Chapter Four (Bella’s Pov)

After we got back to the penthouse—

We decided to have a drink in my room to celebrate the beginning of our plans.

He sat on the edge of the bed, swirling the last of his drink in his glass, a smirk tugging at his lips. “You handled him well today. I'm proud of you,” he said, raising his glass in a faux toast.

I took a slow sip, feeling the bubbles tingle on my tongue. “I wanted to hurt him badly the minute I saw him,” I replied, my expression neutral, though inside, I was still raging.

Jesse chuckled and set his glass down on the nightstand. “Still, you played your part perfectly. But tell me, Athena… Do you still love him?”

My body stiffened, and I blinked my eyes, my heart skipping. “That’s none of your business.”

“I think it is,” Jesse said, his voice dropping, his expression changing slightly. “This whole plan depends on you keeping your emotions in check. If Julius still has a hold on you…”

I felt the anger swelling inside me, but I pushed it down. “I stopped loving Julius the moment he betrayed me,” I bit out, my voice sharp and cold.

Jesse looked at me for a long moment before nodding. “Good.”

All of a sudden, his eyes softened. Just slightly. But enough for my heart to stutter.

He reached across the table, his fingers brushing against mine as he refilled my glass. His touch lingered for a moment too long.

My pulse quickened. The wine, the closeness, the heat in his gaze was all too much. For a brief second, our usual masks slipped.

He came closer to me.

"Jesse…"

His name left my lips before I could stop it.

"Don't," I whispered, though my voice lacked conviction.

But the moment was already slipping beyond control. The alcohol was clouding my judgment. Before I could fully process what was happening, Jesse’s lips crashed against mine.

I didn't pull away.

I don’t know why, but I just couldn’t.

His hands ran through my hair, I tilted my head as he deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine in a slow, deliberate dance. I moaned softly against his mouth, my body betraying me.

"Jesse…" I gasped when he pulled me onto his lap. His hands roamed over my back, fingers pressing into the back of my dress as if he wanted to rip it off.

"You drive me insane, Bella," he murmured against my lips, his breath warm, intoxicating.

A soft moan escaped as his lips trailed down my ears, leaving a burning path. I wiggled gently as his mouth found my neck, sucking lightly before biting just enough to make me gasp.​

"You like that," he murmured against my skin, voice husky.​

"If you don’t like it, tell me to stop," he murmured against my collarbone, his voice filled with desire.

I should have told him to stop.

But I didn't.

Instead, I arched into him, my body responding to every touch, every caress.

Jesse wasted no more time after getting my silent approval. He lifted me effortlessly and carried me to the bed, his lips never leaving my skin. He laid me down gently, staying above me, his darkened eyes searching mine for any more hesitation.

I had none.

His hands slid down my body. I could barely breathe as he traced a path up my thigh, his fingers teasing, lingering.

"You're so beautiful, Bella," he groaned, his voice filled with admiration.

A shiver ran through me as he finally got rid of my dress, his lips trailing down my bare skin. He took his time, savoring every inch of me. I gasped when his mouth found the sensitive spot just below my stomach, his hands gripping my hips firmly.

"Jesse…" I moaned, tangling my fingers in his hair, urging him closer.

He continued kissing down there even more in response, his control slipping as he pressed himself against me. The heat between us was unbearable, electrifying. When he finally entered me, I moaned loudly, my nails digging into his shoulders as he filled me up.

"Bella, I want all of you." he groaned.

My legs were wrapped around his waist, and i pulled him deeper in confirmation to his words.​

We moved together, slow at first, then faster, harder. I clung to him, breath coming in ragged gasps, my body betraying me with every moan.​

His hands kept exploring my entire body. He was so gentle. Too gentle.

Did he do this to other women, too?

The thought hit me like a bucket of ice water, and for a split second, the pleasure was overshadowed by something colder.

Doubt.

After what Julius had done to me, how could I trust another man?

Is that why Jesse was so good at this?

Anger flared inside me. I tried to push him away, but he held me tighter, his lips brushing against my ear.

"I won't let you go, Bella," he whispered, his voice raw.

My breath stopped.

Something about the way he said it made my chest tighten.

I didn't fight him.

We continued with each other until exhaustion finally claimed us.

Morning came with awkwardness.

I groaned and turned over. I saw Jesse next to me, his bare well defined chest exposed, the sheets tangled around us.

My stomach dropped.

“Oh, no,” I muttered, sitting up quickly. I felt sore all over my body.

My eyes darted to the floor, where our discarded clothes lay.

Jesse shook a little beside me, blinking a few times before his mind seemed to catch up with what had happened.

“Well,” he said, rubbing his face, “that happened.”

I glared at him, feeling humiliated. “This was a mistake,” I said firmly.

“I agree,” Jesse said quickly.

“A huge mistake.”

We sat there in silence, neither of us sure how to proceed.

“This didn’t happen,” I declared, my voice hardening as I stood up.

“Yes,” Jesse said, his eyes avoiding mine as he started getting dressed. “It never happened.”

I felt a bit upset at how he was willing to forget everything just like that. I didn’t want to see him any longer at that moment.

I grabbed my blouse, hastily buttoning it up as I stole a glance at Jesse, who was getting dressed calmly even in this awkward situation.

Jesse let out a humorless laugh. “Don’t feel too awkward, Bella.”

My heart fell, but I didn’t say anything more.

I felt like I was just one of those women after all.

………….

Later that day, I sat at my desk, desperately trying to bury myself in work to distract myself from what had happened.

I couldn’t concentrate, though. My mind kept replaying the night—the kiss, the warmth of his touch.

I was shaken.

Then, my phone buzzed, pulling me away from my thoughts.

I glanced at the unfamiliar number, then opened the message.

Bella, it’s Julius. My grandfather’s heart is failing. He’s asking for you. Please come.

A rush of anxiety surged through me.

Despite everything, Julius’s grandfather had always been kind to me. He had always treated me like family.

I stared at the message, torn between the anger I felt for Julius and the concern for the old man.

“Everything okay?”

Jesse’s voice broke through my thoughts.

I looked up to see him leaning on my door.

I blushed a little, still feeling shy about our last night’s encounter—then a bit angry again.

“I have to go,” I said abruptly, grabbing my bag and standing up.

“Where are you going?” Jesse asked, his tone suspicious.

“It’s personal.”

Then, I added, “Nothing that’ll affect our plans.”

I snapped, brushing past him without another word.

He watched me leave, his expression unreadable.

“Be careful,” he muttered, but I was already out the door.

The building Julius had sent me to was unfamiliar, something felt off and my nerves on edge, but my worry for his grandfather pushed me forward.

“Mr. Stone?” I called, stepping inside the dimly lit room.

The sound of the door slamming behind me made my heart race.

I turned around to find Julius standing there, his grey eyes dark and intense, his expression indistinct.

“Bella,” he said, his voice low, dangerous.

And then, it hit me.

This wasn’t about his grandfather.

It never had been.

I had walked straight into his trap.