dark side

Tiana POV 

" If you want to be ruined and claimed, welcome to my world but if you are looking for love, walk away, princess."

I didn't know how we got to this point. One minute we were riding his bike, high in adrenaline, the other one, I was pinned by the wall,in a room that smelled like him.

" Walk away? I am already half naked and dripping, where am I supposed to go?" I asked and forgot to mention that I actually didn't have a place to go.

" That's not what..." Knox started but I cut him off.

" Love is the last thing I need. I can work with being ruined tonight." I declared." So ruin me."

His eyes flashed with something dark and primal. It was a look that said he understood exactly what I was asking for, and he was more than willing to deliver.

Knox didn't waste another second on words. He closed the small distance between us, his body pressing mine against the wall. 

His hands were on my waist, then sliding down to my ass and lifting me effortlessly. I wrapped my legs around him, the fabric of my dress riding up to my hips.

His kiss wasn't gentle. It was deep and consuming, everything I'd asked for. His tongue claimed my mouth leaving me breathless and aching for more. 

His hands were everywhere, tracing the curve of my spine, the dip of my waist and the swell of my breasts over my bra.

He pulled back, his breathing ragged, his eyes blazing. "Last chance, Tiana," he growled, the sound vibrating through my own chest. "Tell me to stop."

Instead, I arched against him, a silent invitation. I was done with gentle, I  was done with promises. I wanted this. I wanted the reckless ruin he offered.

He chuckled .

"As you wish, my lady."

***

I woke up the following morning and the first thing that hit me was the soreness between my legs. It was a living testimony of how Knox overdid himself as per my request.

The second thing to hit me was guilt or is it regret? Definitely not regret. Given a chance to do it all over again, I'd still choose to follow him to his apartment. But guilt? Yes. I felt guilty for how easy it had been for me to jump into bed with a stranger.

Maybe Milan was not the only problem. Maybe I was also a problem in our relationship.

I shrugged that thought off my head immediately.Milan cheated but I didn't. My actions were simply a reaction, a reaction that I didn't regret.

I slid out of the bed, careful not to wake the sleeping god next to me. His dark hair was a mess on the pillow, his face relaxed in sleep.

My eyes trailed to his muscles and my mind wandered to how they flexed every time he moved last night.

My cheeks burned at that memory.

I found my clothes scattered on the floor and quickly put them on. My dress was wrinkled beyond salvation and my blazer looked like it had been through a war.

My phone was in my purse where I shoved it last night on the small table by the door. I grabbed it and my heels. I was not one of those women who waited for a man to wake up and make awkward morning-after conversation. I had my one-night stand, it was glorious, and now it was time to go.

I grabbed some crumpled bills from my purse and placed them on the table. Then I walked out of the room and put of his life without looking back.

The small city was not fully awake by the time I stepped outside the streets.

My flight back to the city was booked for the following day as per the initial plan.

 I tried making a call to reschedule only to be informed that fast forwarding a flight was impossible, maybe reschedule for a later day.

I fought the urge to curse at the customer service. After all, it wasn't their fault I was cheated on and had to change plans.

Standing there with yesterday's clothes and a bag on my shoulders, I realised the only option I had was to take a bus back to the city.

That would take approximately eight hours by the road. Long enough to have my ass hurting but what options did I have?

I flagged a cab which dropped me at the bus station.

At the station, I bought a ticket for the next bus out, which thankfully was leaving in thirty minutes.

I used the restroom to freshen up as much as I could, splashed cold water on my face, ran a hand through my messy hair and applied a fresh coat of lipstick. 

I had just stepped out of the rest room and was walking to the waiting bay when my eyes collided with him.

Milan.

Then beside him stood the bitch Carey, still smiling. I couldn't help but wonder if her jaws didn't hurt from faking smiles.

I chose to ignore them, it was the most rational thing to do. Only that those two didn't look like they understood the meaning of that word at all.

" Tiana, we figured out you'd be here so we came to see you off." Carey said as they approached me, her tone slurpy.

Besides her, Milan didn't show any hint of guilt. If anything, he looked smug,like walking besides Carey gave him some kind of added value.

I scoffed and chose to ignore them. I didn't have the  time or patience to deal with them. My night was too good with several orgasms to be ruined by their nasty presence.

I didn't make it past them because Carey grabbed my hand, her grip tight and painful. I looked where her hand was holding mine,my patience snapping slowly and anger building inside me.

" Let go." I gritted those words,my voice low and controlled.

" Come on Tiana, don't try to act so mighty when we both know you are crumbling inside." She scoffed disdainfully.

" You always walk around like you are better than everyone else. Who would have thought you'd lose your man to me one day." She continued, sounding so pleased with herself. 

" Let go, Carey." I repeated a warning hint in my tone. She didn't take it.

I grabbed the hand holding mine with my free one and twisted it slightly but it was enough to coerce a scream out of her. People turned to stare at us but at this point,I didn't care.

Shoving Carey away,my hand connected with Milan's cheek.

" I warned you to stay away from me but you just had to test my demons." I snapped, irritation bubbling inside me.

Then I turned to Carey, " you think he is some kind of prize to win? News flash Carey, he is just the trash I discarded. You can keep him, you two suit each other. A bitch and a cheater, what a perfect pair."  I scoffed.

" How dare you hit me?" Milan fumed, his face turning red from humiliation and embarrassment.

" I'll do more than slap you if I see you again." I informed him. He knew I meant it, unfortunately he was one person who knew my dark side, one that I kept from the whole world.

" And before I forget, I spend the night screaming another man's name." I said with a smile. " In terms of skills, you should consider getting lessons because you suck."

Without waiting for his reply, I walked away and boarded the bus, ready to get back to my life and forget every good and bad thing about this small coastal town.