This Is Wrong

Shopping with Bella was supposed to help me clear my head. But how could I think straight when her dad was walking so close behind me, brushing his hand against me every chance he got, intentionally?

Nicholas pushed the shopping cart while Bella buzzed around, picking dresses and shoes like nothing was wrong.

His knuckles brushed against my hand again, sending another wicked shock through my skin.

“Stop,” I whispered under my breath, walking faster ahead.

He kept up, his voice low behind me. “You are mine, baby girl. Running is useless.”

I wanted to scream. I wanted to throw something at him. But I could not. Not here. At least, not in front of Bella.

I picked up a red lace dress and shoved it at him. “What about this? Would your daughter look good in this?”

His eyes dropped to the dress, then slowly slid over my body. “It would look better on you, baby girl."

“Gosh! So annoying”. I hissed, as my chest tightened. But my body still burned for him, even when I hated myself for it.

Bella raced over, holding two pairs of heels. “Dad, which one should I get?”

Nicholas smiled like the perfect father. “Get both.”

Bella giggled and walked ahead to the register. I tried to follow her, but Nicholas caught my wrist and pulled me back behind a tall shelf where no one could see us.

His body pressed me against the cold wall as his lips brushed my ear slightly. “You like teasing me in public, baby girl?”

“You started this,” I hissed, my heart racing rapidly.

“You want me to stop, hm, baby girl?” His hand slid under my shirt, his palm flat against my bare stomach. “Tell me to stop.”

I wanted to say it. I really did. But the words refused to come.

His hand slipped higher, grazing the curve of my breast, while his thumb brushed over my hard nipple through my bra.

“Say it,” he breathed, his mouth hot on my neck.

I bit my lip, my body shaking.

“Say it,” he growled, his hand gripping me tighter.

I gasped, my chest heaving. “Stop.”

He pulled back slowly, his dark eyes eating me alive. “Good girl.”

Gosh, I hated how much I loved when he called me that. 'Baby girl? Good girl?’ argh. 

He leaned closer, his lips barely touching mine. “I will stop for now. But when I have you alone again, you are going to pay for teasing me today.”

He walked away like nothing happened.

I stood there, breathing hard, with my legs weak.

Bella waved from the door. “Aria, let’s go.”

I forced myself to move, to act normal, but my skin still burned from his touch.

We drove back to the mansion. Bella talked the whole time about her school, her friends, her weekend plans, but I barely heard her. I was too focused on the man driving the car.

Nicholas looked calm, focused on the road, but his hand kept resting close to my thigh, while his fingers brushed mine every now and then. Of course, purposely.

When we got to the house, Bella jumped out and dragged the bags inside. “I am going to try everything on. Aria, come help me pick.”

I needed to get away from Nicholas. So I rushed after her.

For the next hour, I stayed in her room, helping her with her new clothes, forcing myself to talk, to laugh, to pretend I was not breaking inside.

Bella finally sat on the bed and sighed. “I am so glad you are here, Aria. I missed you.”

I smiled weakly. “I missed you too.”

She leaned back. “I just wish my dad would start dating again. He has been alone for too long.”

My stomach dropped. I wanted to rant. I wanted to tell her the truth. But I could not.

“He is probably just busy,” I said, looking away.

Bella smiled. “Yeah, maybe.”

Her phone buzzed. "I need to take this. My friend is losing her mind over a party tonight."

I stood up quickly. "I'm going to freshen up."

I walked to the guest room and closed the door behind me. Leaning against it, I tried to catch my breath.

No. I could not stay here. I needed to leave as soon as possible before this temptation swallowed me whole.

I turned toward the room, ready to grab my things and leave, but Nicholas was already there, sitting calmly on the edge of the bed like he had been waiting for me.

The red and blue lights in the room were too dim to notice him when I first walked in. If I had seen him sooner, I would have left right away.

My heart pounded hard in my chest. "What are you doing here?"

His dark eyes locked on mine. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Leaving, of course."

My voice came out louder than I expected.

"You are not going anywhere."

I shook my head. "This is wrong. All of it."

He gave me that slow, dangerous smile. "You said that before. And still, you let me fuck you."

Anger burned through me. I clenched my fists. "You need to stop. This has to end."

"You don't want me to stop, baby girl."

"I do."

His gaze held mine, intense and unyielding. He took a step forward, slow and deliberate. "Do you really want me to stop?" he asked again. "Say it."

I swallowed hard. "Stop."

"Louder."

"Stop."

He stopped right in front of me. His fingers gently brushed my hair back, while he used a hand to cup my cheek.

His lips grazed mine, and he leaned in to whisper behind my ear. "Liar."

I gasped as he kissed me hard. His tongue slid into my mouth without warning. His hands gripped my waist, pulling me tightly against him.

I pushed at his chest, but he only kissed me harder, like he was claiming me.

His hand slipped under my shirt. His fingers pressed into my bare skin, searing hot and possessive.

A moan escaped my lips. My body melted into his.

I should stop him. I should run.

But instead, I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him back, losing myself in him.

His lips left mine, trailing heat down my neck.

"You can fight me all you want, baby girl," he whispered, voice thick with desire. "But you are already mine."

His hands moved to my backside, gripping it firmly. I shivered from the contact.

Then came a knock at the door. "Aria, come see this dress," Bella called.

I froze. My heart jumped into my throat.

Nicholas leaned in again, his lips brushing my ear. "Go to her. Pretend nothing happened. But when you come back tonight, we are not done."

He gave my ass one last squeeze before releasing me.

I stumbled back, breathing heavily.

"Aria," Bella called again.

I opened the door quickly. "Coming."

I forced my legs to move and tried to steady my racing heart.

When I stepped into Bella’s room, she was holding up a sleek black dress.

“We’re going to that party tonight,” she said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “Dad already told me he’s coming too. He never goes to parties.”

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry.

I wanted to suggest we go without him, but who was I to say that, especially when she clearly enjoys having her daddy around us?

And Nicolas… he’ll do anything just to stay close. All because of me. It’s painfully clear, I’ll never truly be free of him.

Just then, the door opened and Nicolas walked in like he owned the room. His dark eyes locked on mine, and he gave me that familiar, knowing smile.

“I think he likes you, babe,” Bella teased, tugging at my arm.

“Sure, he does,” I replied, forcing a smile.

If only she knew that it wasn’t just him liking me, but him getting obsessed with me.