“Oh my God, Tania, now you’re freaking me out,” I said, scooting an inch away from her on the barstool. “Who knows what crazy thing you have planned out”.

She laughed in the way she always did when she was plotting something unhinged, her head thrown back, her eyes glittering, and her grin too wide.

“Oh Bella,” she said, raising her glass and taking a sip. “I was serious when I said we are going to have fun tonight. And we are going to be irresponsible adults, because we earned it.”

I shook my head, as I giggled. “I’m already feeling tipsy, and you know how I get when I’m tipsy, I—”

Her eyes widened dramatically. “Oh hell no you’re not! Come on!” She grabbed my wrist and tugged me forcefully. “It’s time to hit the dance floor.”

“Tania no! You know I can’t dance,” I protested, stumbling as she dragged me. “I’m not about to make a fool of myself in front of strangers, so—”

“Shut up,” she said sweetly. “I don’t want to hear it. Tonight, you’re going to dance, and you’re not allowed to be a party pooper. So let’s gooooo”

And just like that, she hauled me into the center of the dance floor. The music was loud, as I could feel the bass vibrating through my ribs. The colored lights swept over us like waves, and people moved everywhere. Bodies pressed together, laughter, heat, sweat, everything was messy and alive. Tania immediately started dancing like she owned the place, swinging her hips left and right, flying her hair, and within seconds, my body betrayed me as I started dancing too.

“Oh my God, Bella!” Tania yelled over the music, laughing. “Look at you! You actually have hips!”

“Shut up!” I yelled back, and soon we were both dancing like our lives depended on it, laughing, spinning, not caring about who was watching.

After about thirty minutes, we stumbled off the dance floor breathless, sweaty, and giggling like idiots. Tania grabbed my hand. “Vip timeeeeeee.” She said in a sing-song tone.

“Vip?” I blinked at her. “Tania… how? With what money?”

She tossed her hair dramatically. “Do I look like I came to celebrate my graduation like a commoner?”

“Tania—”

“Nope. Shhhhh, don’t say anything, just follow me.” She scolded immediately. She marched us past the velvet rope leading inside, and sat on the plush velvet seats, before I could even blink, she ordered a bottle of champagne that definitely cost more than my mother’s monthly rent.

“Tania…” I whispered. “We are just nineteen.”

“Exactly,” she said, popping the bottle. “It’s the perfect age to make reckless financial choices.”

She poured into our glasses and soon we were talking loudly, and freely about our plans after high school, how we both wanted to go to Stanford, even though we had different reasons.

“I can’t wait to get admitted into Stanford,” she said proudly after her third glass.

“You and Stanford?” I laughed. “Girl, you and I know you hate studying.”

“Yes I do,” she said seriously. “But I know I’m going to look really hot on campus.”

I burst out laughing, I laughed so hard champagne nearly came out of my nose.

But then as the laughter faded, my mind drifted elsewhere. “Tania…” I whispered, swirling my glass. “My mom apparently is getting married very soon to her ‘supposed boyfriend’ and now, we have to move somewhere else. She’s basically just disrupting my life here, all for what? All for a man she barely even knows?

Her smile fell slowly.

“Can you believe she didn’t even ask me what I wanted? She simply just decided that it was best for me.” My voice cracked without warning. “Tania, she doesn’t care about how I feel, and that’s really selfish.” I finished, swallowing hard.

For a moment, Tania just stared at me. Then she motioned for me to come sit by her side. I stood up without hesitation, and went to her. I collapsed on her shoulder, as she gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Bella,” she said softly. “I want you to listen to me. There’s no amount of force on earth or in heaven that is strong enough to separate us.”

I blinked fast as I fought back the tears that wanted to make their way down my face, as my throat tightened. “Do you hear me?” she continued, as she tapped her finger on my forehead. “You’re stuck with me for life, and no matter where you are, I’ll come visit and you can always visit me too. Plus if we look on the bright side, we’ll be in the same school, so we can literally get to see each other everyday. Nothing’s going to change, cause I’m not going anywhere.”

“Tania…”

“And whatever your mom decides to do with her life? That’s not your business, and it’s not yours to handle. She’s simply living her life” She raised her glass. “And now, we’re living ours.”

I let out a shaky laugh, as she grinned widely. “Tonight’s about us girl, so cheer up.”

