Chapter 6
788 Words
Aurora
If he wants to play cold... then I will light the fire.
Two days had passed. Two days in which Max hadn’t said a word to me. No message. No lingering look. Not even a single sign of regret. He acted like I was a stranger. Just some girl living in his house. That’s all.
I couldn’t stand it.
Every second I saw him passing by without touching me, without looking at me, it tore me apart inside. But more than the pain… a new feeling was born in me: the challenge.
If Max wanted to play with my mind… then I would show him I knew how to play too.
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Tonight there was a party at the club he controlled. High society, shady businessmen, scantily dressed girls, men who think they’re kings. Max was supposed to be there. I knew. He always showed up at those events. Cold. Calculating. Surrounded by bodyguards and fearful glances.
But tonight, he would see me. Not just see me… but not be able to take his eyes off me.
I chose a black, tight dress, long down almost to my knees, with an open back and a neckline that left little to the imagination. I let my hair down, slightly curled, and my lips… red. Shiny. This was a version of me he had never seen. Not the innocent girl who read on the balcony. Not the girl he protected. But the woman he desired.
And now… he had lost her.
I arrived at the club with a friend of mine, Lara. She knew roughly what happened. She knew I was hurting, but she supported me without questions. We walked through the front door under everyone’s eyes, and I felt the rooms vibrate with music, lights, and desire.
But I wanted nothing of that.
I only wanted to see him… and feel him burning under that perfect suit.
And I saw him.
He was at his table, at the top, with a perfect view of the entire club. A glass in his hand, one eyebrow raised. Max. Still an enigma. But his eyes closed slightly when he saw me. Like he wanted to push my image away. Too late.
I smiled. Not because I was happy. But because finally, I had control.
A tall, dark-haired man with an unbuttoned shirt at two buttons approached me. I saw Max from the corner of my eye. He watched everything. Tense. But unmoving.
— Hey, beautiful, want a drink?
— Why not?
I let him lead me to the bar. And I laughed. I got closer to that guy more than necessary. I lightly touched his arm. I let him bring his lips close to my ear when he whispered something. I didn’t care what he said. I wasn’t listening. All I felt was Max’s gaze. It was burning.
When I turned with that guy towards the dance floor, I felt the air change. Suddenly, strong, familiar grip grabbed my wrist. My heart skipped a beat.
It was Max.
— You’re coming with me, he said in a low, sharp tone.
I smiled provocatively.
— I don’t think you’re in a position to tell me what to do, Max.
— Don’t play with me anymore, Aurora.
— Yes, I am. I play exactly like you taught me.
He pulled me through the crowd, up the back stairs, into his upstairs office. The door slammed shut. The silence was heavy. His breath fast.
— You want to act like a woman? Then you’ll be treated like one, he said in a low voice, full of anger.
I stepped toward him, unafraid.
— Tell me you didn’t like seeing me with another man. Tell me you didn’t think about hitting him. Tell me you didn’t want to pull me away from there.
Max stepped closer. His black eyes darkened.
— You want the truth?
I nodded.
— The thought that someone else looked at you like that drives me crazy. That he touched you. That you laughed at his jokes.
— Then why did you push me away?
— Because you’re my weakness. And I’m not allowed to have weaknesses.
— And I’m not allowed to feel?
He got so close that his breath surrounded me. His hand cupped my cheek. His lips trembled slightly.
— If you play like this again, Aurora… I won’t be able to control myself.
— Maybe that’s what I want…
Max sighed, but didn’t let me go. He looked at me for a few seconds like he wanted to see if I was lying. Then he grabbed my nape and kissed me desperately, angrily, regretfully. With hunger.
And in that kiss… I knew the game was just beginning.
- Writer
