4. Againts the Door

It felt like a war zone.

A beam of light cut through the darkness and landed on Belle just as she stumbled toward the balcony doors.

“Belle!” Bastian’s voice tore through the chaos as he rushed to her side.

Bastian scooped her up in his strong arms, his breath catching when he saw the cuts on her arms.

"Take my phone—hold the flashlight steady!" he ordered.

Through tears and pain, Belle tried to keep the trembling beam of light pointed forward as Bastian guided her down the pitch-dark corridors.

“Mom! Dad! Anthony!” Belle sobbed.

"They'll be fine. Right now, we need to get you out!"

Together, they pushed through the crowd of panicked guests rushing toward the back exit. Flashlights darted everywhere and shadows shifted wildly. Belle’s frantic eyes searched the crowd, but she couldn't find Anthony anywhere.

Bastian’s steady stride carried her through the small gate behind City Hall. At the crossroads, he pulled her into his arms and carried her without faltering.

“Put me down, Bastian! I need to find my mom and dad!” Belle cried, her voice filled with desperation.

“You’ll be safe at your brother’s shop. It’s not far. Just calm down.”

Belle said nothing more. She curled up against him, trembling, as he carried her through the night.

When they reached Anthony’s shop, which was dark and silent from the outside, Bastian set her down and pulled a jangling set of keys from his back pocket. He fumbled with the lock, hurried them inside, and quickly shut the door behind them.

The light flickered on. Bastian grabbed a bottle of antiseptic, caught Belle’s arm, and, without warning, poured it over her cuts.

Belle gasped and hissed in pain as the sting shot through her body.

“I’m sorry, Sparrow. But the wounds need to be cleaned.” His face was tight with worry.

Tears streamed down Belle’s cheeks, but she nodded and bit her lip.

Bastian eased Belle onto a chair and carefully removed shards of glass from her skin before wrapping her arm in bandages.

"Stay here. Don't move," Bastian said firmly as he set the first aid kit aside. "I'll go find your parents and Anthony."

“What’s really happening out there?” Belle asked, her voice trembling.

“I don’t know. But you’re safe now. Just lock the door behind me.”

Belle rose and followed him as he headed for the door. When his hand touched the doorknob, she clutched his arm.

"Don't leave me," she whispered.

“You’re safe here, Belle.”

"I said don't leave me!" she cried, her voice sharp.

Bastian froze, staring at her in confusion. He had never seen her like this before. To him, she was always quiet, shy, and careful.

“Have you never really seen me, Bastian?” Belle’s voice cracked.

"What? Sparrow, I’ve always watched over you. Anthony and I have always protected you.”

“Not like that! Have you ever seen me as a woman?" Her eyes were desperate and shimmered with tears. “Not Anthony’s little sister, not some girl—but me.”

Bastian drew a breath but gave no answer, and Belle’s frustration mounted.

"I can be grown up! I can change the way you think of me!" she cried.

"What am I thinking? What thoughts?”

"Anything! The things men think about women!"

Before she could stop herself, Belle grabbed Bastian's collar and pulled him in for a fierce, trembling, reckless kiss.

I must be crazy! She thought wildly.

But it was too late. The crush Belle had carried since she was thirteen had bloomed into something she couldn’t hold back anymore.

At first, Bastian didn’t move. But her soft, unpracticed lips broke through his guard.

Suddenly, Bastian gripped Belle's waist and pinned her back against the door. Bastian cradled her face in his palm as he claimed her mouth in a demanding kiss.

Belle felt overwhelmed for the first time as his tongue explored her mouth, giving her sensations she’d never known before.

She broke the kiss and gasped for air. "I—I—"

Bastian lifted her and pressed her body against the door. He kissed her collarbone and moved lower, licking the curve of her breast peeking from her dress.

“No,” Belle gasped.

"Do you want to stop?"

She hesitated, staring into his eyes, which seemed ready to devour her.

Her only response was another kiss, which Bastian met with even more passion.

Belle had never imagined that Bastian could be this wild.

In her fantasies, their kisses were sweet, filled with butterflies and warmth.

Not like this—not with this lustful intensity. B

ut damn, she loved it. Belle craved his rough kisses and the adrenaline they sparked in her.

Bastian carried her in his arms and sat down. His hands urgently pulled down the zipper of her dress until it fell to her waist. Her full breasts were exposed before him. For a moment, he froze, torn by his conscience.

This is wrong. Sparrow’s my best friend’s little sister! His inner voice warned.

Belle cupped his face and pulled him closer to her arched chest. His lips brushed her nipple softly before licking and sucking it firmly. One hand kneaded her other breast, and the other slipped beneath her dress.

“Bastian…” Belle moaned.

Her body writhed and her back arched as waves of sensation overwhelmed her. Sweat and his touch left her skin slick, and down below, she was soaked from his deft fingers.

Belle whimpered, trying to hold back the pressure building inside her.

"I—I—" Her voice faltered.

His fingers moved faster. “Can’t hold on, can you?”

"Please, Bastian. Stop.”

"Do you want me to stop or keep going?" He licked her ear. "My beautiful little sparrow..."

Belle groaned. "Fuck me, Bastian! Please!"

With that, something exploded within her. Her body arched and then collapsed limp into Bastian's arms.

Bastian sighed and gently shifted her so that she was reclining in the chair. Then, he stood up, walked to the door, and left.

Belle was stunned, unable to believe that he had just walked out like that.

Not a single word from him.

She hugged herself, her body trembling as the reality of what she’d done sank in.

"Oh God, What have I done?"