I lifted my glass. “You know what? Fuck it!.”

“Yes girl! That’s the spirit.” She cheered.

“Tonight’s about us,” I repeated, feeling the words warm my chest. “No moms, no future stepfathers, no problems. Just us, drinking until we drop dead.”

Tania screamed in excitement. “Yes! That’s what I’m talking about!”

We clinked our glasses loudly, and after that, everything blurred beautifully. We started taking pictures, making ridiculous videos, Tania posing like a Victoria’s Secret angel, me pretending to look seductive but actually looking like a confused hamster. And then, Tania nudged my arm hard enough to jolt me.

“What?” I asked.

She grinned like she had just found a lost treasure. “It looks like you’ve got an admirer.” She squealed, then winked at me. I frowned and followed her gaze slowly, and my heart stopped when I saw him. It was a man, no, not a man, he looked like the devil himself, wrapped in sin and desire. He looked like a man from my romance novels. He was tall, with dark hair that was slightly messy, his Roman nose and perfectly defined cheekbones sat above his jaw. He wore a black shirt which stretched over his broad shoulders, revealing those arms that I wouldn’t mind being wrapped in. He looked like he belonged on a magazine cover, certainly not in a dimly lit nightclub.

“Holy shit” I whispered.

“I know right?,” Tania said smugly. “He’s definitely hot, and he’s checking you out.”

“Checking me out? No. No, Tania. I mean have you seen him? And have you seen me? He’s clearly—”

“Clearly into you,” she said, cutting me off. “And you know what? I think you should go talk to him.”

I nearly choked on my drink. “Are you insane? Hell no! I can’t talk to that.”

“Bella…”

“No Tania, you know how I get. I’ll panic, probably say something stupid like I like turtles or something. Plus I don’t know how to say anything fun to keep a conversation going.”

She snorted. “Honestly, that’s not so bad. I think it would be adorable.”

I glared at her, but before I could argue any further, she squealed softly. “Well too late now, talk of the devil. He’s coming over.”

My eyes widened in terror. “What? Why? Why is he coming over? Tania what do I do?! What should I say?! Oh my—”

She laughed, as she held my shoulders. “Okay firefighter, just calm down and breathe. You’ve got this. Maybe don’t say anything about turtles, or about history. They’re really boring” she teased,

“Tania! You’re not helping. I can’t—”

“Yes, you can. She laughed lightly. “I’m right here remember?”

I exhaled heavily, and then there he was, standing right in front of us. “Good evening, ladies,” he said, in a smooth, yet deep voice. “Do you mind if I join you?”

“Of course not,” Tania said instantly, saving me before I said something stupid.

I lifted my glass, pretending to take a sip, but my hand was shaking so badly the liquid swirled dangerously close to the rim.

“I’m Raphael,” he said. “But you can call me Raph.”

“I’m Lucy,” Tania said before I could stop her. “And this is my friend Amy.”

“It’s nice to meet you both,” he said politely.

Then his eyes shifted to me. God. They were beautiful, dark, intense, observant, like he could read my entire mind. “So, Amy,” he said softly. “I take it you don’t talk much, or is it because I’m a stranger?”

I sucked in a breath and forced myself to look at him, and that was a big mistake, my pulse caught in my throat. He had the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen, and I wouldn't mind being lost in them. “Uhn… I’m sorry,” I whispered after Tania nudged me gently. “I just got distracted for a bit”

He chuckled lightly, and I couldn’t help but notice his perfect set of teeth. I tried to pull myself together. “Yeah you’re right. I’m not much of a talker, unless I need to be. Hence the silence. But anyways it’s nice to meet you too”

Tania chuckled, then spoke up. “I’m so sorry but I have to take this call. It’s really important.”

I quickly grabbed her dress under the table, to stop her from leaving but she pried my fingers off, as she stood up. “You two have fun,” she said, winking at me, traitor.

And then she was gone, leaving me all alone with him. I immediately started tapping my foot nervously, as I bit my nails while trying to avoid his gaze. Almost certain my body would betray me, if I kept looking at him.

He noticed, then slowly a smirk tugged at his lips. “Do I make you nervous, princess?”

“Princess?” The word curled around me like warm smoke. I blinked, my breath catching in my throat, and something about the way he said it told me he already knew the answer.

