Chapter 33 - When He and She Gets In

Chapter 33 - When He and She Gets In
~ Erik ~

(Half an hour ago)

“A man in love who allows his woman get touched by another man is the loser of them all,” Rohan aired out like a philosopher standing near a balustrade under a moonlit sky. I was a few feet away from him, arching my brow of his brainy quote.

I have seen Daniella get passed on by different men again and again just for a stupid dance. This had me fuming inside so I decided to cool myself in a balcony that connected the ballroom hall.

Damn this night.

Damn this ball.

Damn Vincent for bringing Daniella back here.

And most especially, damn myself for being so complicated.

I should have stood by her side the moment she walked inside the hall. I should have guarded her with all of these wolves. I shouldn’t have been so stiff.

Now I am regretting my stupid actions.

“She seems to be enjoying being fawned over though,” I remarked quietly. Although I didn’t use Daniella’s name, I have a feeling Rohan knew who I was talking about.

He crossed his arms to his chest and threw me a look of disbelief. “Are you blind President?” he said.

I thinned my lips and watched blankly at the twilight sky before us.

No, I am not blind. Just out of my mind because of these two conflicting problems I am faced with: my desire to keep Daniella versus her safety.

“Both of you have been exchanging glances. Can’t you see the confusion and worry in her eyes?”

I heaved a breath and swallowed. “She does look that way.”

“What?” Rohan’s eyes widened, and then he shook his head just as he pressed a hand in his forehead. “God, you are so hopeless Prez.”

I raised my chin. “You were able to dance with her earlier, did she ask anything about the Club?”

“You mean about you?” he retorted.

I looked at him sharply, but sighed in the end and nodded.

“She didn’t ask anything other than stealing glances at you while we danced Prez. I did offer to bring her to you but she shook her head vehemently saying that it wasn’t the right time since you looked like you were about to murder someone. It was after a few minutes when I realized it was me she was referring to who you wanted to kill.”

A slow grin appeared from my lips. I was actually relishing that thought awhile ago.

“You know it gave me shivers right?” He clutched his elbows tightly and showed me a pretend tremble of his shoulders.

“Yeah, I’m aware of that physical response Rohan. Those who touched Daniella get that a lot,” I mocked at him.

“You still are the loser you know.” This time he was the one who grinned, changing back to his confident, cool side.

Trust Rohan to rub me with my faults without fearing for his life.

“I know,” I answered quietly and diverted my attention away from him to the crowded lights of the city below our mountain.

“Then, what will you do? Do you want to keep yourself away forever or just let loose and claim your woman?”

I clenched and unclenched my fists.

My woman... my precious Sweet Rose... my Daniella. Mine alone.

With my Club members aside, the memory of the many men who danced with her reminded me that I am not immune.

Three weeks ago, I have sworn to myself that I will not be swayed by my feelings for her. I have concluded that it was her safety that was more important and not my selfish desires, but after seeing her with all those men, I finally realized that I am not that strong. I could never keep myself away from her.

Never.

“I will claim my woman,” was my final resolve and with that, I swear I saw twinklings stars and blooming roses circling around Rohan’s head.

“Huh,” Rohan straightened from the balustrade and patted my shoulder. “Then you should act quickly Prez. It seems Alec is asking for another dance with her.”

I followed his gaze through the open glass door and saw Alec bowing and offering a hand to Daniella.



~ Daniella ~

“Stay. I want you. I need you. Please stay.”

That’s what he softly whispered to me when we withdrew. I looked at his eyes, his ethereal bluish-green orbs, that bespoke of affection and my insides flipped again, just like what it did when we shared a long, passionate kiss.

He wants me. He needs me.

“Then please teach me how to use a gun as soon as possible Erik,” I answered whilst tracing the rosy pink smudge in the corner of his lips. “That is so that I can take care of myself.”

He sighed. He must have seen my point in requesting it.

“Yes, tomorrow,” he answered, leaving me grinning wildly, but before I could give him a peck in the cheek, he added, “But you might not need the gun because I will protect you Daniella. With my life.”

He held my hand that boasted the emerald ring and kissed it. He kissed the emerald stone too and locked my gaze with such adoration.

“Thank you, Erik.”

I felt my stomach just released butterflies — the colorful ones. Erik created that, no matter how black his past life he claimed it to be.

“You don’t need to thank me. It is what I wanted to do, my Sweet Rose. I can’t lose you,” he stated.

