Chapter 3

A Dangerous Choice

Sapphire’s POV

I couldn’t find the words, so I did the only thing that made sense, I kissed him. He stiffened, caught off guard.

I smirked when I pulled away. His brows creased as he looked at me, making me wonder what he’s thinking.

“You sure you won’t regret what you just did?” His voice was lower now, rougher, like he was barely holding himself back.

I raised my brows. “What?”

He didn’t reply. Instead, he grabbed my waist, his grip firm but not harsh, spinning me until my back hit the wall.

A shiver ran down my spine as I bit my lip.

He caged me in his arms, his heated gaze locking onto mine, stealing my breath away. His fingers traced my jaw, tilting my chin up.

His breath warm, laced with a faint hint of whiskey. In that moment I knew… I wasn’t in control anymore.

His presence was suffocating in the best way, heat from his body nearly pressed against mine.

He kissed me back. Not just a fleeting touch, but a deep, consuming kiss, leaving me both shaken and craving for more.

A mix of confusion and success coiled in my chest. Had I won this game or had I just lost?

The world around me faded, the noise, the plan I had so carefully crafted… it all blurred into nothing.

All that existed was him… and the way he made me unravel.

The dim lighting in the hallway cast a shadow as we dance along the walls. His eyes never left mine, burning with intensity that made everything around me blur.

The door to his apartment swung open, and we were welcome by a small light on the doorstep, and it felt like everything was masked in an intimate darkness. His silhouette taking up my entire view.

Every inch of my skin felt alive under his touch, the sensation of his fingers on my back to my neck set shivers through me.

His hands were everywhere, tangling in my hair, pulling me closer until our bodies are pressed together and the heat of his chest against mine nearly burning.

The door clocked shut behind us with a thud, the sound of our footsteps echoing in the silence and the sound of of our kisses and breathing.

My pulse thundering, drowning out everything but his breathing, desperate and thick with anticipation.

A breathless murmur escaped him as his left mine for a slip second before they claim me again, hungrier this time.

The sheets twisted beneath us, creased and tangled, a mirror of chaos inside me. Shadows stretched and intertwined as we moved, blending to one.

And the glow from the beside lamp traced every ridges and contour of his muscle. He held me captive, searching for more, I wanted to back out… this was wrong.

But I didn’t. or maybe, I couldn’t.

His fingertips trached slower lingering patterns on my skin, leaving fire. My body arched, drawned to him despite the war raging my mind.

The air smelled of us now, something new, something dangerous, something I wasn’t sure I could take back.

He moved effortlessly. Pain and Pleasure was all I could feel as my mind shut out with every move and every kiss he made.

Claiming me… and claiming something that wasn’t his to take.

The pain written on my face made him look at me with rage. “You haven’t done this before?”

I swallowed, my hands gripping the sheets beneath me. “No.”

His body tensed, fingers tightening slightly on my waist. “Why me?”

I gulp, emotions twisting inside me. “Because if it has to be someone… I want.”

“I don’t want to be something you regret.”

“Then don’t be.” I exhale shakily, searching for his face.

Was I giving in or losing control? Winning or falling apart? Every touch, every kiss unravel something inside me, something I wasn’t sure I could piece back together.

**

The world seems to fall silent, only the pounding from my heart as I watch Lysander’s peaceful sleeping face as I slowly slide from the bed, the pounding on my heart remain as I leave him, fingers trembles as I close the door separating the two of us, but it has to be done. I had no choice.

I ran as fast as I could. Upon arriving to my apartment I immediately pack my bags, leaving no traces behind for my whereabouts as I rush to escape.

The cold wind blew my hair as I open the car’s window, my phone beep and cold run through as I open the message that sent me chills. “Shit.” I whispered.

Lysander’s POV

I woke up to an empty bed. The sheets beside me were cold as the silence pressed in on me.

The kind that wasn’t peaceful. Like something had been ripped out. Like something had been stolen.

The ghost of her scent still lingered-faint, vanishing every breath I took.

A single strand of her hair on the pillow. Proof. Mocking. As if she had been nothing more than a passing dream.

I wanted to believe she had a reason. That there was an explanation, but there was none.

Days has passed and every single time I went to the bar where she worked, every hope that I would see her again withered, leaving nothing but the bitter aftertaste of regret.

But I didn’t give up, hoping I would see her again.

Then, a week later, I saw her.

She was across the street, standing too close to a man I didn’t know. My fist curled as his fingers brushed her arm like he had every right.

My body went rigid and I couldn’t understand myself in that moment.

She spoke- soft, too soft for me to hear. But she wouldn’t look at me. She had to know I was here.

I was meters away from them, but then again her back was turned against me, only the man looking at me with a strange look but he didn’t look like he gave a fuck.

“Marry me, Sapphire.” the man uttered like he had the right to. The smoke from his cigarette drifting from the air.

I felt nothing but the ache of something I didn’t want to name. Something raw. Something that shouldn’t but this much but it did.

“Please. I don’t want to see your face ever again. Leave while I’m asking nicely.”

My brows creased. I don’t understand.

“You can’t escape this. The debts have to be repaid, and you know it. It’s either you marry me… or face the consequences.”

She looks down, almost too ashamed to look at him again. Seeing her like that ignited something within me.

I stepped in. “She doesn’t have to do this.” My eyes locked with Sapphire.

“And who are you?” the man turned to me. “Another one of her admirers thinking they can play hero?”

He scoff and throw the cigarette butt and stepped on it while his eyes locked to mine.

“No, I’m someone who will take responsibility.”

“Do you have any idea what you’re getting into? You don’t even know her.”

“I don’t need to.”

“Lysander! Stop, you have no business of being here. Leave now, I’ll handle my crap by myself.” She tried to push me away but I stand on my ground.

“You think you can buy her with money? You think she’ll just walk away from me? She owes me her life.”

“I’m not buying her.” I look at Sapphire. “I’m giving her an option.”

“Stop this.” Sapphire whispered weakly.

I shook my head. “You choose, marry me or marry him.” Her eyes widen and gulp. “This is your chance. Take it. I won’t let him control your life.”

She scoff. “So you will?”

“I’ll take the offer.” The man cut us off. “But good luck with what you’re getting into. You don’t know Sapphire, you haven’t even met her daughter.”

The man tossed me his business card, and smirked before leaving. “I’ll contact you soon. Have fun with your bride to be.” He laugh.

Sapphire and I locked eyes… and I was lost. Do I really know her like I thought I did? What was I getting myself into?