Aria
When I finally pull out of the kiss, panting so fucking hard, Lucas is nowhere near the bar anymore. Nope, he’s all broody and angry, sitting in the lounge area with Serena flapping her gums beside him. Except he’s not even listening to her. His eyes are laser-focused on me, and holy shit, if looks could kill, I’d be toast right now.
I barely register Danny’s hands sliding back around my waist. He leans in, his breath hot against my ear. “You taste so fucking good.”
I laugh, the alcohol buzzing through me like a damn fly I can’t shake off. I feel reckless, light, and just… ready to let loose. But apparently, I’m not letting loose enough…not with Lucas still sitting there, pretending Serena’s yammering is worth his attention.
“I wanna go crazy tonight!” I yell, throwing my hands in the air and bouncing like a hyperactive kid on a sugar high.
Danny’s totally game. He starts gyrating with me, and soon enough, he’s got me turned around, my back pressed against him. His arm snakes around my waist, pulling me even closer. I start grinding, my hips moving like I’m auditioning for a Cardi B music video.
“Fuck… you’re killing me,” Danny groans, his grip tightening on my waist.
“You like that?” I tease, picking up the pace. His low groan tells me everything I need to know.
I can feel him now…his dick is fucking hard as hell but, of course, my stupid, traitorous brain decides to take a detour straight to Lucas. I start imagining it’s him standing behind me, his hands on my waist, his body pressed against mine. Damn it, Aria. Focus.
But hey, since Lucas and I haven’t officially rejected each other yet, this little show must be doing something to him. Physically hurting, emotionally tortured…. that’s what he gets for dragging this shit out.
“Fuck, I need more right now,” Danny whispers, his voice all husky and needy. Then one of his hands starts to slide off my waist and make its way down to my thighs.
“Yo, relax!” I smack his hand away like it’s a rogue mosquito.
“C’mon, let me make you feel good,” he murmurs into my ear, trying again like the persistent little shit he is.
I swat him away a second time, that’s when his hands go stiff, like he’s suddenly frozen. The next thing I know, they’re ripped off my waist entirely, and then his scent hits me.
I whip around, and yep, it’s Lucas. He looks like he’s two seconds away from tearing Danny in half.
“What the fuck, man?” Danny says, clearly confused and maybe a little terrified.
“Get the fuck out,” Lucas growls, his eyes flashing gold.
Danny blinks, then stutters, “You’re… Alpha Lucas?”
“Now,” Lucas snaps.
Danny doesn’t need to be told twice. He bolts so fast he probably leaves a Danny-shaped cloud behind.
I spin on Lucas, my fists clenched. “What the fuck is your problem, Lucas? How dare you chase my date away!”
He doesn’t even flinch. “Shut the fuck up, Aria. Have you lost your damn mind? What the hell do you think you’re doing out here?” His voice is sharp, and his eyes are practically shooting lasers.
I raise my chin, trying to ignore the way my heart stumbles in my chest. “Same thing you’re doing here.”
Right on cue, Serena slithers up beside him, her arms crossed and her pout locked and loaded. “Lucas, what’s going on?”
Lucas ignores her, his attention locked on me.
I smirk. “Yeah, Lucas, what’s going on? Don’t tell me you’re mad because I kissed some random guy. I mean, you’ve kissed her, right?” I jerk my thumb toward Serena, who’s now glaring daggers at me.
Serena narrows her eyes. “We’ve done more than kiss,” she says.
“Oh, really?” I cock an eyebrow. “Must’ve been boring as hell because I didn’t feel a damn thing.”
The seething look on her face? Priceless.
I turn back to Lucas, who, for some reason, looks like he’s enjoying this. “If you’ve got nothing else to say, I’m leaving. Thanks to you, my hot date is gone.”
I spin around, ready to storm off, but Lucas grabs my wrist and pulls me back. “You’re not going anywhere. You’re drunk as hell, and I’m not letting you do something stupid.”
“Who gives a fuck?” I shout, yanking at his grip. “You were drunk last night, and I didn’t stop you from cozying up to her!” I motion toward Serena, who scoffs so loudly I’m surprised she doesn’t choke.
