Chapter 10
A Lustful Night
Gale Fears
Ilooked down at her sleeping form and wondered why I hadn’t just listened to Daniel and let her be. Now my shoes and my car were a mess, and she was passed out on my sofa. It had been complicated bringing her in – my butler had thrown me a highly suspicious look. He probably thought his master had finally lost it and had murdered someone. But, being the excellent butler that he was, he didn’t say a word. He just assisted me in getting the girl to my couch.
I looked down at the sleeping figure in front of me, and smiled to myself. There was something so innocent about her face, that I couldn’t help feeling my heart softening. She smiled in her sleep, and I found myself wondering about her life, and what kind of things made her happy. I had never sat there and just observed anyone before. Before Stella, I had been a complete playboy, fling after fling, and party after party. I didn’t remember a time where I wasn’t drunk or high. I knew that my father had detested me then. He saw me as a good for nothing, spoiled young man, living off his money.
When I thought about it, he was right. I had been going to law school, but I took little interest in my studies. I think my father barely had any hopes for me, and when I changed, he was beyond relieved. I still remembered the first time I had met Stella – the beautiful, enchanting girl had caught my eye almost instantly. I was used to girls chasing me, but at that moment, I knew I had to chase this woman. I pursued her day and night until she finally said yes. I had been; I had felt as if I was walking on clouds and that I would never come down.
How wrong I had been.How things had crashed and burned horribly,and after years of being together, it had all ended. I sighed and pulled myself out of memory lane. I didn’t want to go there.Not again. But whatever Stella had done, she had changed me. She had made me better. I stopped drinking and concentrated on my studies. My father was so relieved that he actually decided to give me his law firm. Of course, he hadn’t let go of it that easily. He had spent years training me before finally relenting and handing over the reins. Now my father was enjoying his retirement, but he still occasionally butted in and kept a check on things.
After I had left Stella, I never really had the heart to pursue any relationship. Except for an occasional need for the warmth of strangers, I had stayed away from women. One had been enough for me. I didn’t want to be heartbroken again. Ever. So I kept myself distant from everyone, except for a few close friends.
And now I had a random girl passed out on my couch, and I couldn’t help but study her. There was something about her that just fascinated me. And I couldn’t quite figure it out.What was it?What about her intrigued me so much?Was it just the fact that she didn’t know me?Was it just the hint of normalcy that attracted me?I had enjoyed the anonymity and the way she had snapped at me. It was fun to have an animated conversation without someone running around to please me for my money.
I sipped my whiskey slowly, enjoying the lingering taste on my lips. I knew I had been drinking all day and that I should stop. But Stella’s shadow had been hanging over me lately, and the drink was the only thing that helped keep it back. So I downed another glass and poured myself yet another, starting to feel myself getting tipsy.
No. I couldn’t let my heart soften like that. I just had a responsibility to keep her safe. Once she was sober again, I would have her sent home. I hardened my heart once again, squashing whatever softness had suddenly appeared in it.
She moaned quietly, and stirred in her sleep, a frown on her face.
“No,” she whispered. “Please, I am sorry.”
I watched her cooly for a minute as she moaned and thrashed in her sleep.
“Please, don’t hurt—” she moaned again, tears squeezing from between her lashes.
A part of my heart wanted to go over and console her, but a bigger part of me resisted the urge. I had erected barriers in my heart, and they stood firm.
“No!” she gasped out. “I’m begging you!”
I walked over and knelt down next to her, deciding that perhaps it would be better if I woke her.
“It’s alright,” I said. “It’s just a nightmare.”
She grabbed my hand, clutching it with a ferocity that I didn’t understand. Her eyes flew open and I found myself looking into deep brown eyes.
“Save me!” she gasped out.
Her eyes were wide with fear, and her cheeks were covered in tears. Her luscious red lips were parted, and she looked at me with desperation.
“It’s okay,” I found myself saying. “You’re safe now.”
She didn’t let go, clutching my hand and still looking at me with wide eyes.
I realized how close I actually was to her. Her lips were near mine, and I could feel her breath against my face. I took a sharp intake of air, my heart suddenly pounding in my chest. I could smell her scent, a light, feminine, citrusy fragrance that intrigued me. Despite throwing up, she smelled nice, and I was acutely aware of how her soft hand felt as it held mine.
“Will you keep me safe?” she whispered.
“Yes,” I said, wondering why I was acting like this.
Then, she did something totally unexpected. She leaned over and kissed me, then pulled back as if surprised.
I raised my thumb and gently wiped her tears off her smooth cheek. She looked into my eyes, and for a second, I found it hard to breathe. There was something so mesmerizing, so fascinating about those eyes, that I couldn’t look away. The raw emotion that shone from them shook me. I leaned closer, acutely aware of her presence. My skin was tingling, and I kept feeling a strong, magnetic pull towards her.
I knew I was drunk. I knew I should move away. But there was something so exciting about her that I just couldn’t. I leaned forward and softly pressed my lips against hers. I didn’t have to wait long for her response, because a second later she kissed me back. I took that as a positive sign, and I pressed her against the couch, kissing her passionately. A fire was burning deep within me, a throbbing, pulsating desire coursing through my veins.
Her luscious lips were pressed against mine, and I could say with certainty that I had never felt anything so strongly before. I craved her. I was intoxicated by her smell, by her touch, and the way her body felt pressed against mine. Her hands were tracing over my body, igniting electrical sensations on my skin.
All I knew at that moment was that I wanted her. I wanted her more than I had ever wanted anyone else.
