KISS TO KILL

chapter 001

ROSE

Fuck no.

Dan had me pinned against the bedroom wall, his big hands rough after a long day at the yacht club. His body pressed hard into mine. I could feel his breath hot on my neck.

“Rose, baby, come on,” he growled, his fingers digging into my hips. “You know I need this after today. Don’t make me wait.”

My mind was spinning in a million directions at once. Mom’s texts kept flashing in my head — “Rose, the landlord called again, bills are due, we’re two months behind, please send something quick before they kick us out.” Dad lost his job months ago, and my little sister was crying in the background of the last voice note. How was I supposed to help from here in Cyprus? I was supposed to be the smart one, the one who got the scholarship and made it out. But it was all lies. This fancy campus, these rich kids, I didn’t belong. One wrong move and everyone would know I was dirt-poor, faking it every single day.

I forced a moan out. “Mmm, Dan… yeah, like that.”

But my body felt nothing. My stomach twisted into knots so tight I thought I might throw up right there. I hated this. I hated how he grabbed me like I was his property. I hated pretending while my heart pounded with fear.

He kissed me hard, biting my lip. “That’s my girl. Louder. Tell me you want it.”

“I want it, Dan,” I whispered, my voice shaking a little. I hoped he thought it was from excitement. “Please… don’t stop.”

Inside I was screaming. Why did I let this happen again? He paid for everything, my tuition that wasn’t really a scholarship, the rent on this fancy apartment, the designer clothes hanging in the closet, even the club nights where he watched me like a hawk. “You don’t need other friends,” he always said. “I’m all you need. If I catch you going out alone, you know what happens.”

And I knew. Last week he smashed the gold watch he bought me because I smiled too long at the waiter. The bruises on my arm were still fading.

The violence scared me so much I wanted to disappear, to shrink into nothing. It never turned me on. It just made me small and empty. But what choice did I have? Without Dan, I had zero. No money for school, no place to live, no way to send cash home to Mom. I’d be back in that tiny leaking house with empty cupboards.

Dan’s hands moved faster, rougher. “f**k, you feel good. Say my name again.”

“Dan… oh Dan,” I moaned, eyes squeezed shut. My mind kept racing. What if Mom calls while he’s on top of me? What if someone at campus finds out my real last name isn’t even the one on my fake ID? What if I slip and they all laugh at the poor girl playing dress-up?

He groaned loud, pushing harder. “That’s it, baby. You’re mine. All mine.”

“Yeah, yours,” I whispered back, forcing another moan. Tears pricked my eyes but I blinked them away fast. I couldn’t let him see.

Minutes felt like hours. Finally his body tensed, he let out a long grunt, and then he rolled off me onto the bed. His breathing got heavy and slow. Within seconds he was snoring, passed out cold.

My heart hammered so loud I coud hear it in my ears. This was my chance. I waited five more minutes, watching his chest rise and fall. Then I slipped out of bed, legs shaking. I grabbed the tight black dress he bought me last month. I pulled it on quickly, smoothed my hair, and slid my feet into the matching heels.

“f**k this,” I whispered under my breath as I grabbed my clutch. “Just one night. I need one night where I’m not scared.”

I crept to the door, heart still racing. Dan didn’t move. I stepped outside, closed it softly, and ran down the stairs. Outside I waved down the first cab I saw.

“Cliffside villas, the private road,” I told the driver. “Fast please.”

The cab pulled away and I sank into the seat, swearing quietly the whole ride. “Stupid, stupid Rose. If he wakes up you’re dead. He’ll kill you this time. But I can’t breathe in that apartment anymore. Just one night. One f*****g night.”

The driver glanced at me in the mirror. “You okay, miss?”

“Yeah, fine,” I said, forcing a smile. “Just late for a party.”

He nodded and kept driving. The road wound up the hill, lights from the sea sparkling below. My phone stayed quiet for now.

The villa came into view, huge, glowing with candlelight and soft music pulsing out. I paid the driver with the cash Dan gave me for “emergencies” and stepped out. My heels clicked on the stone path. Laughter and voices floated from inside. Rich kids.

I walked in, feeling like a total imposter. The dress hugged my body but it didn’t hide how out of place I felt. Everyone looked perfect — expensive watches, perfect teeth and then there's me. Why me? Why always me? I grabbed a glass of champagne from a tray just to have something in my hands.

“Wow, this place is insane,” a girl nearby said to her friend.

“Right? Alexandros’s dad spared no expense for his birthday,” the friend replied, laughing. “Twenty-five and already running half the family business.”

I sipped the drink, trying to look like I belonged. My eyes scanned the room. Then they locked on this hot guy.

