Time slipped away unnoticed. When Stella finally turned the last page, she stretched, her stiff muscles protesting after hours of being hunched over. Glancing at the clock on her nightstand, her eyes widened in disbelief. 3 a.m. Panic struck her as the realization set in—she was going to miss Simon's graduation if she didn't get some sleep soon.
Stella let out a frustrated sigh, pressing her fingers to her temples. The past few days had been a whirlwind of emotions, and one truth she couldn't ignore any longer was her growing crush on Simon. The thought unsettled her; Simon was confident, enigmatic, and entirely out of her league—or so she believed.
Shoving those thoughts aside, she stood and walked to her window, gazing out at the storm. The rain cascaded down in heavy sheets, obscuring the world outside. With a soft thud, she closed the window, sealing out the cold dampness. Crawling into bed, she buried herself under the covers, her mind a storm of its own as she replayed moments with Simon.
Eventually, sleep claimed her, though the book's dark allure lingered in her dreams, weaving strange images of blood-red moons and shadowed figures into her restless slumber.
Stella woke up to the dull, gray light filtering through her curtains and the rhythmic sound of rain still tapping against the windows. A quick glance at her phone confirmed her worst fear—she had completely missed Simon's graduation. Sighing heavily, she ran a hand through her messy hair, frustration bubbling within her.
Dragging herself out of bed, she realized it was already afternoon. By the time she made it downstairs for lunch, the clock struck two, and the rain showed no signs of letting up. The gloomy weather matched her mood perfectly as she spent the rest of the day aimlessly moving about, too restless to focus on anything productive.
By the time night fell, it was nearly nine-thirty. The relentless rain continued, a steady, soothing hum that lulled the house into a tranquil silence. Seeking comfort, Stella decided to take a hot shower, hoping to wash away the day's tension.
The warmth of the water helped relax her tense muscles, and she emerged from the bathroom feeling slightly better, her damp hair clinging to her shoulders. Without bothering to dry it, she slipped into an ivory satin dress. The fabric was cool against her skin, clinging to her figure. Its thin straps and deep neckline highlighted her delicate collarbones, while the short hemline teased her mid-thighs.
Returning to her room, Stella scanned her shelves and picked out a romance novel before dragging her recliner chair closer to her bed. She leaned back in the chair, pulling it into a slightly reclined position before propping her legs up on the bed. The dress shifted slightly as she moved, but she paid it no mind. The rain continued its melody outside, filling the room with a comforting background noise as she delved into the story.
An hour passed, and Stella was thoroughly immersed in the book. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she reached an intimate scene, the vivid descriptions stirring a warmth in her chest. She shifted in her seat, adjusting her position, entirely unaware that her dress had ridden up, revealing more of her legs and accentuating her curves.
The dim light in the room cast a golden glow on her damp hair and satin dress, her relaxed posture giving her an unintentional air of seduction. Outside, the rain persisted, its unyielding rhythm only adding to the quiet allure of the moment. Unbeknownst to Stella, the stormy night was far from over, and it seemed the rain wasn't the only thing that refused to rest.
Stella was so absorbed in her book that she didn't notice the sound of the window creaking open or the gust of cold air sneaking into her room. Simon climbed through the window, his movements smooth and deliberate, but he froze when his gaze landed on her.
The sight before him left him momentarily stunned. Stella, reclined in her chair with her legs propped up on the bed, looked ethereal under the soft glow of the room. Her damp hair framed her delicate features, and her thin satin dress clung to her like a second skin, the dim light highlighting every curve. The dress, already scandalously short, had ridden up further, exposing her toned thighs in a way that made Simon swallow hard. She looked utterly desirable, and yet, entirely unaware of the effect she was having.
Feeling the intensity of his gaze, Stella finally raised her head, her eyes meeting his. Her book slipped from her hands as shock and panic took over.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice trembling as she shot up from her chair.
Simon said nothing at first, his dark eyes scanning her with an intensity that made her heart race. He remained silent as she hurried to close and lock the door, her movements hurried and clumsy. When she turned back around, she gasped—he was already standing inches from her.
"How did you—" she started, but her words were cut off as Simon closed the space between them in an instant.
Before she could react, he swept her off her feet with ease, lifting her as though she weighed nothing. Her breath hitched as he pressed her against the edge of the dressing table, his presence overwhelming. His closeness, his warmth, the sheer power he radiated—it was intoxicating.
"I came here to give you this and leave," he said, his voice low and husky as he placed a small wooden box on the table beside her. His eyes lingered on her flushed face before dipping to her lips. "But now," he added with a smirk, "I have some other plans."
"Simon, wait—" Stella tried again, her voice barely audible, trembling with a mix of confusion and anticipation.
But Simon wasn't listening. His dark eyes burned with determination as he leaned in, his breath warm against her lips. "Before you get startled, let me tell you this," he murmured, his voice low and husky, sending a shiver down her spine. "I'm kissing you."
The words barely registered before his lips claimed hers in a searing kiss. It was nothing like she had imagined—it was intense, possessive, and all-consuming. One hand slid to the small of her back, pulling her against him, while the other gently cupped her jaw as though she were fragile, something to be cherished.
Stella's mind screamed at her to think, to stop this before it spiraled further, but the moment Simon's lips touched hers, rationality shattered like glass. Her sanity slipped away, leaving only raw, unfiltered emotion in its wake. Whatever danger Simon posed, whatever chaos he brought, it no longer mattered.
A soft whimper escaped her lips as her arms instinctively wrapped around his neck. Without hesitation, she tightened her grip, winding her legs around his waist, pulling him impossibly closer. She kissed him back with a fervor that surprised even herself, her body igniting under his touch.
