The car stopped before a massive lakefront mansion nestled between pines and fog. Elara stepped out like she'd entered a dream too expensive for her soul to touch.
The gravel crunched under her sneakers. Everything else was silent.
Not even the wind dared breathe near this place.
She smoothed her faded denim skirt and clutched the strap of her canvas bag like a lifeline. A secondhand girl standing at the gates of temptation.
She didn't even get a chance to knock.
The door swung open.
And there she was.
Aurora.
Barefoot, wrapped in a deep crimson silk robe that looked like it cost more than Elara's entire education. Her hair was slightly wet, curled from a recent swim, and her lips curled even more as she leaned against the doorframe.
"You're late."
Elara stared. "I said I'd come after class—"
"And I said you'd come when I wanted," Aurora said smoothly. Her voice was dipped in wine and mockery. "But it's alright. I forgive you. You're cute when you're obedient."
Elara swallowed. "Why did you invite me here?"
"Because I was bored," Aurora said. "And because watching you squirm in front of luxury excites me."
Elara stepped back instinctively. "I shouldn't have come."
Aurora chuckled. "But you did. That's what matters. Come inside, pet."
The house swallowed her the moment she crossed the threshold.
Marble floors. Chandeliers like starlight frozen in glass. Walls of modern art and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a silent lake. It wasn't a house—it was a statement.
"You can stop gaping now," Aurora said from behind, voice close to Elara's neck. "You'll get used to it. The way I live."
"I don't want to get used to it."
"Liar."
Elara turned. "You think you know me just because you kissed me once?"
Aurora smiled, dark and lazy. "Oh, sweetheart. I kissed you once and your legs went weak. I touched your throat and you forgot your name. Don't pretend you didn't crave that."
Elara's cheeks flared.
"Your guest room's upstairs, second left. You'll find something decent to wear on the bed. Dinner in twenty. Wear red."
"I didn't come here to dress up for you."
Aurora leaned in, her breath warm on Elara's skin. "Then why did you come, virgin?"
Elara's breath caught.
Aurora walked away, barefoot and arrogant, robe flowing like blood on silk.
---
Twenty minutes later, Elara stood in front of a mirror wearing a red satin slip dress that barely reached her thighs. No bra. Thin straps. It clung to her chest like liquid fire.
The tag still hung inside. Brand new. Price unknown.
She hated how it made her look like something Aurora would eat.
She hated that she liked it.
When she stepped into the dining room, Aurora looked up from her wine glass and smirked.
"Now that's better," she said. "You look like someone who knows how to sin."
"I don't," Elara muttered.
"Oh, I know. That's what makes this fun."
The table was laid out with grilled salmon, champagne-glazed strawberries, and things Elara couldn't name. She took the seat opposite Aurora, but the woman snapped her fingers.
"No," she said. "Here."
She patted the seat beside her.
Elara sat. Her thigh brushed Aurora's.
Aurora poured her a glass of white wine. "One sip won't kill you."
"I don't drink."
"I do," Aurora whispered. "A lot. Want to know what else I taste?"
Elara looked away. "Stop playing with me."
"I haven't even started."
Dinner passed with slow torment. Aurora's leg brushed hers under the table. Her fingers lingered on Elara's wrist when she passed the napkin. Every move was precise, calculated to unravel her.
When Elara accidentally moaned while biting into a sugared strawberry, Aurora paused mid-chew.
"You make sounds like you've been touched before," she said softly. "But I know you haven't."
Elara's face burned. She stood up. "I'm going to sleep."
Aurora didn't stop her. She just smiled and murmured, "Dream of me."
---
Midnight.
The knock came soft but certain.
Elara opened her door to find Aurora holding a deck of cards.
"What is this?" she asked.
"A game," Aurora replied. "Because I'm bored. And you're here. Come."
Elara hesitated, then followed.
They sat cross-legged on the rug in the living room, fire crackling in the background.
Aurora shuffled the cards like a queen playing with hearts.
"Truth or Dare," she said. "But with a twist. You answer wrong or refuse, you lose a layer of clothing."
Elara froze. "Are you serious?"
Aurora raised a brow. "What's wrong? Afraid of being exposed?"
"You already strip me with your words."
Aurora smirked. "Then let's see how brave you really are."
---
Round 1
"Truth," Elara whispered.
Aurora leaned in. "What do you think about when I touch you?"
Elara stared into the fire. "I… think of losing control."
Aurora didn't blink. "Good answer. My turn. Dare."
Elara took a shaky breath. "Kiss my knee."
Aurora chuckled. "Cute." She crawled toward her, slow like a predator, and placed the softest kiss on Elara's knee. "Next."
---
Round 2
"Truth," Elara said again.
Aurora's eyes narrowed. "Have you ever touched yourself thinking of me?"
Silence.
Elara didn't answer.
Aurora held up one finger. "Strip."
Elara removed her scarf.
"That wasn't a real layer," Aurora smirked. "Try again."
Elara peeled off the cardigan she'd thrown over the slip. Her skin was cold but flushed.
---
Round 3
"Dare," Elara whispered.
Aurora leaned closer. "Whisper your darkest desire in my ear."
Elara trembled. She moved closer, lips brushing Aurora's ear.
"I want you… to ruin me."
The fire popped.
Aurora inhaled sharply. For the first time, her teasing vanished.
She stared at Elara like she was something wild and uncontrollable.
Then she stood.
Game over.
"I told you," Aurora murmured, voice tight. "I won't touch you… until you beg."
"I'm not going to beg," Elara said, chin lifted.
Aurora smiled. "You will. Not now. But when I'm in your dreams. When you wake up aching. When the memory of my lips is stronger than your pride."
She walked away, silk trailing behind her like a warning.
---
Later that night, Elara lay in the guest room bed, staring at the ceiling.
She hated how her body burned.
Hated that she missed Aurora's touch.
And worst of all—she hated that she believed her.
She would beg.
Not today.
But soon.
And when she did, she wouldn't just lose her virginity.
She'd lose herself.
---