Uncle Damian, I'm Yours

The Stranger In The Dark

Ariana

His gaze held mine for a moment longer, then he signaled the bartender. "Another for her. Make it a double."

I opened my mouth to protest, but he turned back to me with a small smile that didn't reach his eyes. They were too sharp for that, too perceptive. "You look like you need it."

The fresh glass arrived, and I took it without thinking. The whiskey warmed me from the inside, chasing away the chill of the night outside. "Thanks," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "But I don't need a stranger playing hero."

He chuckled, low and rich, the sound vibrating through the empty bar. "Not a hero. Just someone who knows what fresh hell looks like."

We sat in silence for a bit, the only noise was the clink of ice in his glass and the faint jazz playing from the speakers. I tried to focus on my drink, to bury the image of Ethan's face as he slid those papers across the table. But this man beside me made it hard. His presence was steady, commanding without being loud. He didn't fill the air with empty words. He just was.

"I'm Ariana," I said after a while, needing to break the quiet. "And you are?"

He took a slow sip, his eyes never leaving mine. "Not important tonight."

"Everything's important when you're this drunk and this stupid," I shot back, but there was no heat in it. The alcohol was loosening my tongue, making the pain feel distant.

"Beautiful mistake," he said softly, like he was naming a painting. "That's what I'll call you. Suits you. Walking in here with shadows in your eyes, but fire underneath."

The words hit me harder than they should have. Beautiful mistake. It wrapped around the hurt, making it ache in a new way. I looked down at my hands, twisting the napkin under my fingers. "You don't know me."

"I know enough." His voice dropped lower, pulling me in despite myself. "I know a woman who's been betrayed. I know the way your shoulders tense when you think no one's watching. And I know you're stronger than you feel right now."

My throat tightened. How did he see so much? I wanted to push him away, to run back to the numbness. But his quiet dominance held me there, a magnetic force I couldn't fight. The bar lights dimmed as the night deepened, casting his face in soft shadows. The tension between us grew thick, suffocating. My heart raced, mixing the raw edges of heartbreak with something hotter, more dangerous.

We shared another round. I talked a little, bits and pieces about the dinner, the promotion that wasn't mine to celebrate. He listened, nodding, his fingers occasionally brushing mine when he handed me a glass. Each touch sent a jolt through me, waking parts of my body I'd ignored for too long.

"He doesn't deserve you," he said when I finished, his tone firm. "A man who throws away something real for ambition. His loss."

I met his eyes, and the air crackled. Vulnerability poured out of me, but so did need. His confidence wrapped around it all, making me feel desired, not broken. "Why are you doing this?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"Because I see you," he replied simply. "And tonight, that's enough."

One more drink. The world blurred at the edges. He leaned in closer, his breath warm on my skin. Our knees touched under the bar, and I didn't pull away. The heat built, slow and insistent, until I couldn't breathe without feeling it.

Then he kissed me. It started soft, his lips brushing mine like a question. But when I didn't stop him, it became heated, urgent. His hand cupped the back of my neck, pulling me deeper. His tongue slid against mine, tasting of whiskey and promise. I gripped his shirt, the fabric bunching under my fingers, as desire flooded me.

I broke away, panting. "Wait. I can't do this. Not tonight."

He didn't move, just watched me with those dark eyes. His thumb traced my lower lip, gentle but insistent. "I won't touch you unless you beg for it, beautiful mistake. Your call."

The words hung there, a dare wrapped in velvet. My body screamed for him, the emotional storm inside me craving release. Heartbreak twisted with want, overwhelming me. "Please," I whispered, the plea escaping before I could stop it. "Touch me. Make me feel something else."

His smile was dark, satisfied. He tossed cash on the bar and stood, offering his hand. I took it, letting him lead me out into the night. The cool air hit my flushed skin, but it did nothing to cool the fire he'd lit.

The cab ride was torture. His arm around my waist, fingers tracing lazy circles on my hip. I leaned into him, inhaling his scent, that expensive cologne mixing with the raw masculinity of him. We didn't speak. Words weren't needed.

His place was a luxury hotel suite, all sleek lines and city views. The door clicked shut, and he had me against it in seconds. His mouth claimed mine again, rougher this time, teeth grazing my lip. I moaned, my hands roaming his back, feeling the muscles shift under my touch.

"You're going to forget him," he growled, his lips trailing down my neck, sucking hard enough to mark. "Let me show you."

"Yes," I gasped, arching into him. "Please, make me forget."

He scooped me up, carrying me to the king-sized bed. Clothes came off in a frenzy. His shirt revealed a chest honed from power, broad and firm. I ran my nails down it, drawing a hiss from him. My dress pooled on the floor, and he unclasped my bra with practiced ease, his mouth immediately latching onto my breast.

He sucked my n****e deep, tongue swirling, while his hand kneaded the other. Pleasure stabbed through me, sharp and electric. "God, yes," I cried, my fingers in his hair, holding him there.

Lower he went, kissing my stomach, nipping at my hips. He yanked my panties down, spreading my thighs wide. "Look at you," he murmured, eyes on my exposed p***y. "So ready for me."

His tongue licked a long stripe up my slit, making me buck. He held me down, fingers digging into my thighs, and dove in. He lapped at my folds, sucking my clit with just the right pressure. Two fingers pushed inside me, thrusting deep, curling to stroke that sensitive spot.

"You taste so f*****g good," he said against me, the vibration sending shivers up my spine. "Wet and sweet. Come for me, beautiful mistake."

I did, hard. My body clenched around his fingers, waves crashing over me as I screamed, emotions spilling out with pleasure. Tears pricked my eyes, mixing hurt with ecstasy.

He stripped fully, his c**k thick and rigid, standing proud. I wrapped my hand around it, stroking the velvety skin over steel. "I need this inside me," I begged, vulnerability raw in my voice.

"Beg properly," he commanded, voice rough.

"f**k me. Hard. Now."

He flipped me onto my stomach, pulling my hips up. The head of his c**k nudged my entrance, then he slammed in. The fullness stretched me, bordering on pain, but it felt perfect. He pounded relentlessly, skin slapping skin, his balls hitting my clit with each thrust.

"Take it," he grunted, one hand fisting my hair, the other spanking my ass. The sting heightened everything. "Feel how much you deserve this."

Tears streamed down my face, not from pain but release. Ethan's betrayal faded with every drive of his hips. I pushed back, meeting him, chasing the edge. "Harder," I sobbed. "Don't stop."

He flipped me again, face to face, sliding back in deep. Our eyes locked as he f****d me slow now, grinding, making me feel every inch. "You're mine tonight," he whispered, lips brushing mine. "All that fire, all that hurt. Let it go."

The intimacy broke me open. I came again, clenching tight around him, nails raking his back. He followed, burying deep, c**k pulsing as he filled me with hot c*m. We collapsed, sweaty and spent, his body covering mine protectively.

In the quiet after, he held me close, fingers stroking my hair. "Sleep," he murmured. "I've got you."

I did, exhaustion pulling me under. Morning light pierced the curtains of a luxury penthouse room. I woke slowly, the sheets tangled around me. The bed was vast, the air scented with him. I turned, heart stilling.

Beside me lay the man, face relaxed in sleep. But now, in the clear light, I saw him fully. Sharp features, those piercing eyes closed. Damian Blackthorne. Ethan's boss. I froze.