Isabella's POV
"You smell so sweet, Isabella," Simon rasped, his voice thick with desire as I inhaled sharply. My heart thumping in my ears, my fingers trembling.
'I can do this.' I kept motivating myself, but it felt like a lost cause. His hands slid to my waist under the shirt, making my breath tremble. The more his fingers grazed my bare skin, the more my heart fell into the pit of an anxiety attack. I didn't want to push him away. I want to love him too-
"Isabella, I'll make you scream in pleasure," he rumbled as he squeezed my waist tightly, making my skin burn at where he just touched me, and just as his hand slid to my ribs, my body lurched and pushed him away as he stumbled back, staring at me with confused, hungry eyes.
But seeing the look on my face was enough for him to make his eyes narrow as his jaw clenched.
"Don't f*cking start again, Isabella!" He growled, but I couldn't take that look on his face. I felt like a disappointment.
Grabbing my purse, I scurried out of his apartment, mumbling an ashamed sorry while he cursed behind my back.
Simon and I've been dating for six months now. We are in the same academy and pursuing the same major in psychology. We have multiple classes together. Our professor assigned us a research project, and we both were partners for that assignment. That was how we got close, and he became my first ever boyfriend. We both love each other a lot, but I've some issues. Whenever we both try to be intimate. My body would start to panic, and I couldn't breathe. We couldn't do more than simple pecks and holding hands.
I sat at the cafe down his apartment building. My heart was heavy, and I did my best to stop the tears. Simon wasn't at fault here. After composing myself, I bought his favorite iced latte and went back to his apartment. I'll apologize to him. He will forgive me, I know.
As soon as I opened the door with the spare key he had given me. I heard feminine moans. I stiffened when Simon's groan followed. Without any thought my feet took me into the bedroom and I froze at the doorway. The iced latte fell from my hand spilling all over the floor but I couldn't pull my eyes away from the scene.
Simon was fully naked as he hovered over a completely naked woman who was none other than my best friend Chloe. Both of their heads snapped in my direction and there was shock on their faces. I didn't dare look down as he detached himself from her making her whimper and he got to his feet pulling his boxers on.
"It's not what it looks like," Simon said clearing his throat as he grabbed his shirt from the floor and tossed it at Chloe who was trying to hide her nidity with the duvet.
"Not like what I see?" My voice was small, too small. "I'm not blind, Simon, because it's obvious you guys were screwing." I whispered as tears brimmed my eyes making my vision blurry.
"Izzy, it's not-" Chloe started making me glare at her.
"Save it!" My voice was sharp and loud, making her flinch. "You both deserve each other." I said while trying my best not to cry.
"It's because of you, Izzy. You kept pushing me away. What was I supposed to do?" He snapped at me.
My eyes widened at his words. It hurts.
"So, because I couldn't sleep with you. You decided to f*ck her instead?" My voice cracked as he cursed under his breath.
I didn't stay there. Quietly, I just walked out of there. Tears kissed my cheeks as I barely managed to get the cab. I was balling my eyes out throughout the way and even in the sanctuary of my small cozy apartment I couldn't help but cry my heart out.
Later that night I was sitting in the cab while doing my best not to cry anymore. I glanced at my reflection in the rearview mirror. I looked different, thick mascara, red puffy eyes, red cherry lips and a beautiful messy hair bun. My dress and heels were the show. My small black dress that sparkles like stars under light cling to my skin and reached my mid thighs.
I stepped out of the cab and stared at the entrance of the Eclipse Club. The forbidden club for someone who just turned 18 last month. I grabbed my mask and wore it over my eyes like everyone else. Mask was mandatory at this club and that was its specialty.
After showing my ID I stepped inside and was instantly hit by blasting music, the smell of alcohol in the air and sweaty bodies dancing on the floor with masks on their faces.
I felt out of place but I didn't care. I made my way to the bar and ordered myself their strongest drink, "give me something that'll make me forget everything." She said as the bartender gave her a nod and made her drink. The taste wasn't good but she could care less, she chugged it down and within minutes she felt a little light. I ordered some shots, each burn down my throat felt like a rebellion. I could feel eyes on me, some tried to approach striking a conversation but I completely ignored them.
Until I felt his presence.
He sat a few seats away, broad shoulders, sharp jawline, trimmed beard, black shirt, his mask simple yet commanding. He didn't look at me but every time a man tried to approach him, he'd glance up, one warning look had those men retreating.
It was dangerous but intoxicating.
I ignored him to my best, until he finally turned his head. His gray eyes gleaming under the dim lights. His voice when it came was deep enough to make my pulse skip a beat.
"You plan to drown yourself in that bottle or is this your way of attracting danger?"
I smiled, my confidence was on cloud nine and I didn't even know how.
