Forbidden Fling

chapter 5

📖 Forbidden Fling: Chapter 5

Aurora stared at her reflection in the restaurant bathroom mirror, hands gripping the porcelain sink so tightly her knuckles turned white. She tried to slow her breathing, forcing air in and out as the panic threatened to claw up her throat.

“You thought you could hide from me, baby? I know where you are. We’re not done.”

Liam’s voice echoed in her mind, poisoning every thought, every breath.

She turned on the tap, splashing cold water on her face, careful not to ruin the makeup she had meticulously applied to hide the fear that wouldn’t leave her eyes. The glitter on her lids sparkled under the harsh lights, mocking her with the illusion of beauty.

She was Candice at the club. Aurora here. But Liam’s voice reminded her she could never truly be either.

Her phone buzzed, breaking the spiral.

Ben: Table’s ready when you are, angel.

She closed her eyes, exhaling shakily, letting the sound of his voice in her mind replace Liam’s for a moment. Ben’s warmth, his easy laughter, the way he looked at her like she was someone worth wanting—not buying—was the only thing holding her together.

You can do this. You deserve this.

She fixed her hair, smoothed her dress, and stepped out of the bathroom.

Ben stood as she approached the table, his smile lighting up his face, making her heart stutter in her chest. He looked effortlessly good in a dark button-down, sleeves rolled up to reveal strong forearms, a hint of ink peeking out from beneath the fabric.

“You look beautiful,” he said, pulling out her chair.

Aurora smiled, letting him help her sit, letting herself believe for a moment that this could be normal, that she could be normal.

“Thank you,” she managed, her voice softer than she intended.

They ordered wine, and he asked about her week, her interests, the places she wanted to travel, the music she loved. She found herself laughing, leaning closer, letting the warmth of his presence drown out the icy grip of fear Liam’s voice had left behind.

But every time her phone buzzed in her purse, her heart leapt into her throat, expecting another message, another threat.

She tried to hide it, but Ben noticed.

“You okay?” he asked, his hand covering hers on the table, thumb brushing soothing circles on her skin.

She forced a smile. “Yeah, just… work stress.”

His brow furrowed, but he didn’t push, only squeezing her hand gently. “You don’t have to talk about it if you’re not ready.”

You don’t know who I really am, she wanted to say. You don’t know I’m Candice.

But she only nodded, grateful he didn’t press.

Dinner passed in a blur of laughter and soft touches, his knee brushing against hers under the table, his eyes locked on her like she was the only person in the world. For a moment, she let herself get lost in it, leaning into his warmth, letting herself believe that she could be Aurora, just Aurora, with him.

After dinner, he walked her to a waiting cab, his hand brushing her cheek before he leaned in, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her lips. She melted into it, letting herself feel the softness, the warmth, the promise in his touch.

“Text me when you get home, okay?” he murmured against her lips.

She nodded, slipping into the cab, waving as he stood on the curb, watching her drive away.

She didn’t go home.

She couldn’t.

Instead, she found herself standing outside the club, neon lights buzzing, the bouncer nodding her through without a word. The familiar scent of alcohol, sweat, and perfume wrapped around her like a second skin as she made her way to the back, needing the comfort of the familiar, needing to remind herself who she was.

Candice.

She stepped into the dressing room, the mirror reflecting a different girl than the one who had been at dinner just an hour before. She wiped off her lipstick, reapplying a darker shade, fixing her hair, letting the glitter hide the fear in her eyes.

When she stepped out, Marcus was waiting.

He was sitting in the private booth, one arm draped over the back, a drink in his hand, eyes locked on her as she approached. His gaze was unreadable, dark, intense, making her stomach twist in a way that was equal parts fear and desire.

“You’re not working tonight,” he said as she stopped in front of him.

She crossed her arms, lifting her chin. “You don’t get to decide that.”

His jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing. “I do when it concerns your safety.”

Her breath caught. “What are you talking about?”

He stood, towering over her, his presence consuming, pulling the air from her lungs. “Liam.”

Her blood ran cold, the world tilting as his name left Marcus’s lips.

“How do you—”

“Because I keep tabs on what’s mine,” he snapped, his composure cracking for the first time.

“I’m not yours,” she spat, pushing against his chest.

His hand shot out, gripping her wrist, pulling her closer until their bodies were flush, his breath warm against her ear as he leaned down.

“You are. In here, you are. And he’s not going to touch you, Aurora. I won’t let him.”

Tears pricked her eyes, but she blinked them away, refusing to let him see her break. “You think you can protect me from him?”

“I know I can,” he growled, his other hand cupping her jaw, forcing her to look at him.

She saw it then, the softness beneath the hardness, the fear in his eyes that mirrored her own, the promise that he would burn the world down before letting Liam hurt her again.

And for a moment, she wanted to believe him.

She wanted to believe she could be safe.

But she couldn’t.

Because she wasn’t just Aurora anymore.

She was Candice.

And Candice couldn’t afford to believe in fairy tales