Chapter Text
As he dialled her number, Samuel could feel his heartbeat quicken. Should he just text her? What if she changed her mind? She might think he won't be able to behave if they go to a club…
"Hello?" Her voice was a little hesitant. He could feel how clammy his palms were.
"Hey. It's me." He silently cursed himself. Could he be any stupider?
"Is it now?" The familiarity of her amused voice made him smile.
"Are we still on for tomorrow night?" He was met with a long silence in which he could only hear her breaths and his pounding heart.
"Are you going to keep your hands to yourself?" His heart skipped several beats due to her now seducing tone. He took a shaky breath.
"Can't make any promises." He closed his eyes, hoping this wouldn't make her say no.
"Pick me up at seven. You know where my office is." She hung up before he could answer. She was going to be the death of him.
*
Carla knew that if her life were to be a movie her whole day would have been a montage of her anticipation for her date with Samuel. It was an amicable one mind you. Still, they had a lot of… history and so it was bound to be… interesting… It was tiring to work with only half her mind here all day, she felt exhausted and debated calling it a day early so she could relax in a nice bath with her favourite cold brew, some oat milk and a hint of caramel, she knew no better way to forget about her fatigue, it was a hug and a kick in the butt all in one and she would never be sorry for being that kind of girl. She already was the buries-herself-into-work cold hearted boss. The nepotism-princess-that-probably-doesn’t-know-what-she’s-doing. Just a conceited pretty face among others. She’d learned long ago to just do her and screw others. Everyone has their own weaknesses though and while she long thought she had too many to count, her past being her worst one, she realized, as years went by far from her hometown, from her country and everything she once held dear, that she only had one, not even a weakness in itself, it often was her a strength even, once she learned who she was and whom to trust; her heart was her biggest weakness and greatest strength. She wished she had realized it sooner, but she was just a kid. Now she had grown into a very powerful woman and yet her sword of Damocles remained the same. Samuel Garcia Dominguez was either going to become her greatest strength or her greatest weakness and she wasn’t sure she was ready for either.
Hence, if her life were to be a movie, today would have been a two minutes montage, probably alternating between her meetings and Samuel’s…, whatever, an upside, 00’s song playing, everyone holding their breaths, excited to see them go to a club together. Isn’t it where it all started? Two lost kids way in over their heads, playing a very dangerous game in a club? Maybe her life was a movie after all. This would be some literary device, carefully crafted, so their new beginning could rise from the ashes of their first failure; or so their last failure could just be an idiotic repeat of their first one. Either way, maybe, just maybe, someone else was pulling the strings of her very dramatic life, some playwright eager to close the third and final part of its greatest work of loneliness, longing and star crossed lovers. It was after all, a very common subject, two lovers from opposite paths, desperately trying to be together. Years after years, the longing remains, it survives lovers and oceans apart. Let’s not forget this was a modern version of this tale as old a time, as the years pass, there are less and less obstacles. Were they not both single? Both still lusting and desperate? More mature and stable as well. could she deserve to still-
Her intercom beeped loudly in the silence, stunning her out of her thoughts. Damn. She really did need a bath and some caffein in her, she was daydreaming about her life being a… play? About star-crossed lovers? She was highly disapproving of her own train of thought. She had loved writing fictions once but this… Well it was pathetic really.
She cleared her throat before pressing the button that would allow her to listen to her assistant.
“Miss Roson? There’s Mr Dominguez for you. Again.” she silently chuckled at the question in Julia’s voice.
“Tell him to wait, I was about to head out.”
*
The club looked amazing. It was modern and yet kept a classic 00's vibes that felt just right. He still couldn't believe Tristan and Elise had managed all that. They truly were a power couple those two. Samuel shook his head before checking up on Carla. She was taking everything in with sparks of interest in her eyes. He couldn't look away, she was breathtaking in a golden dress that hugged her perfectly, it was as if she was naked before him, he knew every perfect imperfections and where they were still, it felt like one touch would reveal them all. To the untrained eye, she was just as perfect he supposed, beautiful dress, beautiful make up, hair lose, slightly wavy (his favorite way) and a most gorgeous girl. He would certainly not survive the night, but it would be worth it.
"Samu!" Tristan appeared before them, beaming. He wore an opened shirt that allowed anyone to count his perfectly cut abs and silver pants made out of god knew what but it suited him.
"Tristan, you look dashing man!" They half hugged as the brunet laughed.
