chapter 10
1014 Words
đź“– **Forbidden Fling: Chapter 10
Aurora checked her reflection in the café window before stepping inside. Her hair was down, hiding the faint marks Marcus had left along her neck, but she could still feel them, hot and tingling, like a reminder of the night before.
Of who she was with him.
Of who she was trying not to be right now.
Ben was already there, sitting at a corner table with two coffees, his face lighting up when he saw her. His smile was warm, open, safe. It made her heart twist painfully.
“Aurora,” he said, standing to hug her, pulling her against him in a way that made her feel small, protected. Different.
She let herself relax into it, just for a moment.
“I’ve been looking forward to this all day,” Ben said as they sat, sliding a coffee toward her.
She wrapped her hands around the cup, letting the warmth seep into her fingers, grounding her. “Me too.”
---
They talked about small things—music, weekend plans, a new club that opened downtown that his friends wanted to check out. He teased her about her coffee order, and she laughed, letting herself forget, letting herself be Aurora with him.
Not Candice.
Not Marcus’s.
Not hunted by Liam.
Just Aurora.
“You’re amazing, you know that?” Ben said, reaching across the table to take her hand.
Her smile faltered, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. “Ben—”
“I’m serious. I don’t know what you’re going through, but when you’re ready, I’ll be here.”
She squeezed his hand, her throat tight, unable to find the words.
---
When they stepped outside, the afternoon sun was bright, too bright, making her squint as Ben pulled her close, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, slow kiss that made her knees weak.
She kissed him back, letting herself feel it, letting herself pretend.
But as she pulled away, she saw him.
Across the street.
Marcus.
Standing by his car, sunglasses hiding his eyes, but she could feel his gaze burning into her, cold and sharp, making her breath catch.
Ben turned, following her gaze. “You know him?”
Aurora’s mind raced, her heart pounding. “He’s… he’s just someone from work.”
Ben nodded slowly, looking back at Marcus, who stood unmoving, a predator in the daylight.
“Want me to walk you home?” Ben offered, concern in his eyes.
“No,” she said quickly, forcing a smile. “I’ll be fine.”
Ben leaned in, kissing her forehead. “Text me later, okay?”
She nodded, watching him walk away before turning back to Marcus.
---
She crossed the street, every step heavy, her body remembering the way Marcus’s hands felt on her, the way he claimed her, the way he said she was his.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded, stopping in front of him.
His jaw tightened, his eyes hidden, but she could see the anger in the lines of his body, the way his hand clenched at his side.
“Get in the car.”
“No.”
He stepped closer, his voice low and dangerous. “Aurora.”
She shook her head, lifting her chin. “You don’t control me.”
His hand shot out, gripping her wrist, pulling her closer until she could see her reflection in his sunglasses. “Get. In. The. Car.”
People were starting to look, whispers floating through the air as she tried to pull away.
“Fine,” she hissed, yanking her wrist free as she stormed around to the passenger side, slamming the door behind her.
---
They drove in silence, the air thick with tension, the city blurring past outside the windows.
When they pulled into the underground parking of his building, he cut the engine, his hands still gripping the steering wheel.
“You were with him,” he said finally, his voice calm, too calm.
She crossed her arms, staring out the windshield. “It’s none of your business.”
His head turned, sunglasses coming off, revealing eyes that were dark, furious, and hurt. “The hell it isn’t.”
“You don’t own me, Marcus!” she snapped, turning to face him. “I am not yours.”
He leaned closer, his jaw clenched, his eyes locked on hers. “You are.”
---
Before she could react, he was on her, his mouth crashing onto hers, swallowing her protests as his hands tangled in her hair, pulling her closer, devouring her.
She fought him, pushing against his chest, but his mouth was relentless, claiming, demanding, reminding her of everything she felt when she was with him.
Wanted. Needed. Alive.
Her body betrayed her, melting into him, her hands fisting in his shirt as she kissed him back, tears slipping down her cheeks.
When he finally pulled back, they were both breathing heavily, his forehead pressed against hers.
“I can’t lose you,” he whispered.
“You never had me,” she whispered back, but the words felt empty even to her.
---
They went upstairs, neither speaking, the tension between them crackling like a live wire.
The moment the door closed behind them, Marcus pushed her against it, his mouth on hers again, hands tearing at her clothes, needing, taking, claiming.
She let him.
Because it was easier than facing the truth.
That she was his.
That she wanted to be his.
Even if it was wrong.
Later, as she lay in his bed, her body aching, marked, claimed, she stared at the ceiling, her phone buzzing on the nightstand.
She didn’t need to look to know who it was.
Ben.
She turned her face into the pillow, tears soaking the fabric as Marcus’s arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back against him, his breath warm against her neck.
You’re mine.
Outside, thunder rumbled in the distance as dark clouds rolled over the city, the storm approaching.
And somewhere, in the shadows, Liam waited.
- Writer
