Nine

Aurelia’s POV

“I shouldn’t be here”

The thought crossed my mind for the hundredth time as I stood outside Club Zero, my mask rested lightly against my face. I could hear the music from inside pulsed through the walls, low and intoxicating.

I adjusted the straps of my heels and inhaled deeply.

‘This is only a distraction and nothing more. I will call it off as soon as I forget him’ I repeated in my head. 

I pushed the doors open and was greeted by the familiar disco light and dancing people in masks.

The air was thick. It smelled of perfume, alcohol, heat and most importantly… sinful desire. I liked the fact that nobody asked questions here and nobody cared who you were outside these walls.

That was why I chose it, to stay hidden and anonymous. My father's reputation and his business made our family somewhat popular and more so now that it was failing. It would be scandalous if I was caught here hooking up, an irreparable damage to my family's reputation. So I had to remind myself to maintain boundaries and adhere to my rules strictly.

My phone buzzed in my clutch and I brought it out to see who it was.

“Room 7” It was from the masked man. I see he was keeping to the terms strictly, no greeting or overfamiliarity… Perfect!

While I was still a little puzzled that he just agreed but I decided to not question it. Just like me, he might be looking for an escape… a distraction.

However I felt my heart skip a beat at the simple text but I waved it off almost immediately. It was probably just nerves.

I stopped by the bar to down a few shots hurriedly before walking down the dim hallway that led to the VIP section. With every step I took, my heart raced with anticipation. I needed to remain composed so I focused on my anger for losing my job, the secret marriage to an asshole that I never knew about and the feeling of hopelessness watching my parents struggle. All these weighed on me heavily and I was simply easing my stress. 

So when I pushed the door open, my mind was made up. And luckily he was already there.

He had his mask on and he was standing just by the door, waiting for me.

The door clicked shut behind me and neither of us spoke… there was no need to.

The lights were already off except for the faint red glow from the hallway seeping through the bottom crack of the door.

We could only see our silhouettes but the tension and lust was almost palpable. It felt like we were both desperately trying to catch a break from reality.

He stepped forward first, slow like a predator hunting its prey. 

My body reacted instantly and my core throbbed with need. Always a traitor.

His hand reached for my waist, firm and possessive. My body flushed against his and heat shot through me like electricity.

This time, I didn’t just melt under him. I wanted to show him more.

So I grabbed his wrist hard and he stilled in confusion, I could feel his surprise even in the dark.

Good.

I pushed him back until his body hit the wall and I could help but wonder if he would resist. He didn’t…

My hands slid up his chest slowly, testing to see his reaction. He grunted in response and I could hear his breath hitch. He seemed like he liked this and somehow that irritated me a little.

I didn’t want him comfortable, I wanted control, I wanted to pour out my frustrations on him.

My fingers tightened in his shirt as I roamed downwards with my hands. His solid length beneath the fabric pressed hard into my stomach. It felt unexplainably familiar… infuriatingly familiar.

“Why does he feel like…”

No, stop.

“This isn’t the time to think about that man, that is the reason you are here in the first place” I scolded myself in my mind. 

The small thought had made me falter for a few seconds and his hands finally moved again, gripping my hips with sudden force and pulling me flush against him.

A small gasp escaped me before I could stop it.

His grip tightened, like he was responding to a challenge… he was enjoying the fight.

My head spun and my panties grew wetter. He turned us abruptly, pinning me against the wall this time.

My heart was beating wildly in my chest. There it was, that dominance and control was what it wanted.

He began trailing kiss down my neck, so soft and feathery it brought goosebumps on my skin. Unable to take so much teasing, I turned to face him again and crashed my lips into his to which he responded eagerly. 

It was rougher than before and hungrier, like we were both trying to erase something.

My nails dragged down his back through his shirt and he exhaled sharply against my mouth and I tilted my head, giving him more access without thinking.

His hands moved over my body with confidence. There was something dangerously familiar about the way he touched me, it felt less like strangers and more like…

No, Relia… god damn it, get yourself together!

I leaned closer as our masks brushed against each other. For one reckless second, I wanted to rip it off, to see who he was and to confirm he was just a stranger.

But I didn’t…. rules were rules.

Time blurred and my thoughts eventually scattered when we went straight to business, my moans filled the room without care and I freed myself from all my worries.

Alfred’s POV

I don’t know why she irritated me.

Maybe it was because she didn’t speak or maybe because she didn’t beg for attention like every other woman in this city.

…Or maybe it was because she felt familiar and I hated that.

When she walked into the room tonight, I noticed she was a little different… she was less hesitant.

She took some initiatives which surprised me, most women hesitated before challenging me but she didn’t.

And I let her… I don’t know why I let her.

When she grabbed my wrist and forced me back, I almost laughed.

There was something reckless about her, she was angry tonight like she’s trying to prove something o fighting someone who isn’t even in the room.

But I liked it too much that it irritated me, I don’t like losing control.

But then again I didn’t exactly lose it, I allowed it. That made me feel better in my head.

The way her body fitted against mine felt dangerously right.

I felt a little deja vu but they shouldn’t be possible since I’ve never seen her face. It was just a fleeting thought anyway so I don't think too much about it. 

After our section ended, she pulled away first and left without looking back.

Always the first to create distance… interesting, that used to be my role. 

Women knew who I was and the wealth I carry and they usually expect reassurance or have a list they need fulfilled because we had sex. This unknown woman was the opposite and it was hard to decide if it bothered me. 

I mean I preferred it this way… I said for the umpteenth time in my head. 

But as I stepped out of Room 7 later, one thought lingered longer than it should have:

That if I ever see her without that mask… I was not sure I would want to let her walk away.