james' pov:

i couldn't take it anymore.

the music, the people, the tension between us—it was too much. i needed air. more than that, i needed her. away from the crowd. i was never like this, but something about her presence, her so close to me made me want to get away from all this—alcohol, sex, drugs, and have her all to myself. just her and me. nothing, no one else.

"come with me." i muttered in her ear, low enough so only she could hear.

aria's eyes flicked up to mine, curiosity flashing across her face. she didn't ask questions, though. she never did when it came to us. instead, she just gave me that subtle nod, her lips curving into the smallest smirk as if to say, lead the way.

i led the way. 

weaving us through the crowd, i headed toward the back of the house, looking for somewhere quieter, somewhere we could actually breathe.

we passed through the kitchen, a few people shouting and laughing, but i didn't stop. eventually, i found a door that led down a dimly lit hallway. at the end, a half-open door beckoned us inside. it looked like a study, empty, quiet, with the faint hum of the party muffled behind the thick walls. perfect.

i shut the door behind us, locking it without thinking.

aria turned to face me, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised. "so, what's this about?" she asked, but her voice wasn't as casual as she tried to make it sound.

"you know what this is about." i said, my eyes never leaving hers.

she leaned back against the desk, her fingers trailing along the polished wood, her eyes sharp and unreadable. "oh? and what exactly is that, james?"

"fuck this, aria. i really need you right now." i practically pleaded, stepping closer, the words heavy between us.

she watched me as I closed the distance, her chest rising and falling a little faster, but she didn't move away. "why, james? it was a one-time thing." she whispered, though the way she said it sounded more like a question than a statement.

"right." i said, my voice low, barely above a whisper as i moved closer. "then why are you, no, we here?"

her lips parted slightly, but no answer came out. instead, she just stared at me, her guard slipping for just a second. it was enough.

i reached out, my hand grazing her cheek, the touch light, hesitant even. she didn't flinch. didn't pull away. in fact, she leaned into it, just the tiniest bit.

"aria," i murmured, my thumb brushing over her skin. "you know this isn't just some game."

her eyes flickered with something—fear, maybe, or desire, or both. she swallowed, her voice barely audible. "then what is it, james?"

i didn't have an answer for that. not one i could put into words. so, instead, i let my actions speak.

i leaned in slowly, giving her every chance to pull away, but she didn't. her eyes fluttered shut just as our lips met, the kiss soft at first, testing. but it didn't stay that way for long. the tension, the heat, everything that had been building between us snapped in an instant.

her hands gripped the front of my shirt, pulling me closer as the kiss deepened, becoming something desperate, something raw. i pressed her back against the desk, my hands finding her waist, pulling her against me like i couldn't get enough. and, god, i couldn't.

we broke apart, gasping for air, but i didn't let her go.

"this." i muttered against her lips, "this is what it is."

she looked up at me, her eyes dark, and for once, there were no snarky comebacks, no teasing remarks. just us. just this.

"and what happens when we can't stop?" she whispered, her voice shaky.

i rested my forehead against hers, my breath heavy. "who says we have to?"

"james..." her voice didn't seem hers, even though i'd heard her say my name, so many times before. the way she said it scratched my brain.

"tell me stop then, aria." i whispered, as my lips made their way down to her ear lobe, carefully grazing them.

aria's eyes fluttered shut at the feel of my warm breath against her skin and a shiver ran through her body as i continued to trail my lips along her neck. she couldn't form a single coherent thought, let alone speak, too consumed by the overwhelming sensations flowing through her.

my lips lingered at her neck, my hands tracing light circles on her waist. slowly, i moved up, planting teasing kisses along her jawline, my tongue teasing her.

had she never felt this kind of longing before, the need to be this close to someone? 

i wasn't sure.

"james... oh, fuck." her eyes were closed shut.

"i haven't even started, aria." i chuckled. she was letting go, once again.

"stop. fucking. teasing. me." her tone was as serious as ever.

i looked at her. "you've still got not patience, love."

that might've been her trigger, because the very next second, she pulled my shirt's collar, and our lips crashed. it wasn't soft—it never is, not with aria. it was hot. my hands snaked around her entire body, tugging at her dress's straps.

"this dress looks absolutely gorgeous on you." i said, as we pulled away. it was true. aria could anything look good. my comment seemed to have some effect on her.

blood rushed to her cheeks—crimson, as smiled at me.

"take it off. then. though, be gentle. it's from one of your collections." she chuckled. music to my ears. "and, one of my absolute favorites."

