Bounded by Fire

Downing my ninth tequila shot, I descended from the VIP area of the club and headed to the dance floor. I lost track of the amount of alcohol I had consumed in my system.

My birthday was yesterday, and it was already 2 a.m. It was the only day I had to myself without anyone interfering in my personal life.

I had just turned 23, but I did not feel that age belonged to me. My parents still treated me like a little child whose decisions were always made for them, while they also expected me to behave like a well-mannered adult.

My padre, Alfredo Delgado, was the boss of the Spanish mafia in the United States. Every aspect of my life had been carefully planned since I was a baby. I didn’t even know why they were so strict with me. It was not like I would ever be a mafia ruler. My little brother, Carlito, was next in line.

I was nothing more than a showpiece, forced to follow their instructions. Even though I had a degree in chemical sciences, it didn’t matter. All they ever thought about was becoming stronger. As a result, I was only used as a bargaining chip to unite peace with the Mexican mafia.

As the buzz from the alcohol started to take over all of my senses, I headed to the bar to order another drink. While waiting in line, I felt someone standing close to me.

“Such a beautiful lady like you shouldn’t be alone in a place like this.”

I heard a husky voice right beside my ear. I felt his breath against my cheek and his lips brushing against my ear.

I checked him out from the corner of my eye and smiled. He was very attractive.

Perhaps he was just the distraction I needed for tonight. I quickly put down the drink that the bartender served me and turned to face him. We were pressed together as our faces fixated on each other. His intoxicating cologne was a mix of alcohol and cigar smoke, which turned me on even more.

“And how do you know I am alone?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He smirked as he took a sip of his drink. “No guy in his right mind would leave you here all by yourself. You never know what could happen if you are not looking.”

“Is that so? Then why don’t you keep me company?”

“You wouldn’t be interested in my company.”

“Why? You don’t think you can handle me?” I challenged him while staring directly into his blue-gray eyes.

“Ouch, baby, I can handle you just fine. But you don’t want to play with fire.”

“Playing with fire is my hobby.”

He offered me another drink, but instead, I grabbed the glass he was drinking from out of his hand and sipped from it. Setting it aside, I grabbed his hand and dragged him onto the dance floor.

“You don’t want to do this,” he whispered in my ear.

“You’re the one who approached me. Why are you backing out now?” I challenged him.

His arms wrapped around my waist as our bodies moved to the rhythm of the music. His touch burned my skin through the clothes I was wearing. I could feel him being aroused at my back, and I teased him more.

Suddenly, I felt his lips on my neck. I turned to face him and captured his lips with mine. I could sense the vibrations in his chest as he growled. He lifted me and started walking to the exit.

“But I wasn’t done dancing,” I pouted like a child, trying to escape his grip.

“I don’t care. No one teases me and gets away with it. Besides, the night has just begun.” He smirked.

Placing me in the backseat of the car, he sat beside me. As soon as the car started moving, I straddled him and kissed him passionately. His hands rested on my hips while keeping me still on his lap.

A while later, the car stopped in front of a hotel, and we went straight to the elevator, where he pinned me against the wall. I released a moan as he sank his teeth into my neck while feeling him grow rigid in my arms.

Looking down at my neck, he smiled contentedly. I knew that he had left a mark there. The elevator stopped, and he led to what appeared to be a penthouse.

Once inside, he didn’t waste any time sliding off my poor excuse for a dress. His eyes filled up with desire as he drank up my half-naked body. I undressed him, pulling off his shirt and jeans. He attacked my lips, pushing me against the door as I slid his shirt and pants off.

I could feel him losing control while he took me right against the door. He sucked the skin above my collarbone, and my hands slid into his raven-black hair as I pulled it.

His growls intensified, pushing me towards the edge. I was getting closer to my climax when he let out an animalistic roar in my ear. I allowed him to finish off, triggering my release.

As I struggled to catch my breath, I opened my eyes to find him staring at me lustfully with a smirk on his face. I knew that this was only the beginning.

“By the way, my name is Sterling,” he said as he led me toward what I assumed was the bedroom.

“Yeah, so?” I asked breathlessly.

“The next time you moan, I want to hear my name coming from those luscious lips of yours,” he whispered in my ear.

I felt a soft surface behind my back as he continued to attack my lips. He started to tease me when he bit me harder than necessary, and I released a moan.

“I want to hear my name from your lips,” he growled.

I submitted to his request. From then on, the rest of the night became a blur of ecstasy.

The next morning, I woke up with a pounding headache. Taking in a deep breath, I searched for my clothes. I needed to get out of there before he woke up. Leaving the hot sleeping stranger on the bed, I grabbed my dress from the front door and went to the bathroom to quickly change.

After changing, I washed my face and exited the bathroom. I tiptoed around the room, searching for my phone. My attention was drawn to the guy peacefully sleeping on his stomach. All of his back muscles were on full display, and his tattoos enhanced them more.

How did I not notice them last night? Because you were focused on something else, my subconscious mocked me. Finally, my eyes landed on my phone, which was on the nightstand. I wondered how it ended up there but quickly dismissed those thoughts away.

I grabbed my phone and was about to head out when I noticed one of the tattoos on his shoulder. I let out a curse silently and covered my mouth immediately, hoping not to wake him. I rushed out of the penthouse and called a cab.

What was I thinking? The moment I saw the tattoo on his shoulder, I realized I messed up big time. How could I be so dumb?

He was Sterling Alvanov. The heir to the Russian mafia and the sworn rival of my family. The hatred between our families had been passed down for generations. There was always a war going on in our family.

It had been peaceful for a while now, and I hoped I did not add more fuel to the fire. Because the last thing I needed right now was this to be added to my miserable life.

I pushed the thoughts aside, knowing no one could know about this.

I took a deep breath as I entered my father’s mansion, mentally setting aside everything that happened last night into a box I called ‘the forgotten box.’

But how could I forget it so quickly? It was one of the most intense nights of my life. I had never felt more alive.

I quickly rushed to my room and started the jacuzzi. My tired body deserved some extreme relaxation. The hot water loosened my muscles, and my mind drifted back to the events of last night.

A smile tugged at my lips as I thought about those private moments. No one could ever know about what happened. I repeated it to myself.