“Then don’t,” I answered softly just as I ushered my nose near his button-down collar to smell his signature scent. There wasn’t a sign of his neck tattoo (most likely because he had Alec put prosthetic make-up on it for this ball) but anyway, I was relieved. I wouldn’t want to think of that silver-haired man back in the Crescent Moon club. Right now, I wanted my focus on him and him alone. “Let me stay here Erik. I want to be with you with or without blackmail.”

Except a pleased groan from deep his throat, he didn’t reply after that. We just silently excused ourselves out of the dance floor with my arm looping around his ready elbow.

Guests still observed us, but afterwards turned to their own agendas when they saw us round towards the Club table.

Erik had asked me to join him in the balcony, but like I said before, I was already weary, so I told him I needed to retire in my room. So instead of sitting back in our seats, he happily guided me all the way to the fourth floor and take note, it was with a possessive hold on my waist. The whole time of it, I was completely flushed and nervous.

I’d be lying if I tell you I don’t know where my stay would lead to... where this night would lead to.

No loud words were needed to know what we wanted right then and there. We both knew it and it was readable through our desirous eyes. It was already overdue three weeks ago and it was just that we fulfill it.

But to my utter silent surprise, Erik bid himself goodbye, albeit with a strained voice, and walked out of my front without a hitch. Well, except for a very, very sensual kiss in front of my doorway but that was that.

I pressed my forehead against the door right after I closed it. My heart was hammering inside, my cheeks burned like the bottom of a kettle, and my breathing was close to hyperventilating. The memory of Erik’s stormy, desirous gaze on me right before he left kept replaying in my head. It was going to be my only companion in my sleep tonight but I have no regrets about it.

Although I know it would torment me to a sleepless night eventually.

After a deep sigh and a clench of my jaw, I strode to my bedroom. At the foot of the bed, my cellphone was already placed. Next to it, on the floor, were my two bags.

I chose to check on my phone before changing my dress so I approached the bed and picked it up.

What came into view was Alec’s alert message. He wished me luck of my gown zipper since apparently it was very hard to manage.

I texted him back with a ‘thanks’ and assured him that I would be okay. However, when I stood in front of my vanity mirror and tested my confident capabilities of unzipping the gown, realization hit me.

I couldn’t do it.

The back zipper jammed right on the top. I was able to zip down a few inches in the nape but it wasn’t enough for me to slip out of the magnificent gown.

Huffing loudly, my thoughts crossed on Suri who could possibly help me with my dilemma. However, since she was dog-tired and with Amano with her, I can’t phone her and ask for help.

Vincent and Enrique came to my choices, but they weren’t a good choice to make in the first place and so were Rohan and Karl.

Then, three continuous knocks came in my main door as my choices zeroed in on Erik.

My heart jumped for a second. My God, could it be him?

Slowly, I went to my receiving room and opened the main door. A stiff Erik welcomed me, standing in front now wearing a white linen shirt and loose drawstring pants. His feet were bare to my surprise so I gave him a questioning look.

“Uhh, I received Alec’s message,” he started, averting his eyes. It must probably be hard on him to be back standing in my doorway. It was hard for me too, especially remembering how we ended the night earlier. “He said that you...would need some assistance on your gown.”

I gulped when I felt a sudden dryness in my mouth. The ending of having him unzip me could be fatal and it seems that he was aware of this too since he suddenly blushed intensely.

Well look at that, Mr. Erik Romano Fancii actually blushing.

“Yeah...” I answered, smiling weakly at him.

His stiff shoulder relaxed a bit.

“May I?” he stepped once, but then paused and knitted his brows. “I mean, if you are fine with it.”

I shook my head slightly and blinked a couple of times. “Yes, it’s fine Erik,” I reassured. Whilst looking at his relieved expression, I stepped backward and opened the door wider. “Please come in.”

And he did, cruising inside as I closed the door.

Heat immediately flooded through me when I faced him. His stare changed. It was stormy and deep, the same as earlier when he left. He made no effort to mask it when he examined me from head to foot as if it was his first time seeing me in the gown.

I cleared my throat, acting as if I wasn’t affected, and sucked in a breath before striding closer to him.

“Uh, here, this is what Alec was talking about.” I stopped just an armslength away and then turned to show my back. My nape was in full view when I shoved my curled hair in my right shoulder.

“Beautiful...” I heard Erik say quickly in a low husky voice. I know it sounded too cliche, but I swear my breathing just stopped.

Hard-pressed on not looking at him, I kept my eyes shut, dipping my head down as I waited for him to do the job.

He caressed my arms first with his warm palms, running it up from my elbow to my tensed shoulders. I paused from breathing. His touch was like lava testing my skin and I know that I had melted from there. Whatever he would do, I’d be welcoming to it. There was a growing ache in my belly that made itself known since we parted. It had dulled maybe when I was alone in my room, but now it came back, even worsening with this contact.

