Stefan Peirce

A night club famous for its pulsating music and sweaty apes roaring on the floor on a Friday night can be a nightmare. My vision is being blurred by the flashing of laser lights, and I wouldn't want to see porn foreplay in every corner of the room. Don't even get me started on the unwelcomed invitations from girls.

I had to join Samuel's party to keep my friendship with him after Mae's call. Although the excellent quality of the beer is what keeps me seated. Samuel told me that he throws a party like this every year to greet the new college year.

I've just been to college for a week and I'm already bored. Except for Clara's quarrels.

I yearned for more after just a few minutes with her.

But why isn't she here yet?

I'm waiting for that moment when I can see her in a sexy demeanor and captivating eyes.

"What are you thinkin' about?" Samuel's question put a halt to my rambling thoughts. He approaches the bartender and orders a shot, then waits for my response.

"Nothing." I chug my beer. He takes the tequila shot and leans on the counter next to me.

"Know what I'm thinking?" Instead of saying, 'What?' I raise my eyebrow. He smiles as he gestures to the door.

"How do I make her mine forever."

I scoff. Knowing that he's pointing at some girl, I look for the door. My eyes freeze. Clara appears, her hands on her hips and her gaze searching.

Her outfit is the reason my eyes froze. Her already beautiful eyes carry the smoky eye makeup. Her strapless bodycon dress, which ends just below her thighs and shows off her perfect tits, grabs my attention like nothing else.

Just by looking at her, I have adjust my pants. Even from this distance, she has an insane effect on me.

Samuel rushes toward her, arms outstretched. Clara hugs him and mumbles something. He then extends a more gracious hug to Clara's friend.

I lock my gaze with Clara, who is unquestionably the most beautiful girl in the room tonight. As her strides follow in my direction with a teasing sway to her hips, heat builds in my veins.

She comes to a halt next to me, her elbows resting on the counter.

"Hey stranger," she says casually, her voice low and sultry. Her lips brush on my cheek as she kisses me in a greeting.

"Hey, foxy girl."

When she hears her nickname, she laughs and punches me in the shoulder. I let her throaty laugh and brilliant smile work their spell on me. Clara's friend, Ray, I assume, asks about her alcohol preferences. Taking advantage of the opportunity, I quickly check her legs and viewable thighs.

"Hey, we haven't officially met yet." Ray speaks to me. Clara takes a step back so her friend can see me properly. I smile and give Ray a brief, friendly hug. "I'm Ray Blaire."

We break the hug. "Stefan Peirce."

"The head boy." She throws a wink and a pointing-finger dance in an attempt to appear funny. Which she does. Is it just me, or is she second Charlie?

Ray shoves a vodka shot down Clara's throat and my attention moves to her lips. She shakes her head, making an adorable face.  She then swallows two more shots. That's not gonna end well.

"Wanna dance?" Samuel interjects, encircling Clara's waist.

"Sure," she says as she downs her fourth shot and follows his lead on the floor.

They start catching up rhythmically to the music as they both push the dancing crowd.

My gaze is drawn to Samuel's hands as they move southward from her waist. She dances around him, rolling her hips.

I tighten my grip on the bottle in my hand. I couldn't stop myself from being envious. But, even if I wanted to, I'm not a dancer like Samuel.

Clara's long hair bounces and swings in time to the beat of an upbeat song. I internally laugh at her casual nature, which is attracting more attention to her.

I was never the type of guy to chase down a girl, buy her flowers, drive her home when she was drunk, or occasionally compliment her. I got no time for doing all this.

Clara is eccentrically different. Her presence has an unknown effect on me. Even if she acts like crazy on the loose when angry off, I want to chat to her for hours, listen to her voice, and touch her.

I know a lot of students think she's a feminist bitch, but I don't think she is only that. She's one-of-a-kind because of the confidence she radiates when speaking or beating someone's ass.

She speaks to Samuel about something and approaches the counter. "One more shot, please." Seriously?

"No thank you." I gesture to the bartender to take her order. I hold a stance behind her. She blinks a couple of times. She pushes me by the chest. "Who the hell are you to tell me what to do?"

Definitely drunk. 

"Your stranger."

I gently guide her into the chair with her arm in my hands. She grabs my hand and pushes it away. "I want to sleep."

As the alcohol works its magic, her eyes close. The laser lights making it worse. I check the time on my wristwatch. 11:00 p.m.

She sighs and places her head on my chest, pouting. Then mimics the frantic thumping of my heart.

With a smile on my face, I look at her.

"Do you want me to find Ray?" I ask.

"She won't leave," she says, her voice hoarse and slow as she begins to lose her balance.

I explore the crowd for Ray and find her with Samuel, squealing and dancing joyfully. She definitely won't leave anytime soon.

When I look down at Clara, her eyes are closed, her lips are parted, and her arms are around my waist. I can't leave her here when she's drunk and sleepy in favor of giving other boys a shot at flirting with her.

