Champagne and Secrets

Chapter 4

Ariana's POV

The rest of the evening passed in a blur.

Between the orchestra's soft melodies and endless conversations time went by so fast

Guests were drifting from one dance to another and Somewhere along the way, I had accepted a glass of champagne.

Then another

And another

I wasn't drunk…

But I definitely wasn't very sober either.

A pleasant warmth spread through my body, making everything around me seem a little brighter.

Even the ballroom, which had overwhelmed me when I first arrived, now felt strangely inviting.

Lily…

On the other hand, had disappeared at least five times to greet relatives, business partners

And people whose names I couldn't possibly remember.

I lost count of how many times she apologized for leaving me alone.

"I promise" she would say before vanishing into another conversation, "this is the last one"

It never was.

So, with a half-empty champagne glass in hand, I wandered toward the quieter side of the ballroom, hoping to escape the crowd for a few minutes.

​I stumbled slightly as my heel got stuck at the edge of the stone tile but before I could fall, a strong hand gripped my waist, pulling me firmly against a hard chest.

​The scent of expensive cologne and tobacco wrapped around me instantly.

I did not need to look up to know who it was.

​"Careful" Damien’s deep voice whispered near my ear. "The champagne here has a habit of sneaking up on people"

​"I'm fine" I lied, my voice breathy as I looked up at him.

Well I wasn’t actually lying....

In the moonlight, his dark hair was slightly messy, and his piercing eyes were fixed entirely on me.

His hand was warm against my bare back, sending ripples of heat through my body.

And rhe way he looked at me made me suddenly aware of the lack of distance between us.

"You ignored me inside" I said, looking up to him demanding an answer.

​A faint smile touched his lips. "I was doing you a favor, Ariana. If Vanessa or the press realized we’d already met tonight... they wouldn't have been kind."

He leaned in a fraction closer, his gaze dropping to my lips. "But you shouldn't be out here with me. I'm not a good man."

​"Lily says you're just complicated," I whispered, emboldened by the alcohol running through my veins.

​"Lily doesn't know everything" he murmured.

​The space between us vanished as he groaned softly, his hand sliding up to cup the back of my neck, his thumb tilting my chin up.

He moved his fingers gently across my bare back leaving shivers. Then he started kissing my neck and sucking on my skin.

Oh I knew it was wrong but it felt so right.....

My hands, acting on with a mind of their own, slid up the crisp fabric of his tuxedo, and I held onto his shoulders just to keep myself steady.

​When his lips finally met mine, all thoughts of Lily and college completely evaporated.

​The kiss was possessive, it was like a release of the tension that had been building between us since the dressing room.

He pulled me deeper into the terrace, pressing my back against the cool stone wall with his body completely shielding me from the rest of the world.

His tongue was parting my lips to claim my mouth fully.

The contrast of the cold stone behind me and the intense heat of his body pressed against mine made my head spin.

With his hand tangled into the loose strands of my hair, he was able to deepen the kiss until I was completely breathless.

Every touch was stripping the thin layer of self control I was holding on to...

making me aware of just how small I was compared to him and how easily he could undo me

He pulled me close to his body and I could feel his hardness pressing tightly against my thigh through the thin layer of my gown.

A quiet gasp escaped my lips, but he caught the sound, swallowing it with his mouth.

Maybe it was the alcohol in my system,

​but everything feel louder and more intense.

Every touch felt electric and my breathing became shallow.

​Damien’s large hand broke away from my hair and slid down to grip my hip tightly.

He was holding me firmly against him.

Completely dominating my space but not making me feel weak. I held onto the fabric of his tuxedo jacket with my fingers just to stay on my feet.

​He stopped kissing me for a second, his chest moving up and down heavily against mine.

Damien's dark eyes looked straight into mine in the moonlight, and I could see a strong desire in it

I was desiring him too

​"Ariana" he said, his voice rough and deep.

"You need to go back inside"

​I knew he was right.

But neither of us was moving.

Even as he said those words, his fingers tightened around my hip. He pulled me hard against his length, doing the exact opposite of his warning.

That exact movement made my head spin.

​"I don't think I can" I whispered back, completely overwhelmed by the sharp feeling of desire in my stomach.

For one suspended moment, we simply stared at each other, both of us fully aware of how close we are to crossing a line neither of us could uncross.

Then his gaze dropped briefly to my lips.

That was all it took for his mouth to come down on mine again, much harder this time.

The kiss was nothing like the gentle

It was impulsive

It was wrong, yet neither of us seemed willing to be stop

My fingers tightened around his jacket as the world beyond the terrace seemed to disappear.

And then_

"Ariana?

Are you out here?"

My entire body went still.

Lily?

Oh God.