"clearly." i smirked, fingers tracing the delicate fabric of her dress. 

she arched a brow, daring me to continue as her hands tangled in my hair. 

i leaned in, capturing her lips again, this time slower, savoring every second. my fingers slid to the zipper at her back, moving with careful precision. each movement was deliberate, teasing her patience once more.

"you drive me insane, you know that?" her voice was breathless.

"good." i murmured.

her breath hitched as i slowly pulled the zipper down, the sound of it loud in the stillness between us. every inch of skin revealed was like a new discovery, and i couldn't help but trail my fingers lightly over the exposed warmth of her back. aria shuddered beneath my touch, her body arching into me, craving more.

"james..." her voice was almost a plea now, hushed, but filled with a need that matched my own.

i kissed the spot just beneath her ear, drawing a soft gasp from her lips. "say my name again." i whispered, barely able to control myself.

"james." she repeated, her voice stronger this time, filled with longing.

with that, i pulled her closer, our bodies pressed together as i continued my exploration. my lips found her collarbone, tracing slow, deliberate lines as my hands worked the fabric of her dress down, inch by inch. she shifted against me, impatient, her fingers gripping my shoulders as if she was holding on for dear life.

"you're killing me." she breathed out, her tone desperate.

i smiled against her skin, my voice low. "patience, aria. i'm just getting started."

aria let out a frustrated groan, her head falling back as I kissed my way down her chest, taking my time. her fingers tugged at my shirt, nails grazing my skin as she struggled to get closer, to feel more.

"i can't—" she started, but I cut her off with a firm kiss, silencing her. she melted into me, her body softening under my touch as I eased her dress the rest of the way down. it pooled at her feet, leaving her vulnerable in the dim light, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

i paused for a second, just to take her in. aria was beautiful, but it was more than that—there was something about seeing her like this, raw and unguarded, that made my pulse quicken.

"you have no idea what you do to me." i muttered against her lips, unable to hold back.

she smiled, her eyes dark and full of fire. "show me."

those two words were enough to undo me.

the moment those words left her lips, something inside me snapped. i grabbed her waist, lifting her effortlessly to make her sit on the table in the study we were in. she gasped, her legs instinctively wrapping around me as her nails dug into my shoulders.

"this what you wanted?" i breathed, my voice barely more than a growl.

aria's eyes locked with mine, her lips parted, breathless. "yes." she whispered, and that was all the permission i needed.

i kissed her again, hard, feeling the heat between us rise, our movements desperate now. her hands fumbled with the buttons on my shirt, pushing it off as i trailed my lips down her neck, tasting the faint salt of her skin. i could feel her heartbeat racing beneath my fingers as they wandered over her body, mapping every curve, every inch.

"you're mine." i murmured, my voice rough against her skin. i didn't mean it as a question.

"yours." she agreed, her voice barely above a whisper.

the way she said it, so sure and unafraid, sent a rush of adrenaline through me. there was no hesitation between us now, no teasing, just raw, unfiltered need.

"james, i need you." she whispered, her voice rough with desire.

my hands roamed her body, exploring every curve, every inch of soft skin. her back arched into me, her hips pressing against mine, making it impossible to think, to breathe. i broke away from her lips, burying my face in the crook of her neck as i whispered, "you're everything."

her body trembled against mine, her nails raking down my back as she gasped. "don't stop."

i chuckled softly, my lips brushing against her ear. "i wasn't going to, love."

i pulled back just enough to lock eyes with her, wanting to see the spark in her gaze as i continued my descent. my lips traveled back down her neck, planting kisses along her collarbone, savoring the way she responded to every touch. she was a melody, each sigh and gasp a note that played perfectly in sync with my desires.

"james..." she breathed again, a mix of urgency and need, her fingers tightening in my hair as if she were trying to anchor herself.

i couldn't help but grin at the power i had over her. "you're so beautiful when you lose yourself like this." i murmured, my voice low and gravelly.

her cheeks flushed a deeper shade—of that same crimson, and she pulled my face back to hers, capturing my lips in a fierce kiss. it was hungry, full of longing, and i felt my body respond instinctively, my hands gripping her waist tightly as if she were the only thing keeping me grounded.

"please." she gasped between kisses, and there was no mistaking the urgency in her voice. it was a plea that ignited something deep within me.

"you're sure?" i asked, needing to hear her say it again.

"yes, i'm sure." her eyes were fierce, the determination in them sending a thrill down my spine.

💋🔒💔