“No Aria. I’m not letting you make a mistake just because you’re mad at me,” Lucas snaps. His tone alone makes my stomach flip so hard.
“It’s not because of you!” I fire back, even though ugh, fine…it might be a little about him.
“Are you sure?” he growls, pulling me closer. Now my body’s pressed against his rock-solid chest, and I swear I can feel his heartbeat, or maybe that’s just mine going full-on crazy. “Why’s your heart beating so fast, Aria?”
Shit. Shivers shoot down my spine like he’s playing me like a violin. His eyes, his voice, his scent…it’s all too much. He’s too much. And yet, all I can think about is how badly I want to fuck him, right here and now, consequences be damned.
“Lucas, what the hell are you doing?” Serena’s shrill voice slices through the moment, but Lucas doesn’t even flinch. He’s locked in on me.
I try to pull away again, but this man must be made of granite because his grip doesn’t budge. Then, without so much as a warning, he scoops me up like I’m some damsel in distress, and strides out of the club.
“Lucas! Put me down!” I squirm, but he tightens his hold like I’m a flight risk.
“Not a chance.”
“Lucas! LUCAS!” Serena screeches from somewhere behind us, but he doesn’t even glance back.
Once we’re outside, the cool night air hits my skin, and I hiss, “You can put me down now. Congrats, you’ve officially ruined my night.”
“No,” he says flatly, still walking like a man on a mission. “I’m taking you to your room.”
“Drop me down!”
“No.”
I start wiggling like a damn worm on a hook until he finally sets me down, well, more like drops me, and glares at me like I’m the one acting crazy.
“Aria, you’re drunk,” he says calmly.”I need to get you to your room.”
“I’ll be fine,” I mutter, wobbling a little but refusing to let him see me struggle. “Mia and Lily will take care of me.”
He crosses his arms, looking every bit the overprotective asshole. “Mia and Lily are also drunk. I told Theo and Damon to watch them earlier at the club.”
Okay, that was… thoughtful. But no way am I letting him see where I’m staying. Not that shitty cabin.
“I’ll go myself,” I insist, trying to muster some dignity as I stumble away.
“Aria…” His voice softens, and his fingers brush against my cheek, sending a fresh wave of goosebumps over my skin. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” I whisper, even as my body betrays me. Damn him and his stupid, intoxicating everything.
I make it to the cabin hallway without face-planting, but of course, the assholes are still outside. Smoking, drinking, and looking like they belong in a fucking ghetto.
“Hello, Blondie,” a familiar voice sneers. It’s that bald bastard from a few days ago. Fuck.
I ignore him, but of course, he grabs my arm and yanks me back like the creepy asshole he is.
“Where do you think you’re going? You think I’ve forgotten about what you did?” he laughs.
“Let me go, you fucking bastard!” I snap, kicking his dick hard.
He doubles over with a loud “Fuck!” but recovers quickly, slapping me across the face so hard I stumble and hit the ground.
Before he can pounce, a hand grabs him and throws him back like he weighs nothing.
“Lucas…” I breathe, relief and shock flooding through me.
He’s fuming…like, scary-fuming, as he climbs on top and starts pounding the guy like he’s a human punching bag. Each hit lands with a sickening thud, and I can’t help but wince.
“Lucas, stop! Please!” I beg, rushing to him, but he’s lost in his rage.
“Lucas!” I grab his arm, but he shakes me off, still beating the guy into an unrecognizable pulp.
Desperate, I wrap my arms around him from behind. “Lucas… stop. Please.”
That does it. His fist freezes mid-air, and he’s breathing like he just ran a marathon.
“It’s okay. Please,” I whisper, and he finally stands up, his chest heaving as he glares at the now-bloodied mess on the ground.
He turns to me, the rage in his eyes burning red. “What the fuck are you doing here?” he shouts, making me flinch.
“I…” My brain short-circuits under his fiery gaze. “My cabin is here,” I blurt out, and the way his expression twists from shock to disgust, makes my stomach sink.