"As do you. I knew you were a classy guy deep down little marquesito." He felt himself blush furiously at being called marquesito in front of Carla who was surely close enough to have heard. He cleared his throat before gesturing to Carla.
"Carla, Tristan. Him and Eloise imagined this place when we were in first year and they've been working on it ever since." He turned back to Tristan "It looks amazing man." He was ignored as Tristan took Carla's hand chivalrously making him roll his eyes.
"My, my, Carla you are beautiful. I've heard so much about you…" He kissed her hand before turning back to Samuel. " I must say, I am quite pleased to see you in such good company Samu. Now if you would follow me."
He couldn't help to chuckle as he caught Carla's amused eyes. Tristan had a flair for the dramatics. He nodded to the blonde to go first and closely followed suit. Heads were turning as they made their way to the VIP area, it was already a miracle that he had a whole night in the club with her, he wouldn't have men swarming to hit on her, he slowly but decidedly put his hand on her lower back and he could feel her body relaxing against it, making him smile cockily.
Once they had settled in a surprisingly quiet booth, Tristan gone to check on a few things, he really took his time looking at her.
She was observing the whole club, a small smile stretching on her lips. What he wouldn’t do to have the right to ride his hand up her thigh, to be able to feel her toned muscles, the goosebumps of anticipation as he would play dangerously close to where she needed him… Except she did not need him anymore, she probably wanted Luke to do this things to her now. He could picture it so easily too, so used to seeing her with another man. From the first time he met her eyes, the most beautiful sight in the classroom, a dream, that he dared not dream, a means to an end, his only need in the world… It all escalated so quickly as the puzzle revealed itself, their puzzle the only logic in this crazy world he had barrelled in.
“You’re staring.” She licked her lips and he followed the path of her tongue like his life depended on it. It definitely did. “And scowling?” He met her eyes, his widening in surprise.
“Sorry I was just in my head.” Thinking of your boyfriend touching you. He gave her a sheepish smile. “How was your day?” He scooted closer to her, making sure he could hear her probably over the music, it may be quieter in here, they were still at a club. She licked her lips once more, he was caught staring, again. It only seemed to make her smile. Seeing her so relaxed and playful eased some of the tension he felt. Last time he had seen her in a similar mood was when he had tried to get her to stay all those years ago…
“I didn’t get much work done. Pretty hard to focus when all I could think about was tonight.” She smiled softly before his surprise. “We did agree to be friends and I think we should start by always being honest with each other.” He saw the corner of her mouth tightened for a split second and new instantly there was something she wasn’t saying. He narrowed his eyes at her but said nothing. “Honesty doesn’t require me to let you in on everything just yet.” Damn her, she could still read him like an open book. He let out a soft chuckle and decided to steer them back on safer subjects.
They were sent some champagne and delicacies as the music got louder and the place got a little more crowded. Elise had come and gone and came again to go dance with Carla. Samuel was still debating on whether he wanted to bless or curse her for it. Carla looked absolutely stunning, he had to check his heart a few times, feeling it so ready to jump all the way to where she was dancing. She tried to get him to come a few times, mouthing and pouting in his direction but he knew he couldn’t. He is a terrible dancer and even worse at keeping his hands off her, he had had a few drinks and all those combined, well.
He saw some guy approach her, the fifth at least by now, and scoffed as she clearly accepted to dance with him. He smiled a little when she looked back at him, almost as if to make sure he wasn’t going to storm on them and kick the guy out. He was a different man now, not so quick to anger. He felt the green monster of jealousy, sure, but his relationship with Carla was too important, he wouldn’t act like an angry teenager on their first night out. Plus, she had a boyfriend so she was probably going to keep it short, right?
He couldn’t help but stare at them, downing his champagne as they danced song after song, the guy, a read head built like a viking, tried to palm her ass a few times, making it hard for Samuel to remember he was a better man, one that knew better than trying to be the hero when she could clearly handle herself.
He got up suddenly as he watch the guy getting a bit more handsy, and a little frustrated as she dodged his kiss as well. She can handle it, she can handle it, she can handle it. Before he could move so much as a muscle in her direction, security came and took the guy away. She immediately turned to him, eyes narrowed but he could only throw his arms up innocently. He genuinely had nothing to do with it. She nodded her head towards the dance floor and this time, he happily obliged.