“I’m not nervous,” I lied quickly, my clenched palms were already sweaty, as I tried to dry them on the hem of my dress, while pretending I wasn’t dying inside.

“It’s just really hot in here. Aren’t you hot?” I vaguely demonstrated, as I used my hand to fan myself.

He raised a single brow, amused in a way that made me want to disappear into the wall.

“Damn it, Bella. Get your shit together.” I thought to myself.

He leaned forward, as his elbows rested on his knees, his eyes fixed on me like I was the only thing worth looking at. “Since it’s so hot in here, how about we get out of here?” he asked gently. “And look for somewhere cooler.”

My heart thumped so loudly I was sure he could hear it. I scanned the club quickly for Tania, hoping, begging, to see her long braids anywhere, but I saw nothing. “I—I can’t just go,” I sputtered. “I came here with my friend, and leaving without her knowing where I am, is weird. Plus I don’t know you, for all I know you might be a serial killer, or a kidnapper.”

He laughed. It was soft, warm, and stupidly beautiful. A laugh that revealed his perfect dimples. “Okay, I’ll agree with you on one thing,” he said. “Yes, I’m a stranger, and you don’t know me”

“See?” I pointed at him dramatically. “That’s exactly what I mean.”

“And no. I’m not a serial killer, and most definitely not a kidnapper” He leaned back and spread his arms lightly. “I’m just trying to get you to loosen up a bit.”

I bit the inside of my cheek too hard, because God help me, I was loosening up too much.

“Alright,” he continued. “New plan. How about we just stay back, order a few drinks, get to know each other and just go with the flow. No pressure.” He stretched back into the couch, and his shirt pulled up just enough to expose the sharp cut of his collarbone and the faint line of his perfectly sculpted abs. “Damn it. This man was illegal.” I swallowed hard, as I bit my lower lip and smiled shyly.

“So are you okay with that?” He asked as he smiled widely, as if he caught my mental spiral.

And just like that, everything blurred into something warm, foolish and dizzyingly easy. He ordered drinks, really expensive ones and he listened to me talk as if I weren’t some awkward drunk girl in a dress. He leaned in when I spoke, asked questions, always looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered, he was perfect, and it was disarming.

When he spoke, I found myself staring at him more than I actually listened, My mind drifted—no, sprinted into places it shouldn’t be, imagining his hands on my thighs, his mouth on my opening— “Damn it Bella. Get your mind out of the gutter,” I told myself as I bit my finger and blushed.

“Earth to Amy,” he teased lightly. “What did I say that made you smile like that?”

“I wasn’t—I was just…” I stammered as the words came out tangled together like a complete disaster.

He looked at me like he knew exactly what I was thinking, like he knew exactly what I wanted, and that thought alone made me blush so hard I almost hid under the table. He came around the table, then sat beside me. “I guess someone’s drunk,” he murmured, as his thumb gently brushed the side of my head in a way that sent a shiver down my spine. “Come on, let’s get you some water.”

“Nooo,” I whined like a child. “I’m fine. I just want to have fun, and I never have fun, and tonight—”

“Okay, okay,” he laughed. “Slow down.”

I leaned in, impulsive and bold in the way only too much alcohol can make you. “Let’s go somewhere else,” I whispered. “Somewhere private.”

His eyes sharpened. “Are you sure about that? And what about your friend?”

I waved my hand dismissively. “Oh she can take care of herself. And this is what she’d want for me anyways.”

His eyes widened, as if to be sure he heard me correctly. “Your friend would want you to leave with a stranger? That's weird."

I shrugged, as I giggled. “You won’t understand though.”

“Yeah obviously I don’t”. He said as he chuckled. “But I just want to be sure you know what you’re doing.”

The concern in his voice hit something deep in me. I simply nodded, as I trusted him way more than I should’ve. He helped me stand, grabbed my bag, and guided me out through the back exit. As soon as we’re outside, the night air struck my skin like cold water. He opened the car door and helped me in, buckled me in gently and then slid into the driver’s seat. As he drove, he was constantly checking in to know how I was doing. “Are you okay? Do you need water? Do you need to throw up? Are you feeling dizzy?” He would ask every few minutes, all which I declined too.

His place was an upscale apartment, quiet and dimly lit. He helped me onto the bed like I was made of glass, then placed a glass of water in my hands. “Go on. Have a drink,” he commanded and I obeyed.

