( Beverly Hills, California. )
Natalia intimately wrapped her arms around Arian, arching her back to grant him more access to her. Her skin was smooth and hot. She was willing and submissive in his arms, and he could do whatever he wanted with her.
But when his hands unstrapped her bikini, a muffled tinge of his consciousness shrilled out despite the sea of desires he was drowning in. Arian painfully pulled away and zipped up her sweatshirt.
Natalia confusedly looked up at him with eyes shrouded with passion and temptatively resumed the kiss. Arian easily got lost again but he used the last shred of his control to break away.
“We should stop.” He whispered and lowered his hot gaze, his face inches from hers.
“N.. no. I don’t…” Her fingers pulled him back down again but he gently restrained her.
“Natalia, we should stop.”
“Why?” She cutely fluttered her long lashes. Arian hastily got off her and pushed away his messy hair, despising himself for almost falling again. Natalia sat up after him and hugged herself, feeling embarrassed all of a sudden.
The hot French smiled when a craze of red blush ran up her cheeks and brightly colored them. He pulled her to himself and made her sit on him, clasping her legs behind. Arian slipped his hands under her sweatshirt to knot her bikini back.
Natalia’s skin was still sensitive as his fingers grazed her and her blush intensified. He kissed her cheeks and pulled away. Then Arian used his hairband which had fallen off earlier to pack her hair in a messy bun. Stray strands fell across her delicately feminine face but he left them.
“You’re gorgeous.” He helplessly breathed, gently lifting her chin. In the semi-dark room, Arian could see her entire face completely flush red.
If she could be that way when they hadn’t done anything, how’ld she behave the morning after their first night together? He wondered and smiled at the delicious thought.
“You don’t know what you do to me.” Arian confessed in a whisper and closed his eyes, taking in her exotic lavender scent.
“I know you want me as much as I want you. It’s all over your gaze. So why don’t you?” She asked as he fondly pushed a strand of hair from her soft lips.
“You deserve so much more.” He muttered with a bit of sadness. Natalia frowned.
“I only want you.”
Arian smiled and raised his eyes to meet hers. “Marry me.”
“What?” She was stunned.
“Let’s get married.” He calmly repeated. Natalia looked at him weirdly.
“Arian, what has suddenly gotten into you?”
“The need for you to be legally mine so we can do whatever you want us to.” He replied with a smile. Her eyes turned glossy.
“You know I wish to say yes… But you also know I can’t.”
“Natalia, it’s the same reason I can’t give you what you’re asking even though I desperately want it too.” He softly explained.
“Like you rightly said, the reality, my reality is that I’m hooked to someone else. I respect you too much to treat you like the mistress, the outside woman. Let me protect your dignity.” He whispered close to her lips.
“I just wanna be with you.” She whispered back. Arian leaned his head on her chest.
“You can really be difficult, you know? What happened to the practical you?” Natalia rested her chin on his head and grinned.
“I don’t want her right now.” Her fingers slid to the nape of his neck and gently touched his hair. Meanwhile, the Empress Alexis snorted from where she idly sat in her mind.
“Don’t do that!” Arian hastily breathed and Natalia flinched.
“Wh.. what? Why?”
“I don’t want you to get pregnant.”
“Pregnant?!” She shrieked wide eyed.
“With you on me, I’m already fighting for control. It might just snap if you keep doing that. And just so you know, protection seems boring.” Natalia rolled her eyes.
“I’m serious.” Arian pulled her closer making her flush.
“Natalia, let me respect you. We’ll wait until I’m no longer betrothed to Selena and then we’ll get married. Promise?” She stared at him with so much love radiating in her eyes.
“I promise to wait for you, Arian Antonio De’ Argent till we get married.” She sacredly placed a hand on her chest and he chuckled.
“Personne ne prendra jamais ta place dans mon coeur, mon amour.” ( No one will ever take your place in my heart, my love). She promised in French.
“Je serai toujours fou de toi.” ( I’ll forever be crazy about you). He confessed.
Natalia smiled and they leaned in closer to seal their promises with a chaste kiss…
***
“Jeffy! Come on in. I didn’t know you’ld be coming over so late.” Ashley glowed and enthusiastically pulled him in.
“Do you want a d…”
“Ashley, we need to talk.” Jeffrey cut her off. She turned around, finally noticing his serious look.
“About?” She curiously blinked her lashes. Jeffrey took in a deep breath and pocketed his cold hands.
