Selena’s P. O. V.
“For the past few days, you’ve seemed so lost, Selena. Is something bothering you?” Stella asks after the first lecture ends, as I sit between her and Zoe in the college classroom.
“Yeah, you’ve been acting weird. Spill it,” Zoe adds, leaning closer. “We know you’re hiding something.”
I stare at them, shocked. Am I that obvious? Has Mr Luther been occupying my thoughts so much that even they’ve noticed?
“It’s nothing.” I try to brush it off, although I know they won’t leave me until I tell them.
“Don’t lie to us.” Stella gives me a angry look. “We’re your best friends. You can trust us.”
Zoe says, “Yeah, we’re not letting you leave until you tell us what’s happening.”
I knew it!
But can I really tell them? Would they judge me? What if they think I’m crazy for being so obsessed with my father’s friend?
“You both have to promise you won’t judge me.” As I say, they both glare at me.
“Seriously, you think we’ll judge you, Sel?” Zoe asks, folding her arms across her chest.
Stella reassures me, “We’ll never judge you. Now tell us.”
After taking a deep breath, I finally open up. I tell them about Mr Luther-my attraction to him, and the fact that he’s my father’s friend and our age difference.
Zoe’s jaw drops. “Wait, hold on. Are you telling me you’re into your dad’s friend?”
“What happened to the choice of our friend, Zoe? She is interested in an oldie.” Stella teases.
“Guys, he’s the man I kissed at the bar that night during the dare.”
As I tell them, they both stare at me in shock and exclaim in unison, “What the fuck!”
Stella says, “Okay, I have to admit-he does look younger than his age. Now I get why you’re so attracted to him.”
I nod, my face turning crimson. “He is so damn attractive, and I don’t know what to do. He’s my dad’s best friend. It’s so wrong, but I can’t stop fantasising about him.”
“Why are you overthinking, Selena? You already spend the night with random guys, so what’s the problem with sleeping with Mr Luther? Besides, who’s going to tell your dad that you hooked up with his friend?” Zoe smirks.
“Zoe!” Stella scolds, frowning. “Stop giving her ridiculous advice. You’re going to get her into trouble. What if her dad finds out? Or worse-what if they get into a relationship and things get complicated? Love, attachment, everything could go wrong.”
Her words make me scared.
“These things are forbidden for me, Stella!” I snap, feeling overwhelmed.
Love and attachment can never happen, not with anyone, especially not with Mr Luther.
I groan, burying my face in my hands. “Guys, I can’t stop thinking about him, but I know nothing can happen between us. I can never let that happen.”
“Don’t overthink this.” Zoe pulls me into a comforting side hug. “We’re here for you, no matter what.”
Stella wraps her arms around me from the other side, sandwiching me between the two of them. “Yeah, just follow your heart. Go with the flow, Selena,” she advises
I wish I could listen to my heart, but I never can because if I do, I’ll disappoint my parents, and that’s something I could never do.
So, I have to keep my distance from Mr Luther, no matter how much he tempts me or how strongly I desire him.
After a moment, Zoe suggests, “Okay, here’s an idea. After college, let’s go to the bar. You can flirt with other guys, and get James out of your head.” She raises her brows at me, grinning.
“That’s actually not a bad idea,” I admit, laughing.
I think Zoe’s right-maybe I just need a distraction. Something, anything, to stop me from thinking about Mr Luther.
***
After college, we head to the club and grab some drinks. As we talk, I notice James walk into the club.
“He follows me everywhere I go,” I mutter in frustration.
But damn, he looks ridiculously hot, as always, in his three-piece suit. I can’t take my eyes off him. He notices me too, and for a moment, his intense eyes lock with mine before he walks into a private room with another man following him.
As I try to distract myself, I notice a guy staring at me from across the room. He’s handsome, but not nearly as attractive as my Mr Hottie.
Selena, stop comparing every man to him.
The guy finally walks over to me, and Stella and Zoe immediately leave, giving me cheeky smiles and wishing me luck.
We start chatting, and while he’s flirtatious and charming, I can’t feel interested in him. Because the particular man with grey eyes is living in my head rent-free.
Selena, just distract yourself from Mr Luther. Stop thinking about him.
“Let’s go to the dance floor,” I suggest, grabbing his hand.
He eagerly agrees, and we hit the dance floor.
I try to focus on the music and distract myself from Mr Luther. The guy grabs my waist and pulls me closer before leaning in toward my lips. I want to push him away, but before I can, someone spins me around.
