Annabel's POV
The music buzzed through the air, strippers swaying their bodies in rhythm, men flinging cash like it was nothing but scraps of paper.
My eyes swept the room, taking in the environment. And that was when it occurred to me that I had just entered the building that shattered my heart a few weeks ago.
This club.
The same Billionaire Club that James sent me the location to, telling me to come meet him, only for me to see him screwing my best friend.
I could have gone to another club, but this is the only club I have ever been to, and it is the only one I know of.
I was never the type that loved partying.
But tonight was different.
I'm here to forget about all my misfortune.
Forget James and Stephanie.
Forget the stress that comes from my work. Forget Daniel and his arrogance.
And probably forget the fact that I'm catching feelings for my stepbrother.
I stepped away from where I stood and headed straight to the bar. "A shot, please," I said to the bartender with a slight tilt of my head.
Without delay, he whipped up the drink right away and slid it toward me. I took a sip, winced, and let the burn settle before asking for another.
The fifth shot burned down my throat just as a shadow loomed beside me. A guy I had never seen before approached me. "You must be having a difficult night." His smile held darkness, like I was already his.
My eyes were half-lidded. "Let me guess, you're here to control me too?" I murmured, wagging a lazy finger at him, amused by my own slurred defiance.
But he did not pull away. "I'm just here to have a good time with you, not to control you," he pressed further.
I laughed out loud. Drunk, maybe. Whatsoever is wrong with me tonight, I love it.
For the first time since I came back to New York after graduation, I felt free.
No weight from the constant thinking about what is right to do, and how to get my life back after James ruined my dream.
No boss to control me.
It felt like my whole burden had been lifted from my shoulders.
The mysterious man stepped closer. His hands cupped my cheeks as he pulled me in for a kiss. His hands hovered, searching, trying to undress me. My head was spinning, but even through the fog, I knew—this wasn't right. Not him. Not this.
Still fighting for my dear life, a voice echoed just above the loud music, enough for anyone around to hear. "Stop."
It was Daniel.
With the last ounce of strength, I escaped the stranger's grip and ran to Daniel, falling into him like the weight of everything had finally won. "Take me with you, please," I pleaded.
He carried me away from it all, holding me close as I lay limp against his chest, the weight of curious stares trailing behind us.
We reached a building that I could barely recognize, certain it was not my house either. But it did not bother me. Being around him felt safer, like I belonged to him.
He pulled me out of his car and carried me to a room in the building.
I never stopped saying all sorts of nonsense as a result of the drink from the club. I was not thinking clearly. My view was so blurred that I could not quite understand where I was.
He settled me on the bed, slow and thoughtful, like he didn't want to wake whatever storm I was holding in. And when he was assured that I was good, he turned to leave.
But I pulled him back. "Don't leave, please… I am scared. The mysterious man might come back." My voice obviously cracked.
As much as I was drunk, I was scared as hell. For a moment, I thought I was going to be raped by the strange man.
Fear crept in as I held Daniel firmly.
He finally gave in and sat at the edge of the bed, caressing my hair.
Moments later, something was pulled from within me. I could see it in him too—lust, need, and desire to satisfy our pleasure.
I laughed out loud, swaying my fingers seductively on his chest. "Dan… what's going on in your naughty mind, huh?"
He did not give me a reply, just his lustful stare.
Sarcastically, I said, "Mr. Stroke, you want me?" I asked mockingly. "You know you want me…"
I slid my hands into his buttoned shirt and tore it open, drawing a lazy line on his chest. Then I went to his nipple and circled it. I was about to claim it with my mouth when his hands stopped me.
"I'm just playing." I let out another mocking smile.
He stood up to leave the room, but I went after him, stopping him at the doorway. "Dan…"
"Touch me… please…"
His eyes searched for mine. "Are you sure about this?" He pressed his chest against mine. "Because I'm never going to stop like the last time," he growled.
I gave him a nod.
With no other confirmation, his mouth found mine. He cupped my neck as he kissed me. Raw, deep, and intimate.
Our tongues tangled, deep and desperate. I could feel the strain, each breath harder to catch as I struggled beneath the weight of it.
His hand cupped my breast, his thumb grazing over my nipple through the thin fabric of my dress. I gasped, arching into his touch. He was everything I needed right now.
His voice trailed to my ear. "Please, stop me now while you still can," he murmured, his tone dropping to a husky, seductive whisper.
"How can I tell you to stop, when this is all I desire… Dan?"
At the sound of my voice, he dipped his hand and slowly peeled the fragile fabric from my shoulder.
His mouth found my nipple, begging for his touch. He swiped his tongue just once, enough to make me beg for more.
My eyes went dark from him pulling away, but he smirked at my reaction and came for another taste.
He wrapped his tongue around my nipple, sucking every inch of me.
My mouth parted in satisfaction, letting out a soft moan as I gripped his shirt.
He let go of my nipple and claimed my lips again, kissing every bit of me.
"O…M…G".
My voice trailed off as his lips brushed against the sensitive shell of my ear. He swiped his lips down my neck, stopping at the edge and running his tongue along. His nose hovered just above my skin, as if trying to catch every trace of my scent.
"Annie, you have every right to stop me when you want. You are vulnerable now, and I don't want to take advantage of that." He scanned my body to see if I would give up.
But I pressed my body closer to his.
We kissed again, deeper and hungrier. My breath caught as we both moved to the bed.
Our eyes still locked together, we both fell on the bed.
He pressed his hard length against my core, making sure I felt every inch of his arousal.
He parted my legs, lifting my dress as he found my lace panties and circled his hands on my already dripping pussy.
His eyes dimmed into something proud, knowing he was the reason for my wetness. "I should be the only man to give you this pleasure, no one else."
I swallowed the lump stuck in my throat, my eyes fixed on his.
He slid my panties aside, making me feel his warm touch on my vagina. I tilted my head backward.
When his finger gave me the first stroke, a soft moan escaped me as I gripped the bedsheet firmly, biting my lip in a thin line.
His fingers swiped against my pussy again, and it greedily milked his finger. He groaned before gathering my slickness, teasing me with deliberate strokes.
"Dan… Daniel…" My voice trembled under his touch. His strokes quickened, teasing and tormenting me, drawing me closer to him in desperate need.
My voice echoed through the room. "Yes… Dan… I'm coming…"
He added a third finger, stretching my entrance as he moved them deeper and faster, not stopping.
"Just a moment… I'm almost there." I threw my head backward as I kept screaming all sorts of nasty words in excitement.
But he pulled out when I was about to come.
My eyes turned darker. "What? Daniel… please…"
"Oh, wow…now you know how it feels leaving someone in arousal," he said, tilting his head, the edge of his lips curving into a light smirk.
You've got to be kidding me.
I sat up straight. "Don't be petty, Mr. Stroke."
He leaned closer again. "Now I am being petty, Annabel… and now we are back to Mr. Stroke?"
His breath hovered around my neck. "Earn it, Annabel. Satisfy me… and maybe, just maybe, I'll let you chase your own release."