Broken principles

My heart sank as I walked out on her. My pulse quickened, throbbing in my ears. I didn’t look back because I knew I would crumble if I did. I knew I would grab her, kiss her, pin her against the wall—but I never wanted to get her in trouble.

Just one careless second. One slip. She could have realized it was me—and everything inside me snapped. Every principle I had told me to stay far away from her, yet I kept crawling back to her like a coward.

If she had pulled off my mask… if she had seen my face… I might never have been able to stop myself again.

I pushed through the crowd, not caring who I brushed past. I needed distance. I needed to get away from her before I did something I would regret for the rest of my life.

I ended up in a private lounge tucked into a secluded corner of the club. It was dark and quiet compared to the chaos outside. If not for the teenagers making out in the shadows, it would’ve been the perfect escape. Their presence only made my skin crawl and shiver.

The door shut behind me. I leaned against it for a moment, letting the soft jazz swallow me. Red lights glowed faintly, velvet cushions scattered around like secrets waiting to be shared. I collapsed onto one of them and ripped my mask off, tossing it onto the table. My breath came rough and uneven. Goosebumps danced across my skin as I released a heavy sigh.

“What the hell am I doing?” I muttered, fingers digging into my hair.

Her scent still clung to me. My mouth still tingled from the kiss I should never have given her.

“Hmmm…” I groaned, brushing a finger across my lips as the memory replayed—the way she looked at me beneath those lights. Wide eyes. Rising chest. Wordless pleading. And her lips… soft, succulent, plump. The sweetest lips I’d ever tasted.

It made me curse Marian again. Her lips had always felt harsh—woody and cold. I had always believed God hated her as much as I did. Maybe that was why she wasn’t blessed with something as simple as soft lips.

Worry and anger twisted inside me as minutes stretched on. I fought to pull myself back into the man I was supposed to be.

Until the door swung open.

I didn’t look up. I assumed it was a staff member or some random guest.

Then I smelled vanilla.

My head snapped up.

Fiona.

She stood in the doorway, hair messy from dancing, legs trembling beneath her. She wasn’t even steady. Her eyes sparkled beneath her mask—dazed, squinting, seductive.

My stomach tightened. I snatched my mask from the table and turned my back to her before she could see my face. I cleared my throat and adjusted my suit as I sank deeper into the cushion.

She blinked slowly, a faint smile curling her lips.

“Sorry, but I think we’ll have to share this place for a while,” she murmured.

Her voice was soft and cracked—and it cut straight through me.

She plopped onto the cushion beside me, the smell of alcohol heavy on her breath.

“You’re drunk. You should go to your room, you know,” I said, rising to my feet.

“Hmm-hmm. Maybe you could help me… make my night,” she slurred, waving her hand. “My heart’s broken. I was rejected by two handsome men tonight. I don’t even know them. And my friend Jude tried to molest me—that’s why I’m here. I ran for my dear life.” She chuckled.

My hands curled into fists.

Who the fuck is Jude?

Rage burned through me.

“I think I’m cursed,” she continued. “I used to think the only man I ever loved hates me because he’s way older than me and married to an ugly witch.”

She shouted the last part, and my stomach twisted painfully.

I was pissed thinking of her being held by other men when I’d been losing my mind over her. Yet a dark part of me felt smug knowing she’d been rejected. A smirk tugged at my lips as she kept ranting.

“Does he know you love him?” I asked.

“I think he got a hint. He kissed me today… and it was my best first kiss ever.”

“First kiss?” I snapped, my eyes widening.

“Yeah. I’ve loved him since I was little. When I was young, he’d always babysit me. He was caring, gentle, peaceful.” She sniffed as a tear slipped down her cheek. “He made me feel safe when my parents were hard on me. He’d bring me chocolates, toys, and sometimes take me out for ice cream.” She chuckled softly, turning toward me.

“I loved him since then. Even when I didn’t know what love meant, I promised myself I’d give myself to him. My first kiss, my first time… everything. But he betrayed me. He got married and forgot about me. He left me.”

I clenched my jaw so hard it hurt.

If only she knew what her words were doing to me.

“What if he’s trying to protect you?” I asked gently.

She smirked. “I think he’s protecting his reputation instead. But… I still want him.”

Then she stumbled. I lunged forward, catching her before she fell. Her hands pressed weakly against my chest, her head dropping onto my shoulder. Her body fit into mine too perfectly.

I should have taken her to her friends. I should have called a cab. I should have done anything except hold her.

Her breath warmed my neck. Her fingers curled into my shirt.

Something dark and hungry inside me shifted.

I lifted her chin, gazing into her damp eyes. Tears soaked the edge of her mask.

She pulled back just enough to meet my gaze. Her palm touched my jaw—gentle, trembling, unbearably soft.

“Will you take me?” she whispered.

That question shattered everything inside me.

I grabbed her wrist, firm but careful. My throat tightened. My pulse hammered.

“I want you.”

The words escaped before I could stop them.

She stared at me, her gaze melting, lips parting—and I kissed her.

It wasn’t slow. It was fast, desperate, hungry. She gasped against my mouth, arms wrapping around my neck, pulling me down. My hands cupped her mound, squeezing softly before sliding lower, feeling every curve through her silk dress.

She tasted like sweet wine and trouble.

She pressed closer and I pulled her tighter. The music outside disappeared.

Her back sank into the cushion as I leaned between her thighs. Her legs wrapped around my waist, needy and instinctive. Our breaths tangled in hot, shaky bursts.

I should have pushed her away.

But I couldn’t. Not when she moaned like that.

Not when she touched me like she wanted every forbidden part of me.

I kissed her harder. Her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling as the kiss turned messy, heated, reckless.

Her body tightened around my neck as my hand slipped beneath her dress. Her nails raked down my back. Her thighs trembled around my hips as I pressed her deeper into the cushion—with no guilt at all.

“Tell me to stop,” I whispered into her mouth.

“Don’t stop,” she whimpered, pulling me down again.

Something inside me snapped.

I gave in.

My fingers slid against her entrance and she bucked into my hand.

Her soft moans tangled with my groans. I kissed her neck, breathing her in, claiming her. My fingers pushed deeper and she gasped, clutching my wrist before letting go again. She tightened around my fingers—too tight.

“Fuck… I think—I’m gonna explode… please…” she shivered.

Just a few strokes and I knew she was close.

Then it happened.

Her juices coated my fingers—and I didn’t think before licking them clean. She tasted too good.

I kissed her softly afterward, and she collapsed on my chest, asleep within seconds.

I sat beside her, staring at the ceiling, chest rising too fast.

My hands trembled. My heart raced. My mind screamed.

What have I done? I made my best friend’s daughter cum.

Her dress was wrinkled. Her hair messy. Her lips slightly swollen from my kisses.

And it hit me again, harder.

“Oh my God… what have I done?” I whispered, rubbing a hand over my face.

Then—the door burst open.

My eyes flew wide.