*
She laughed as he stumbled a little, holding his ribs as he laughed hard and loud. He wiped some tears before laughing some more and she couldn’t help but feel her heart grow three sizes bigger at the sight. He said nothing more, seemingly sobering up as they reach her door. She leaned against it and he followed close, his hand next to her head, his lips tantalizingly close to her own. She could picture it all in her head, still worked up from all their dancing and laughing and talking and just being, basking in each other’s presence, she possibly never wanted him more in her life. Not when she was lonely, not when she was desperate, not even when she had been finally free, but now, when he was a little less reckless, a lot more beautiful, when they weren’t playing by her father’s rules… She felt her yearning more than ever before and it almost hurt. To need someone so desperately. He caressed her cheek and she let him, suppressing a shiver as his hand teased her neck, her cleavage. A shaky breath left his lips and she almost moaned as his lips got impossibly closer. How could they be so close and yet not touch yet? He took a deep breath as she closed her eyes.
“I had a great time. I hope we can do this again soon.” He leaned back a little and she suppressed a whine in the back of her throat. Pathetic. “Maybe in a restaurant, where I don’t have to share you.” They both chuckled and fell in a comfortable yet electric silence, staring at one another, many unspoken words still hanging between them. She thought about his claims from the other day. He saw her first, he tried his best to make his way back to her, he is an idiot but he is her idiot and she wouldn’t have it any other way. She knew that now and while she wouldn’t give it up so easily, while he still had to fight a little more if he wanted to prove that’s what he wants, she couldn’t help but want to throw herself at him, to let bygones be bygones, who cared if she was freshly single, that they had a lot of history, that it never worked before. He was inevitable to her, but she couldn’t trust he would still embrace her flaws after the chase. “What is happening in that beautiful head of yours amor?” She couldn’t help the shiver that went down her spine at the pet name, she could school her feature and make sure he didn’t see just how much his little smirk was affecting her though. He shook his head a little, stepping back as she didn’t answer. “Can’t let me in on everything just yet hun?” It took her everything she had to turn and open the door, only looking back at him as she was about to close it.
“Goodnight Marquesito.” He chuckled, cheeks turning a light pink and waited for her to close her door before going down the stairs. No elevators for him it seemed. She leaned back on her door, relieved he had had the strength to be a gentleman. She certainly would have let him do whatever he wanted if he had tried anything in the slightest. She felt more than she heard the knock on her door, her heart picked up, slamming against her ribs. Should she ignore it ? Should she just let him ravish her first then think about how they could make it work?
She opened the door before she could overthink it, her features settling on a cool mask as she was faced with Luke.
“I guess I should be relieved you were not giddy at the thought of him knocking on your door.” Was his way of greeting. He smelled strongly of alcohol and she could feel some kind of dark energy emanating from him. His presence did not feel safe at all and she wasn’t sure it was entirely because she was not expecting him.
“Evening, Luke.” His face scrunched up in disgust.
“Barely broken off and I get an ‘evening Luke’ as though we barely know each other?” She sighed which seem to anger him a little more. She was too tired for this but she needed to be on her A game. She had learn long ago to never trust a man, even less when he was visibly spiteful. ‘Barely broken off’ was a fair warning that she needed to tread very carefully. She let her body sag a little before answering.
“I’m sorry, I’m just exhausted and slightly drunk, I was ready to reunite with my bed.” He seemed to relax a little, his features turning apologetic.
“No, no I’m sorry, I just… I’ve been waiting for you and I was a bit frustrated to see him.” His face contorted in disgust again at the thought of Samuel and she couldn’t help but grimace, hopefully he would think she is sorry for him when really she wished she could slap him for being so terribly ugly in his way of hating her lov- friend. “Look, I can’t let you go without a fight. I get that we were in a- some kind of a, er, rut, but I can do better, I’ve fought for you before. I can do it again. I will do it again.” He got close to her and she gripped the door, not knowing if she could just tell him to go safely.
“Luke… Can we talk about this sober?’’ A glint of triumph passed his eyes as he stepped into her personal space, his lips close to her ear for a split second before she stepped back. How many times could she hint at her drunken state before he got the message? He stepped into her apartment, oblivious to her uneasiness.
