The Edge Of Surrender

Chapter 8

The club was alive with pounding bass, pulsating lights, and a sweaty crowd lost in the rhythm of the night. The air was thick with humidity, a cocktail of perfume, sweat, and alcohol. Amid the chaos, Alex seemed perfectly at ease, chatting with Lily and her friends. There were six of us tonight, including Mason, who had been trying all evening to catch my attention.

"You look beautiful tonight," Mason purred, leaning in close, his arm attempting to snake around my waist. He'd been throwing every line in the book at me, but my mood had been soured since this afternoon.

Mason was undeniably attractive-golden blond hair, deep brown eyes, and a chiseled jawline that spoke of hours at the gym. He was a few inches taller than my five-foot-five frame, but his presence didn't intimidate me. I knew his type all too well.

I had dressed to impress, wearing a black, backless, mid-thigh shimmering dress with matching pumps. My hair was styled in long, loose waves, and my makeup was dark and dramatic, gloss enhancing my lips. Despite the turmoil inside, I felt confident and beautiful. Mason's attention was a welcome boost to my bruised pride.

"Thanks, you look great too," I replied, forcing a smile as he flexed his arms in that typical show-off manner. I internally rolled my eyes, counting the minutes until this night would be over.

"Can I get you a drink? Or maybe we could dance?" he suggested, glancing at our friends, who were already lost in their world of laughter, drinks, and dancing. I felt a twinge of pity for him-he was trying so hard-but his oversized ego made it impossible to truly sympathize.

I sipped my water, preparing an excuse when Alex swooped in like a knight in shining armor. "Mind if I borrow her for a minute?" he asked, not waiting for Mason's response before pulling me onto the dance floor.

I laughed, throwing my arms around Alex in gratitude. "You're the best. Thank you!"

He chuckled, hugging me back. "You looked like you needed rescuing. Mason can't be that bad, though-he's popular and, well, kind of good-looking."

"Maybe, but he's not my type," I replied, placing my arms on Alex's shoulders as we started to dance.

"Oh? So what is your type, little Aless?" he teased, twirling me around. But as I spun back to face him, I froze, my heart skipping a beat. Damon Blackwood was here or one of his siblings that I know exists even when he thinks I don't, watching me from across the room like a predator eyeing its prey. He sipped from a whiskey glass, but he wasn't alone. A blonde, dressed in barely-there clothing, clung to his arm like her life depended on it.

My eyes narrowed as anger and something darker twisted in my gut. Alex noticed my change in demeanor and followed my gaze, his expression shifting to one of intrigue.

"Oh, that's a twist. You like the crazy type," he observed nervously.

"I don't like him," I lied, but the words sounded hollow, even to me.

"Sure, tell that to your face," he quipped, shaking his head as I licked my suddenly dry lips, trying to regain my composure. "But seriously, how did you end up on the Blackwood radar?"

I sighed, pulling Alex toward our table on the upper floor, which offered a perfect view of the entire club. "Remember the initiation? Well... I kind of got caught by him."

Alex choked on nothing, looking at me like I'd lost my mind. "Are you serious? Aless, do you know what happens when you get caught during that initiation? They claim you. It's like you belong to them now."

His words hit me like a ton of bricks. I wasn't sure if I pitied him for his dramatic outlook or if I should start worrying about myself.

"Is it that big of a deal? When does it end? He has a girlfriend, so it has to end soon, right?" I tried to console both of us, but my words felt flimsy and unconvincing.

"As far as I know, it's a big deal. And no one knows when it ends-it depends on the chaser, I guess. I hope for your sake that having a girlfriend saves you from... whatever this is," Alex replied, his tone melodramatic but starting to freak me out.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "It doesn't matter. It's over. I'm not going to be some asshole's sidepiece. I deserve better than that," I declared, flipping my hair back and straightening my posture.

Before we could continue, Lily joined us, sliding into the seat next to me. "Hey, why are you guys sitting away from the party? Aless, if you'd told me about lovely Alex, I wouldn't have tried setting you up with my cousin!"

Alex and I burst out laughing, high-fiving each other. "Aless isn't my type, Lily. She would be if she had fewer boobs and, well, more... penis," Alex joked, earning a playful slap from me, while Lily's reaction was pure embarrassment.

I patted Lily's head affectionately, and she hugged me, mortified by her assumption. The conversation drifted into lighter territory as more drinks were ordered. I stuck to water but soon regretted it when I needed to use the bathroom.

I found an empty restroom at the end of a hallway, and after relieving myself, I washed my hands and checked my reflection in the mirror. My hair was slightly tousled, but everything else looked fine. As I adjusted a stray curl, the door handle jiggled.

"Occupied!" I called out, but the handle kept rattling. Annoyed, I huffed and unlocked the door, only to come face-to-face with a furious Damon.

My breath caught as he stormed in, locking the door behind him and closing the distance between us in a heartbeat. He trapped me between the sink and his body, his intense gaze promising retribution.

"What do you want?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly as he gripped my waist, his touch possessive and punishing.

"You're seriously testing my patience, Sunshine," he growled, his hand sliding under my dress to trace the bare skin of my back.

I gasped as goosebumps erupted across my skin, my resolve weakening. I tried to push him away, but his grip only tightened. "So it's Sunshine now? Let go of me."

He smirked, pulling me closer. The scent of his cologne-dark, intoxicating-clouded my thoughts, making it harder to resist him. "You didn't say that when I had my tongue down your cunt," he whispered darkly, pressing his hips against mine. I could feel his arousal, hard and unyielding. I will not be fooled by him, knowing what happened the other day; I'm sure it was not him because his eyes are gray with a speck of emeralds, not like last night; he was gray-blue.

"That was before I knew you had the same tongue buried in your girlfriend," I spat, my voice quivering with a mix of anger and hurt. "Get off of me before I scream and make a scene."

His expression twisted with something dark and dangerous, but he leaned in closer, his lips hovering over mine. "The only time you'll be screaming is when I'm inside you, and it won't be because of anger."

Before I could retort, he crushed his lips against mine, silencing any protest. I hated myself for giving in, but his kiss was as intoxicating as it was dominating. My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as his arms hoisted me onto the sink.

He moved between my legs, the hem of my dress riding up as he deepened the kiss. I broke away, breathless, my resolve crumbling as I whispered, "This conversation isn't over."

Damon smirked, dropping to his knees in front of me. "Yes, ma'am," he murmured, his voice thick with desire. He slid my black lace panties down my legs, kissing every inch of my skin as he did.

I shivered when his hot breath brushed against my most sensitive spot. His tongue darted out, licking a slow, deliberate stripe that made me moan. My hand flew to my mouth, stifling the sound as he devoured me with a ferocity that bordered on savage.

His hands roamed over my body, one gripping my breast through my dress, teasing and tugging at my nipple, while the other held my thigh in place. My world narrowed to the sensation of his mouth on me, the heat building until I couldn't hold back.

I threw my head back, my orgasm crashing over me like a tidal wave. Damon or his other brother growled against me, drinking in every last drop as if it were nectar. When he finally pulled away, I was breathless, my body trembling with the aftershocks.

He stood, straightening my dress before lifting me off the sink. His arms wrapped around me, and he pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, a stark contrast to the raw intensity of moments before.