Chapter 5 : Dangerous Game

*David*

My heart pounded in my chest as I paced back and forth in my room. The image of Grace smiling and blushing at Alex earlier was burned into my mind, fueling a jealousy that consumed me entirely. It gnawed at me relentlessly, making it impossible for me to focus on anything else.

As tempting as it had been to storm over, land a punch on the guy's face, and whisk her away from there, I managed to rein in my impulses.

The image of another man eliciting that radiant smile from her hit me harder than I anticipated. It was a strange sensation to feel this possessiveness over a woman. I'd never been the kind of guy to get territorial over someone, so I found myself grappling with the puzzle of what it was about Grace that triggered this unexpected side of me.

It was downright unnerving, to say the least.

I stopped pacing and walked over to the window, gazing out at the moonlit estate. The stunning view outside did little to calm my nerves though. I couldn't shake the feeling that Grace should have been laughing with me instead of Alex.

Then, when I met her in the gardens after that, I could barely control myself. My mind wandered back to our conversation, when she challenged me, asserting that I didn't know what she could handle. Her words had stirred something inside me–an intense desire to show her she didn't know what she was talking about. All I had wanted to do was pin her to a tree and fuck her right there in the open garden and make her moan my name out loud to whoever wanted to hear it.

My heart twisted in torment. How could I possibly navigate these treacherous waters without losing myself entirely? The uncertainty of what lay ahead left me teetering on the edge of a cliff, and I feared that one misstep would send me plummeting into the abyss.

I had always prided myself on being in control, on maintaining a sense of composure even in the most trying circumstances. But with Grace, I felt like I was losing my grip on the reins.

I had to get my shit together.

And soon.

Before I fucked everything up.

***

*Grace*

"Come on, Grace, I saw the way Alex was looking at you." Sarah nudged me playfully with a wide grin on her lips. "He's definitely still into you."

She had invited me to have a drink with her after dinner, which, for a brief moment, I felt like declining. But it wouldn't be fair with Sarah. I came here to help her after all and make her company until the wedding day. Besides, I thought a bit of champagne might do me some good after the conversation I had with her father in the garden.

Although that was definitely something she didn't need to know about.

I sighed, shaking my head as I picked up another champagne flute and wiped it clean. The cool liquid felt soothing against my dry throat and I fought the urge to roll my eyes before looking at her.

"Sarah, I've already said that Alex is not my style. Can you please let go?" I pleaded tiredly. I knew she was trying to be a good friend and set me up with someone nice, but that was starting to get on my nerves.

How could I consider giving Alex a chance if I couldn't stop imagining David's hands and lips on me every fucking second of my day?

"But why don't you give him a chance? He might surprise you," she insisted enthusiastically, clearly unaware of my inner conflict.

"Look. I really appreciate your concern, but this is your week, your wedding. You don't have to worry about me. I'm more than alright." I smiled reassuringly at her, hoping that'd be enough to make her drop the topic entirely.

"Alright, alright," she conceded, holding up her hands in surrender. "Just trying to look out for my best friend's happiness, that's all."

"I am happy. More than happy, actually. Seeing you get married to the man of your dreams is already enough for me," I confessed with honesty, hugging her sideways.

"You're so sweet, Grace. Thank you so much for being here with me," she said emotionally. "Seriously, you have no idea how much this means to me."

"Of course I'd be here! You're my best friend, I wouldn't miss this for the world. You have nothing to thank me for."

I had to bury the guilt I felt by hiding from her the conversations and secretive encounters I had with her father. Even though I wanted to believe they were nothing but innocent, I knew better than that.

I could never tell her any of this. Sarah would never understand me. I couldn't say I would if I were in her shoes. The whole daddy thing was still pretty much considered taboo, and I knew that Sarah wasn't fond of her father's flings anyway.

So, telling her would definitely be a recipe for disaster.

On the other hand, I was very confused with whatever was going on between me and David. I still couldn't understand what had transpired between us earlier. His jealousy was obvious, and I couldn't deny the thrill it sent through me.

But what were we doing? This push and pull seemed to be getting nowhere, and still, every time we were in the same room, I felt like I could literally combust.

I never thought he'd one day reciprocate whatever it was I felt for him. But it was getting clearer and clearer that he was definitely flirting with me. Was I supposed to expect something more from him? Should I indulge his flirting? Was that something he always did with women or was I somehow special to him?

***

Later that night, sleep eluded me again. I felt like I'd never be able to have a good night of sleep again in my life. Tossing and turning in my comfortable bed, the room suddenly felt too small for me. Frustrated and annoyed, I decided to do something to try and clear my mind.