He sat beside me, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are, princess?” he asked softly, as I giggled heat blooming across my cheeks.

“I guess this is your own way of telling me I look beautiful then.”

He smirked. “Smartass. Just in case you need to get out of that, and change into something more comfortable.” He said as he tossed me a shirt of his.

I thanked him and slipped it on. It hung off my body, drowning me in his scent. It was clean, dark and dangerously addictive. We decided to watch a movie. I snuggled up in his arms, as my head rested on his chest. I could hear the steady beating of his heart, as he held on to me like I was a delicate thing he didn’t want to break.

Occasionally my eyes would dart to his lips, wishing silently that he would just pull me in and kiss me so hard I would literally be gasping for air. Then halfway through the movie, his gaze lowered to my lips, gently lifting my face towards his, he kissed me. It was slow, soft, gentle, like he wanted to taste the drunken, messy part of me. Electricity shot through me as I curled my toes, while my brain shut down. When he pulled away, I gasped for air, biting my lower lip shyly, as I blushed, oblivious of what to do next.

As if that was a trigger, he stared at my lips again. This time, he scooped me up so easily, and walked towards the bed. My pulse thundered as he lowered me onto the sheets, his body hovering above mine, as his breath was warm against my cheek. He stared at me deeply, before he claimed my lips again. This time deeper, hungrier, more feral, like a beast claiming its prey. I returned the kiss, as my hand went to his hair, slightly tugging it. His hand slid into his shirt I was wearing, as he unhooked my bra seamlessly, cupping my breast in his hand as he began fiddling it.

My mind spun, as I moaned loudly. He gently helped me take off the shirt, then my bra, until I was only left with my panties. I was fearless, maybe it was the alcohol but I wasn’t bothered by the fact that I was unclad. His tongue left my mouth as he planted kisses on my neck, then slowly down my breasts. He sucked them gently, as he switched between his hands and mouth. His mouth left my breasts, and made its way down to my abdomen, he took my panties off in one swift motion, then continued down to my thighs as he planted little kisses on them which made my breath hitch and my legs tremble.

His hand paused as he moved my legs apart, his eyes meeting mine in a way that sent heat pouring through my veins. “Amy…” he whispered softly, voice low enough to melt me. “Look at me.”

And I did, as he searched my eyes, as if he needed one final confirmation. Then his finger curled upwards and instantly hit the spot which blurred my vision. His lips went down to my clit, as he took one long maddeningly long lick which made my eyes roll to the back of my head. Then, with his warm breath against my skin, he asked in a low, intoxicating tone. “Do you want me to stop?”

“Stop?” Hell no!” I replied without even thinking. The second I heard myself, heat rushed to my face. And that’s when I realized I sounded desperate, hungry, like a girl who had no business wanting a stranger the way I wanted him.

He simply chuckled, as his lips curved into a slow smirk. “Alright, princess.”

His lips went back to my clit, he began licking slowly, then gradually increased the pace, as his fingers kept on rubbing it lazily. I bit my lower lip, trying to contain the moan that wanted to escape me. My hands gripped the soft sheets, the taste of champagne still faint on my tongue, mixed with alcohol and adrenaline.

He slid his tongue inside me, licking, thrusting and rubbing, my body arched towards him almost like it had a mind of its own, almost like his entire plan was to ruin me completely. “Damn princess, look at you,” he whispered with a hot breath against my opening which sent a shock throughout my entire body. “I’m not inside of you yet, and you’re already so wet”.

I didn’t say anything, I couldn’t respond as I was trying to hold onto whatever ounce of control I had left in me. Just then he came over, hovering enough to stare deeply into my eyes, and possessive enough to make a whimper escape my throat.

He tilted my chin toward him, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made my lungs freeze. “Tell me, what do you want, princess?” His voice was a low rasp. “Do you want this?” He asked as his finger went in again, causing me to moan against his mouth, “Or do you want this?” He asked as his finger curled upward, which instantly made my waist arch towards him in surrender.

I swallowed hard, as my chest rose and fell too fast. Then slowly he withdrew his finger, with his eyes still locked on mine, he put them into his mouth hungrily, as his eyes ran through my body. It was something between hunger and restraint, he kissed me deeply making me taste myself on his tongue.