“Ash, why don’t you move back to Italy?”
“Huh?”
“I mean, back to your life and friends over there. Why don’t you go back home?” He looked at her softly. Ashley chuckled.
“I’m home, Jeff. What are you…”
“Ashley, you’re not.” He stated. “A home is a place where we’re surrounded by our loved ones. And fpr you, this is just a house. Uncle’s gone and you’re alone. You’re lonely, Ash. You have no friends here. Why don’t you just…”
“I don’t wanna go!” She quipped. “Have you forgotten the reason I came back? Aunt’s gone! I don’t have anyone over there. There’s no one to go back…”
“But it’s worse over here! You have nobody to keep you company. Your life and friends are over there…”
“Jeffrey, I’m okay just being with you.” She reached for him with a smile. Jeffrey weakly breathed out and rubbed his aching head.
“Ashley, I can’t always be with you. And starting from tonight, we’re gonna be seeing each other less frequently.” Her eyes widened.
“I… I don’t…”
“Our friendship is causing a lot of problems, Ash. I spend so much time with you that my relationship with others is affected.”
“Your parents understand! I’m sure your friends do too.”
“And what about Nicky?” He pointed out. Ashley briefly looked away.
“Nicky understands. She’s cool with it, with us.” She bit her lip. Jeffrey Campbell fought the urge to laugh.
“Nicky’s NOT cool with us always being together! She left me, Ashley! I prioritised you over her and she got fed up and left both me…. and Beverly hills all together! She thinks you’re still in love with me and broke our relationship because she was afraid I’ld do it sooner than later.”
“She’s gonna come back if she really loves you. You don’t have to leave me too like everyone else!” Ashley teared up.
“I’m never gonna leave you, Ash. I promise.” His features softened.
“Then stay.” She choked and hugged him. Jeffrey let her cry for a few seconds.
“I can’t, Ash.” He whispered.
“Why?” She sobbed more.
“I have to try to fix my relationship with Nicky before it’s too late. I’ve benched her a lot and I need to make it up to her.” She held him tighter.
“I love you so much, Jeffy.”
“I know. And I love you too. You’re my first friend.” He paused and continued. “But when Nicky’s involved, our friendship comes second.”
“I’ve never stopped loving you.” She whispered inaudibly. Jeffrey froze and blinked twice. But he pushed the thought aside.
“I have to go.”
“When will I see you again?” She mumbled in his chest.
“I… I don’t know.” He confessed. Ashley tried to hide it but Jeffrey felt more tears on his shirt.
Suddenly, she pulled away and frowned up at him. “Is that why you wanted me to leave?” He looked confused.
“So you could bring back your girlfriend when I’m out of the way??”
“No!” He was stunned. “I won’t lie to you, Ash. The thought might’ve crossed my mind but I only wanted you to be surrounded by people that love you when I’m…” She held up her hand to shun him.
“Save it!” Her sudden anger threw him off balance. “I didn’t expect you to tell me the truth.”
“Ash…”
“Go ahead if you wanna bring your girlfriend back! No one’s stopping you. But just know that California is large enough for the three of us!”
“I’m not leaving you. I promised just n…”
“But I am! You know what? I’m gonna make it much easier for you.” She glared, anger blazing off her like sparks.
“Leave!” She ordered, pointing at the doorway. Jeffrey’s ocean blue eyes widened.
“You said you wanted to leave, right? Go! I’m giving you the permission.”
But he stood still.
“Get out!!” She pushed him when he tried to reach out. “Out, Jeff! Out!” She pushed him again aggressively.
“You don’t need to care about me anymore! I’ll be fine on my own. I don’t need anyone’s pity. And I’m definitely not going anywhere by force! So go save your relationship and forget about me!” She flung her hair away when it got all over her face.
“Ashley, you need to…”
“I said get out!” She yelled and continued pushing him until they got to the door. Jeffrey tried to grab her but she jerked away.
“Leave, Jeff! And don’t ever come back!” She pointed at the door. In the process, her nightie jacket became loose but she left it.
“Go away!” She screamed when he opened his mouth to talk again.
“Ashley, you can get arrested for disturbance!” But she wasn’t listening.
“Out! You don’t have to worry about me anymore. Leave! Just like everyone else. I don’t need you! Go away! At least you warned me beforehand.
”You no longer have to worry about me getting in the way of your goddamn life! Goodbye, Jeffrey Campbell!” She screamed and slammed the door in his face!…