Enemy Beloved

15 | no love land

★

C L A I R E

There is nothing but awkwardness between us when we step back inside our room. I have Vaughn's suit hung around my shoulders and flashes of the dance keep claiming my vision.

What was all that about? Since when did Vaughn and I start to behave friendly with each other? We never even said a proper 'Hello' and today we were dancing like two people who were madly in love with each other's company.

I recall the way his strong hands slid down my waist, playing with my body as we moved to the sound of the music. It was unstoppable, raw, and fun.

I am having fun with Vaughn Jackson. Translation — I have sold my soul to the devil, except my devil wears Versace.

"Hmm..." I bite my lip, unable to think of any proper words to acknowledge this discomfiture. "That was a good evening."

"Hmm," Vaughn replies, fixing his eyes on me.

They are intense and look drunk even though we didn't drink much. I feel just a little tipsy but thankfully, my senses are still intact.

This silence is worse than the moments when we are bickering. I take his suit off my shoulders and hand it back to him.

"Thanks for this."

He looks at the suit and after a long time of staring at it, proceeds to take it from me. "No problem."

"So, goodnight?" I smile nervously and feel his dark gaze on my back when I turn around and freeze at the sight.

There's only one bed.

I completely forgot that we were occupying a single bedroom which means we have to share. I look at the king-sized, luxurious object in front of me and for a fleeting second, start to question my existence.

"What's wrong, nemesis?" Vaughn breathes into my ear, snapping me back to attention. I stay rooted to my spot, fixed like a statue as I feel his hot breath on my neck. "It's getting late..." His hand travels to my hair which falls over my shoulder and he moves it to the side. "We should go to bed."

"Hmm...hmm..." I fumble, too stupefied to speak. "Will you sleep on the couch?"

"Why?" he hums, his fingers drawing patterns on my neck and I feel the brush of his nose on my skin. "Aren't we madly in love? Lovers don't sleep separately."

I turn around and flatten my palms on his hard chest. We had a good evening and I don't want to ruin it. I have started to see a side of Vaughn that I never thought I would. Maybe we do have a chance to be friends at least if we are to survive six months together.

"Vaughn..." I drawl when he leans down and places a soft, lingering kiss on my neck.

I stop breathing at the touch of his lips. He inhales deeply, his fingers in my hair curling until he has them in a tight fist.

"Lavender..." he groans, brushing his teeth against my bare throat. "I love that scent."

If that's the case, then I must admit that I am loving his scent too. His cologne isn't too strong but inviting enough. He smells of sandalwood with a hint of vanilla.

He presses his body to mine, his hands moving down my torso and I lean into his touch. Butterflies flutter in my stomach; his touch is welcoming, warm, and seductive. After the evening we had downstairs, this night could be the perfect end if we...

Six months — only six months. Everything changes after that.

The pressure of my hands on his chest increases until I push him hard and he staggers back. I breathe heavily, my skin tingling, while he looks taken aback when he glances at me again. I swallow a gulp, ignoring the throbbing in my body. Being with Vaughn is like being caught in a fire and not knowing how to escape. I have to trade my cards very carefully.