He unzipped his jeans, as his cock sprang free. It was thick, hard and throbbing. My eyes widened at the sight of him. Slowly he began stroking it, watching me as he watched me stroke himself. He moved it below, and began stroking it at the entrance of my shaft, slowly and teasing, like he was reminding me who has the power between us. My juices were already all over my thighs, my legs kept trembling as I thought of what he could do to me, without him being inside me yet.

“Open up for me princess” he commanded, and I obeyed without hesitation, as my legs moved apart for him on their own.

He moved between my thighs, gripping them hard, and in one hungry brutal thrust, he went in fully. As soon as he was in, pain and pleasure shot up in my eyes. I held onto his shoulders tightly as my nails sank into them. I cried out, as my head slammed back into the pillow, every muscle locked from the pleasure, and the sharp pain burned from losing my virginity, and from the sheer size of him.

“Fuck princess. You’re so tight” He gritted, as he took slow strokes.

I breathed hard as I pulled him closer to myself, whispering. “Raph! It hurts. It hurts so bad.”

He looked at me, slowly and possessively as he lifted his head, but didn’t pull out. “Shhhhh. It’s okay princess. I got you. Just let me in, let me make the pain go away.” He replied as he drew back, then thrusted again, deeper this time. It was a slow rhythm that gently moved from pain to pleasure, as the sting turned into something addictive.

“Oh my god! Fuck!” I moaned loudly, instantly forgetting that I was just in pains a few seconds ago.

“That’s it princess. Take it in. Take it all in.” He rasped against my ear, and gripped my waist, as he moved faster. Of course I did. I wrapped my legs around his waist as I took every groan, every thrust, every promise, as he drilled inside me like he was trying to make me into a different person, just for himself. I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t think, I could only feel and he fucked me like a man who wanted to claim something that was his, something that he had waited so long for.

As his hips slammed into mine again, the bed creaked between us, and my cries filled the room which he made sure he devoured every time. His hand found my clit again, rubbing them in hard circles, I completely shattered under him, screaming his name like a prayer and a curse I wanted at the same time.

“Fuck—Fuck Raph” I screamed as he kept thrusting, not minding the juices I was spilling over his hard cock. He kept thrusting, despite the fact that I was having an orgasm every minute.

“Yes princess. That’s it. Keep giving it to me, I want your juices all over my cock. Fuck!” He exclaimed, as his head went backwards, his eyes went shut, as he groaned breathlessly, then with one last thrust, deep and punishing, he came with a low guttural growl, as he spilled all over me. Hot and intense.

We laid there, still tangled in the sheets, he pulled me in closely, as if leaving me would destroy everything we just shared. He kissed my forehead, as my head rested on his chest, I could hear his heartbeat. “Uhn Raph, I have to tell you something.” I stammered, as the words came out in pieces.

He stared at me, like he was trying to figure out what I wanted to say, then his eyes lit up as if he suddenly remembered something.

“Amy, did i—please don’t tell me that was your first time?” He asked with a concerned look in his eyes. I couldn’t meet his eyes, so I just shook my head and blushed.

“Fuck. Damn it,” he exclaimed, sitting up straighter, guilt flickering across his face, as he dragged his hand through his hair. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea otherwise I wouldn’t have—.”

I shook my head immediately, sitting up too fast. “No Raph, it’s fine. I also wanted it, so you don’t have to feel guilty about it.”

He searched my face, still unsure, still frustrated with himself, but eventually he gave me a weak smile and guided me towards the bathroom. The warm water made the glass foggy, everything smelled like amber and jasmine, his scent. He washed my body slowly, gently, as he showered kisses over them. We kissed under the spray, our hands wandered, our mouths wanted more but it wasn’t hungry like before, it was softer this time.

When we got out, he handed me another shirt of his, led me to bed, wrapped me in his arms then we fell asleep. By morning when I got up, he was gone, more like the apartment was cleared. I didn’t panic, I guess that’s expected when you spend the night with a stranger. My eyes went to the table beside the bed, and I found a note on it.

“My bed looks way better with you in it, princess. This was the best adult sleepover I’ve ever had. Hopefully we get to do this again soon. With love, Raph.”

I sank back onto the pillows, covering my burning face with both hands as I giggled. “God this is insane,” I whispered into the empty apartment. “I just had my first time with a total stranger and I don’t regret it.” But little did I know he was about to change my entire life.”