Burning Desires: One Night of Lust

Ivory arrived late on the eve of her father's wedding. The grand event house was already buzzing with elegant guests. She however had a storm of anger on her face as she walked dead straight to the reception desk.

"I want the key to one of the rooms at the far end," she said, her voice steely.

The receptionist, startled by her tone, handed over the key. She snatched it and strode off with a clenched jaw.

Her father intercepted her in the hallway, smiling. "Sweetheart, you made it!"

She didn't meet his gaze before she talked. "I didn't have much choice. I'm furious you're marrying your assistant's mother."

His smile faltered. "Just try to enjoy yourself, for my sake?"

"Sure," she replied sharply, forcing a brief smile before it disappeared as she turned away.

Meanwhile Leo,her step-brother-to-be had seen her from the gazebo where he was sitting, so he went to the receptionist and requested for her room.

Inside the elevator, her soon-to-be stepmother, Laura, slipped in beside her, all fake warmth and sweet smiles.

"Ivory, honey," Laura cooed. "You should smile more. We wouldn't want the guests to get the wrong idea."

Ivory narrowed her eyes. "Right. I'll try."

Laura's smile wavered but then righted itself again. "That's the spirit. No drama tonight, okay?"

She said nothing, fighting the urge to speak back. The tension was suffocating but she kept her cool.

At the very first breeze from the doors, she rushed out so fast, really wanting to get away from Laura. She stormed down the hallway and into her room, slamming the door behind her.

Snatching up a short red gown, she quickly threw it on. Her fingers flew over her laptop keyboard, desperate to focus on anything other than the chaos around her.

She hadn't realized the door was left ajar until Leo slid in quietly behind her.

"You could have stayed home, if you hadn't wanted to come," His amused voice came through the silence.

Ivory stiffened but didn't look up. "I didn't want to, but your mom insisted. Family bonding nonsense, I guess."

He leaned on the doorframe, smirking, "Funny, you're here but seem completely displaced."

"Maybe I'm just not that excited about the wedding," she shot back, still typing.

"Jealous, perhaps? Don't want to share your dad's love?" Leo teased.

Ivory's fingers paused. She inhaled slowly to calm herself. "Seriously? Go search out your girlfriends and leave me alone. I have work to do."

Leo ignored her words and entered the room. His eyes glanced before returning to her.

"You're so focused on me more than anything else, seems there's something you're not telling me," his voice low.

She finally looked up, eyes icy. "You're delusional."

He stepped closer, his tone dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You're pretending. I know you want me; that's why you chose the farthest room, isn't it? So no one would hear your screams."

Her heart raced as his fingers brushed over her arm. She shivered and quickly pushed his hand away. "Back off, Leo."

But he didn't move. Instead, he leaned in, his breath warm against her cheek. "Spiteful. I like that," he whispered.

Ivory suddenly stood up, knocking her laptop over. He blocked her way, not letting her pass then he frowned.

"Does your dad know you're into girls?" he tossed, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "Maybe that's why Laura wants you here so badly."

"What the hell are you blabbering about?" She snapped, her fist clenched.

His smile darkened. "My mom doesn't get interested in people easily. If she wants you here desperately, there's a reason. Maybe she's saving you for something.....special."

Ivory stepped closer, her voice dropping low and venomous. "Go ask your conniving mother why she begged me to come."

Leo grinned. Then his smile twisted, as something dark passed his expression. He grasped her wrist, pulling her closer.

"Stop pretending to be innocent," he growled.

His mouth crashed down on hers before she could protest anymore, the kiss searing and possessive.

His hands slid to her dress and, finding the way in, cupping her breasts, he tucked it out and pressed her already hard nipples.

She instinctively responded, opening her mouth to his probing tongue.

She moaned, muffled against his mouth.

Leo grinned. "You're so ready for me."

She quivered as his hand moved down to her thigh, finding skin. He chuckled darkly. "No panties? And you were playing hard to get."

"I was-" Ivory began but Leo silenced her with a finger to her lips.

"Shh, don't say anything," he whispered. His voice was all low and husky with need.

