Selena's P. O. V.
I'm getting ready for dinner, lost in my thoughts as I do my makeup, sitting in front of a huge mirror in my dressing room. Tonight, my father's friend is coming over, and I already dread their endless boring business talk.
Although I don't want to, I must attend it because I can't say no to my father-I want to keep my parents happy and never disappoint them. They're always busy with work, and while I long for their attention, I've learned to settle for the little moments they give me.
"Selene, are you ready?" Lily's voice pulls me out of my thoughts.
Lily has been my caretaker since childhood-a woman of my mother's age, but closer to my heart than anyone else. She gives me the love I've always craved from my parents, treating me like her daughter. I don't know what I'd do without her.
"Lily, I really don't feel like attending this dinner," I admit in a sad tone.
"It's just a dinner, sweetie." Standing behind me, she combs my hair. "Don't let it bother you. I'll be nearby. If you need anything, just let me know."
Her reassurance makes me feel a little better. "Thank you, Lily, for always being there for me," I answer, looking at her through the mirror. "And I just hope this dinner ends quickly. I have college tomorrow."
I stand up from the chair and take a look at myself in the mirror, adjusting the strands of my perfectly styled brown hair. I have to look flawless-always. My parents expect nothing less, and I can't bear the thought of giving them a reason to criticise me.
The sleek black dress I chose hugs my figure just right, not too revealing, but elegant enough to meet their standards. My makeup is meticulously done, with not a single smudge or imperfection in sight. It's exhausting, this constant pressure to be perfect. But if it keeps them happy, if it stops them from looking at me with disappointment, it's worth it.
I smooth down the fabric of my dress and slip on my heels.
After taking a deep breath, I head downstairs to join my parents. They're already seated in the living room. My mom is scrolling through her tablet, her perfectly manicured nails tapping the screen, and my dad is on a business call.
"Selene, how was your day?" My mom asks without looking up, her attention fixed on the glowing screen in her hands.
"It was good," I reply, forcing a smile. My voice lacks the enthusiasm, but she doesn't notice-or care enough to ask.
Dad doesn't even glance my way, too engrossed in his conversation. This is what our family looks like-three people sitting close, yet worlds apart.
I sit quietly on the sofa across from them, my hands folded neatly in my lap, trying to suppress the feeling of sadness which I've felt since childhood. No matter what, I must work hard to please them because I'm afraid if I don't, what little attention I get might disappear entirely. The thought breaks my heart.
Just then, the door opens, and the sound of approaching footsteps pulls my focus. A tall man enters the room. My eyes travel up from his shoes to his broad body, but as they reach his face, I freeze.
Oh, God! It's him-my dad's friend, the same man I shared a kiss with at the bar last night, and whom I haven't been able to stop thinking about.
What the fuck?
The air is sucked out of the room as his gaze locks with mine. His expression flickers with recognition, but he quickly composes himself. He walks up to my father, and they hug like old friends.
Damn! He looks so irresistibly hot in a tailored black outfit. Why he has to be my father's friend?
"James! Look at you-you're getting younger with time." My father says as they pull apart.
James. That's his name?
Dad adds, laughing, "No one would guess you're in your late thirties."
The late thirties? What? Seriously? I can't believe it. Have I heard right? He looks so young.
Even after knowing that he is my father's friend, I can't stop thinking about the way he kissed me like he owned my lips. My eyes unwillingly wander to his mouth, and I can't stop the memory from replaying in my mind. Suddenly, I feel so hot.
"What's your secret to staying fit?" Dad asks him, still smiling.
"I focus on more than just business, unlike you," he teases. "I make time for the gym and physical exercise. That's why you look older than me…"
I hardly hear their banter because my mind is stuck on the way his lips move-and how they kissed me so passionately last night.
Flashback
Last night at the club, I was playing truth or dare with Zoe and Stella, my best friends. In a short span, they've become more than just friends. They're like sisters to me.
We were already tipsy, and the dares were getting more ridiculous by the minute. When they dared me to kiss the first guy who walked into the club, I agreed instantly.
It wasn't a big deal for me.
