Chapter 81 Bring It On, I Won't Resist
<Chapter>Chapter 81 Bring It On, I Won't Resist </Chapter>
A shrill cry echoed from the heart of the bustling Inuit community, piercing the air with a palpable sense of excitement. The source of the outcry was none other than Gregory, a man known for his ability to command attention, particularly in moments such as these. His resonant voice painted an almost tangible image, the rhythm and timbre hinting at the actions unfolding in the darkness.Meanwhile, Ashley found herself blushing furiously in the shadows. She attempted to retreat further into the corner, her heart pounding with the fear that Damian might be provoked into consuming her. It wasn't that she felt too superior to be with him; rather, it was the ambiguity of their relationship that troubled her. Would not her value be diminished if she succumbed too easily?Damian's brow creased in irritation, his muscles coiling with tension. To speak or to remain silent, both options seemed equally awkward and uncomfortable.Gritting her teeth, Ashley hissed, "Are you mad, causing such a commotion? How am I supposed to face anyone tomorrow?"With a cool demeanor, Damian responded, "The essence of pleasure is to relish it fully. Any semblance of secrecy or shyness only serves to spoil the fun."Ashley scoffed in response. "There's no need for such vulgarity, especially when a woman is involved.""The pleasure a woman derives from the act far exceeds that of a man, who, at best, experiences only a fleeting moment of ecstasy," he retorted.Ashley snorted dismissively, "I've only ever heard of men being forcefully aggressive. I've never heard of a woman dragging a man into bed. Who's truly deriving their pleasure?"Their exchange was abruptly interrupted by the unmistakable sounds of pleasure emanating from Hayden's nearby tent. Ashley felt as though her head might burst.Fumbling in the dim light, she sought a tissue to block out the noise. In her haste, her hand brushed against Damian's arm, grazed his ear, and slid down the bridge of his nose. She recoiled quickly, but not before her lips accidentally brushed against his.Their clothes rustled audibly in the silence.Frustrated, Ashley closed her eyes, wishing she could disappear. "Do you have a tissue?" she asked.Damian caught her wrist, rolling onto his side to loom over her. His eyes, bright and intense, bore into her flushed face as he teased, "Are you flirting with me?""Flirting? I'm looking for a tissue, so get off," Ashley retorted, dismissing his absurd suggestion.But Damian's leg pinned her wriggling one down, pressing her firmly onto the mattress. His voice, husky and deep, cut through the silence. "Are you aroused already?"His insinuation sent a rush of heat flooding her cheeks. "I'm trying to block out the noise so I can sleep. Stop diverting the conversation with your lewd remarks."His hands remained on her wrists, pinning them beside her ears as he leaned in close, his breath warm against her nose. "Having second thoughts about our arrangement? You're letting a golden opportunity slip through your fingers. By morning, I may not be in such a generous mood to indulge your games."Ashley glared at him, a surge of frustration and humiliation threatening to choke her. She had promised Amelia that she would endure one more night with Damian if it meant securing his support, but now, pinned beneath him, the shame was unbearable. Damian had mistaken her for someone like Gregory or Isabel, a woman willing to sell her soul for a shot at the top."Has Damian lost his mind over them, or does he harbor desires for me? If it's the former, I suggest you cool off with a cold shower at the Castle Hotel. Save yourself the nausea after we're done," she bluffed, concealing her fear. "If it's the latter, doesn't it require mutual consent?"The noise from both sides was relentless, akin to being in the midst of a surround-sound action movie. With a throbbing headache and muscles as taut as steel cables, Damian's reaction to the woman in his arms was undeniable.He was driven by a primal urge to conquer, to collide with a force that seemed almost reckless.He leaned in and captured her lips, silencing her infuriating words.Amidst the steam and struggle, his assault was fierce, leaving her no room for resistance.She attempted to dodge and flee, seeking a sliver of a chance to escape his grasp.It was a chase as precise as a well-oiled machine.The zipper of her track jacket slid down to her waist, exposing her collarbone, soon covered by a large hand, and then the softness beneath.The saturation in his palm was like the city awash with spring rain, wanting to crush it yet fearing the ruin of such a beautiful vista.Ashley managed to grasp his hand, trying to pry his fingers off. "Let..."Her plea was cut short as he pressed his advantage, his presence filling her mouth.What followed was turmoil and violation, like barbarians storming in, turning her once peaceful sanctuary into a cyclone within inches.The shouting in her ears didn't diminish; it was as if they were in the midst of a silent movie filled with high-speed action sequences.Ashley's mind and body endured the agony, her nails digging into him, trying to puncture his skin.But she couldn't match his strength. Gradually weakening, her arms pinned and numb, her nails nearly snapping instead.In her mind, she mocked herself, "Negotiating with the tiger for its skin—you really think too highly of yourself!"Damian raised his hand to her face, feeling the heat of her skin.He paused, stopping the biting assault. "Crying?"Ashley couldn't tell if it was sweat or tears that mixed with frustration. Stubbornly, she turned her head away, silent.Damian relented, letting go and stepping away from the woman whose clothes were now halfway off. "Just like before!"Like a block of wood!Ashley slowly turned around, curling up her legs, wrapping her arms around herself, and morphing into a hedgehog. Tears trailed down her nose, drop by drop.In the pitch-black night, only the slight rise and fall of her back served as a reminder to Damian of the offense he had just committed.Damian was even more agitated.It was she who had played the game, angling for the project. And it was she who, when it boiled down to it, put on a show of virtue.He felt like he was being branded a brute. Just damn irritating.In a fit of irritation, Damian flung the tent flap open and stooped to exit.The space beside her was empty, and Ashley felt an emptiness echoing inside her, too. She gazed at the spot where a man had once slept, and with an impulse, she bit down on her finger—hard enough to taste the metallic tang of blood.She couldn't do it.She couldn't muster the vitality to climb into Christian's bed like Gregory, nor could she smile radiantly while being handed off to a stranger like Isabel did.Her pride stood unassailable like the majestic Rockies, preventing her from being reduced to someone's plaything.But she had to force herself to take that step.Damian no longer saw her as Miss High-and-Mighty; without her status to shield her, she was no different from any other woman clawing her way up from scratch.When compared to Christian and Hayden, Damian was the best option, wasn't he?All she had to do was swallow her pride and play along.Ashley sat up limply, found her phone, and after minutes of deliberation, she sent Damian a message."Do you want to come back?"No reply came from Damian.Holding her phone felt like clutching a ticking time bomb, so she sent another message with a grit of her teeth.
"I'm sorry, it was my fault. Do whatever you want, I won't resist."
Every letter was a shout of shame, enough to shatter her pride into dust.
Still, Damian has yet to respond.
Having made her decision, she might go all in.
Setting down her phone, Ashley pulled back the covers.
