7
Vivian's POV
Dorian's home felt like a palace, and I couldn't help but wonder if he might actually be royalty.
The domed ceiling with a skylight, the oil portrait of him and his siblings above the fireplace, and the library with shelves upon shelves of books and a wooden rolling ladder straight out of a fairy tale all pointed to a life of luxury and privilege. When Dorian entered the room with drinks in hand, I took mine quickly, careful not to damage the beautiful woodwork with condensation. "If you're not royalty, then you must have murdered one and stolen their life," I joked, running my finger along the spines of the leather-bound books.
"This place is incredible." Dorian chuckled, and I pointed to a plaque on the shelf, teasing him about his "fake awards." But as I leaned in to read the engraving, my expression changed from playful to shocked. "You donated a cancer research hospital? An entire hospital?" I asked, my eyes wide with amazement. "I thought a whole hospital would be better than half of one," he said casually, taking a sip of his drink. I was surprised by his nonchalance, considering the magnitude of his donation.
"I feel like a good person when I round up my grocery purchase to the nearest dollar for... um... charity," I admitted, trailing off. He chuckled and corrected me, "I only paid for the building; the research is publicly funded. It's just a tax deduction." I was struck by his humility, especially compared to others who would have boasted about such a generous act.
Instead, Dorian seemed uninterested in discussing it further. I found myself drawn to his humility, wealth, and generosity - a unique combination that checked boxes I never knew I had.
As I brought my glass to my lips, I was hit with the strong scent of vodka. "This isn't water," I said, wrinkling my nose. Dorian raised his glass in a sarcastic toast, "Cheers to your refined palate! You should ditch plastics and become a chef." I laughed, "Ha! No way. I just don't like vodka."
He set his glass down and took mine, swirling the liquid with surprisingly delicate fingers. "Don't compare this to the cheap stuff you had in college." His words stung, especially when he said, "If you ended the night slung over a toilet, then they weren't men. They weren't taking care of you the way they should have." I felt a pang in my chest, wondering what it would be like to be taken care of by someone like Dorian.
He offered me the glass again, "Try this. It's better." But I hesitated, my head already spinning from being so close to him. I saw the imprint of his lips on the glass and felt a thrill.
We had already kissed, but sharing the same spot on the rim was tantalizing. I took a tentative sip, expecting a harsh burn, but it was surprisingly smooth and slightly sweet. "This is good," I said, taking another sip to confirm. Dorian smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I told you." I rolled my eyes, teasing him about always being right. He tapped my glass, suggesting I should drink it all at once, and I wondered if he was trying to get me drunk.
"Should I be scared?" I asked, and he replied, "Definitely." I believed him, sensing there was something he wasn't telling me. But I was too drawn in to resist. As I took another sip, my cheeks warmed, and my body buzzed. Dorian took the glass from me and pressed me against the shelf, his hands tangling in my hair. He kissed me, and I felt it everywhere. When I tried to deepen the kiss, he pulled away, teasing me with his lips and tongue. I groaned, frustrated and desperate for more. "You can't rush me," he whispered, his lips tracing my jaw and neck. "We have all night, and I have remarkable self-control." I arched against him, and he pulled back, seeing the desire in my eyes.
"Who says I'm staying all night?" I asked, trying to sound casual, but we both knew I wasn't going anywhere. He released my hands, and I hesitated, unsure what to do next. "Leave if you want," he said, his eyes daring me to try. I tried to speak, but Dorian's lips brushed against my neck, sending shivers down my spine.
His tongue traced a path to my sternum, and I felt his warm breath on my skin. Goosebumps erupted everywhere. "You're free to go," he whispered, his mouth grazing the neckline of my dress. He knew exactly where to tease, and I gasped, my fingers tangling in his dark hair. Heat built low in my belly, and I ached for his touch. He hooked a hand behind my knee, his finger gliding up my thigh, leaving a trail of sparks. I tightened, anticipating his next move. He was so close to where I wanted him.
"Leave now, promień, while I still have control," he growled, his eyes burning under dark brows.
"You said you're known for your self-control," I panted, my voice barely audible. "I do," he said, his mouth finding my throat. "It's remarkable I haven't devoured you yet." His words sent a thrill through me. I pulled him into a fierce kiss, our lips crashing together in a frenzy of teeth and tongues. We moved towards the sofa, and as I felt the arm against my thighs, I fell back, reaching for him.
Dorian loomed over me, his eyes black as coal, his top lip curled in a snarl. He looked wild, but I wasn't afraid. I was too far gone. "We can't do this here," he growled, his hand stroking my neck to my waist. "Are you worried someone will see?" I asked, my voice husky. "I don't care if they watch," he said, his grip on my ass tightening. "But if I'm going to fuck you, it won't be like this. Not on a couch like horny teenagers." With a swift motion, he lifted me up, wrapping my legs around his waist. "I'll fuck you in a bed, Vivian. Where I can do it right."