Chapter Sixty-Seven: Boundaries
The living room smelled like sex and sweat.
Sarah knelt between Rider's legs on the couch, her mouth working slowly along his shaft. Her lipstick was smeared. Her hair was disheveled.
Three used condoms lay discarded on the coffee table.
Rider's hand tangled in her hair, guiding her movements. His head was tilted back, his eyes half-closed.
"That's it," he murmured. "Clean it all off."
Sarah's tongue moved along the underside of his cock, licking away the remnants of their last round. Her movements were practiced. Obedient.
Across the room, David thrust into Leena against the opposite couch.
Missionary. Simple. Safe.
His second condom was already slick with precum. His breathing was ragged.
Leena lay beneath him, her legs wrapped loosely around his waist. Her hands rested on his shoulders—not gripping, not pulling him closer. Just... there.
She stared at the ceiling.
David's rhythm quickened. His hips snapped forward harder, faster.
"Leena," he gasped. "God, you feel—"
He came with a strangled groan, his body going rigid.
Leena felt him pulse inside her through the latex barrier.
She didn't move. Didn't moan. Didn't arch her back the way she usually did.
David collapsed forward, his forehead resting against her shoulder. His chest heaved.
After a moment, he pulled out slowly and sat back on his heels.
He looked down at her.
Leena's expression was blank. Distant.
David frowned.
"Are you okay?" he asked quietly.
Leena blinked. Her eyes focused on him.
Shit.
She'd let her guard down. Let him see.
She forced a smile and reached up, cupping his face with both hands.
"Of course I am," she said softly. "You're such a good boy for caring about me."
David's cheeks flushed. "I just... you seemed—"
"Shh." Leena's thumb brushed across his lips. "You've been so good tonight. I should give you a reward."
Before David could respond, Leena sat up and pushed him back against the couch.
She moved between his legs, her hands sliding up his thighs.
David's eyes widened. "Leena, you don't have to—"
But Leena was already pulling off the used condom. She tossed it aside and wrapped her hand around his softening cock.
"I want to," she said.
Her mouth closed around him.
David gasped, his hands flying to the couch cushions.
Leena worked him slowly, her tongue swirling around the head. She tasted latex and salt and the faint bitterness of his cum.
Within seconds, David was hardening again.
His hips jerked forward involuntarily.
Leena took him deeper, her throat relaxing to accommodate his length.
"Oh god," David moaned. "Leena—"
She pulled back slightly, her other hand cupped his balls, massaging gently.
David's breathing became ragged. His fingers tangled in her hair—not pulling, just holding.
"I'm gonna—" His voice broke. "Leena, I'm—"
She didn't pull away.
David came with a choked cry, his cock pulsing in her mouth.
Leena swallowed every drop.
When she finally pulled back, David was staring at her with wide, dazed eyes.
His cock twitched, already starting to harden again at the sight of her licking her lips.
"That's enough for tonight," Leena said gently, patting his thigh.
David opened his mouth to protest, but then his gaze shifted across the room.
Rider was slouched on the opposite couch, his body relaxed, his expression satisfied.
Sarah knelt between his legs, her mouth still working slowly along his shaft. Her movements were gentle now. Reverent.
Rider's hand moved to the back of her head, his fingers tangling in her hair. He pulled her back slowly.
Sarah's mouth released him with a soft pop.
"Good girl," Rider murmured.
And then he leaned down and kissed her.
On the lips.
Leena's heart skipped.
She watched as Rider's mouth moved against Sarah's. Watched as his hand cupped the back of her head, holding her close.
He kissed her. He actually kissed her!
The thought came unbidden. Unwanted.
Leena's chest tightened.
Before she could stop herself, she turned to David.
She cupped his face with both hands and pulled him into a kiss.
David's eyes widened in shock.
His hands came up to her shoulders—not pushing her away, but frozen. Uncertain.
Leena's lips moved against his, soft and deliberate.
This is wrong, a voice in her head whispered. This breaks the rules.
But she didn't care.
She needed this. Needed to feel wanted. Needed to feel like more than just a body.
David's shock melted. His hands moved to her waist, pulling her closer.
His tongue brushed against her lips, tentative.
Leena allowed it.
For a moment, they stayed like that—kissing slowly, tenderly.
And then Leena pulled back.
David stared at her, his cheeks flushed, his breathing uneven.
