Chapter 2 : Late-Night Flirt

*Grace*

We were all gathered around the dining table that night, laughing and sharing memories of our past since most of us had studied together in high school. Sarah's other bridesmaids – Emma and Lisa – had arrived earlier today as well so we could all help with the last preparations for the ceremony and the party, and be here for her before the big day.

As we all updated each other on what we were up to these days, I couldn't help but wonder about why David wasn’t present for dinner. Despite the laughter surrounding me, his absence weighed heavily on my mind. As much as I wanted to ask Sarah about him, I couldn't risk exposing my interest in her father.

Putting that aside though, I had a lot of fun catching up with people I hadn't seen in years. It felt good to know how their lives turned out to be and see that we still got along well after so long.

As soon as dinner came to an end, I retreated to my room, desperate to escape the turmoil of emotions brewing within me. My heart raced as I slipped into bed, the satin sheets doing little to quell the desires that threatened to consume me. I knew it was wrong to entertain such thoughts about Sarah's father, but the intense attraction between us earlier today was impossible to ignore.

Could this ever lead anywhere? Back in high school, I knew it was impossible. I thought it was only the discoveries of a young woman–something that'd dissipate with time. I wasn't even an adult back then. But now, the question plagued my mind, igniting a fire within me that begged for resolution. I knew I should push those thoughts away and focus on the joyous occasion – my best friend's wedding – but as I lay there, all I could think about was David.

"Damn it," I whispered into the darkness, my heart aching for something I knew I shouldn't want. Yet, desire refused to be silenced, and the more I tried to quiet it, the louder it roared.

The night seemed to stretch on endlessly, tormenting me with unfulfilled yearnings and unanswered questions. In the quiet sanctuary of my room, I felt both safe and trapped, longing for liberation from my own forbidden desires.

Unable to sleep, I tossed and turned in my bed, imagining the way David's touch would feel on my skin. Frustrated, I knew I needed to do something to distract myself. Slipping out of bed, I decided to head down to the kitchen for a glass of water or maybe even a late-night snack.

I walked silently through the Biltmore Estate, intimidated by its opulence. I still felt a bit uncomfortable being surrounded by all this luxury. It was something I never got used to being friends with Sarah. No matter how humble she was about her background, it was impossible not to compare my simple life with hers.

Upon entering the kitchen, I was startled to find none other than David himself, comfortably seated on a stool and drinking from a glass of what I assumed was whisky.

He stood there, looking as if he had been lost in thought, his piercing blue eyes snapping up to meet mine as he sensed my arrival. I couldn't help but notice the way his gaze lingered on my nightgown, which I realized seemed far too short now that I was standing before him.

"Grace," he murmured, a knowing smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Fancy meeting you here."

"David," I responded, feeling my heart skip a beat at the sound of his voice. "Sorry, I wasn’t expecting to find anyone awake. I can go back if you want to be alone," I offered, trying to hide my excitement for meeting him.

He flashed me a smile that lit up his face.

"Please, don't let me stop you from doing what you came here for," he said with a casual wave of his hand, indicating the kitchen around us.

I felt my cheeks flush and couldn't help but feel drawn to him. There was something about the way he carried himself that was so alluring–confident, yet approachable at the same time. I found myself wanting to know more about him. To get closer to him. To run my hands through his stomach down to his…

Focus, Grace!

"Thank you," I replied, trying to regain my composure as I moved towards the fridge. As I reached for a bottle of water, he struck up a conversation, asking me if I was excited for the wedding. It seemed innocent enough, but I could feel the tension between us growing thicker.

"Will your boyfriend be joining us?" he suddenly asked, catching me by surprise, a hint of mischief in his eyes.

I pondered lying to see what his reaction would be, but eventually decided against it.

"Actually, I don't have one," I admitted, feeling a strange mix of vulnerability and defiance. I could see he was prying, trying to find out more about my personal life.

"Interesting," David mused, leaning against the kitchen counter with an air of nonchalance.

"And what about you? Will you be bringing anyone to Sarah’s wedding?" I didn’t know what came over me to ask him personal questions, but for some reason, I felt like returning his question the same way.

"Me?" He smirked, as if amused by my question. "No, I won't be having anyone join me."

His answer was vague and mysterious, leaving me curious and even more intrigued. Without expecting it, our conversation had taken a flirtatious turn, the playful banter between us sparking a seductive undercurrent. The sexual tension in the room was palpable, and I found myself drawn closer to him despite my better judgment.

As we stood there in the dimly lit kitchen, the weight of our unspoken attraction hanging heavy in the air, I knew that this moment would forever be etched in my memory.