“I agree, we should leave the talking to another time.” Dread filled her as he grabbed her head to kiss her, undoubtedly, to him, it seemed hot but she was struggling to turn her head and he was ignoring it. Was it the alcohol? Had there always been this in him. All these times he took her home in various states, all the late night at his place where she pushed him away, time and time again, he had never even tried to push it, to force himself on her. She couldn’t let her fear take over, she was stronger than that. If only she’d let Samuel in…
“Luke, please, I’m not in the state..” She hated the plea in voice. He was strong and while she was overplaying the drunk card, she knew he could probably take what he wanted no matter how hard she fought, she knew her best hope here was that he came back to his senses. She lost all faith as his eyes met hers and she fought harder, her nails digging in his cheek and in his hand as she saw the darkness, the want and absolutely nothing of the man she knew.
“Shut up! You want this, y-” he was thrown of her and she watched, as if from beyond her own body as Samuel punched Luke in the guts, threw him outside of the apartment and seemingly, down the stairs from the sound of it. He was back in a second, closing and locking the door. Making sure Luke couldn’t get in anymore.
“Does he have a key?” She could only shake her head no while he pressed his ear to the door, making sure he wasn’t lingering all the while dialling security through the intercom, explaining what had happened and to revoke Luke’s passcode, making sure she would be left alone until the morning and then, finally, she felt his arms around her. “I know about the protocol through a case I worked.” She only nodded, it hadn’t occurred to her that it was odd for him to know exactly who to call and what to ask. “Can I make you some tea? Run you a bath?”
She felt numb knowing what had almost happened to her. Another person she had broken, left to burn in the darkness. He truly was going to… she couldn’t get herself to think the word but she saw it in his eyes that he was going to do it, no matter what she could have said, no matter how hard she would have fought. She shivered causing him to tighten his embrace. He slowly led her to the bedroom, it was not hers but she couldn’t bother telling him. He sat her down the edge of the massive bathtub of the ensuite, he was so delicate, like she might break, he had never been like that with her, he always knew she could take on whatever he was throwing her way.
She held back tears. He gave her a warm smile, whispering to undress as he left to fetch something, she was surprise to see the bath full, water turned off. As her hand tested the water she found it to be the way she liked it. More tears threatened to fall but she was stronger than that.
She was fully immersed in her bath when he entered to room again, without looking anywhere under her chin, he slowly poured the lavender oil she kept in her bathroom. He left again, without a word, and she closed her eyes, letting the oil relax her muscles.
Samuel was probably the only person in the world that could be allowed to stay with her, to witness her vulnerability after such a thing. Other than Lú that is. She didn’t know how long he let her relax in her bath, thinking of nothing, but as he came back with two fresh towel and her hair and make up products, her heart swelled, unburden by the recent event she had thoroughly compartmented in a box deep in her mind. She observed him as he slowly removed her make up, washed her hair, never misusing a product, never uttering a word. It was blissful and intimate and yet his gaze never intruded, she couldn’t remember the last time a guy was this close to her, doing such intimate things with her even, without his eyes lingering, without expecting something from her. Their eyes met and he smiled with all his being to her, her favourite kind of Samuel smile, the kind where he smiled with his eyes as well. She leaned in, resting her forehead on his and he let her soak in his presence and his safeness for a while, it could have been seconds, minutes or hours but he didn’t move and when she finally pulled back he was still smiling. He silently nodded towards the towels before leaving again. She tried to dry off quickly, going to her room naked to go get dressed, slightly disappointed that he wasn’t in the living room to see it, she dressed comfortably in her satin pjs before heading to the kitchen where she was relieved to find him.
Samuel was still in his dress shirt and pants, he had rolled up the sleeves and was standing in her kitchen in his socks, looking like the perfect husband handing her a cup of tea and holding a salad in the other hand.
“I know you probably don’t want to but I think it would be good for you to eat.” He scratched the back of his neck and she could’t help but want to throw herself at him once again. This time, to feel his strong arms around her, holding her tight enough to fix her.
They sat down in her couch as she ate and drink and he didn’t speak to her once, only smiling softly when she looked at him. How could he know she needed that silence? She so desperately wished she didn’t. She had buried this in the back of her mind had she not?
“Would you rather I sleep on your couch or go home?” She peered at him curiously for a long beat of silence before standing up and extending her hand to him. His eyebrows furrowed slightly but he followed her wordlessly as she dragged him to her bedroom. He remained silent as she slowly undressed him down to his boxers before tugging him in her bed and letting him spoon her. She settled in his arms, feeling his steady breath against her, slowly she could feel the tears unravel, silently at first but as he tightened his hold on her, she began to sob and shake and he turned her around, letting her live out the stress of what could have been, murmuring words of comfort in her ear as he stroked her hair.