He stood across the crowded room, tall, dark hair, sharp jaw, wearing a black shirt that showed off his carved body. Our eyes met and electricity shot through me. He didn’t smile at first. He just stared.

Then he cut straight through the crowd, people moving out of his way without him saying a word. He stopped right in front of me, close enough that I could smell his cologne.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“Rose,” I said, trying to sound casual. My heart was beating so fast.

“Rose, I'm Alexandro.” he said. He stepped closer. “You don’t look like the usual crowd here.”

I laughed nervously. “Is that a compliment or an insult?”

“Compliment,” he said, eyes never leaving mine. “You look real.”

He reached out slowly and touched my lips with his thumb, gentle but sure. I shivered hard, a real shiver that went all the way down my spine. No faking this time. Heat rushed through my body.

“You’re shaking,” he murmured.

“I… it’s cold in here,” I lied.

He smiled a little, then his hand moved fast. He grabbed my wrist hard, yanking me flush against his carved body. My chest pressed into his. The heat between us was instant, racing through me like fire.

I gasped. “Hey — what are you—”

“Shh,” he said, lips brushing my ear. “I saw you the second you walked in. You don’t belong here either, do you? Not really.”

My breath caught. “You don’t know me.”

“I know enough.” His free hand slid to my waist, holding me tight. “Tell me, Rose. Are you here to pretend? Or are you here because you need to feel something real for once?”

I swallowed hard. “I… I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yes you do.” He leaned in, his mouth hovering over mine. “Just one night, baby. Let me ruin you properly.”

His words sent another wave of heat through me. My body reacted even though my mind screamed danger. Dan was at home. Dan who paid for everything. Dan who would smash this whole night if he found out.

“Ruin me?” I whispered, voice shaky. “That sounds dangerous.”

“Tell me you don’t want my hands on you.”

I opened my mouth but nothing came out at first. Then: “I shouldn’t… I have someone.”

“Someone who leaves you looking like you’re about to run?” He smirked. “One night. Let me show you what it feels like when you’re not faking every moan.”

My cheeks burned. How did he know? “You’re too forward.”

“I take what I want,” he said, voice low. “And right now I want to kiss you until you forget whatever cage you’re living in. Say yes, Rose.”

I hesitated, lips parted. The music pulsed around us. His body felt so solid against mine.

“Maybe… just a kiss,” I breathed.

He chuckled dark. “One kiss and you’ll be begging for more.”

Before I could answer, his mouth crashed onto mine. It was nothing like Dan’s rough kisses. This was hungry, his tongue teasing, his hand still gripping my wrist like he owned the moment. I moaned for real this time.

He pulled back just enough to speak. “Tell me how it feels.”

“It feels… good,” I admitted, breathing fast. “Too good.”

“Good enough to leave with me?” he asked, eyes dark. “My room upstairs has a view of the sea. No one will know. Just one night where you’re not scared.”

“I am scared,” I whispered. “You don’t understand.”

“Then tell me.” His thumb stroked my lip again. “Who are you running from, Rose? Because I can make you forget him.”

My phone suddenly exploded with vibrations inside my clutch. Buzz after buzz. I froze.

Alexandros noticed. “Your phone.”

“I… ignore it,” I said, but my voice cracked.

It kept going. I pulled it out just enough to see the screen light up with Dan’s name. Missed call after missed call. Then the texts started popping up.

“Where the f**k are you?”

“Answer me now.”

“I swear if you’re out without telling me…”

“Rose, you better be dead or I’ll make you wish you were.”

My stomach dropped. Heart hammering again. Dan was awake. He knew I was gone.

Alexandros saw my face change. “Problem?”

“I have to go,” I said quickly, stepping back even though my body didn’t want to. “This was a mistake.”

He grabbed my wrist again, not letting me pull away. “Running already? Tell me what’s happening. I can handle it.”

“You can’t,” I whispered, eyes wide with panic. “He’ll kill me if he finds out I’m here.”

“Who?” His voice turned sharp. “Say the name.”

But the phone vibrated again.

I yanked my wrist free, breathing fast. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come.”

Alexandros stepped closer. “Don’t leave like this. Stay. Talk to me. Or at least let me walk you out. You look terrified.”

“I am terrified,” I admitted, tears stinging my eyes now. “You don’t know what he’s like. He pays for everything. He owns me right now. I can’t… I can’t breathe without his permission.”

His jaw tightened. “No one owns you. Not if you don’t want it. Come with me right now. We’ll figure it out.”

The phone wouldn’t stop. Dan’s name kept flashing like a warning light.

“Just one night,” Alexandros said again. “Let me show you what real feels like. Or are you going to run back to whatever hell you’re in?”

I stood there, torn.

“Answer me, Rose,” he growled, eyes locked on mine. “Are you staying? Or are you letting him win tonight?”