I couldn't help but notice the mischievous glint in David's eyes as he got up from his stool and advanced towards me–his tall, distinguished build filling the space between us.

I watched him with a questioning look, my brows slightly raising as I looked into his intense eyes. Why was he coming so close to me? The air between us felt charged with desire, every step he took adding fuel to the fire that burned within me.

"So, tell me..." His voice was low and commanding. It was clear that we were both aware of the dangerous game we were playing, but for now, neither of us seemed willing to back down. "Are you content being single, Grace?"

Feeling the heat of the moment, I responded with confidence, my eyes meeting his piercing blue gaze. "Of course I am. Are you?"

"Oh, I'm more than alright. I'm not really serious-relationship material." His response was loaded with ambiguity, and it sent a surge of longing through my body.

"Really?" My curiosity piqued. I wondered why he'd say such a thing. "I don't believe that. You seem like someone who could be committed if you wanted to."

I briefly remembered Sarah mentioning something about an ex-wife at some point in the past, but I couldn't force myself to remember exactly what it was.

David playfully called me out, daring me with a smirk. "You think so? What I can offer is more than most women can handle."

I fought the urge to gulp and lifted my chin in defiance. For some reason, I thought he was testing me and I didn't feel like backing down.

"Or maybe we could," I challenged him, equally daring and ignoring the shiver that ran down my spine as his brows raised at me with curiosity. "You're generalizing. You don't really know all women."

The electricity in the room intensified. The scent of his cologne filled my nostrils, a mix of cedar and bergamot that somehow perfectly captured his essence. I could feel the warmth radiating from his body, and when the corner of his lips curled up in a wicked smirk, I had to clench my thighs together, feeling my core tingling with desire.

"Grace," he whispered, his voice husky and filled with temptation.

My heart was pounding so hard against my chest that I feared it'd break a rib or something. Our playful banter had gradually transformed into something much deeper, a connection that neither of us could ignore any longer, but none of us dared to address it directly either.

As we stood there, the luxurious details of the kitchen fading into the background, I focused on the sound of our erratic breaths intertwining and the way his gaze never left mine. It was as if we had entered a world of our own, where only the desire between us existed.

Yet, despite the temptation that coursed through my veins, I knew that this moment was merely the beginning of something far more complex–a dance between lust and restraint, with consequences that could impact not just our lives but those around us as well.

My friendship with Sarah was far too important for me to ignore it or even throw it away for a good fuck. But at the same time, my attraction to David was something I was finding extremely hard to ignore too. I couldn't push away the dirty thoughts he provoked in me, no matter how hard I tried. Knowing I’d be bumping into him for the next few days wasn’t helping my anxiety either.

I couldn't shake the feeling that we were standing at the edge of a precipice–one that would either lead to unparalleled passion or untold heartache. But for now, all I wanted was to linger in the intoxicating allure of the unknown, allowing the sparks between us to burn bright and wild.

The air between us crackled with an electric energy–a dangerous and intoxicating current that threatened to consume me. I could feel the weight of his gaze, the heat emanating from his body as he stood before me. His eyes–those piercing blue orbs–were filled with a mixture of lust and caution.

"You should go back to your room," David continued. The warning tone in his voice betrayed the internal struggle he seemed to be experiencing–the battle between his desires and his self-control.

"Are you afraid of what might happen if I don't?" I challenged, my heart racing in my chest as I boldly met his gaze.

"Behave," he warned, though even he seemed unsure of whether he was speaking to me or to himself.

"Do you really want me to leave?" I whispered, my breath hitching in my throat as I pushed back against the invisible barrier that separated us.

Why the hell did I ask that?

The heavy silence that followed was nearly unbearable, our unspoken desire simmering beneath the surface, threatening to boil over at any moment. But instead of answering my question, David simply stared at me, his eyes filled with a longing that mirrored my own. It was clear that we were both acutely aware of the consequences of giving in to our desires, yet neither of us seemed capable of tearing ourselves away from one another.

"Go," he finally murmured, his voice barely audible but laden with lust. The single word felt like a punch to my gut, but I knew it was for the best.

With a heavy heart, I turned to leave the kitchen, each step away from David feeling like an eternity. My body yearned for his touch, craved the connection that had ignited within us during our late-night encounter. As I reluctantly made my way back to my room, I couldn't help but wonder if this was already the end of our forbidden passion or merely the beginning.

The night closed around me, leaving me alone in my bed, aching with need. My desire for David hung in the air like a thick fog–a tantalizing reminder of the unresolved tension that continued to smolder between us.