“Daniella,” he drawled; his husky voice was like bell chimes in my ears.

“Hmmm?” I bit my bottom lip.

I felt his hand shift to my dress, exactly where the zipper lay. There was a short tug at first, then an upper pull. I heard Erik curse quietly from there.

“You’re zipper is jammed with a tiny pin. You can’t possibly remove it on your own.”

I frowned when my mind drifted off to Alec and the possibility that he did it on purpose.

Damn you Alec.

“Then it is good that you are here,” I muttered; my cheeks burning. My sense of touch, smell, and sight were more than active; they were in hyper mode, begging for something I was aching.

Then, I felt his hands gripped at both ends of the dress. He released a throaty groan first and after that, instructed me, “You should have this repaired after because I am going to rip the damn zipper off.”

“No!” was my quick cry. I stepped forward and pivoted to look at him with concerned eyes. “No, Erik you mustn’t.”

From there, I wished I didn’t face him for in Erik’s bluish-green orbs, there wasn’t desire only, but torture too that flickered.

Why then would he have that?

For a heavy second, he clenched his jaw, closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

“Then how do you suggest I take you off that gown?” was his question; with a hint of tremble might I add.

“You—you use a scissor perhaps?” I answered with a hopeful face. In no way am I going to let him tore this beautiful creation just like that.

“Okay, where do you keep your scissors?”

“In my room,” was my almost inaudible answer, but I guess he still heard it since he raised a good brow at me.

Without asking, he proceeded into my bedroom like a confident owner. I followed him behind with my mouth slightly open. I don’t recall an instance that he actually stepped foot inside my bedroom, but watching him do it now, I can easily say that he was a welcomed (very welcomed) trespasser.

“Uhm, the scissor is in that lower cabinet,” I pointed out when he stopped near the vanity mirror.

He flashed me a small grin before rummaging the said cabinet. Seconds later, he found what we have been looking for and sauntered to where I stood just four steps away from my bed.

“Turn around,” was his order, but even so, he slipped a hand in my waist and guided me to turn. I felt the tingles all over again.

And it was good. Damn.

“I like this gown you know,” I stated trying to create a comfortable atmosphere.

“Yes, I know,” he answered from behind me as he worked his tender way on my zipper.

“Suri had to boss the designer a bit just to create this design,” I added, giggling at the memory of her sweet face nagging at the man.

“Yes, and she is right to boss him. If he didn’t deliver, he’ll have his nose as my punching bag.”

“Erik!” I shifted my face to the side to look at half of him in my peripheral vision. “Don’t joke! You can’t possibly do that!”

I felt him lean against my back; his hands still holding my gown and from there, warm breath fanned my right ear. I closed my eyes, feeling blood rushing up my head.

“Yes, worry not Sweet Rose. He is safe. He delivered more than I expected.”

I swallowed. I am not sure what to think of it but it seems partly he was complimenting me.

In a swift snip of the scissor and then an easy run of the zipper down my waist, his task was over and done.

A cold draft immediately followed when my back was exposed. I shivered with that but then my shivers worsened when I felt Erik’s fingers run down my spine.

“There, there. You’re good to undress,” he stated.

My knees trembled.

“Tha—thanks, Erik.” Tightly, my hands kept the top gown from slipping off. I turned to face him just as he stopped doing damage on my spine.

“You’re welcome, Daniella.”

Still, there was desire and torture combined in the way he looked at me. It made me want to touch him more to ease him... to relieve him of whatever he was second-guessing, but I restrained, still preoccupied with my own virginal responses.

“I better go to the dressing room to change,” I proclaimed, biting my lower lip.

“And I should go. I’ll see myself out,” he stated; his gaze directly on the lip that I had bit.

With a suck of air, I turned heels towards my walk-in closet, still clasping my gown. Before I closed it though, I took one last look at him hoping he was still there staring at me, but he was walking out of my bedroom too, his back to me. I was relieved at the sight, but deep inside me, there was a nagging disappointment I couldn’t ignore.

Pressing my lips together, I continued to the closet and there I undressed with my heart none the lighter.

Since the closet was directly connected to the bathroom, I went there and took my time immersing myself with the bathtub’s warm, soapy water. It was a good way to calm my erratic heartbeat. It was a good way too to lower down the yearning I had towards Erik.

Damn, I would have given myself to him had he advanced, but he didn’t and the thought of that in the end made me frown.

