Author POV
Her eyes felt heavy under the weight, pain, and exhaustion of last night. She slowly forced them open; they fluttered as sunlight fell on her eyes, adjusting to the light.
Her gaze landed beside her on the bed. The space was now empty, a hollow feeling crawling into her heart, eating her alive from the inside.
The corners of her eyes grew wet, filling with tears as they rolled down her cheeks.
A feeling of loss settled inside her, as if a precious part of her had been stripped away. Last night's memories flooded her mind rapidly how he had taken her over and over until she lost track of time. She didn't even remember when sleep had claimed her.
Aria turned her head lightly. Through her blurred vision, she caught a figure standing by the window. It didn't take her long to recognize him.
Vincent.
His giant frame stood by the window, his back to her. A cigarette was settled between his rough fingers as he took slow drags, the smoke curling around him.
He stood there in his boxers, shoulders tense, lost in thought. Her gaze fell on the scratches running across his back, the marks left by her nails.
A storm of emotions built inside her, but she didn't want to break in front of him. Swallowing hard, her rising emotions began to hurt as she slowly pulled her body out of the bed.
Her wobbly legs ached because of last night's activities. Aria wrapped a blanket tightly around herself, but it soon touched the floor. A whisper left her lips as a sharp pain shot through her body, especially at the junction between her legs. Her body was hurting like hell.
She tried to move forward, steadying herself, but before she could, the blanket was snatched from her body. She was lifted into the air. In shock, a whisper left her mouth, her hands moving instinctively to grip something as they landed on hard muscle.
Vincent lifted her in his arms. Her eyes landed on him as she couldn't hold his intense gaze any longer.
Shame crawled through her veins as she struggled, trying to break free from his hold.
"Please… put me down," Aria mumbled in a trembling voice, panic was clear in her voice.
One look from him was enough to silence her.
His legs moved into the room, carrying her into the bathroom, where he slowly put her down on the floor.
Aria stood there naked in front of him, shame eating her alive as she desperately tried to shield her body with her arms from his hungry eyes.
Her heart raced. She wanted the ground to split open and take her inside; she couldn't handle his gaze.
He took a step toward her. Instinctively, she took a step back, but before she could move further, he moved as he pressed her against the wall.
Caging her between his arms, his eyes took in every detail of her face. His gaze dropped to her trembling, chapped lips, then lower, landing on the hickey marks on her neck, collarbone, and breasts.
Before Aria could form any conclusions, he captured her lips in a desperate kiss, the sharp scent of cigarette smoke mingling in her mouth.
His lips moved rapidly, exploring every corner of her mouth. A sharp sting followed as his teeth sank into her lip, making her hiss in pain as her hands gripped his arm tightly. He deepened the kiss, moving with aggressive intensity
His slippery kisses trailed from her jawline to her neck, leaving a burning sensation on her skin. His lips reached her breast, taking a nipple into his warm mouth, biting hard enough to draw another hiss of pain from her.
Her mind was twirling in a blur of overwhelming sensation.
His hand traveled lower toward her pussy. His other hand moved behind her back, gripping a handful of her hair as he pulled her head back to get better access.
He pressed his lips against her skin. His fingers circled her core, gently caressing it.
Fear ran alive through Aria's body as she realized his intentions. Where it was leading last night flashed in her mind. She couldn't endure it again; her body and her mind had reached their limits.
Aria's body started to struggle in his arms, desperately trying to get free from his grip. His hold tightened as he pulled her even closer to his body, their flesh pressed tightly against each other, leaving barely any space.
He ignored her protest, continuing his actions.
"Please stop," Aria breathed out the trembling words as she pleaded with him, her hands weakly gripping his chest, pushing him away.
Her efforts were futile as he didn't budge even an inch from his place.
He placed a final lingering kiss on her trembling lips, then pulled back. His eyes were unreadable.
"You have fifteen minutes to take a bath and come out," he commanded. Leaning toward her ear, he added in a dangerous tone, "If you don't, I'll come in and I'll fuck you in every corner of this bathroom, in every position."
Aria's body trembled as he released her from his hold, the fear from his words gripping her like a noose.
His legs moved, taking him to the door. He pushed at the door, adding, "When you get done, call me," he ordered her as he walked out of the bathroom.
The moment the door closed, her eyes filled with hot tears, but she tried to control them, remembering his warning.
Aria took slow and hesitant steps toward the shower, her every move was hurting. The pain between her legs reminded her of the night she desperately wanted to forget.
After taking a bath, she took a towel, wrapping it around herself, but before she could take a step, the bathroom door creaked open, making Aria flinch badly as she looked up to see Vincent standing at the doorstep.
She wondered how he knew she was done.
Without a word, he moved inside, scooping her up in his arms and carrying her out of the bathroom.
All her protests died when her gaze fell on his set jaw and intense eyes.
He brought her to the wardrobe, setting her down on the floor.
"Change and come out," he commanded.
Aria looked around and noticed that one part of the wardrobe now contained women's clothes. Her eyes grew wide in shock.
She noticed a bag placed in the corner. She opened it, finding her clothes inside.
She thought about who might have bought them as her mind ran with endless possibilities, but ignoring them all, she picked something to wear.
Aria walked out of the wardrobe to see Vincent standing near the bed. As he felt her presence, he looked at her, then walked toward her, picking her up in his arms again. This time, she didn't protest, too drained to resist.
He gently placed her on the bed and brought a tray of food, surprising her..
Her eyes moved to his face, questioning his care, but he ignored her unspoken questions.
"Eat," he commanded, leaving no room for argument.
With hesitation, she picked up a bite and brought it to her mouth. She could feel his intense gaze on her, it was making it hard for her to swallow it down in her throat.
But as the food touched her tongue, her hunger kicked in.
She ate as her thoughts ran. She hadn't had proper food in days, reminding her of her mother, who never let her go hungry. A lump formed in her throat, and she swallowed hard, taking a breath, not wanting her emotions to show.
Once she finished her food, a glass of water was placed in front of her with two pills. She stared at them in confusion.
"They're contraceptives," he stated flatly.
Her breath hitched in her throat as realization struck her. The care he showed was not for her it was so she wouldn't conceive.
She moved her hand forward, taking the pills and the water. Her grip around the glass tightened. Despite her flowing emotions, she gulped down the pills with the water. Her face was a mask of strength, but her eyes completely betrayed her.
"Sleep," he ordered.
Aria numbly lay down, pulling the blanket tightly over herself and closing her eyes, trying to escape the ache in her chest.
A moment later, the light went out and the door closed as he left.
Thick silence followed in the room. Tears slowly began to spill from her closed eyes.
Taking those pills broke something inside her. She either didn't want to get pregnant, but the way he handled it made her feel like a… a whore.
Someone who sells their body for… money.
The thought hit her hard, and her silent sobs broke through the darkness of the night.