The cold water hitting her head felt like a sudden plunge into ice-cold water, shocking her out of her drunken state. Brandon cranked the knob to full force, making it impossible for her to open her eyes against the relentless stream. The cold water quickly sobered her up, and her senses sharpened.
Diana gasped and arched her back, her trembling hand scrambling to turn off the water. Once the flow stopped, she wiped her face and saw Brandon’s disapproving expression.
Diana’s face burned with anger, her cheeks turning red. “Brandon, seriously? Are you trying to freeze me? It’s fine if you don’t like me, but treating me like this?”
Brandon sneered, his voice cold. Each word he spoke felt like a sharp jab to Diana’s heart.
“Miss Schultz, you’re quite the actress, pretending to be innocent,” Brandon mocked. “Remember how you used to pull away from me? You even puked on me when I touched you. So what’s with the sudden change? No disgust for men today? Plenty of men were bothering you, making you drink, and getting too close. I thought you liked the attention. Is that it? Are you ready to jump into their beds?”
Humiliated and trembling, Diana slapped Brandon across the cheek. “What’s wrong with you?” she snapped, frustration in her voice.
“I was talking about business. Who gave you the right to say things like that?”
Stunned by the slap, Brandon staggered back, his hand reaching his reddening cheek. He had never been slapped like that before. Diana had left him in shock.
After a moment, Brandon let out a bitter laugh, his fingers lightly touching the painful spot on his cheek. His face darkened with the sting. He couldn’t believe how hard Diana had slapped him. Why didn’t she just stand up to those men instead?
“Business, huh?” Brandon said. “What kind of business involves getting close to a man? Do you even realize those guys were about to take advantage of you? If I hadn’t shown up, who knows what could have happened when you passed out drunk?”
With each word, Brandon’s frustration grew. How could Diana be so unaware of her own safety? Who goes out alone to a club without thinking of the risks?
“Miss Schultz, have you thought about your safety? You probably would have cursed those men after they used you.”
Diana stood frozen for a moment, unable to speak. The events of the night rushed back, sending chills down her spine. The fear of being forced to drink again made her tremble, but she refused to back down, especially in front of Brandon.
With her chin held high, she replied arrogantly, “This is my business, not yours. Who are you to tell me what to do? Even if they had their way with me, it’s none of your concern.”
Brandon punched the wall with a loud thud, just inches from Diana’s ear.
The sound sent a shock through her, and her heart raced as she was pressed against the wall.
When she finally met his intense stare, a wave of guilt hit her unexpectedly. She wanted to look away, but his grip on her chin was firm, forcing her to keep her eyes locked with his.
Brandon’s fingers tightened around her chin as he trapped her against the wall, growing more frustrated with her harsh words.
“Who am I to you?” His voice was low and threatening, bringing up Diana’s painful past. “Your first time was with me, and that’s something that lasts forever.”
Diana’s anger flared, her hand twitching as if to slap him again, but he stopped her. His frown deepened as he grabbed her wrist, his voice cold. “Do you enjoy slapping me?”
In a swift motion, he pinned both her wrists against the wall, his lips pressing softly against hers.
Diana’s eyes widened in shock, and she recoiled instinctively, feeling dizzy. She tried to push him away, but their bodies stayed locked together, suppressing her struggle.
Brandon’s bite on her lip was firm, his eyes challenging her. Without a word, he dared her to resist, almost as if he was provoking her to fight back, even if it meant something embarrassing.
Diana winced at the pressure on her lip, but she didn’t back down. She kissed him with equal force, an unexpected urge rising inside her, almost wishing she could just throw up to break the tension.
Their kiss became a silent battle, each of them holding their ground, unwilling to give in.
For a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away, with only the sound of their lips connecting.
As time passed, Diana felt the heaviness in her heart slowly lift, replaced by a strange sense of calm and a touch of longing.
Brandon’s face hovered close to hers, and Diana found his features strangely captivating for some reason.
Lost in the kiss, Diana became distracted. Brandon noticed it, and he smirked, playfully pinching her waist. “Do you think I can’t turn you on like those men did?”
Tears welled up in her eyes, and a painful ache settled inside her. She frowned, her cheeks flushed with desire. The fabric of her shirt clung to her, soaked and see-through, making her feel exposed.
Brandon swallowed hard, his body betraying his control. Despite his best efforts to hold back, he felt himself drawn to her, his desire growing stronger.
Diana’s fingers traced along his back, sending heat through him. His eyes darkened as he gritted his teeth and tried to control his desire. When he saw she was about to faint in his arms again, he pulled her close, gripping her tightly.
“You can’t leave me hanging after turning me on,” he whispered.
A throbbing headache clouded Diana’s thoughts as his voice continued. Frustrated by the noise, she pressed her hand over his mouth to silence him.
Maybe it was the alcohol, but the closeness between them didn’t make her feel sick. Instead, she felt a quiet pleasure.
Her soft touch seemed to spark something between them. Brandon loosened his tie, his hand wrapping around her waist as he lifted her effortlessly. With smooth motions, he unbuttoned her blouse, tossing the wet fabric aside, and carried her toward the bedroom, each step filled with anticipation.
Diana woke up and felt sore all over her body, as though a heavy stone had crashed onto her.
The sun was high, filling the room with warm, golden light. Slowly, she sat up, her eyes drawn to the strange marks on her skin.
She stared at them in confusion. While she couldn’t remember the details of last night, she didn’t feel angry. The only pain she had was the dull ache in her body, a reminder of what had happened.
Maybe her condition was getting better? The thought made her feel hopeful. If she got well, she could return to living a normal life.