Reyna’s POV
The dress was breathtaking a flowing silver gown that shimmered with every movement, hugging my figure perfectly. Two makeup artists fluttered around me, adding the finishing touches to my makeup and styling my hair into elegant waves. Their chatter faded into the background as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. For a moment, I almost didn’t recognize myself.
“Perfect,” one of them said, stepping back to admire their work. “You’re going to be the star of the party tonight.”
I smiled politely, though my mind was elsewhere. Tonight wasn’t just about beauty or elegance it was about navigating a night filled with uncertainty and hidden motives.
The door opened, and Stephanie walked in, already dressed in a sleek emerald-green gown that complemented her complexion perfectly. She looked stunning, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“Reyna,” she gasped, placing a hand on her chest as she walked closer. “You look incredible.”
I laughed softly. “Look who’s talking. You’re glowing, Steph.”
She reached out to squeeze my hand, her expression softening. “Thank you. But seriously, you’re going to turn heads tonight. John won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”
I tried to focus on her words, but a flicker of guilt passed through me at the mention of John. I smiled and said, “Let’s just hope tonight goes smoothly.”
The makeup artists finished their work and gathered their things, leaving us alone in the room. Stephanie leaned against the edge of the vanity, her expression shifting to something more serious.
“Reyna,” she began, her voice low, “we need to be careful tonight.”
I sighed, nodding. “I know. Diane always has a way of making her presence felt.”
“She’ll be up to something,” Stephanie said firmly. “I’ll keep my eyes down and stay alert while you enjoy your time with John.”
I reached for her hand, grateful for her support. “Thank you, Steph. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’ll never have to find out,” she replied with a small smile.
But the guilt gnawed at me again, sharper this time. I hesitated, then admitted, “I’m feeling awful about Jake. I haven’t seen him since… well, since everything. I need to talk to him before the party begins.”
Stephanie frowned slightly. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? You know how he feels, and-”
“I know,” I interrupted gently. “But I can’t just leave things hanging between us. I need to see him, even if it’s just for a moment.”
She hesitated, then nodded. “Alright. Just… be careful, Reyna.”
“I will,” I promised.
As she left to head to her room, I stood up and smoothed down my gown, steeling myself. I didn’t know what I would say to Jake, but I couldn’t ignore this knot in my chest.
I made my way through the mansion’s corridors, my heels clicking softly against the marble floors. When I reached Jake’s door, I hesitated. My hand hovered over the door, ready to knock, but something stopped me.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open.
My heart nearly stopped. Jake was standing there, a towel slung low around his waist as he dried his hair with another towel. Water droplets glistened on his toned chest, and the sight of him, so raw and unguarded, made my breath catch.
“Oh my god,” I gasped, spinning around to look at the door, but it was too late.
Jake froze, then slowly lowered the towel from his head. “Reyna,” he said, his voice low and tinged with surprise.
Before I could stammer out an apology, he strode over to me. His movements were slow but deliberate, his expression unreadable.
He reached past me, closing the door with a soft click. Then, to my utter disbelief, he locked it.
I turned to face him, my eyes wide with a mix of confusion and panic.
“Jake, what are you doing?” I whispered.
But he didn’t answer right away. He stood there, looking at me like he was trying to decipher every thought running through my head. And in that moment, with the door locked and his gaze fixed on mine, I realized there was no escaping whatever was about to happen.
And the worst part? I didn’t want to.
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Jake’s POV
The moment the door clicked shut, I saw panic flash in Reyna’s eyes. She stood frozen, her hand clutching the edge of her gown as if she could somehow shield herself from what was about to happen.
“Jake… I…” she began, her voice trembling.
I didn’t let her finish. In two strides, I was in front of her, my hand covering her mouth. “Shh,” I whispered, my voice low and rough. “Do you want someone to hear us?”
Her wide eyes met mine, and I could see the struggle within her. She was fighting herself just as much as I was fighting the urge to close the distance completely.
“Why are you here, Reyna?” I asked, my voice softer now but no less intense. “Do you know what you’re doing to me?”
She didn’t answer. She couldn’t, with my hand still lightly covering her lips. But her gaze told me everything I needed to know she felt it too, this unbearable pull between us.
I leaned in closer, my hand dropping to her jaw as I studied her face. “You shouldn’t have come,” I whispered, though every fiber of my being was glad she had.
Her breath hitched, and that was all it took for my restraint to snap. I pressed her against the wall, my hands bracketing her head as I kissed her. It wasn’t gentle or cautious. It was raw, desperate, filled with all the emotions I’d been suppressing for far too long.
Reyna gasped against my lips, her hands coming up to press against my chest. For a moment, I thought she might push me away, but then her fingers curled into my shirt, pulling me closer.
“You drive me insane,” I muttered against her lips before trailing kisses down her jawline and neck.
She whimpered softly, her head tilting back to give me better access. I didn’t hesitate, my lips finding the sensitive spot just below her ear. Her reaction her sharp intake of breath, the way her body arched against mine was intoxicating.
I slid one strap of her gown off her shoulder, my lips following the exposed skin. She shivered under my touch, and I couldn’t stop myself from exploring further. My hand found her breast, and I felt her heartbeat racing beneath my palm.
“Jake,” she whispered, her voice shaky and filled with something that set my blood on fire.
I pulled back just enough to look at her, my hand gently cupping her cheek. Her lips were swollen from our kiss, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes… God, her eyes were filled with so much emotion it nearly undid me.
I couldn’t stop myself. I kissed her again, softer this time but no less passionate. My hand moved to her other shoulder, sliding the gown down further. When I leaned down to take her nipple into my mouth, her muffled cry sent a shiver through me.
“Shh,” I reminded her, my hand coming up to cover her mouth again. “We can’t let anyone hear us.”
Her wide eyes stared back at me, her chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath. For a moment, I thought she might tell me to stop. But she didn’t. Instead, she nodded slightly, her body relaxing against mine even as her breathing quickened.
I kissed her again, my lips moving back to her neck as my hands roamed over her body. I wasn’t thinking anymore just feeling, giving in to the desire that had been building between us for so long.
But even in the haze of passion, a tiny voice in the back of my mind reminded me that this wasn’t the time or place for things to go further. No matter how badly I wanted her, I couldn’t let it happen like this.
Reluctantly, I pulled back, adjusting her gown as I tried to catch my breath. “We shouldn’t…” I began, my voice trailing off as I saw the conflicted look in her eyes.
“Jake…” she started, but before she could say more, a sharp knock on the door made us both freeze.
My head snapped toward the sound, my heart pounding in my chest.
“Jake? Are you in there?” John’s voice called from the other side.
Reyna’s eyes widened in panic, and I motioned for her to stay quiet. “Yeah,” I called back, my voice strained but steady. “What do you need?”
“There’s something we need to discuss before the party,” John said, his tone impatient.
I turned back to Reyna, my mind racing. She looked at me, her cheeks flushed and her lips trembling. I grabbed her hand and whispered, “Stay here. Don’t make a sound.”
She nodded, her breathing still unsteady as I turned toward the door. My pulse was racing, but I couldn’t let John or anyone else know what had just happened. Not yet.