3

Ariana

“Do I really have to hold your waist, freckles?” Dax’s deep voice rang from behind me, making me bite back a whine as it washed over me. I was presently perched over his laps, and he was seated on the living room couch, while I was trying to get some pictures to upload on the net for those thinking I still wasn’t over stupid Mark.

“I- yeah, to make it believable.” I breathed out, trying hard not to tremble cause he’d undoubtedly feel it. But the feeling of his hard muscles underneath my ass, and the smell of his cologne was making me dizzy with desire.

His large hand settled over my waist in the next moment and I sucked in a sharp breath, then I whimpered when his grip tightened for a moment before loosening. My face flamed and I hoped he didn’t hear that, then I briefly shifted right before the grip on my waist tightened again.

“Don’t move.” He growled, his hot breath ticking my nape.

I breathed harshly, my stomach and core clenching from want, then I was exhaling shakily and clearing my throat.

“Uh, sorry.”

“Just take the damn pictures.” His voice sounded choked and I wondered if he really was just forcing himself to help me right now, but I quickly took the pictures, making sure to omit his face from everything, then it was over and I was standing up fast and able to breathe well again.

Dax was backing me when I turned around and his shoulders looked stiff, then guilt filled my chest at how uncomfortable he looked just now. I had no idea he hated helping me just now to this extent, and I awkwardly apologized to him one more time. I was so wet right now, I wish to go upstairs and change out of my panties but I guess that can wait for now.

“It’s fine, I was happy to help, but there won’t be a repeat of today, and of course, we won’t speak of this afternoon again.” He turned to regard me as he spoke and I felt my breath hitch in my throat again.

“I- of course.” I breathed out, my chest heaving while my stomach clenched again.

“I think there need to be some boundaries between us as well.” He continued and I felt my heart fly into my throat just as he pocketed his hands.

“For one, you’ll knock before coming into my office on moving forward.” He began and my face instantly got flooded with heat as I nodded awkwardly, unable to meet his eyes after that cause now I was thinking about the sight of his hand stroking his length again.

“Your brother put you in my care and I’ll ensure I don’t cross any lines or make you uncomfortable until you leave for college. You shouldn’t cross any lines too, to avoid starting something you can’t finish, something you know nothing about.” He continued and I gulped, the air feeling so thick between us and I exhaled shakily before nodding, then I apologized one more time before fleeing up the stairs without looking back.

Up in my room, I uploaded the pictures and captioned it with words implying that I was now happy and in a relationship with my new man. The sight of the pictures were making me flustered all over again, cause his hand looked so large across my small waist and I tried not to think about that too much. Everyone soon began to fawn and congratulate me. A lot of people asked if it was real and If I was being serious, and after I said yes, they all congratulated me as well. Gina texted me after liking the picture, asking me who it was but I scoffed and ignored her.

I don’t know how I never realized she was never a genuine friend. Or perhaps I just used to block out the times she behaved shitty cause she was my only friend back in school.

My phone began to ring and I Instantly sat up on realizing it was Mark. He was calling cause he now regrets losing me like Dax predicted, wasn’t he? My insides spiraled from excitement at that thought, then I accepted the call.

“That shit is ai, isn’t it?” He said in greeting before bursting into laughter and I frowned in confusion.

“What?”

“The pics you posted. They can’t be real, so cut the bullshit. The muscles in the arm in those pics don’t seem like anyone our age. Are you implying you were able to attract someone older? You can’t even fully attract people our age!” He dissolved into laughter after speaking and I spluttered, feeling completely caught off guard.

“Shut up, Mark. It is real, and I was able to attract you before you approached me, wasn’t I?” I hurled back at him after managing to gather myself together.

“Oh, stupid Ariana. I don’t know how you believed I was seriously into you. It was all a bet from the onset, which was why I initially approached you. Else I’d never be caught with your lame ass.” He guffawed but my mouth hung open and my heart completely shattered.

“What?” I whispered while he snickered and repeated all that he just said, and this time, he added that the only reason he remained with me till prom was because of the bet and the cash prize he received for completing the bet.

“It’s a shame you didn’t let me hit throughout the time I spent fake dating your ass.” He drawled but I was still too shocked to speak, my mind reeling hard.

“You’re lying.” I whispered shakily while he snickered.

“I’m lying? Even your bestie knew it was a dare.” He revealed and my eyes almost fell out from shock.

What the fuck?

