David POV
Newport was a special kind of hell.
The lawns were perfectly mowed. The air had a taste of salt in it even the people there smiled with their teeth almost like anything that came out from their mouth might end up in the newspaper the next minute.
Stella was already deep in the wedding-planning mode. She the white outfit catalogues placed in her front, same with the guest lists and a list of photographers who would make sure the whole world knew Governor Peterson had landed the infamous Hollywood widow. The Governor on the other hand, spent most of his time attending to calls, speaking in the careful cadence of a man who knew how every sentence might be used against him in the long run.
And there was Dahlia.
She was almost like a ghost as she moved around in those expensive clothes of hers, making no noise almost she was a perfect doll. It was sickening and every time our eyes met across the room, she look away first. The last time she did that, she turned away so quickly but not before I saw the flush climb her neck. I knew what was going on in her mind and it was the same thing going on in mine.
I merely didn't care about her rule, but mine, I was rigid, so I thought.
I lasted about three days before I broke my own rule about not seeking her out.
She was in the library on the second floor, curled in a window seat with a book I was sure she wasn't reasing. The late-afternoon light turned her hair almost amber. She didn't hear me come in.
"Still pretending we are strangers about to become family members?"
She jumped and the book that was on her lap fell down. "W-Wha, How…" She started with a fright on her face. "G-Get out." She finally managed to let out.
I didn't listen as I closed the door behind me instead. "Okay Flower. Your father is downstairs talking about photo ops while my mother is on the phone with a wedding planner. No one saw me coming in here. We're alone. You can drop the act."
"There is no act David."
I walked closer but she stayed where she was, spine rigid against the window frame. Up close, I could see the faint shadows under her eyes which meant one thing; she hadn't been sleeping either.
"You need to apologize to me."
"For what?"
"Ah, you forget too soon, Yale. You slapped me," I said. "Hard even. Then you ran upstairs like the good little daughter you are. But I know something you failed to mention to anyone," I smiled a little as I feel her tense up again. "You didn't sleep, now did you?"
"That's none of your business."
"None of my business you say but you forget I was there that night so it kinda make it my business Yale." I braced a hand on the wall beside her head, not touching, just caging her in the way that always made her breathing change.
"You keep turning away from my face but that doesn't stop you from staring at my mouth like you want to know if it still tastes the same without your juice coated over it."
Her eyes flicked down like an impulse before reaching my eyes again. "David—"
"Say the word and I'll leave. Tell me to fuck of and mean it. Don't say it like you want me to still chase you."
She kept her mouth quiet like she was deciding what to say. I leaned in until my lips almost brushed the shell of her ear. "That's what I thought Flower."
She turned her head and our mouths felt like an inch apart that I could feel the warm rush of her breath.
"This is a terrible idea," she whispered.
"Not entirely the worst I've had so far."
I hesitated for a while but I watch her eyes close waiting and I knew that was my cue.
I kissed her.
Hard and Rough. It was desperate like the same desperate, angry heat from the hotel room. My teeth nibbled her lips and tongue licked it as well almost simultaneously and the sound that came from her the moment, I bit her lower lip the way I did that night sent a rush of blood to my lower part.
Her hands came up like she meant to push me away but she didn't. Instead those hands found its way to my shirt and fisted it bringing me closer. The book that was on her lap still stayed on the floor and the house was quiet. I felt the whole world narrowing to her taste and the way her body arched into mine when I slid a hand under the hem of her shirt and found her bare.
"Dahlia?"
She didn't hear her name being called but I did. I just didn't care. She broke apart only when footsteps sounded on the stairs. Dahlia shoved me back faster than bolt, breathing hard, and eyes wide with pure panic. I stepped away just a s Stella's voice called up the hall
"Dahlia? Darling, the photographer wants a few family shots before dinner."
Dahlia smoothed her hair with shaking hands but her voice was calm as she responded. "Coming."
She didn't take another look at me as she walked out. But she left the door open behind her, and I could still taste her on my mouth.
I stood alone in the library for a long time, listening to the distant sound of polite conversations between my mother and Dahlia mostly asking if she had seen me but she denied knowing my whereabouts as they walk towards the end of the hall.
While the click of a camera shutter downstairs, I decided to join them anyways. The rules were already dead. Although my briefs were showing the effect of the earlier kiss, I didn't mind. I had never happier about breaking something in my life.