Chapter 2 KISS OF THE ENEMY
CHAPTER 002
JASMINE:
For what felt like an eternity, his body remained rigid beneath me, all iron-hard muscles and hot skin slick with sweat, almost causing me to slip.
He didn’t respond to the kiss, my lips only placed on his hard, unmoving one.
This was wrong. This was so, so wrong in millions of ways.
My mind screamed at me to back off, to get away from him, to slap myself for not thinking before acting.
I made a move to jump off him and apologise for my stupidity and recklessness, but his strong, calloused hands shot to my thighs, trapping me between his waist.
A sharp exhale left me, caught off guard by his action.
And then… his lips moved against mine. Gently.
This time, I was the one to be frozen like a statue.
Despite my reluctance to reciprocate his action, he didn’t stop. His lips continued moving against mine, dominating mine with his warm ones as the metallic taste of his blood mixed with my saliva. I felt his broad chest rise sharply against mine and felt the power in every muscle.
Slowly, he pulled away, and my eyes lazily fluttered open in complete daze as I met his grey orbs. His lips pulled into a smirk and his eyebrows raised as he leaned closer, his breath fanning my ears.
“Does my victory deserve such an intense kiss?”
Everything rushed back to me at that moment.
My arms were still wrapped around his neck, and likewise, my legs were tightly wrapped around his waist.
I felt my cheek warm, my body boiling. I fumbled with his strong arm, but he held tight.
“Escaping, little princess?”
I swallowed hard; the taste of his blood still danced in my mouth. “Umm, I… this is a mistake. I didn’t mean to.”
His eyes never left my face.
“A mistake?” He repeated slowly, his voice deep as his chest vibrated. His thumb brushed my thigh, deliberate and slow, sending a strange shiver so sharp it rattled my bones. “You kiss a fighter like that… Wrap yourself around me like you’re mine… and call it a mistake?”
I struggled against his stronghold, desperate for an escape. “I… I wasn’t thinking.” I managed, mortified.
His smirk turned into a boyish grin, making him even more handsome. “No. You were being desperate.” He paused. “And very, very brave. Lessons: don’t go around kissing any man you see. You don’t know just how dangerous that may be.”
Does he think I'm a slut?
This almost brought out the fight in me. Almost. I wanted to argue, to correct his notion of me, but what was the need? I finally pried myself from the embarrassing position, stood, turned and left without looking back.
The noise of the underground pit faded as I made my way to the parking lot.
“What was that, huh?”
I rolled my eyes.
“I have no time for this; leave me be.”
He suddenly blocked my path of entry into my car.
“I know you’re trying to make me feel jealous. And frankly, you succeeded. Now let’s go home and talk this over. I’ll forgive you for your slutty action.”
My heart twisted, and I gave him an unbelievable glare. “Slutty action? Me? I’ve had enough with your bullshit. Get this through your thick skull. We. Are. Done.” I pushed him out of the way, got into my car and drove off.
I stumbled into the penthouse, kicked the door shut, and collapsed onto the silk-draped bed, the cool fabric sliding against my skin as I exhaled every ounce of tension.
I stared at the intricate pattern carved into the ceiling, breathing in the faint scent of lavender from my sheets. For a moment, the penthouse felt too big… too quiet.
I wanted nothing more than to cry myself to sleep and scrub the memory of David’s betrayal out of my skull. I should be glad we’re over. I was getting tired of such a toxic relationship with him anyway.
“Hmmph, I’m damn happy.” I wished this was true.
I picked up my phone, tapping on the call button on the shared group chat I and my best friends shared.
“Hey, bitch,” their respective shriek pierced through the speakers.
I rolled my eyes. “Ciao, stronza,” I muttered back, slipping into Italian without thinking.
There was a pause.
“Uh… English, please?” Tasha said. “Why are you suddenly speaking Italian?”
“Yeah,” Kelvin added. “What’s going on, Jasmine? You’re only Italian when you’re stressed.”
I sighed. “It’s David. He cheated again. This time, with a man.”
“Cosa? David… con un uomo?!” Tasha finally burst out, her voice one of disbelief.
“No way! I can’t believe this. Please tell me you’ve broken the engagement with him,” Kelvin added.
I looked down at my empty finger, feeling strange that the weight of the ring which was usually there was now gone. “I did. It’s over, guys. I’ve finally ended things with him.”
There was a beat of silence, then Tasha’s voice came back. “Girl, you did the right thing. That thing doesn’t deserve you. Especially after all you’ve done for him. I told you there was something off that I didn't like about him from the start.”
Kelvin chimed in, almost yelling through the phone. “Seriously! Who would cheat on a freaking supermodel like you? That’s—ugh! Stupid. Even though I’m gay, I just can’t believe he’ll do that to you. I’m so proud you ended that toxic relationship!”
The tears I’ve been holding back finally fell free.
They didn’t interrupt me, as if letting me pour out the emotion.
As much as I pretend I was relieved, I wished this never happened. David had been my everything ever since I ran away from home. He had the courage I never had. And now…now.
“You’ll be okay, Jas. Don’t worry, I'll get on the next flight back to New York, okay? Meanwhile, Kelvin will visit you right by morning.”
I nodded, feeling relieved I’ll have someone I love close. “Okay—“
CRASH!!
“What was that? Jas, Are you with someone?” Tasha asked.
I stared at the bedroom door, standing slowly. “Umm, no. I’m… alone. I think.”
Light footsteps echoed as if someone was carefully climbing the steps that led to my bedroom.
I froze.
Who could it be? Intruder? David is somehow back?
Slowly, cautiously, I crawled across the floor, keeping my body pressed under the bed as the footsteps echoed even closer until they stopped behind the door.
“Is it a fan?”
“Or an intruder?” Kelvin pitched in.
“No, an ordinary fan wouldn’t have passed through the security and broken into my house.” I muttered under my breath, panic rising in my chest.
The doorknob rattled, and I stilled my breath. Oh God, someone’s coming in.
“Someone’s breaking it, Tasha, Kelvin. Call”—the line went dead. My stomach dropped as I looked at the screen, seeing all the bars gone.
The door clicked, and six boots walked in.
Several moments of silence passed.
“No one is here, boss. The room’s empty.” A broken deep voice said, muffled enough to recognise but clear enough to hear.
I pressed myself flat against the floor, heart hammering so hard I was sure they could hear it.
Oh God, what’s happening? Who are they?
“…gotcha, boss. We’ll find and bring what you asked for.”
RIIINNNG!!!
The shrill scream of my phone cut through the silence like a knife. I yelped, fumbling to silence. The screen flashed—all bars blazing.
Tasha’s name flashed brightly on my face.
I didn’t have time to answer the call before the cold barrel of a gun pressed on my forehead.
“End. The. Call.”