Simon groaned softly, his hands roaming her body with a mix of urgency and restraint. Every touch of his fingertips left a trail of fire across her skin, making her shiver and melt into him all at once. Her satin dress offered no barrier, his touch as intimate as his kiss, and it left her breathless.
Time slowed, each heartbeat thundering in Stella's ears as Simon's lips moved from hers to her neck, leaving a scorching trail of heat in their wake. The relentless rain outside hammered against the windows, its rhythm an echo of the wild storm building between them. The room felt charged, heavy with a tension she couldn't escape—or wanted to.
Simon's breath was hot against her skin, his mouth hovering at the hollow of her throat before he pressed his lips there. He lingered, sucking lightly, his teeth grazing just enough to make her shiver. A soft gasp escaped her lips, her fingers tangling in his hair as if to anchor herself against the overwhelming sensations coursing through her.
"Simon," she whispered, her voice trembling, a mix of desire and hesitation.
He pulled back slightly, his dark, smoldering eyes locking onto hers. "Say my name again," he murmured, his voice low and gravelly, sending a delicious thrill down her spine.
Before she could respond, his lips claimed hers again—this time deeper, more demanding. His tongue slid against hers, coaxing and teasing, drawing her into a rhythm that made her knees weak. His hands roamed her body, bold yet deliberate, trailing from the curve of her waist to her thighs.
The thin satin of her dress was no barrier to his touch. His fingers traced slow, deliberate lines along her bare skin, igniting a fire wherever they passed. Stella's body arched instinctively, pressing closer to him, her breaths coming faster as his hand slid beneath the hem of her dress, just grazing the sensitive skin of her thigh.
She clung to him, her arms wrapped around his neck as she melted into his touch. Her head tilted back as his lips left hers, trailing down her jaw to her collarbone. He lingered there, pressing open-mouthed kisses to her skin, his teeth grazing teasingly before soothing the spot with his tongue.
A soft moan escaped her lips, her body responding to him in ways she couldn't control. Simon's hands tightened on her waist, pulling her flush against him as though even the smallest space between them was too much. The heat of his body against hers was intoxicating, leaving her dizzy and desperate for more.
"Do you have any idea what you do to me?" Simon rasped against her skin, his voice filled with a raw intensity that sent shivers down her spine.
Her heart raced, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to find her voice. "Simon…" she breathed, her tone a mix of pleading and surrender.
His lips found hers again, claiming her with a fervor that left no room for doubt. The storm outside raged on, but it was nothing compared to the tempest inside the room, consuming them both in its fire. Stella didn't know where this would lead, but at that moment, she didn't care. All she knew was that she didn't want him to stop.
Simon's hand reached for the strap of Stella's dress, his gaze darkening with intent, but before the moment could go further, a sudden knock shattered the spell between them.
"Stella, are you in there?" came Mallory's voice, muffled but urgent.
Simon and Stella broke apart instantly, her heart racing for entirely different reasons now. With a soft curse under her breath, Stella scrambled off the dressing table. "Hide near the window," she whispered, shoving Simon toward the heavy curtains.
Simon smirked, clearly unbothered by the interruption. "This isn't over," he muttered under his breath before retreating to the shadows.
Grabbing the first thing within reach—a hoodie—Stella pulled it on hastily over her barely-there dress, the hem still peeking out but at least modest enough to face Mallory. Taking a steadying breath, she opened the door, forcing a casual smile.
"Hey," Stella greeted, leaning against the doorframe as though nothing unusual had happened.
Mallory raised an eyebrow, her arms crossed. "You weren't asleep?"
"I was about to, but then I… remembered I hadn't showered," Stella lied, her voice light but internally cursing her lack of preparation.
Mallory's expression turned skeptical. "You showered? Now? It's freezing outside, Stella. What were you thinking?"
"I needed it," Stella said quickly, avoiding eye contact. "Is there something you needed?"
Mallory hesitated for a moment, her sharp gaze flickering past Stella into the room. "Where were you just looking?" she asked, snapping her fingers to regain Stella's focus.
Stella blinked, forcing a laugh. "Nowhere! You were saying?"
Mallory gave her an odd look but continued. "Did you see Simon tonight?"
Stella froze for a fraction of a second, her mind racing. "Simon? No, why would I? What's going on?" she asked, feigning curiosity.
"He came by my room earlier," Mallory said, her tone laced with concern. "He told me to protect you and take care of you. Then he just… left. It was weird, so I wanted to make sure you were okay."
Stella forced a scoff, her heartbeat thundering in her ears. "Simon's always weird. Who knows what he's up to? I'm fine, though. Really." She shifted her weight, eager to end the conversation. "I'm exhausted, so… good night?"
Mallory narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced, but nodded slowly. "Okay… Good night. But you're acting strange." She lingered a moment longer before finally turning away, muttering under her breath as she left. "Crazy girl."
Stella exhaled a shaky breath and closed the door, her back pressing against it as she tried to calm her racing heart. She glanced toward the window, but Simon was gone. Not a trace of him remained, as though he had melted into the shadows.
Running a hand through her damp hair, Stella muttered to herself, "He is a crazy guy." Shaking her head, she headed for her bed, but the lingering heat from Simon's presence and Mallory's unexpected visit left her restless.
Outside in the hallway, Mallory frowned, glancing over her shoulder at Stella's door. Something wasn't adding up, but she shook it off. "She's always up to something," Mallory mumbled to herself, heading back to her room.