“Don’t be so shocked, Ariana. A lot of people knew it was a bet. Gina was asked to not tell you. and that…”

I ended the call after that, feeling numb all over, my mind finding it hard to grasp all that I just heard. This whole time I was constantly trying to figure out why he never tried getting me to change my mind after I ended things with him. It never dawned on me that it was because he was never actually dating me the whole time.

A wave of sickness came over me and I rushed into the restroom to puke, wishing that all of this wasn’t real, that the man I once believed was in love with me only played with my feelings for a stupid bet.

Please.

That evening, I was curled up in my bed, reading a book, and that was when I got a text from Mark informing me he was hosting a party tonight and asking me to bring my new boyfriend over if he was real because he already told everyone the man in those pics was ai, and to prove everyone wrong, I either show up with the boyfriend, or be seen as a loser by everyone.

~~~

Dax’s pov

That girl was gonna be the end of me.

That was the thought that echoed through me as I popped the leftover food I prepared last night into the oven. Despite what everyone might think about people in the mafia not being able to perform any house chores, i could perfectly cook and clean, which was why I assured Dave I didn’t need to have a cook over while I looked over his baby sister, the same one he made me swear to protect when we had to switch bases because of some underground mafia gangs threatening to overthrow ours.

He was better at strategizing while I was better at planning and leading attacks, which was why I had to move here— because the gangs over here were only interested in war at this point and only wanted to attack. While the gangs in California were still level headed and a brainiac like Dave should be able to fix the mess over there. Ariana had no idea her brother and myself were running a mafia gang, and it helped that we had a joint accounting company as cover.

But Dave had no idea I wanted to fuck his baby sister. If he knew, he’d undoubtedly be on the next flight here, then he’d shoot me in the throat without questions.

“Dax?” Ariana’s soft voice pulled me out of my thoughts and I swore, cussing the universe out for putting me in such a position. If I had known Dave’s sister was gonna be a walking sin, I wouldn’t have agreed to look after her. I’d have insisted one of the guys working under us do it, but I was the only one Dave could trust with his sister, which is why I really shouldn’t be entertaining thoughts of throwing her over my office table and fucking her until…

“Dax?” She called out again in her melodic voice, voice I’ve imagined moaning my name multiple times.

“Yeah? I’m having dinner prepared for us.” As I spoke, I forced myself to turn around, then I wished I hadn’t cause she was dressed in a faded, large shirt that definitely belonged to her brother, which went all the way to her thighs and revealed one of her slim shoulders. The sight was so hot, but she’d undoubtedly look hotter in a shirt that belonged to me, then i could hold her against the wall and fuck her deep and hard…

“No need for that, cause we have a party to attend!” She responded, pulling me out of my thoughts and after I blinked at her in confusion, she went ahead to explain how I needed to accompany her to a party her ex was hosting to prove that we were really together.

“No.” I responded firmly, my eyes narrowing.

It was one thing to endure her perched on my laps while she took some pictures. That exact moment had thoroughly tested my patience and I had to use all my willpower to not pin her down and kiss her senseless.

Agreeing to act like her boyfriend for those pictures was already me crossing a line, which I only initially agreed to cause I wanted to make her feel better after watching her cry last night, a sight which had filled me with so much rage.

After she went upstairs last night, I called the guys I made to tail her against her knowledge for protection, asking them why they didn’t call me on noticing her crying and walking home, and they had reminded me they were only supposed to call when she was in danger.

“But they’d all think I’m a loser, Mark already told all of them it was Ai. I have to go to the party with you tonight!” She cried out urgently, her blue eyes blown out behind her glasses, and I had to look away from the sight while reminding myself again that she was off limits and also too young.

“Just… ignore him, all of this would die down in a while.” I said as I turned away.

“But I can’t, my crumbling reputation is at stake here. If I refuse to show up, it means I’ll be proving Mark right.” She cried out again and I sighed, wishing I could put a bullet through this ex of hers at this point.

“My answer still remains no, freckles.” I sighed out firmly. I couldn’t afford to blur out more lines with him. Attending a party with her as her boyfriend was way too far.

“I’ll do anything… please.” Her voice was soft and low.

I turned around, my brows arched. “Anything?”

She nodded eagerly, her pale freckles scattered over her cheeks begging to be kissed, her glasses moving a little over her button nose and I felt my cock twitch in my pants as I spoke.

“Get on your knees and… crawl over here.”