15. Arianna
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
ARIANNA
T he chatter, laughter, and music disturbed the peace of the forest as the party was still going. Somehow the red cup in my hand continued to fill, and soon my movements slowed and my words slurred.
Nikola stood, his pale blue eyes beaming at Skye, then he seemed to catch himself and quickly looked away. He seemed to crave her attention but also… hated himself for it?
Men.
My gaze locked on the tall figure advancing toward me with sure steps.
For a moment, I found myself unable to breathe or concentrate on anything but those intense hazel eyes. There was a scowl on his face, and I knew I was about to get told off for something.
My fingers tightened around the plastic red cup, making it crack like a whip through the space between Matteo and me.
My heartbeat paused for a flicker before going into overdrive.
He stopped in front of me, his strong, veiny arms crossed.
“Stop looking at me like that,” I whispered in a slightly drunk voice. Childhood friends didn’t look at each other that way.
“Like what?” His low timbre reverberated through every cell of my body, making it respond to him like a piano to an expert pianist.
I swallowed. “Like we’re… something more than friends.”
He shook his head, almost like he knew a secret that I wasn’t privy to.
“I think we both know this is more than that, Ari.”
His words shot straight into my bloodstream. My fingers trembled, my sluggish brain unable to fight these weird reactions I’d been having toward him lately.
“Don’t,” I rasped, my mind swimming with impossible thoughts. When I noticed him looking down, I followed suit, only to realize I’d splayed my fingers on his forearm.
“Don’t what?” I started to remove my hand from his forearm, but he shook his head. “Keep touching me, Ari.”
I swallowed, music and chatter serving as a reminder—no, a warning that there were people all around us. Yet I couldn’t tear my gaze away from him, scared to break the moment.
I licked my lips. “It’s wrong.”
“No, it isn’t.” There was such conviction in his voice that flew through my blood and straight to my heart. “There’s nothing in this entire world that’s more right than you and me.”
“And Han?—”
“Don’t you dare bring her into this, Nutella girl,” he ordered, spiking my pulse.
“I’m still mad at you for letting her join the Legacies.”
“If I hadn’t, she’d be off doing some other shit on her own,” he explained, although he really didn’t have to justify anything to me. “It was my way of ensuring she can get her revenge without killing herself in the process. I’d have to kill her all over again if she hurt you with her recklessness.”
His words melted my heart, and despite everything, I smiled. “Who knew Matteo Vitale had a way with words.”
His rough gaze traveled over my frame, sliding down my bare legs before they dragged back up my body.
“Oh, Ari, if you only knew…”
“Knew what?” I breathed.
“How much I want to see your graceful fingers wrapped around my cock.”
Heat crept up my cheeks and I gasped, but the alcohol must have loosened my tongue, because my next words would have shocked a sober me. “Maybe I’d rather touch myself than your cock.”
“I’d allow it, but only if you kept your eyes on me while you did it.” His words had my core throbbing with arousal. “You would thrust a finger inside you and fuck yourself until you couldn’t take it any longer. Then you’d beg me for my cock inside your virgin pussy. You’d be a good girl for me and take it all, wouldn’t you?”
I bit my lower lip, stopping a moan from bubbling up when his words finally sunk in.
“Virgin?” I sputtered, my brows furrowing. “You don’t know?—”
He leaned forward, his hot breath in my ear.
“You don’t think I’d let anyone touch what’s mine, Ari…” A shudder rolled down my body. “You’re drunk right now, so I’ll give you a free pass, but next time… Next time, I’m claiming you. No more games.”
He left me staring after him while the scene around us slowly came back into focus. As I registered a Britney Spears song blaring, I shot a few cursory glances over my shoulder, wondering where Hannah was and whether I’d need to explain myself to her.
I squeezed my eyes shut, relief mixed with guilt washing over me. She was nowhere to be found.