Leo's fingers teased her clit, and she gasped, body jerking. He grinned.

"Fuck, Leo!" she breathed, voice trembling.

"Feels good?" he whispered, lifting her effortlessly and carrying her to the bed.

"Ever lost your voice from good sex?" he asked, his tone wicked.

"Never," she whispered back.

"Welcome to your first then ," he smirked, unzipping his pants. Her eyes widened as they fell to the floor.

"Can I... touch it?" she asked, voice shaking.

"All yours," he murmured, guiding her hand to his erection. She wrapped her fingers around him, tentative at first, then bolder as he moaned, head tilting back.

She kissed the tip, then licked it, tasting him. His breath hitched.

"Oh, Ivory..." he groaned, hips jerking as she took him deeper. Her gagging sounds filled the room, blending with his heavy breaths.

"Enough," he gasped, pulling her off him. He pushed her onto the bed, spreading her legs wide. "Ready?"

She nodded, heart pounding.

He aligned himself and thrust into her, both of them gasping. "Gosh, you're tight," he growled, moving faster and harder.

"Leo... I can't..." she moaned, gripping his shoulders as he drove deeper. The minutes stretched endlessly.

"Too much?" he teased, thrusting faster. "Not until you're screaming," he sneered, pushing her closer to the edge.

"Leo!" she cried, as her body convulsed around him, the orgasm ripping through her.

"Fuck, Ivory," he groaned, following her over the brink, collapsing beside her.

They lay there, breathless.

"Care for a drink?" he asked, finally breaking the silence.

"Please," she rasped.

He went to the bar and returned with two glasses and a bottle of wine, pouring her a glass and watching as she downed it in one gulp.

"Easy," he chuckled. "Want more?"

The way his gaze lingered on her made her pulse quicken. Was he offering more of the wine... or more wild sex ?

"Yes, please," she snapped, holding her glass out at him. He poured without a word, and she gulped it down. The moment the glass was empty, she pushed it towards him again. And again.

By the fifth round, her vision blurred, and the room spun. Then, darkness embraced her.

*

*

*

Ivory's eyes fluttered open; she was disoriented. She wasn't sure how long she had slept, but when she woke up, he wasn't there anymore.

"Leo?" she called out to him, but the silence that returned sent a cold chill down her spine. She sat up fast, and her head reeled at the sudden movement.

"Where the hell is he?" she muttered to herself, filling her vision as her eyes darted around the room. It was eerily empty.

She stumbled into the bathroom, splashing cold water all over her face, hoping it would clear the fog in her mind.

Her reflection in the mirror was a mess with smeared eyeliner and tousled hair. "Ugh, Ivory, pull yourself together," she said aloud. She snatched a washcloth and rubbed her face clean.

"The wedding! Fuck!" The realization hit her like a ton of bricks.

Rushing back into the room, she rifled through her bag, pulling out a dress and hastily putting it on. She barely had time to check herself in the mirror before she dashed out, flying down the stairs.

She met her father downstairs.He looked at her and smirked. "Well, here comes the guest of honor, now we can finally get this wedding started," he teased.

Ivory groaned inwardly. "Cut it out, Dad. I didn't even want to be here," she shot back, brushing past him.

He raised his eyebrow, really narrowing his eyes as he took in her appearance. "Where have you been, Ivory? And why do you look like you've been hit by a truck?"

She winced, only looking for a fast justification. "I-uh, I had a drink, okay? Just to unwind. But I guess I overdid it and passed out."

Her father's face turned harsh. "I have warned you time and again to stop consuming alcohol because you can't handle it."

"Ugh, I know, I know," she dismissed, waving him off. She needed deflection from such discussion in her direction. "Where's your wife? And Leo?"

"They're at the after party," he said, the lines of his face stern. "You missed the wedding."

"Of course, I know I really messed up" she muttered under her breath, thinking of the sex she had with Leo. She quickly shut away that thought.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I know I don't support your marriage to Laura but I didn't intend to hurt you by not attending."

His features softened a little, although his eyes remained concerned. "I know, Ivory. This hasn't been easy for you, but you'll come around, maybe even like her."

