MINE (Claimed series 1)

Chapter 04: Wet and Confused

PHOEBE'S HOUSE

In less than an hour, the car came to a stop right in front of Phoebe's house. Desperate to escape Kia, Phoebe shoved the car door open and quickly ran inside without another word or backward look. Kia didn't even try to stop her. She just sat back, a satisfied smirk spreading across her face as she watched the girl run off like a scared rabbit.

"You can wait here," Kia told the driver smoothly. She opened her door, stepping out of the car to walk toward the house too.

Inside, Phoebe leaned against the closed front door and took a deep breath. She was incredibly glad to be out of that tight, suffocating car, but the relief didn't last long.

What she found waiting for her in the sitting room was actually much worse. There were boxes, gifts, and strangers moving around everywhere. And sitting right in the center of it all, looking completely like a king, was Mr Santoro. They were all in her house, waiting for her.

The moment her shoes clicked against the floor, every single person in the room stopped what they were doing and looked right at her.

"Miss Black, please come and try this on. We've been waiting for you for hours," a woman holding a tape measure called out warmly.

Phoebe completely ignored her. Her eyes locked onto Don, who was sitting comfortably on her family's couch with his legs crossed, casually smoking a cigarette. He looked so dark, dominant, and out of place in her small home.

She marched straight up to him, her hands trembling with anger. "What are you doing here ? And why did you bring all these people into my house ?" she asked loudly, not caring that the designers were staring at them.

Don took a slow drag of his cigarette, looking up at her. The second his eyes met hers, the cold, terrifying expression he usually wore completely melted away. A soft, amused glint appeared in his dark eyes.

"They're here to get your measurements for the wedding dress, sweetheart." he said, his deep voice smooth and relaxed. "And I'm here to see my beautiful fiancee. Unless, of course, you want to skip all this trouble and just let me take you to the altar right now."

Phoebe felt a sudden rush of heat in her face, wishing the ground would just open up and swallow her whole.

"Please just go away ! There is no wedding !" she half-yelled, her chest heaving as she tried to fight the power he had over her. "I have told you so many times that I won't marry you ! Just leave me alone and stop sending your crazy girlfriend to my school !"

She sighed heavily when she saw a slow smirk grow on his lips. Talking to him was completely useless. He didn't care about her protests at all. Frustrated, she turned around to face the designers who were whispering and holding up fabrics behind her.

"Everyone leave !" she shouted at them. When they just stared at her like she had lost her mind, Phoebe turned on her heel and stomped straight toward her bedroom, slamming the door shut behind her.

"Phoebe !" her father called out from the hallway, his voice panicking. He started to walk toward her room to calm her down, but Don stood up, his tall body instantly making Mr Black freeze.

"Father-in-law, just sit down," Don said, his voice quiet but commanding. "I'm here, so I will go talk to her."

Mr Black could only nod numbly and sit back down on the couch. What else could he do ? He was terrified of this man, and he could only pray that they would leave his house soon without hurting anyone.

Don walked down the hallway, opened Phoebe’s bedroom door, and stepped inside. Phoebe was curled up on the bed, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed into her pillow. Don let out a quiet sigh. He walked over and sat down slowly on the edge of the mattress next to her.

"Oh god. Can't you just leave me alone ?" she sobbed, burying her face deeper. "Why are you doing this to me.? You're completely ruining my life !"

Don didn't get angry. Instead, he pulled a clean handkerchief from his pocket and reached out to wipe her tears away. Phoebe flinched, looking away from him as she tried to scramble off the bed to get away. But before she could move, Don's large, firm hand caught her wrist, easily pulling her back down onto the mattress right beside him.

"Leave me... you—"

"Shh. Just keep quiet," Don murmured, his voice surprisingly gentle as he leaned closer. "You've been doing all the talking today, sweetheart. But now it's my turn."

Phoebe froze, her mouth instantly shutting. Don slowly leaned over her, using the handkerchief to dab at her wet cheeks. He wiped her face so gently, treating her like she was his precious baby, or a fragile piece of glass that could break at any second.

"You want to know why I chose you ?" he whispered, his dark eyes locking onto hers, holding her completely paralyzed under his gaze. "I'll tell you then. It's because I like you. And I haven't liked anyone in a very long time, so you should consider yourself lucky. Also, I am very used to getting whatever I want. And right now, sweetheart, there is nothing in this world that I want more than you."

He moved his hand up, his thumb gently brushing against her bottom lip. "You have no idea how crazy you drive me, I want to do so many things to this beautiful body of yours. I'm sorry if my way of doing things is a little hard for you to handle. But I can't help myself when it comes to you."

He whispered and slowly bent his head down, intending to claim her mouth, but Phoebe placed a trembling hand against his hard chest, stopping him.

"Your girlfriend... she kissed me in the car, and now you want to kiss me too ? Is this just some sick game to both of you ? Why are you doing this ?" Phoebe whispered, her voice cracking.

Don didn't answer. He just placed a warm finger over her lips, silencing her thoughts. "Don't worry about any of that right now," he murmured darkly. "Just kiss me. I can feel how your body reacts every time I touch you. Stop fighting it and just give in to me, sweetheart."

Phoebe looked up at his full, pink lips, her throat going completely dry as she swallowed hard. She couldn't find the strength to say no.

Slowly, Don bent down and his lips touched hers. Phoebe’s mind completely shattered. She had been secretly thinking about his lips all day long, and feeling them right now was overwhelming. Before she even realized what she was doing, her hands moved up to his shoulders, and she started to kiss him back.

The kiss was absolutely beautiful, filled with a deep, intoxicating heat that made her whole body melt. Don groaned softly against her mouth, his lips moving over hers with an intense, burning passion. He tasted so sweet despite the cigarette, deepening the kiss until she was completely breathless.

He parted her lips easily, his tongue sliding inside to claim her mouth in a way that made a dizzying rush of electricity shoot straight down to her core. Phoebe felt completely powerless. Don's large, warm hands slid down her waist, moving up her skirt to brush against her bare thighs. He stroked her skin gently, pulling her smaller body closer to his chest, demanding more of her sweetness.

Phoebe whimpered into the kiss, her head spinning from the pleasure, but the moment she felt his fingers slide higher, moving dangerously close to the edge of her panties, her eyes flew open.

She snapped out of the trance, gasping as she jumped back and pushed his hands away.

Don let out a low, deep chuckle at how quickly she jumped. He looked at her flustered face, a knowing smirk on his lips. "So... you really are a virgin ?" he asked, his voice husky and dark.

Phoebe immediately looked away, her face flushing a deep, bright pink as she gripped her skirt tightly. "I-I am saving myself for marriage," she whispered, her voice completely broken and trembling.

Don stared at her for a moment, and then a genuine, soft smile spread across his face. He looked incredibly pleased.."Turns out I liked a good girl," he murmured, his eyes full of heat. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I respect that. I will wait until our wedding night before I truly touch you. Until then, don't torture your beautiful body so much. If you feel lonely..." He trailed off, his dark gaze sliding down to her bare thighs. "You can simply touch yourself," he whispered wickedly.