A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 316

Elissa didn’t dare open her mouth, terrified that the moment she made a sound, all those broken pleas and whimpers would spill out along with it, letting him know just how much control he really had.

But Rowan didn’t seem in any rush. Seeing her stubborn refusal to play along, he only pressed closer, his lips burning a path down her neck, patient and persistent as he explored her skin inch by inch.

Elissa curled her toes, every muscle tensing, unable to stifle her desperate little cries.

Yet it seemed like she was the only one falling apart.

She had no intention of turning this into some kind of contest, was just about to surrender when he caught her hand, guiding it down—slowly, deliberately.

It wasn’t her first time dealing with this, not by a long shot.

But like this? This was a first.

Her instincts screamed at her to pull away, but his grip was unyielding, refusing to let go...

His leather belt, her silk stockings—both tangled and discarded on the floor, every piece of clothing on display, unmistakably intimate.

Just looking at the scene was enough to make her heart race and her cheeks burn.

She felt like a sailboat adrift in the open sea—powerless to steer, surrendered to whatever current he chose, with no idea where she might end up.

She was utterly at his mercy, and yet, somewhere deep down... didn’t she want this, too?

Elissa didn’t know what was happening to her.

Something inside her was shifting, and it scared her.

Her thoughts were a jumbled mess when the man at her ear finally let out a ragged, electrifying breath that seemed to spark along her skin.

At last, she was allowed to rest.

A flicker of competitiveness surged up in her. She didn’t let go, instead looked up at him, eyes bright with challenge. “Do you like that, Rowan?”

His throat worked as he stared down at her, unable to handle her teasing. The muscles in his neck tensed as he lowered his head and kissed her, his voice low and lazy. “Yeah, I like it a lot.”

Shameless.

Elissa had no retort for that, and once again found herself bested.

She glanced at the artful clock on the wall—2 a.m.

A ridiculous thought popped into her head: So this is what high-intensity exercise can do to a person.

Even as a doctor, she had to admit—she’d learned something new tonight.

Rowan almost laughed at her brazen response, glancing at the time. “Fine—I’m leaving.”

Only after she heard the front door close did Elissa finally relax and head to the bathroom.

Breakfast was obviously made for three.

Two servings still sat on the table.

Elissa scooped everything up—plates and all—and took them across the hall, settling in with Tanya Foster.

Tanya took a bite, then sighed in delight. “Best friends are the best. You never forget to bring me breakfast.”

“Of course,” Elissa grinned, sipping her milk.

Her phone buzzed, sharp and insistent. She thought it was the Wilkinsons and hurriedly wiped her hands before checking, but when she saw the caller ID, her movements slowed.

Tanya raised an eyebrow. “Who’s calling this early?”

Elissa’s eyes turned cold. “The Murphys.”

But this time, she didn’t need to walk on eggshells anymore.