She managed a squeeze of a smile, though doubt chewed at her. "Yeah, sure, maybe."

"It'll happen," he assured her, then added, "just like you and Leo seem to be getting along better."

Ivory's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean, Dad?" she inquired, trying to keep her voice steady. Was he insinuating something? Did he know?

He raised an eyebrow at her defensiveness. "You never were interested in him before. What's changed now?"

She made a show of shrugging lightly. "Oh, it's nothing. I'm just curious, that's all."

"Good," he said, though his eyes rested a second too long.

"Y-Yeah, alright," Ivory echoed, her voice barely a mumble.

She checked the wall clock "So why aren't you at the after-party?"

"I had a real work Skype thing," he said. "But I'm ready to go now."

"Perfect timing. I'll ride with you."

*

The after-party was still on. Ivory had barely entered the room when her friends swamped her with a million different questions.

"Where the hell have you been?" one cawed, looking at her with mock suspicion. "You look like you've been up to something."

Ivory laughed a little, avoiding the question. "Oh, you know. Just recovering."

"Recovering from what?" teased another friend. "You've been MIA for hours!"

Ivory opened her mouth to reply, but another friend butted in. "Wait, wait. I think I know what happened."

She leaned in closer, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "You hooked up with someone, didn't you?"

Ivory's heart was racing. "What? No, of course not!" She protested, but her friend wasn't convinced.

"Come on, Ivory," she winked at her playfully. "We won't tell a single soul. Spill!"

"I swear, it's not like that," she insisted, realizing just then how very loud her voice seemed to be. "I just... had a few...too many drink and passed out. That's all."

The group laughed hilariously; they didn't believe her but of course, they were willing to let it go. "Sure, sure," one of them said with a wink.

"We believe you." Ivory smiled through her horror, but she was cringing from the inside. At least they didn't guess it to the full. However, the thought of how to confront Leo still lingered in her mind, a knot of anxiety tightening in her chest. The rest of the night passed in a blur of dancing, drinks, and forced small talk.

*

*

They all arrived back at the mansion on Sunday, and the mansion was so peaceful, everyone trying to get along even though there's clear shade of discomfort.

Ivory tried to avoid Leo as much as she could, but then it was quite problematic with everybody under the same roof.

On Monday morning, Ivory sat at the kitchen table sipping her coffee as her father readied himself for work.

Her dad's phone buzzed on the counter and quickly, he took it in his hands and read the message, all color went out of his face.

The teacup he was holding dropped and broke into several pieces on impact. Ivory jumped to her feet, heart pounding.

"What happened, Dad?" she asked, her voice tight with fear and terror.

He didn't reply; he stormed out of the house instantly.

Her pulse quickened as questions swirled in her mind. What was in that message? And why did it shake him so deeply?

Ivory's phone buzzed. She picked up her phone in a hurry and checked the messages. "Ivory, where did you go? Who did you send your pictures to?"

The messages deluged in, crashing into her like waves before she could even catch her breath. She tapped on the phone with shaking fingers as she scrolled through frantic texts from friends.

She had clicked one of the images and froze. Her heart was racing, goosebumps all over her body, The picture staring back at her-her face, her body, exposed-was impossible.

A scream clawed its way up her throat, and she swallowed it down. Her fingers shook so badly that she almost dropped the phone.

"No, no, this can't be real," she whispered, hardly able to force the words as she panicked.

The door burst open before she could make any sense. Laura and Leo strode through, their faces pale, their eyes wide with shock.

"What the hell is this?" Leo's voice taut, under tight rein. His eyes locked with hers in his quest for answers.

Laura's gaze was harder. "Your nudes are everywhere. People are sharing it like wildfire. Your father's company is.....in chaos."

"I didn't do it!" Ivory's voice broke, the words tumbling out all in a rush. "It is not me! Someone edited these-photoshopped them or something! You gotta believe me!"

Laura wavered for just one second, a flash in her eyes, but Leo's face didn't ease; he was unconvinced. "Ivory, this is bad. Really bad. People don't care whether it's real or not, they're seeing it and they believe it.".

