Nathan found me there, an hour later, when I'd escaped the crowd and the music and the weight of three pairs of eyes following me everywhere. I'd thought I was alone. I'd thought I was safe.
I was wrong.
"Monika," he said. "I've been looking for you."
"I've been hiding."
"From me?"
"From all of you."
He stepped closer, his hands finding my waist in the dark. The closet was small, cramped, the scent of wool and cedar and something floral filling the air. His body pressed against mine, hard and warm.
"You can't hide from me," he said. "You're mine."
"I'm not yours."
"You are. You just don't know it yet."
He kissed me—rough, demanding, his teeth grazing my lower lip. I should have pushed him away. I should have walked out of the closet and gone back to the gala and pretended this wasn't happening.
But I didn't.
I kissed him back.
His hands were everywhere—on my waist, my hips, sliding under the slit of my dress. He found me wet, ready, and he made a sound that was almost a growl.
"You want this," he said. "You want me."
"Yes."
"Say it."
"I want you."
He pushed my dress up around my waist, his fingers finding the edge of my underwear. He tore them—actually tore them, the fabric ripping with a sound that was obscenely loud in the dark.
"These are expensive," I said.
"I'll buy you more."
He spun me around, pushing me against the wall, his chest pressed against my back. I heard the sound of his zipper, the rustle of fabric, the wet sound of him rolling on a condom.
"This is insane," I said.
"Everything is insane."
He entered me from behind, hard and fast, and I bit my hand to keep from screaming. The wall was cold against my cheek, his body hot against my back, and I felt the rhythm of him, the steady stroke of him, the way he filled me completely.
"Quiet," he said. "You have to be quiet."
I bit down harder. The pain was sharp, grounding, and I tasted blood on my tongue.
He moved faster, harder, his hand covering my mouth. I could feel the sounds building in my throat, the screams I couldn't release, and I bit him—his hand, his palm, hard enough to draw blood.
He groaned. The sound was raw, animal, and I felt him shudder against me.
"That's it," he said. "That's it, Monika. Come for me."
