Chapter 3 The Dark Encounter

Aria's POV

Damian smirked, tilting his head just a little. That smirk wasn't kind, it was wicked. "You look young. What's your name?"

"Aria."

"And how old are you, Aria?"

"Twenty-four."

He chuckled, but it wasn't amused. It was low and laced with warning. "You're drunk, Miss Aria. You don't know what you're doing. You should go home and sleep this off."

He turned to leave.

I reached out, grabbing his hand. My fingers trembled slightly. He paused and looked at my hand, then at me.

Embarrassed, i let go of him.

"I really do want you. Please."

Damian took a breath, like he was trying to be patient. "Listen. You're drunk, okay? I don't do things with drunk little girls."

"I'm not a little girl. I'm a grown woman. One who knows exactly what she wants."

He arched a brow. "Really?"

"Yes"

"And i am the one you want" damian said with a smirk.

"Yes you are" Aria responded immediately.

He stepped closer, lifted my chin with two fingers. His touch sent electric sparks across my skin. I swallowed hard.

"I hope you know what you're asking for, young lady."

"I do," I whispered. "The moment I saw you, I knew you were the only one who could quench this fire burning inside me."

His expression changed, just slightly. Something darker passed through his eyes.

"I'm dangerous, Aria. You don't know who I am. You're playing with fire."

"Maybe I love danger."

He leaned in closer, his chest brushing against mine. I could feel his heat, feel the raw strength in him. Our faces were just inches apart. His breath fanned against my skin, sending chills down my spine.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked, voice low, intense. "Sure you won't run away crying later?"

"I won't. I want you. That's it."

He stared at me, eyes searching mine like he was trying to see how far I'd go.

He reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. That single, gentle touch made my heart pound against my ribs.

I placed my hand on his chest. God, it felt like steel beneath his shirt. I looked up at him.

"Kiss me," I said. "Do whatever you want with me."

His grip on my waist tightened. Without another word, he pushed me gently but firmly against the wall, his hands gripping my hips. Then he crashed his lips into mine.

The kiss wasn't soft. It wasn't slow. It was hungry. Possessive. His mouth claimed mine like I already belonged to him. I moaned against him, fingers tangling in his hair. He tasted like whiskey and temptation.

His hands roamed, sliding up my sides, molding my body against his. My heart was racing, my legs trembling, but I didn't want it to stop. I needed more. Needed him.

He pulled back slightly, letting me breathe, but just barely. His lips brushed mine again, teasing, making my head spin.

He pulled back again , almost moving away.

I grabbed his shirt and pulled him back. "Don't stop."

He kissed me again, deeper this time. My body melted into his. I didn't care where we were. I didn't care who he was. All that mattered was that his mouth was on mine and I never wanted it to end.

He pulled back again, breathing hard. His hands were still on my waist.

"You're playing a dangerous game, Aria."

I stared into his eyes, my lips tingling, my body aching for more.

"Then let me lose."

He didn't say anything. Just looked at me. His gaze was intense, like he could see through me, down to my soul.

And for a second, I thought he might kiss me again. But instead, he stepped back. Slowly.

"I don't want you to regret later"

He turned and walked toward the door.

Women might've thrown themselves at him, but he didn't even glance their way. He opened the door and walked into the hallway, disappearing into the shadows again.

I leaned against the cold wall, breathless, my heart still racing.

I licked my lips, tasting him.

Marco thought I'd break down because of him... I smiled to myself, still panting, still burning inside.

No. I won't. Now I've seen what I want. And I'll definitely get it.

I didn't want it to end. Not yet. Not when every inch of my body still tingled from his touch, from his kiss. As he turned to leave, something snapped inside me. I rushed forward and wrapped my arms around him from behind, pressing myself into his back, letting my hands slide over his hard chest. He froze.

"Please don't go," I whispered, my voice laced with desperation and need. "Don't leave me now. I'm so... so horny right now. Please."

There was a pause.

Then his voice came, low and dangerous, like a growl vibrating through his chest. "You're tempting me, Aria."

He didn't move, but I could feel the tension ripple through his body. My heart raced.

"I'm giving you a chance to walk away right now," he said coldly. "If you don't, I won't stop again. And once I start... there's no turning back."

I swallowed hard, my body pulsing with desire. "I don't want to leave. Not now. Not when I'm this aroused. I need you."

The air between us thickened with hunger. Then, he moved.

He spun around, grabbed me by the waist, and lifted me effortlessly, placing me on the vanity countertop. My breath hitched as my back met the mirror, my legs naturally parting around his waist.

He didn't hesitate.

He crashed his lips onto mine, kissing me with the hunger he must've tried to suppress. My fingers dug into his shirt, pulling him closer. His hand slid down to the dip of my neckline, feeling the rise and fall of my rapid breathing, the pounding of my heart.

He pulled back slightly, his lips brushing mine as he looked into my eyes.

"You really have no idea what you're getting yourself into, do you?" he murmured.

"Maybe I don't," i whispered breathlessly. "But I don't care. I want this. I want you."