"But I didn't send those pictures to anyone!" Her voice reached a high pitch with desperation. "You know me, Leo! I wouldn't do something like this!"

He stepped back, running a hand through his hair; his face was a picture of uncertainty. "I don't know, Ivory. What am I supposed to think? But the damage is done."

Ivory felt the room spinning, her legs buckled, she sank to the floor as her mind reeled. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think. The room tilted, and the world went black.

*

*

Benson stood at the head of the boardroom table, his presence usually commanding but now diminished by this current stacked crisis.

"This is a disaster!" one of the board members exclaimed, wagging an accusing finger at him. "Benson, your daughter has put all of us in danger!"

"Our stocks are in freefall in less than three hours!" one joined in, his voice cutting with frustration. "We can't afford this kind of scandal, especially not now!"

Benson slammed his fist onto the table, jerking everyone from their noise. "That's not my daughter in that video. She wouldn't do that-"

"Whether it's her or not no longer matters!" Another board member flares up. "The damage is done. We're being slaughtered in the press, and our shareholders are losing faith. This is destroying us!"

Benson's voice trembled as he spoke in anger and desperation. "I have given my life to this company, and you think that I would just let all that fall apart over some rumor? I'll get to the bottom of this. But for now, I need you all to stand by me."

"Stand by you?" the voice of another board member cracked with ice. "We've already called for you to step down and give up your shares, or we will force you out. The board can't afford to wait."

The floor seemed to rock under his feet. "You can't be serious." The cold, unforgiving staring from board members was all that he needed to witness. They weren't going to back off. His shoulders sagged under something judgmentally heavy.

"You can't do that," he muttered, his voice hollow. "I've sacrificed all my life into this company."

He stormed out of the building, hardly noticing the cameras that flashed in his face, not much aware of the shouting reporters. The world outside had turned nasty; there was no place to hide.

The hospital was so crowded, with security working tirelessly to keep the tide of reporters at bay. Benson walked in, he made his way to his daughter's ward,his eyes blazing with a mix between fury and despair.

"Ivory!" His sharp tone cut through the air of the small room. "Do you have any idea what you have done? They're taking everything from me-all that I worked for!"

Ivory winced at his tone. "Dad, please-I didn't do it. I have no idea how it happened, but believe me, it wasn't me."

Benson's face screwed up in pain and confusion. "This is evidence here, Ivory. It's you that everyone sees."

"Dad, I don't even have pictures like that... You got to believe me. I'm telling the truth."

Benson slumped his shoulders as the fight weeded out of him. "I want to believe you, Ivory. But this... it's tearing me apart."

Ivory was discharged, the nightmare followed them home. The street outside their mansion was awash with news vans, their cameras snapping away as they stepped out of the car.

"Dad... I'm sorry. I didn't do this, but I'm sorry."

Her father's hand covering hers, his voice softer, almost broken. "It's okay. We'll find a way. We have to.... Just... rest for now."

*

*

The next morning, Benson started pacing the bedroom. Frustration laced his every movement.

"No, Laura! I will never sell my daughter off to any man, not even Leo, for the sake of transferring those shares. I never will!

Laura,drying her hands with deliberate slowness, shot back "And so you'd rather lose everything? Your emotions for Ivory are clouding your judgment. You don't see a thing because you are being over-protective."

Benson's jaw clenched tight. "I'm not letting my feelings dictate this. I just-"

Laura cut him off sharply. "You are being unrealistic. Ivory is not a child anymore. If you stop Ivory from marrying Leo, you are going to jeopardize everything you've worked toward. Everything you've built!"

Anger flickered across Benson's face. "She would never want to marry her stepbrother!"

Laura's eyes were cold, her voice steady. "Then which man would marry her with the issue going on? You have just a few days to save those shares!"

His shoulders slumped, and he couldn't utter a word.

"Face it, Honey, the one who is going to lose everything is you, not me." She muttered.

Caught between love and legacy, will Benson allow his ambition to dictate his choices, or can he find a path that saves them both?Time is running out, and choices must be made.