CHAPTER 23: CHAPTER 23

Rhea and Luke turned as they made their way backstage. The audience’s roar was still a distant hum in Rhea’s ears. Her cheek heated up, her mind a dizzy rush of wind. With Luke still by her side, his lingering heat wrapped around her.

What the hell just happened?

She’d just kissed Luke—not a stage kiss, not for the audience. A real, gut-wrenching, breathless kiss. Her lips still tingled from the heat she felt from his.

Luke turned to Rhea, a soft, satisfied smile on his face. "Way to go, Rhea, you were incredible." Luke murmured, his voice a soft thrum that vibrated through her. "The audience loved it."

Rhea managed in a weak, shaky voice, "Y...yeah, the audience." She avoided his gaze, her eyes darting through the bustling backstage, to Tia who was waving from across the room, already surrounded by other club members.

"I, uh, I think Tia needs me. Great job, Luke." Before he could respond, she practically bolted out of the room, weaving her way through the crowd. Each person Rhea pushed past felt like an obstacle; their casual touches brushing her skin made her flinch inwardly. Her heart hammered against her ribs, pounding in her ears.

Run, run, run.

She reached Tia, trying to steady her racing heart. "Hey!" She gasped, feigning enthusiasm.

"That was amazing!" Tia cheered, oblivious to Rhea’s internal turmoil. "Especially that kiss! I never thought you’d actually kiss him. Like that!" Tia smiled sheepishly, placing her hands over her mouth as she snorted, her eyes beaming. "That was so hot!"

It wasn’t supposed to be real. But it was.

Rhea forced a smile, her stomach twisting with a cold dread, confirming the gravity of what had occurred.

"Come on, let’s go." Rhea dragged Tia by her arms, not giving her a chance to say more, as she spotted Luke coming in her direction.

"But the fun is starting now," Tia said, the evening air washing on her skin, her lips curving downwards, her brows furrowed. "Can’t we stay a little longer?" She placed her hands together in a plea. "I want to get wasted," she said, batting her lashes.

Rhea looked around, searching for Luke if he had followed, but didn’t spot him anywhere. "Okay. You can have as much fun as you want. But me, I’m heading home."

"Okay, see you when I get home." Tia smiled, waving at Rhea as she walked off.

That was insane. Why did I press in like that? It’s not like I’m sex deprived or anything. I even moaned!

Her body had acted with a will of its own, a startling, uncomfortable surge that hadn’t been part of the script.

Rhea made her way to the bus stop two blocks away from the school, the cool night air doing little to calm the frantic heat beneath her skin.

Why did he kiss me? Was it the heat of the moment? Or something else?

"I need to know right now," she wondered out loud, as she got on the bus.

By the time Rhea got to the door, she was knackered as she shoved her key into the lock, twisting the handle.

"Ah—"

Rhea gasped as a hand yanked her into the room before she could step inside, slamming the door shut behind her.

Rhea was pressed to the wall, her hands resting on the wall by her side. Her chest heaving, her breath uneven. Looking up at the piercing eyes staring down at her.

A tall silhouette towered in the darkness, inches away from her, dripping wet. Water dropping onto her body.

"You came early, Rhea." The person rasped, as he boxed her between his arms resting on the wall, his body inches away from Rhea’s, his presence overwhelming in the small space.

Countless thoughts ran through Rhea’s mind. She wondered, who he was? How he got in? But when her name was called, it confirmed it was someone she knew.

Rhea’s mind swirled, her gaze not leaving the person before her. She narrowed her eyes to see who it was but couldn’t, because the room was too dark.

The voice that sliced the room sounded familiar—but she couldn’t place a finger on it.

He trailed his hand through her back as he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her forward, against him, until her frame was flush against his cold, damp body.

Her breath came out in hurried and scattered gasps. Her body trembling violently, an uncontrollable shiver that had nothing to do with the chill from his wetness.

His other hand trailed from her collarbone, slowly finding its way to her neck, sliding through her jawline, then to her lips.

"You were gorgeous today, Rhea." He spoke again, his voice a low rasp that seemed to vibrate directly inside her.

As he brushed his thumb over her lips, wiping them. Then tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ears, his fingertips softly grazing her ears.

Rhea’s body slightly jolted, a soft whimper meeting his ears.

He leaned in, down on her face. But Rhea tilted her head to the other side.

The man let out a sharp, annoyed wheeze. The sound was harsh, cutting through the heavy silence of the room, a clear sign of his displeasure.

Suddenly, he scooped her up. As he walked across the living room, the alluring, gentle glowing moon spilled light into the room on his pale skin, illuminating his features.

Rhea’s eyes widened as she recognized his face.

Zeenare? Her mind called out.

"Put me down!" She demanded, her voice hoarse, a desperate, futile plea.

But he didn’t. His eyes held no light, his face was stone cold.

"Let me go!" She shouted, in a desperate, cracked voice.

But it felt as though she was talking to a brick.

He carried her deep through the living room, towards her room. Standing directly at her door, he kicked it open and stepped inside.

Rhea knew something wasn’t right about him.

First, there was his wet body, then the look in his eyes; even the air around him was off.

Somehow, his demeanor made her feel like she had done something bad, which made her dare not to say another word.

He gently placed her on her bed, his hands at each side of her frame as he knelt on one knee, his legs pressing deep between her legs. His eyes. His eyes.

Were intense, and became more visible—shiny in the dark room.

Staring at her with so much desire that her stomach turned, her heart almost dropped from being sized up like prey.

As his shadow swallowed her whole.

"Now, where were we?" He asked, his voice deep. His eyes skimmed up her body, settling on her cleavage.

"Did you like it?" He questioned, observing her.

What does he mean? She pondered.

Rhea was lost by his strange question.

She said nothing, since she wasn’t sure of what he was referring to.

He leaned in closer, reaching for the dress she was wearing. As he pulled the straps on her shoulder, the strips sliding down with his fingers along her bare skin.

Rhea’s breath cut when she felt his light, feather-like touch on her skin. Her ribcage tightening by the sheer magnitude of his gaze and size.

His gaze dropped between her thighs, staring starvingly.

But he looked away as he proceeded to the other straps.

With every touch, Rhea’s veins pulsed, her breath tightened.

"Was he that good?" He enquired, his voice a razor, his eyes eating her up. His hand was down at her leg, trailing slowly as it teased its way up her thighs.

Rhea’s breath hitched, her back arched upright, her eyes daring not to look away.

Because it felt like if she did, he could eat her up when she wasn’t looking.

As his fingers moved up, closer to her inner thigh, his gaze became more intense.

His voice dropped even lower. "Answer me, Rhea. Was he that good?"

Rhea tried shifting backward, and noticed there was no space to move to.

"No, no!" She gasped, her knees shut tightly, her body holding back from convulsing.

As his fingers.

Pressed on her clit.

"Then tell me. Why did you have to moan on his lips?" He pressed on it again, now circling his fingers on her hardened clit, over the lace fabric.

Rhea gasped louder this time. Her hands clutched around Zeenare’s arms, holding onto it tightly, her eyes wide.

Why is he doing this? What does he even want?

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry. It was a mistake." She voiced in a breathless tone.

"Why are you sorry?" He asked, his fingers underneath her panties, directly on her p***y.

"Ahh!" She moaned softly.

Her mind reeling, searching for the right answer.

"B... because I k... kissed, him." She answered in whispers, her voice a blur between breaths.

I’m a fool to believe that he was changing.

"There’s one thing you need to know, Rhea." He drifted his hands from her legs as he leaned in. "I. Don’t. Share." Planting a kiss on her forehead.

"Don’t ever moan for another man again."