Daphne’s POV
“I don’t give a s**t,” I sneered. The smirk on his face vanished, and I deliberately looked away from him.
“It’s fine if you don’t know who I am,” he said, his voice turning hard, “but you need to understand that no one can ever know about what you saw earlier. Is that clear?”
I sighed before turning back to him.
“You don’t need to worry. Your little secret about being gay is safe with me.”
“Hey, I am not gay, okay?” he snapped, suddenly defensive. I scoffed.
“I—I’m bisexual, okay?” he added quickly.
“Whatever you are, Mr. Adrian. I don’t give a s**t. Now leave me alone,” I said, irritation burning through my chest.
“You—forget this. If anyone finds out, trust me, I won’t spare you,” he warned, annoyance sharp in his tone before he stormed away.
Thank God. What the hell was his problem?
“You’re here,” Bianca slurred, stumbling toward me. She nearly fell, but I caught her just in time.
“Careful,” I muttered, steadying her.
“Why are you here instead of enjoying the party?” she asked, words thick and lazy.
“I think we should go home now,” I said, unease creeping in.
“But… I want to get f****d tonight, Daphne,” she whined, trying to pull away from my grip.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. We should go and—”
Before I could finish, her lips pressed against mine.
My eyes widened. She pulled back just as quickly.
“Your lips are f*****g soft,” she laughed. “We’re friends, Daphne. How come this is our first time kissing?”
I stood frozen, my heart racing, before finally turning to her in disbelief.
“We don’t have to kiss, you creep.”
She burst into manic laughter.
“That’s it. We’re going home,” I said, dragging her out of the club.
I called our driver to pick us up. She ended up sprawled against my shoulder in the car, hands wandering, restless—like an animal in heat. Maybe I should’ve let her get laid. But the thought of someone taking advantage of her made my stomach twist. Going home was better.
At her house, I told the driver to leave. There was no way I was leaving her alone. And besides… Stefan was here, so maybe I—
No. Forget it. I was here for her.
“She’s drunk again,” Bianca’s mom said the moment we stepped into Bianca’s room.
“She’s just a little tired, Mom,” I replied quickly.
I’ve always called her mom too.
“Don’t lie to me, Daphne. You know what—just get her to her room. I’ll have a word with you both later,” she said.
Bianca kept murmuring incoherently until I finally laid her on the bed.
“I love you, Daphne. I love you so much,” she whispered, eyes half-closed. “I’m so happy we’re best friends.”
A small smile tugged at my lips.
“I love you too.”
I slipped off her shoes. There was no energy left to deal with her makeup; she’d have to sleep with it on.
I sat on the edge of the bed, my gaze drifting to the picture frame on her dresser. It was an old photo of us as kids. I stood and picked it up, my eyes automatically finding Stefan.
My thumb brushed the glass. Even then—captured forever in that moment—my gaze had been on him. It always was.
Bianca’s mumbling pulled me back. I set the frame down and turned to her.
“I’m thirsty,” she muttered. “Get me water.”
“I’ll get you water,” I said with a soft scoff-laugh.
There was a mini fridge in her room. I grabbed a bottle, helped her sit up, and watched as she drank.
“You’re such a good friend,” she murmured, handing me the empty bottle before collapsing back into sleep.
I exhaled slowly.
I should get ready for bed too.
I sent Bella a message, letting her know where I was so she wouldn’t worry—and asked her to pass it on to Mom as well.
Once I settled back into bed, I nudged Bianca gently to give myself some space. My eyes stayed fixed on the ceiling.
Sleep refused to come.
The thought of Stefan—just down the hall—was doing things to me. Heat curled low in my stomach, sharp and restless. I felt painfully aware of my own body, every nerve humming.
I usually used my rose before bed. But this wasn’t my room. And using Bianca’s dildo? No. That wasn’t happening.
Still, I couldn’t f*****g sleep.
I slipped out of bed and quietly left the room.
I shouldn’t be doing this. I knew that.
But my feet carried me anyway.
I stopped in front of Stefan’s door.
Before I could knock, it opened.
My heart skipped violently.
The surprise on his face mirrored my own.
“Daphne? What are you doing here?” he asked.
“Huh—I’m sleeping over,” I said, forcing an awkward smile.
“Oh. Okay,” he replied.
“Are you heading out?” I asked, even though he was dressed in home clothes.
“Yes. I was about to go ask Bianca for something, but—”
“Oh, she’s asleep, so you shouldn’t bother,” I said with a small smile. “Um… can I come in?”
He stepped aside, letting me enter. I smiled and walked in, and he locked the door behind us.
The room fell into a quiet that felt heavy—awkward.
“So…” I said lightly, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. “You want to hook me up with someone?”
“Not hook up, Daphne. I just want to introduce you to my friend,” he replied.
I smiled.
“Why? I mean, I didn’t tell you I was looking for anyone.”
“I know you aren’t, but—” He stopped talking when I moved closer.
He took a step back.
“Why are you stepping away?” I asked softly. “I’m not going to bite you. Or are you scared you’ll kiss me again?”
Shock flickered in his eyes.
“So you do remember,” I added with a scoff.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done what I did. It was a mistake.”
I barely heard him. My gaze stayed fixed on his lips. My mind was a mess. I wanted him so badly it felt like I might explode.
“Stefan…” My voice came out slurred as I stepped closer.
We were inches apart. My eyes stayed on his, refusing to look away. My body betrayed me—and he didn’t move back either.
Then suddenly, his hands grabbed my waist, and he kissed me hard.
I didn’t hesitate. I kissed him back just as fiercely. Our tongues tangled, his breath tasting like cigarettes—and God, I loved it.
“Stop!” he said abruptly, pulling away.
His lips were swollen.
“I don’t know what the f**k is wrong with me,” he snapped, frustration clear in his voice. “What am I doing? I’m your sister’s fiancé. What the f**k am I doing?”
“You want me,” I said calmly, confidently. “You don’t have to pretend. You kissed me because you want me. I want you just as much, Stefan.”
I stepped closer, but he stopped me.
“This isn’t right, Daphne. This is f****d. We can’t let this get complicated. Bianca would be hurt if she ever found out.”
“It can be our secret,” I whispered—desperate, honest, aching.
“I think you should leave,” he said firmly. “And this should never happen again.”
My eyes burned with tears. I forced a small smile, turned around, and left the room.
Back in Bianca’s room, I lay down beside her, my heart still racing. A smile crept onto my lips despite myself.
He wanted me. Just as much as I wanted him.
And next time, I’d make sure he didn’t hold back.
***
“My head hurts,” Bianca groaned, pushing a spoon through her porridge.
“That’s what happens when you drink too much,” her mom snapped. “You’ll finish it.”
It was oddly comforting that she’d made breakfast for us.
“Mom, I don’t want this. I’m not even hungry,” Bianca whined.
“Stop complaining and eat. I’ve had it with your drinking. You’re grounded. No more clubbing.”
“You can’t do that! I’m not a child,” Bianca protested.
“You’re under my roof, so my rules.”
“Then I guess I’ll move out.”
“You—” Her mom stopped short when Stefan walked in.
I smiled when I saw him.
Then my smile faded instantly when I noticed who walked in behind him.
Adrian.