"Maybe both," I slurred. Damn, his deep voice was soo good.
He smirked and came to sit beside my seat. Holding a fancy drink in his hand. He leaned closer, a faint charismatic smile donning his lips, "careful what you wish for, little dove."
Little dove... No one had ever called me that. It made me shiver.
"I'm not scared of danger," I whispered back meeting his gaze through the mask.
He chuckled, making my stomach feel giddy. This man had a dominant intimidating aura all around him. It was too masculine that it makes me nervous.
"So, you're not scared of me?" He rasped.
"Why would I be scared of you. I do like your voice, good sir." On my words, he let out a deep chuckle, amused. Our eyes gleamed as he talked, no more like flirted with me. And he was so damn good at it.
I was completely drunk. When I stood up my legs were wobbly and just when I stumbled, his strong arm slid around my waist as he steadied me. Suddenly, the rich scent of his leather and cologne surrounded me. I instantly pulled away standing properly on my feet mumbling a small thank you. He noticed how I avoided his touch and the corner of his lips slightly quirked up.
"You shouldn't walk home alone," he said as I wobbled to the exit.
"I'm fine," I lied.
But the giant of a man didn't listen. He was so tall, probably 6'2. He didn't listen. He paid my tab, guided me outside, and opened his car door. I tried to refuse but he said it was safer with him. I didn't feel safe with anyone because I had drunk my ass off.
The moment I sat down, the world spun. The scent of leather and his cologne surrounded me yet again. It was intoxicating.
As the city lights blurred past, I turned to him. "You didn't even tell me your name."
He smiled faintly. "Nikolai."
"Nikolai," I repeated, slurring. "Sounds... powerful." He looked so handsome even under that mask. I wonder what he looks like without it.
He glanced at me, amused. "And you are?"
"Isabella," I murmured. "But you can call me... stupid. Because I'm drunk, and talking too much to a stranger and even took your help. You could simply kill me and dispose of my body in the forest for all I know. I'm an idiooootttttt lalala."
His laugh was low, velvet-wrapped sin. "No. Beautiful fits better. And no, I'll not kill you, Dove."
"I just told you my name, Niko. Don't call me dove. I don't have wings, duh."
"Niko?" He frowned. Oh, the big bag gangsta didn't like that.
Something fluttered in my chest. I giggled softly, tipsy and reckless. "You're handsome, you know."
He raised a brow, eyes glinting. "Is that the alcohol talking?"
"Yes, absolutely." I said but seriously but then paused. "Or maybe it's the truth."
When we reached my apartment, I gave him directions through hiccupped laughter. "Keys… under the third plant pot. Don't tell anyone my secret." I put my index finger on my lips to intimate the secret.
He helped me inside, steadying me as I stumbled up the stairs. When he placed me on my bed, I should've let him go. But my fingers curled around his wrist.
"Stay," I whispered.
"Isabella…" His voice was gentle and conflicted.
"I just don't want to be alone tonight."
He hesitated. Then, slowly, he sat beside me. My heart thundered when our eyes met.
I reached up, tracing the edge of his mask. "Take it off."
He did.
For a second, I forgot how to breathe. He was… breathtaking. Sharp jaw, storm-gray eyes, a faint scar on his left eyebrow that made him look both dangerous and beautiful.
"You," I whispered, dazed. "You don't look real."
He smiled faintly as he slid off my mask with ease. "Neither do you." And his gaze softened. His hand brushed my cheek, thumb catching a stray tear I didn't know had fallen.
"Simon is a bitch. I hate him. You do too right?" I mumbled.
"I do to," he agreed and my heart fluttered.
"He cheated on me. That f*cker." I growled with tears in my eyes. "With my best friend Chloe. Bastard and bitch."
"I agree, little dove. You've beautiful eyes," he rasped staring into my soul. I have emerald eyes. Many have such color but he called mine beautiful.
"C...can you touch me please, it feels like I'm not scared of it." I whispered in a daze. He look so handsome and comfy. I want to hug him and make him my teddy bear.
"I don't want to hurt you," he murmured.
"Then don't," I breathed, pulling him closer. "Just make me forget."
"I...I... I'm scared of touch, but it feels good when you touch me."
He hesitated. Contemplating.
"Please," I showed him my big puppy eyes and he melted.
He kissed me then, slow, consuming, the kind of kiss that burned away everything else. I felt the sparks, the electrifying current which I've never felt before.
His touch was soft yet hungry with desire, as if he wanted to consume me whole and leave no crumbs. My body was whispering the tunes of his fingers. The caress of his palm. The roughness and the calm.
I remembered how the night unraveled after that. The warmth, the press of skin, the whispered name he never knew belonged to his biggest sin.