Fuck it. I'm going to take her home. I don't bother looking for Charlie as he's been gone for so long with a bartender clinging to his side. I shake off my thoughts about what he's up to.

I encourage Clara to walk on her own, only to hear her faking a cry when she trips. This girl!

I carry her in my arms and leave the bar. The absurd music shuts up. She winces and clutches my neck as the icy breeze kisses her skin.

"Do I even know you?" She wonders aloud, her eyes seeming smaller due to the streetlights.

I don't respond since it won't change anything. I enter the car park. I carefully set her in the passenger seat of my car and fasten the seat belt around her. I take the wheel and inform Charlie that I'm driving Clara to her house.

"Where do you live?" I enquire. She jolts up, wide-eyed, and casts a gaze between me and the road.

"Are you going to kidnap me?"

I hit my head on the steering wheel. I can't bring her to my house because if she wakes up and finds herself in my home, she'll have a new reason to hate me.

She is startled by the sound of a message. It's a message from Charlie. I fell compelled to throw the phone out the window after reading the text.

Charlie: Don't forget the protection ;)

He should seriously join some adulthood classes and fucking grow up.

*Beep*

His message appeared on the phone screen once more. If he sends any more stupid shit, I swear I'll break his teeth.

Charlie: 7th Street, Carter Villa, Aerilon.

He must have asked of Ray. "Carter Villa, right?" I confirm this by turning on the engine. Clara has her hands on her chest and her eyes are dreamy.

"Perhaps, Princess Villa?"

Why am I bothering to inquire of her? If I ask her one more question, I'm going to lose my mind. I start the car and accelerate towards the road.

There isn't a lot of traffic as it's late. I catch a glimpse of Clara as she carefully studies the night sky with her lips parted and her eyes enlarged to stare intensely like a child, her head resting on the window.

I smile. For now, she is an entirely different person. Not the one who always makes bold remarks, nor the one who wears complex expressions on her beautiful face.

Her humming draws my attention away from the road and toward her. She's drowsy and exhausted from her wild dance in the club earlier.

"Just a few minutes more. Don't fall asleep." I give her a firm shake by putting her hand in mine. She takes my palm and puts it on her soft, cool cheek.

"You are adorable when you smile." She compliments. I didn't realize I am still smiling until I hear her, and then it turns into a grin.

I come to a halt in front of a gate after a few minutes. A massive duplex in gray and white shades, a lit-up swimming pool, and lush green grass sprawled across the property. I had no idea she came from a wealthy family in the city.

The name is written on the wall beside the gate, and I read it.

'Carter Villa. Steve and Lily Carter'

I know her parents. Her mother worked as a music director and is now retired.

Our company's most recent contract was inked with Global Trade Sales, where her father is the market research team's leader. It was there that I first met him. Clara is their daughter, something I did not even know.

I was going to open my door after unbuckling our seat belts when she stops me and pulls me towards her in a rough and hard move. My face comes to a halt just before hers.

I lose control of what I was doing.

From this distance, she is absolutely stunning. Our breathing becomes more leisurely. Her brown eyes locked on me. My knuckles caress her cheek and lips, causing her to grin and close her eyes.

Slowly, she presses her lips against mine. Her fineness almost gives me shivers.

I bring her closer to me while placing a hand on her nape and joining our lips, unable to hold back any longer.

She moans and grabs my jacket as she kisses me back. Her lips are simply irresistible. I bite her bottom lip, causing her to moan and open her mouth once again.

I thrust my tongue into her wet, velvet-like mouth fiercely. Unable to keep my hands off her, I take her into my lap.

The gentle kiss develops into a heated one. She strokes my hair with her hand. I place my arms around her waist and hold her in place to have her the way I want. Her moans become increasingly seductive.

But she pulls away before I can make my next move. Her face is flushed with astonishment. She frowns and stares at me with wide eyes. Did I do something wrong?

"What happened?" I wearily ask, furrowing my brows. She whispers as she puts her lips to my ear. "Mama says don't talk to strangers."

Are you kidding me?

She laughs and reclines in the passenger seat. She's either lost it or is making me wait. I sigh and run my hand through my hair.

I toss a glance at her attempt to open the door. I close my eyes and tap my finger on the steering wheel.

I hear her cursing, then kicking the door with her heels after a few seconds.

"Stop. You're going to ruin my car." I scream and get out of the car to assist her. She takes my hand in hers and rises to her feet. Then she tries to walk again, but loses her equilibrium and collides with my shoulders.

"You need a labor, don't you?"

As I pick her up in the same way, her light body hugs me warmly in my arms. Her pleasant perfume will linger on my skin.

I manage to get a knock on the door. A man who resembles Clara opens the door a few minutes later.

He locks his gaze between me and her. Her squirming never stops, her face hidden behind my neck. I study the man's expression as his jaw clenches and he stares at Clara in my arms.

"Who the hell are you?" he asks.