He was so eager, so willing to touch me three weeks back. Heck, he even knew me intimately already amidst the lack of the defining moment, but now, he pulls back. Why? Why won’t he touch me?

Groaning, I flipped my head up and gazed at the ceiling. Trying to understand his earlier actions, I thought of the possible reasons why he wouldn’t from him being the President, to me being a virgin, to him turning celibate, and to him just restraining himself, but I ended up being riled up all the more.

I stood up from the bathtub realizing that my soaking didn’t help much of my mood. With a heavy stomp on the tiled floor, I raced to get my towel and black knee-length bathrobe.

“I will just have to seduce him then,” I muttered to myself as I felt a new sense of courage. I was bold enough to give him a kiss that time in the gym. Heck, I was even bold enough to give him a blowj0b. Seducing him to get the answer won’t be any different.

Damp was my hair and so was my bathrobe when I exited the bathroom and entered the walk-in closet.

To change quickly with fresh new clothes was my first intent when I got there, but when I caught sight of an outside reflection in my mirror, I stopped dead in my tracks.

A male figure was standing outside my small bedroom balcony. Although his back was to me and his form was blurred a bit by the sheer white curtain flowing together with the breeze, I knew exactly who it was: Erik.

I thought he left my room already?

With my heart pounding severely against my chest, I ambled towards him not caring that I was completely naked under the robe.

“You—you opened my balcony,” was my first soft statement. I stopped in the entryway when I saw him turn to look longingly at me. “I thought you left. Why are you still here Erik?”

“Daniella,” he raked me, looking first at my naked legs, then to my cleavage and then up to my face. My stomach twisted like the virginal sacrifice that I am. “Come to me.”

He lifted his right hand and just as it was midair, I took it without hesitation.

Credits to my new-found courage.

“Erik...” I whispered when he pulled me against his frame.

The stars must have rejoiced for us since they twinkled like diamonds when I saw them amidst the vastness of the sky.

“I’m selfish,” he whispered in my ear. “Are you appalled with that?”

Although he couldn’t see, I frowned.

“If you think of yourself selfish because you are keeping me here amidst the danger then you’re wrong.” I grabbed his shirt by the neckline and pulled it down his chest almost to the point of tearing it. “Like I said before, it is my choice to stay here. It is my choice to be with you. Although I don’t want you to risk your life for me, I greatly trust that you will protect me.”

I felt him heavily inhale. Then, he pushed my head further to bury against his left shoulder.

“Daniella, I will protect you, but I can’t protect you from me. Shit, I want you, badly so.”

I don’t know, but my heart just seemed to explode from his words.

“Then do it Erik. Take me.” Out-of-the-blue, I planted a small kiss in the exposed part of his chest. He flinched and withdrew just inches in response, probably surprised of my action.

I raised my head up to look at him; my eyes firm and resolute.

“Touch me again like you did that faithful day Erik, and more.”

He gripped at my shoulders and pointed out, “You are untouched. A virgin.”

“Both of us are,” I corrected.

Initially, his eyes widened, surprised that I knew of this little fact. Then, it narrowed and darkened.

“I’ll only cause you pain.”

“A pain blessed by the Heavens,” I countered.

Tipping my toes, I raised my head up to brush my lips along his tensed jaw. He responded by running a hand through my damp hair.

“I’ll demand your heart, Daniella. Mine. It will be mine alone. Are you okay with that?”

I grinned. “I have already given it to you, Erik,” I pulled away and saw his eyes flicker, “since last year.”

And it was probably my confession that snapped him because his struggling expression lightened.

“I love you Daniella.”

My mouth dropped.

He ran fingers in my face, from my forehead down to my jaw as if he was painting a picture in his head of my features. I was too stunned to answer anything be it through words or through actions. I just fell silent.

“I’m saying this because I’m already too messed up to deny it. I’m done fighting Daniella.”

“E-rik...” I breathed.

God, if he would be any sweeter, I might think that this would be just a dream which I definitely don’t want it to be.

Erik doesn’t do sweet. A rough man; crude, rude, calculating, and volatile, that’s what his entire persona consisted. Although it pissed me off quite a few times in the first month, I wouldn’t want anything better.

I pressed my breasts to him wanting it noticed and it seems that he did because his expression changed to that of desire only. Gone was the torment in it.

Mouth just inches apart, he placed two hands in my waist.

“Let me hear you moan my name Daniella,” he said; his warm breath filling up my nostrils.

“Then make me, Erik. Make me,” I answered without delay, closing my eyes as he lifted me up from the ground.

On instinct, I wrapped my legs around his waist and we kissed like hungry souls willing to devour each other.