Chapter 2: Inevitable Temptation

They were both drunk—dangerously so.

Nikolai was burning, barely able to hold himself together. Whether it was the alcohol or the way Thalia looked tonight, he didn’t know. All he knew was that she was devastatingly attractive—confident, bold, and standing far too close. Without another word, they ended up inside Thalia’s room.

Her room. Her mansion. Her territory.

Nikolai cornered her against the door, one hand braced beside her head, his body caging her in. “Are you seducing me?” he asked, his voice low and rough.

Thalia lifted her chin, daring him. “Why would I?” she replied coolly. “You’re the one who brought me here. Into my room.”

There was pride in her voice, as if she’d won something—yet it felt hollow even to her. They were both burning, drawn to each other in a way that felt wrong and inevitable at the same time. The air between them grew heavy, suffocating.

Nikolai exhaled sharply. “What did you do, Thalia?”

She frowned. “What do you mean? I didn’t do anything.”

“Yes, you did,” he said, his jaw tight. “You’re forcing me to talk about the wedding.”

Her breath hitched. For a moment, she had almost forgotten. The arrangement. The promise their families had made when they were still children.

“What are you talking about?” she asked.

“You know exactly what I mean,” Nikolai said. “Have you really forgotten? My father brought it up again.”

She let out a soft, disbelieving laugh. “You still believe in that?”

“You have no idea how serious it is,” he replied.

“Stop this nonsense, Nikolai,” Thalia said, forcing a bitter smile. “I already accepted the fact that you’ll never love me.”

“At least you know,” he murmured. His hand brushed her cheek—gentle, despite the tension.

“Then let me go,” she said, trying to push him away.

Instead, Nikolai wrapped one arm around her waist, the other still pressed against the door. They stared at each other, breaths mingling. Thalia hated herself for it—but she couldn’t deny how handsome he was. His lips. His eyes. The heat curling low in her stomach. Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe it was years of feelings she had buried too deeply.

Suddenly, Nikolai kissed her. She froze. Then he pulled back sharply, his breathing uneven. “What did you do?” he demanded. “Did you put something in my drink? I feel… out of control.”

Thalia shoved him. “Are you insane?” she snapped. “Get off me. You stole my first kiss, and now you’re accusing me of something like that?”

Her eyes burned with anger—and hurt. Nikolai stared at her, stunned. He hadn’t expected that. Not from a woman of twenty-seven.

“Damn,” he muttered, forcing a short laugh, though tension still coiled in his body. Something wasn’t right. He was certain of it. And judging by the look on Thalia’s face, she felt it too.

“Are you challenging me?” she asked, meeting his gaze bravely.

He scoffed lightly, trying to steady himself. “I’m not afraid of you, Thalia.”

The air between them crackled—too charged, too dangerous. Nikolai watched her, struck silent by the raw emotion in her eyes, by how beautiful she looked standing there—defiant and vulnerable all at once. He stepped back, jaw clenched, knowing that if he didn’t stop now, neither of them would.

Thalia took a slow, shaky breath. After years of hiding, of pretending she felt nothing, she made a reckless choice. She began to undress.

“Don’t,” Nikolai said hoarsely. He warned her, but Thalia didn't listen. She continued until she stood before him in only her undergarments. She closed the distance between them, her gaze unwavering.

“Thalia, stop,” he warned again, though his voice lacked conviction.

She reached for him, pulling him closer. For a heartbeat, he resisted—then his resolve shattered. He kissed her back, slow and conflicted, as if trying to memorize the moment and regret it at the same time. Nikolai pushed her onto the bed and kissed her again. She helped him strip away his clothes until they were both exposed.

Thalia smirked, her eyes dropping. “Your buddy there is fucking hard.”

She didn’t hesitate to touch him. Nikolai groaned heavily as Thalia began to stroke him.

“Oh, fuck you, Thalia. You're so naughty,” Nikolai gasped. He kissed her deeply, his hand finding her center. Thalia gasped at the warmth of his touch. She was lying on her soft bed while the man she desired kissed and pleasured her—a scene she had only ever imagined. She knew then she would never regret this.

Nikolai moved quickly, removing the last of her clothes. He looked at her with pure, unadulterated want.

“Damn,” he whispered, amazed. Thalia felt a surge of pride at the look in his eyes. It was only seconds before they were both completely naked. He trailed kisses down her neck.

“Oh my god. Ah, Nikolai!” Thalia cried out as she felt his fingers inside her.

“Do you like it?” Nikolai asked. Thalia couldn't find the words; she simply nodded.

Nikolai let out a low sound as he began to tease her. Thalia felt her body shiver. She gripped his hair as his path of kisses moved lower. The alcohol clouded their judgment, igniting something dangerous. Nikolai was certain someone had tampered with his drink—his body was burning with a desire he couldn't control. He knew he might regret this later, yet he wanted her more than anything.

“Stop me, Thalia, or you’ll regret this,” Nikolai warned one last time.

“No, continue. Please. I love it,” she whispered.

Nikolai moved over her, his hands massaging her as they shared a frantic kiss. Thalia matched his intensity. The sensation became too much for her to bear.

“Nik! Oh—what’s this? I think I’m coming!” Thalia cried out, her body arching and shivering as she found her release.

As she tried to compose herself, Nikolai positioned himself. She stared up at him, her breath hitching at the sight of him. When he pushed forward, she felt a sharp, tearing pain.

“Fuck! Nik, it hurts!” she screamed. She didn’t care who heard; the music outside was deafening, and her room was soundproofed.

“I’m sorry, I’ll be gentle,” he whispered, kissing her forehead. He wiped the tears from her cheeks and began to move slowly. “Damn, you’re so tight, Thalia. You were a virgin.”

He moved with a slow, agonizing rhythm, while Thalia tried to focus on the sensation growing beneath the pain.

“Shut up, please,” Thalia whispered, pulling him into a hug. He picked up the pace, and a moan escaped her. “Hmmmm. Ahhhh. Nik! Please...”

Nikolai smiled, his arousal peaking at the sound of her voice. He was gentle, yet wild. But suddenly, he stopped. He looked down at her, the realization of what he was doing hitting him.

“What’s the problem?” Thalia asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

“I can’t. This isn’t right,” he said, his voice strained.

Thalia was disappointed, but she gathered her courage. She pulled him back down for a kiss. “Please don't stop. I want this.”

“I think…” He started to protest, but Thalia silenced him with a finger to his lips.

“Just move, Nikolai,” she urged impatiently.

He began again, starting slow before losing himself in the rhythm. As he reached his limit, he tried to pull away, but Thalia held him close, refusing to let go. His control shattered, and he came inside of her.

“Ahhhh. You’ll regret this, little girl,” Nikolai gasped, breathless.

Thalia smiled bitterly at the old nickname. “Never, Nik. I’ll never regret it.”