His eyes darted across the room to Sarah.
And that's when he saw it.
Sarah was still kissing Rider.
David's stomach dropped.
The rules.
No kissing on the lips. That was the boundary they'd set. The line they'd agreed not to cross.
And now both couples had crossed it.
David's gaze snapped back to Leena. She was watching Rider and Sarah, her expression unreadable.
Rider finally released Sarah, his hand sliding from her hair.
Sarah sat back on her heels, her lips swollen, her eyes glassy.
Rider glanced over at Leena and David.
He didn't seem to notice anything amiss.
"That was fun," Rider said, his voice relaxed. He reached for his pants and started pulling them on.
Leena stood slowly, her movements graceful despite the exhaustion weighing on her.
David remained frozen on the couch, his mind racing.
Did Rider see? Does he know?
But Rider's expression was calm. Satisfied.
He buttoned his pants and turned to David and Sarah.
"There's an orgy banquet coming up," Rider said casually. "A little over a week from now. Invitation only. Very exclusive."
Sarah blinked, still dazed. "An orgy?"
"More than that." Rider smiled. "It's a networking event. High-profile people. Powerful connections. The kind of night that can change your life."
David's throat tightened. "I don't know if—"
"You don't have to decide now," Rider said, waving a hand dismissively. "Just think about it. If you're interested, give me a call."
He glanced at Leena. "Ready?"
Leena nodded.
She didn't look at David or Sarah as she gathered her things.
Rider opened the door and stepped out into the hallway.
Leena followed.
The door closed behind them with a soft click.
David and Sarah sat in silence, the weight of what had just happened settling over them.
Sarah's hand moved to her lips, her fingers brushing where Rider had kissed her.
David stared at the closed door, his chest tight.
What the hell just happened?
***
The sun was warm on Bella's face as she stepped out of the building.
Her skin care company's headquarters was modest.
It wasn't much. But it was hers.
Bella adjusted her purse on her shoulder and started toward the parking lot.
Dorn fell into step behind her, his presence a familiar shadow.
And then she saw him.
Daniel.
He stood beside his car, holding a bouquet of flowers—pink roses mixed with white lilies.
Bella's heart melted.
She quickened her pace, a smile spreading across her face.
"Daniel?" she called. "What are you doing here?"
Daniel looked up, his face lighting up when he saw her. "I wanted to surprise you."
Bella stopped in front of him, her eyes dropping to the flowers. "These are beautiful."
"They're for you." Daniel held them out, his cheeks flushing slightly. "I wanted to make up for last time. For ruining our date."
Bella took the flowers, her chest tightening. "You didn't ruin anything."
"I did." Daniel's expression grew serious. "I was a mess. I wasn't... myself. And you deserved better."
Bella's throat tightened. She wanted to tell him it wasn't his fault. That Jack was the one who'd hurt his brother.
But she couldn't.
"So," Daniel said, his smile returning. "I'm taking you on a surprise date. Right now."
Bella blinked. "Right now?"
"Right now."
Bella glanced back at Dorn, who stood a few feet away, his expression neutral.
"Give us some space," Bella said quietly. "Follow from a distance."
Dorn nodded.
Daniel opened the passenger door of his car. "Your chariot awaits."
Bella laughed—a genuine, light sound she hadn't made in weeks.
She climbed into the car, the flowers resting in her lap.
Daniel slid into the driver's seat and started the engine.
"Where are we going?" Bella asked.
"You'll see."
***
The park was beautiful.
Uptown Park stretched across several acres, filled with walking paths, flower gardens, and open green spaces. Families picnicked on blankets. Children ran through the grass. Couples strolled hand in hand.
It was peaceful. Normal.
Bella couldn't remember the last time she'd been somewhere like this.
Daniel led her down a winding path, his hand brushing against hers.
At first, the touches were tentative. Accidental.
But as the afternoon wore on, Daniel grew bolder.
His hand found hers as they walked. His arm slipped around her waist when they stopped to look at a fountain.
Bella let him.
It felt... nice.
They stopped at a carnival game booth—one of those rigged setups where you had to knock down stacked bottles with a baseball.
"Pick a prize," Daniel said, nodding toward the stuffed animals hanging from the booth's ceiling.
Bella pointed to a pink teddy bear. "That one."
Daniel grinned. "Done."
He paid the attendant and picked up the baseball.
