**Chapter the 18th: Aftermath**

The silence between them was palpable, a heavy blanket that wrapped around their bodies as they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms. Michelle felt her heart still racing from the intensity of their encounter, her body still trembling with the aftershocks of their passion. She had never felt so alive, so connected to another person. As Christian's fingers trailed over her skin, sending shivers down her spine, Michelle couldn't help but think about how much she had wanted this. How much she had wanted him. She remembered the first time they met and she saw him as a scary man. But as time passed their connection was changing. Christian's eyes seemed to bore into hers, searching for something. Michelle wasn't sure what he wanted to see, but she knew that she was lost in their depths. She felt like she was drowning in his gaze, unable to look away. "I..." she started, her voice barely above a whisper. Christian's grip on her tightened, his fingers digging into her skin. "Don't," he said, his voice low and husky. "Don't talk." Michelle nodded, her throat dry. She didn't know what to say, anyway. Her mind was reeling from the intensity of their encounter, her body still responding to the touch of Christian's fingers. As they stood there, Christian's chest rose and fell with each breath, his eyes never leaving hers. Michelle felt a sense of vulnerability wash over her, as if she was exposing a part of herself that she had kept hidden for years. Christian's gaze seemed to soften, his eyes losing some of their intensity as he looked at her. For a moment, Michelle thought she saw something there, something that looked almost like... vulnerability. But it was gone before she could grasp it, replaced by his usual confident, domineering demeanor. "You're mine now," he said, his voice low and husky. "You belong to me." Michelle shivered, her body responding to his words. She knew that she was his, that she had given herself to him. And yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was still trapped, still bound to him by forces beyond her control. Christian's eyes seemed to gleam with pleasure as he looked at her. "I think we need to get you cleaned up," he said, his voice dripping with sensuality. Michelle nodded, her mind still reeling from their encounter. She felt like she was in a daze, like she was floating above her body, watching herself and Christian from afar. As he led her out of the pavilion, Michelle couldn't help but wonder what this meant for their relationship. Was she his now, completely and utterly? And what did that mean for her future? Christian's hand wrapped around hers, pulling her close as they walked back to the mansion. Michelle felt a sense of trepidation wash over her, as if she was stepping into the unknown. She knew that she would never be the same again, that this encounter had changed her in some fundamental way. And as she looked up at Christian, she saw that he knew it too, that he could see the change in her. Their footsteps echoed through the silent halls as they walked back to the mansion, the tension between them still palpable. Michelle felt like she was walking on eggshells, unsure of what would happen next. But as she looked up at Christian, she saw the intensity in his eyes, the desire that still burned there. She knew that she was his now, that she belonged to him. And as they reached the door to her bedroom, Christian turned to her, his eyes burning with desire. "I'll take care of you," he said, his voice low and husky. "You'll be safe with me." Michelle felt a shiver run down her spine as Christian's words washed over her. She knew that she was in his hands, that he would do whatever it took to keep her safe. But as she looked up at him, she couldn't help but wonder: what did that mean, exactly? And where would it lead her?