8. DAHLIA HARPER

My date was going well...

It could be an understatement because it was better than I had expected it to be. No problems. Jaspe was being charming as usual, making me laugh and feel at ease throughout the evening. I couldn't have asked for a better time.

Aunt Viv handled Uncle Dante, and originally our date had only dinner and a walk, but Jasper added a movie to it too.

Jasper was talking about something in which I would have been very interested if I hadn't been distracted by someone with dark hair and olive skin.

A part of me felt guilty about coming to this date. I don't know why. I wasn't committed to him, so I don't need to feel guilty about this. It was true that I hadn't drawn a conclusion about my jumbled feelings toward him.

Dahlia, for God's sake, focus on your date.

I turned my attention back toward Jasper. I don't need to worry about him.

"Dahlia, are you good?" Jasper asked, looking worried.

"Nothing; it's just that my feet are hurting in these heels." I lied. I hadn't worn those big ones, but still, he believed me.

"I guess we should cancel the walk." He said it in a split second.

"Oh no, Jasper, it's just fine." I insisted, not wanting my lie to affect his plans.

" No. Dahlia, your feet are hurting, and it would only get worse if you went on a walk. " Jasper replied, a perfect gentleman. A picture of modesty and consideration.

"Thanks for your concern." I thanked him, although I was fine and nothing had happened.

"Oh, it's not a thing to thank Dahlia." He smiled, his dimples peeking out of his smile. "I just want you to be comfortable." Jasper's kindness was truly heartwarming.

Our main course ended, and we ordered desert. Before my dessert came, I took a bathroom break to fix myself.

I opened the restroom's door, and I could swear I was this close to a heart attack.

Black hair. Broad shoulders. Olive skin.

Devastation poured into a perfectly tailored suit.

Marco Russo.

Why the fuck was he here?

"I see you have a date, Diamond." He spoke calmly, but there was nothing calm in his tone. The edge to his tone and the bite in his words sent shivers down my spine. He looks so handsome, a dark beauty unlike Jasper. And something, I would rather love.

"What are you doing here?" I asked breathlessly.

"I think I haven't been clear enough to you." He continued as if I hadn't asked him anything. His beautiful chocolate eyes pierced through me, sending a wave of both fear and desire.

"You don't have any right to interfere with this." I tried to pretend to be brave, but I was sounding rather scared at the moment. And at a closer inspection, it wasn't even scared. My tone was a breathy mixture of desire and defiance. His presence was intoxicating, drawing me in despite my attempts to resist.

Never have I ever thought I would be attracted to someone after that incident. Bit here I am, wanting someone else when my date is just outside the door.

"I have. Because, in case you haven't wondered, you are mine, Diamond, and I don't fucking share what's mine." He took steps to come towards me, grace but powerful, his eyes locked onto mine with a possessive intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

I instinctively took a few steps backward until my back hit the wall. Trapping me. But I wasn't feeling unsafe. I was feeling desired, wanted, and more alive than I had in years.

"If you want your date to be alive the next day, go home right now." He breathed into my neck."I don't think you want to be the reason for a man's unfortunate death." He pushed himself off and signaled for me to leave and do what he asked.

"You can't do that." I said, taking a step towards him..

"I can assure you that I could have him disappear in an instant if I wanted to." He smirked, his eyes glinting with a dangerous edge. "Trust me, you don't want to test me."

"It's my choice. He seems to be my type." I said, one more step closer to him.

"Oh, your type, huh? I thought you said you wanted someone who can ambush you with surprise and keep you on your toes. Someone who has a dark aura and chases you to the very depths of this earth. This man seems too predictable for your taste." He raised an eyebrow, challenging me to reconsider my decision.

"That was a drunk confession," I admitted, feeling a surge of uncertainty. "Maybe predictability is exactly what I need right now."

I am wondering how he remembers that drunk confession I made to Josephine and Sofia before that incident in a game of truth and dare.

"Stop fighting, diamond. You want me too much." He smirked, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

"I don't and that's not my name." I reply.

His smirk widened, knowing he had struck a nerve. "Diamond suits you perfectly," he teased, his voice low and seductive. The air between us crackled with tension, leaving me wondering if predictability was truly what I needed after all.

"Diamond, tell me that you want me out. If you just say the word, then I assure you, you will see me out of the door." He places his hand on my hip, slowly as if giving me time to back out which I don't.

The warmth sizzles through me, and I find myself unable to resist his touch despite my better judgment. His proximity was intoxicating, making it difficult for me to deny the pull I felt towards him.

"Say it. Say you don't want me." He leans in closer, his breath warm against my ear as he waits for my response. My heart races as I struggle to find the words to push him away, knowing deep down that I don't want him to leave.

Deep down, Jasper isn't someone I truly want. Marco is the one who makes me feel alive and desired in a way that Jasper never could.

I look up at him; my gaze falls to his soft lips, and I feel a surge of longing that I can't ignore. Despite my best efforts to resist, I know that Marco is the one who truly ignites a fire within me.

I hesitate but closing my eyes, I press my lips to his, a slow and tentative kiss which he returns with fire and passion. His hands gets lost into my hair as he dominates my mouth, knowing where to push me to the brink of desire. It's a kiss worth dying for. His hands rake over my curves, sometimes tugging at my hair , sending shivers down my spine.

As our lips part, I am left breathless and craving more of his touch.

He kisses my cheek and bites the shell of my ear, "Now that you have made your choice, go and tell your date that the date is over."

It clicks.

He didn't force me into this; he did give me a choice, and I willingly chose him.

"This kiss-

"Don't say it was a mistake because You know it wasn't," he interrupts, his eyes burning with intensity. "Let's not waste any more time pretending we don't want this." And with that, he pulls me in for another kiss, sealing our unspoken agreement.

"What's it we are doing?" I ask, feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty.

He whispers, "We're finally being honest with ourselves."

As his lips meet mine again, I can't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me. This may be risky, but it also feels right. This kiss may not be tru love's kiss but it feels one step towards it.