His first throw missed.
His second throw knocked down two bottles.
His third throw sent all three crashing to the ground.
The attendant handed him the pink teddy bear with a grudging nod.
Daniel turned and presented it to Bella with a mock bow. "For you, my lady."
Bella laughed, taking the bear and hugging it to her chest. "My hero."
They continued walking, stopping at a photo booth tucked between two food stalls.
"Come on," Daniel said, pulling her inside.
The booth was small—barely enough room for two people. Their knees bumped as they sat on the narrow bench.
Daniel fed coins into the machine, and the screen lit up.
"Smile," he said.
The first photo snapped.
Bella made a silly face for the second one.
For the third, Daniel leaned closer, his shoulder pressing against hers.
Bella could feel his nervousness. Could see the way his eyes kept darting to her lips.
He wants to kiss me.
But he didn't have the courage yet.
So Bella made the first move.
She leaned over and kissed his cheek just as the camera flashed.
Daniel's eyes widened, his face turning bright red.
The fourth photo captured his shocked expression.
They climbed out of the booth, laughing, and waited for the photo strip to print.
When it did, Bella tucked it into her purse.
"Come on," Daniel said, taking her hand. "One more thing."
He led her to the ferris wheel.
The line was short. Within minutes, they were climbing into one of the gondolas.
The wheel began to turn, lifting them slowly into the air.
Bella looked out over the park, the city skyline visible in the distance.
It was beautiful.
"Bella," Daniel said quietly.
She turned to look at him.
His expression was serious now. Vulnerable.
"I'm sorry," he said. "For how I acted after Gerald got hurt. I wasn't... I wasn't myself."
"You don't have to apologize," Bella said softly.
"I do." Daniel's jaw tightened. "I was angry. I wanted revenge. I wanted to hurt the people who hurt him."
Bella's chest tightened.
If only you knew.
"But I couldn't," Daniel continued. "Because I don't even know who they were. And even if I did..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "I'm not that kind of person."
"Revenge isn't the answer," Bella said quietly.
Daniel looked at her. "How do you know?"
"Because there are dangerous people in this world." Bella's voice was steady, but her hands trembled slightly. "People you shouldn't mess with. People who will destroy you if you get in their way."
Daniel frowned. "How do you know so much about that?"
Bella's throat tightened.
Because I was almost married to one of them.
"I've seen things," she said finally.
Daniel studied her face, seeing the sadness in her eyes.
And then he made his decision.
The ferris wheel reached its peak, stopping at the top. The city stretched out below them, glittering in the fading sunlight.
Daniel reached up and cupped Bella's face with both hands.
"Bella," he whispered.
And then he kissed her.
Bella's breath caught.
The kiss was soft. Gentle. Nothing like the rough, demanding kisses she was used to.
It was... sweet.
Bella let herself sink into it, her eyes closing.
For a moment, she let herself forget. Forget Jack. Forget the warehouse. Forget the darkness that clung to her like a second skin.
For a moment, she was just Bella.
And Daniel was just a man who cared about her.
When he finally pulled back, Daniel was smiling.
"I've been wanting to do that for a while," he said.
Bella smiled back, shy. "I'm glad you did."
The ferris wheel began to descend.
They climbed out of the gondola and started walking back toward the parking lot.
Bella felt lighter than she had in months.
And then she saw Dorn.
He was walking toward them, his expression serious.
Bella's stomach dropped.
"Excuse me for a second," she said to Daniel.
She met Dorn halfway, her heart pounding.
"What is it?" she asked quietly.
Dorn didn't say anything. He just handed her a small photograph.
Bella's hands trembled as she looked at it.
It was a picture of her and Daniel at the top of the ferris wheel.
Kissing.
Bella's blood ran cold.
She flipped the photo over.
On the back, written in elegant script, were the words:
Cute couple. I wonder if Jack would think the same… I want my money.
It was signed with a single letter.
H.
Hela.
Bella's vision blurred. Her chest tightened.
She's been watching me.
She's been watching us.
And then the realization hit her like a freight train.
It had been a week.
Past the deadline she'd promised Hela.
"Bella?" Daniel's voice came from behind her. "Is everything okay?"
Bella quickly shoved the photo into her pocket and turned around, forcing a smile.
"Everything's fine," she said.
But her hands were still shaking.
And her heart was pounding so hard she thought it might burst.