I've kissed more strangers than I care to count. It's a game I've mastered-flirting, kissing, keeping it just physical and meaningless. I don't allow myself to fall in love or even feel anything deeper. Love? It's a luxury I can't afford.
My father has already made it clear he expects me to marry someone of his choice. A man who aligns with his business interests and social standing. And I'll do it. Because that's what I've always done-whatever it takes to make him happy.
So, when the tall, handsome stranger walked into the club last night, I just smirked at my friends and stood up, ready to complete the dare.
"Watch and learn, girls," I told them with a wink, adjusting the hem of my strapless red dress.
As I approached him, his broad shoulders and confident stance caught my attention. He was older, yes, but something about the way he carried himself was magnetic.
"Hi." I flashed him a playful smile. "Are you single?"
I always make sure the person I'm kissing or sleeping with isn't married or in a relationship because I have no interest in being with someone else's man.
He raised an eyebrow, surprised by my boldness, but then nodded with a charming smile.
"Good." Without wasting a second, I wrapped my arms around his neck. First, I stood on my toes-because he was tall as hell-then I pressed my lips to his. The moment our lips touched, a jolt of electricity ran through my body, shooting straight between my legs. He seemed surprised at first, but within seconds, his hand grasped my waist, and he kissed me back.
He wasn't just kissing me-he was owning my lips. His fingers dug into my waist, his nails pressing into my skin as he kissed me roughly and passionately. No one had ever kissed me like this before. It was intense, raw, and mind-blowing. He nipped at my bottom lip, making me gasp, and then he cupped my face, pulling me even closer. The kiss deepened as his tongue entered my mouth.
When his hands moved to my hips and squeezed them roughly, a moan escaped me. I clenched his hair, and my body melted into his, as if we were made to fit together.
Damn! I had never felt like this before. My entire body was on fire and my heart was pounding like crazy. It wasn't just a kiss-it was a claim.
Finally, we broke apart, both of us gasping for air after the intense kiss. My eyes locked with his piercing grey ones. They were so gorgeous that I almost lost myself in them.
My voice shakes as I utter, "It was a dare."
I didn't wait for his reaction. I ran back to my friends, laughing nervously, trying to shake off the sensation of his lips on mine.
God, that was the best kiss of my life. No one had ever kissed me so perfectly. I couldn't stop myself from wondering-if his kiss was this hot, how incredible would he be in bed?
Flashback over
Even now, as I stand here in my living room, staring at James, I know I haven't stopped thinking about that kiss. I'm feeling so hot right now. So I immediately excuse myself for a moment and rush to the common washroom.
After stepping inside, I close the door, my heart racing like last night.
Fuck! How can I act normal around him?
He's acting like nothing happened between us. Why would he act weird in front of Dad, anyway? If he does, Dad will find out that his friend kissed his daughter. Shit, everything is so fucked up.
I still can't believe that I kissed my father's friend. Not only that, but I also fantasised about him the entire last night, wondering how his hands and lips would feel on my body and how much he would make me scream when he would fuck me.
I stare at my lips in the mirror and touch them. I can still feel his rough touch on my lips. He's driving me crazy.
God! I must stop fantasising about my father's friend-he's so fucking older than me. I'm in my early twenties and he is in his late thirties.
If he weren't Dad's friend, I'd surely fulfil my desires. But now, there's no chance, and I don't want to disappoint my father.
"Selena, just act normal. It's so easy." I take a deep breath to compose myself.
As soon as I step out of the washroom, my body collides with something solid-and it's not a wall. It's him. The one person who's driving me insane.
Fuck! Not again.
Stay confident and calm, Selena. You can do this.
"Listen, it was just a dare, nothing else," I state in a firm tone, ignoring the way his proximity makes my breath heavy.
"Yeah, just a kiss." His deep, husky voice sends shivers down my spine.
Fuck! When his intense gaze drops to my lips, I feel a wave of heat rush through me. His mere look is enough to make me weak on my knees.
His eyes are fixed on my lips, and I can see it in them-the intense desire-he wants to pin me against the wall and kiss me again. And God help me, I want it too.
But I can't let this happen.
I tear myself away, ignoring the wild thoughts racing through my mind, and walk off before I lose control completely.
What happened last night, I can never let that happen again.