Slipping into a black bikini, I ventured toward the estate's indoor pool, hoping a late-night swim would wash away my turbulent thoughts.

When I arrived, the pool area was deserted, save for the soft glow of underwater lights illuminating the water. The scent of chlorine hung in the air, and as I stepped into the pool, the water lapped at my skin like silk. I allowed myself to sink further in, the weightlessness embracing me, providing a respite from the gravity of the world.

After swimming several laps, I emerged and pushed my hair back from my face, droplets cascading down my neck and shoulders. As I wiped the water from my face, taking gulps of air to steady my breathing, I noticed a shadowy figure reclining on a lounge chair nearby, holding a glass of whisky. My heart quickened its pace, almost as though it had a mind of its own, when I realized it was David, his eyes seemingly locked onto me with intense interest.

"David," I said breathlessly, suddenly self-conscious by his gaze on my exposed body. "What brings you here so late?"

His lips curved into a half-smile, his features darkened by the dim lit room. "I could ask you the same question, Grace."

"I couldn't sleep," I replied with a shrug, feeling my cheeks flush under his unwavering stare. "Too many thoughts about tomorrow night," I lied.

"Ah, the bachelorette party," he mused. His stare swept over me with a fervor that sent a rush of warmth through me, despite the fact that I was still submerged in the pool. "Are you excited?"

"You can say that," I admitted. The bachelorette party should be harmful, but knowing Lisa, I couldn’t be so sure. I honestly had no idea what to expect since she was the one organizing everything. "What about you? Couldn't sleep either?" I asked, trying to keep my voice light and breezy as I swam closer to him. His glance never wavered, and I felt a surge of power coursing through me, fueled by his rapt attention.

"Sleep has been...challenging since I arrived here," he confessed, his fingers tapping against the arm of the chair, betraying his own restlessness. "Too much on my mind."

"Such as?" I prodded, feeling a thrill at our intimate conversation, even though I knew I was threading through dangerous territory.

"Sarah's wedding, for one," he replied, his dark gaze never leaving mine. "And...other things."

"Other things," I echoed, biting my lower lip as I allowed my mind to wander to forbidden places. I hoisted myself up onto the ledge, water streaming down my body, and walked towards him, each step deliberate and measured.

He seemed to devour every inch of me, and I reveled in the attention. I wasn't always this confident about my body–especially in a bikini and in front of a man who might have seen thousands of women naked before.

But the way his eyes glided over my figure felt like a caress. My breath caught in my throat, and for a moment, our gazes held. I knew that our shared insomnia wasn't solely due to the wedding. There was something more, something that neither of us could deny or escape.

I imagined what he could do to me if he was capable of making me feel as if he was stripping me out just by looking at me.

Our eyes remained locked, a silent battle of wills taking place. The air around us felt charged with lust, and I could barely breathe under the weight of his glare. I cleared my throat, looking for something to say to break the silence.

"Thank you," I suddenly said, hoping he wouldn't be able to notice how aroused I was by my tone and demeanor. I desperately needed something to distract me. "For earlier today, I mean. It felt nice to have someone caring about what I deserve for a change."

I had no idea why I said that since I knew he had only been testing me, but still… I couldn't think of anything else to say. The things going through my head at that moment weren't allowed to leave my mouth.

He nodded, his expression softening for a brief second before the intensity returned, but he didn't utter a word.

I gulped. "Well, I guess I should probably go to bed and try to take some rest."

As I turned to leave, his hand shot out, grasping my wrist gently yet firmly. Leaning close, David was suddenly standing, his body brushing against my back and making me swallow hard.

"I meant what I said, Grace," he whispered into my ear, his hot breath against my damp skin causing me goosebumps. "You deserve to be treated like a queen."

The words tickled my ear, and I felt my knees go weak beneath me. I knew I should pull away, to get as far away from David as possible, but for a moment, I allowed myself to bask in the warmth of his touch. His fingers were still around my wrist and I imagined what else he could do to me with that strong grip of his.

The heat emanating from him was also very hard to ignore. I could feel his ripped ab muscles grazing my back and his cock was hard against me, which only made me hornier.

I had to get away before I did something I would regret.

With a deep breath, I slipped from his grasp, my heart pounding uncontrollably against my ribcage.

"Goodnight, David," I mumbled, turning away from him and walking towards the exit. As I distanced myself from David, I could feel his stare following me, the fiery intensity of his desire searing my skin, my body begging me to return to him.