My eyes widen in shock as I see Mr. Luther, his angry gaze fixed on me and his jaw clenched. What’s going on with him?
Without a word, he grabs the back of my neck and pulls me closer. Then he crashes his lips against mine, claiming me as if I belong to him. He doesn’t ask for permission-he just takes it, and all my thoughts evaporate the second I feel his lips.
This kiss is different. It’s rough, passionate, and possessive like he’s staking his claim on me. I clutch his coat as he bites and nips at my lips, pouring his frustration into the kiss. His body presses against mine, heating me from the inside out.
One of his hands slips to my chest and squeezes my breast possessively. The way he touches me-like I’m his property and he has every right to touch me wherever he pleases-sets my skin on fire.
When he finally breaks the kiss, I’m breathless, my body trembling. He takes my hand in a firm grip as he commands, “You’re coming with me.”
His voice is low and dangerous, and I can see now why the maids fear him. There’s a dark intensity in his piercing gaze that makes it impossible to disobey.
But I can’t figure out why he’s so angry.
I glance at Stella and Zoe, who are staring at me with wide eyes and open mouths, completely shocked by what just happened. I’m just as stunned, but deep down, I can’t deny that I like the way he kisses me.
He pulls me into a private room, which looks like an office, and immediately pins me against the wall by grabbing my waist. He places his hands on either side of my head, caging me in as his face inches closer to mine. I can feel his warm breath on my skin which is sending shivers down my spine.
“I know you want this just as much as I do. So why can’t you just stop pretending?” He makes me wet with his husky voice like always.
Fuck! My desire!
“What are you talking about? I don’t want anything from you,” I stammer, trying to sound convincing.
He frowns at me. “Don’t play innocent with me. I saw the way you ogled at my chest this morning. The way you pressed your thighs together, trying to control yourself. And now…” His gaze drops to my pussy, making my cheeks burn. “You’re already shivering, panting when I haven’t touched you properly yet.”
“This is wrong,” I stutter, our proximity driving me crazy. “You’re my dad’s friend. He’d never forgive me-or you-if he found out.”
“It’s just about one night. No one has to know. One night, Selena. We’ll fulfil this desire that’s eating us alive, and then it’ll be over.” He gives me a pleading look.
His words send electricity through me, and for a moment, I’m tempted to give in. My body screams for his touch, my mind can’t forget the memory of his lips on mine. But no. I can’t do this.
I shake my head as I push against his chest. “This thing between us-it’s wrong. Why don’t you understand?”
His jaw tightens, and he leans in closer, his eyes locking with mine. “Wrong? Tell me, Selena, if it’s so wrong, why can’t you stop thinking about me? Why your body shivers every time I touch you.”
I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. He’s right-I can’t stop. My thoughts are consumed by him. But that doesn’t mean I should give in.
“I can’t hurt my family, Mr Luther. I can’t betray my father like that.”
He exhales sharply, frustrated. “Do you think I care about anyone else right now? I care about what’s between us. And I know you feel it too.”
His hand cups my cheek, his thumb brushing against my skin. The tender gesture is completely different from his earlier roughness, and it breaks something inside me.
“I’m sorry, I can’t do this. Please understand.” Now I look at him with pleading eyes, and he keeps staring into my eyes silently as if he is trying to read them.
“Fine,” he says after a long pause. “Keep running away from this, Selena. But don’t pretend it doesn’t exist. Don’t pretend you don’t want it as much as I do.”
He steps back, putting distance between us, and for a moment, I feel the absence of his warmth like a physical ache.
What the hell is happening to me? I have to keep my distance from him before it gets too deep.
James Luther is a trouble for me, and I’ll do everything to keep myself out of it.
“Go,” he says, his voice cold now. “But remember this, Selena-I don’t give up easily.”
For a second, I stand frozen there. Then I force myself to turn away. My hand trembles as I open the door, and I don’t dare look back at him.
As I step out of the room, I feel my friends’ eyes on me. Zoe and Stella rush over, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and concern.
“What the hell just happened in there?” Zoe demands, grabbing my arm.
I shake my head, trying to steady my breathing. “Nothing. Let’s just go.” I walk past them.
But as we leave the club, Mr Luther’s words replay in my mind.
He doesn’t give up easily.
And the worst part? Deep down, I’m not sure I want him to.
Fuck!