I couldn’t quite place what. It was more than just the physical connection. There was an unspoken agreement now, a tether between us that was growing tighter with each passing moment. The next two days passed in a blur of tangled sheets, deeper conversations, and the constant weight of his presence.
It wasn’t that Alexander was around all the time—he wasn’t. He worked from his home office, disappearing behind closed doors for hours at a time, immersed in his endless responsibilities.
Even when I couldn’t physically see him, I could sense his presence lingering in my mind like a shadow. Without fail, he would appear. He always knew where to find me. Before I could even process his arrival, he'd pull me into an embrace. During those days, he would lose himself inside of me no less than twice - often in the late afternoon as the sun cast long shadows across the estate, or in the quiet hours of the morning.
Each time, it was as if he couldn't get enough of me. And I was just as insatiable - responding to him with equal desiredespite the internal conflict brewing within me. No matter what task occupied me at the time, when he wanted me, he took me. This occasion was no different. I had been walking from the back deck with a book in my hand, engrossed in learning everything I could about Stygian Isle, enraptured yet disturbed by all the details I absorbed like a sponge.
“There you are,” he murmured.
As soon as his arm was wrapped around my waist, I could feel the electricity between us. His touch sent a jolt of excitement and anticipation down my spine, but I leaned into it, unable to resist the magnetic pull towards him. Despite how suffocating his presence could be at times, I craved it like an addictive drug, completely consumed by his dark charisma. He whispered in my ear, "I have twenty minutes before my next meeting."
In one smooth motion, he gently took the book from my hand and placed it on the end table next to the cozy couch that overlooked a stunning view of the glass doors and beyond. He cupped my face in his large hands and brought his lips down on mine, igniting a passion that mirrored our mutual hunger.
"I need to be inside you," he growled against my mouth.
With practiced ease, he moved my body like a doll, positioning me bent over the back of the couch, facing the tranquil scene of the glimmering lake and distant lighthouse.
His hands swiftly removed all layers of clothing, exposing our skin to the cool air. My dress was lifted over my hips while he pulled aside my underwear. In one swift motion, his slacks and briefs were lowered just enough to free his cock.