Chapter 2: Cunning, Possessiveness, and Conscience.

February 3, 2024, 3:35 PM—right after Aria's call with Kate, at the Cocoavilla mansion.
After her playful "Hell yeah I am! You know I love a good show. Alright, talk later. Kisses," Aria hangs up.
"Well, my chocolate lucky charm? Everything's playing out perfectly," she says, eyes sparkling as she looks at Brian across from her.
She stands by the huge panoramic window on the third floor, wearing a sheer white miniskirt and matching sheer top. On her feet: short black heeled boots.
Brian lounges on the big blue couch in front of her. A large glass coffee table beside him holds drinks and snacks. He's in black trousers, white dress shirt, black shoes. Soft lofi hip-hop drifts through the room.
Aria giggles, shaking her phone at him. "You heard it all on speaker! Isn't a little bunny like me worthy of some praise?" She flicks her ponytail playfully.
Brian smirks, stretching his arms along the back of the couch. "Oh, baby, you're always worth praise," he says, voice deep and smooth. He pats the cushion beside him. "Come here. Let me show you how much."
Aria saunters over, hips swinging deliberately. She stops right in front of him, one hand on her hip. "Mmm, I don't know," she teases, tapping her chin. "I was thinking I might wait. Build the tension."
Brian reaches up, grips her wrist, and pulls her down onto his lap in one quick tug. He nuzzles into her neck as she settles against him, large hands sliding possessively along her bare thighs. "You always do that," he murmurs, warm breath against her skin. "Like you need to play hard to get when we both know what you want."
Aria squirms playfully in his lap, pressing closer. "Maybe I just like hearing you beg first," she purrs, arching her neck to give him better access.
Brian chuckles darkly. His hands slide higher, thumbs brushing under the edges of her sheer skirt. "Beg? Nah, bunny." He flips her over effortlessly, pinning her beneath him on the couch. His weight presses her into the cushions. One hand grips her ponytail, tilting her head back.
"You don't need to beg when you're already this eager," he growls.
Aria gasps, back arching as pleasure shoots through her. Brian nips at her collarbone, teeth scraping lightly. "damn, I can feel how wet you are through this little thong." Her phone slips from her hand and lands on the floor with a dull thud.
"If you think Kate's gonna fall for you the same way," she whispers, "you're way too sure of yourself. A few months of compliments won't do it. She might be the one who makes a champion out of you—not just falls for one. And don't forget—she already has a boyfriend. The same one you're meeting tomorrow at 3 PM in Beverly Hills."
Brian's hands pause for a second, fingers tightening slightly on her ponytail before he resumes. His smirk stays, but his eyes sharpen as he studies her face. "You think you're real clever, don't you?" he murmurs, voice dropping lower. His thumb presses harder against her, pulling a sharp gasp from her.
Aria's hips jerk. Her nails dig into his shoulders as pleasure coils tight. "I know I am," she breathes, rolling her head back while he grinds against her, the heat between them building. "He's a pretty successful… erotic… writer… and rich…"
"And he has a… big… mansion… bigger than this one…"
Aria looks seriously aroused and swallows hard.
"At the parties, you only saw a small part of it… It's much… bigger."
Brian's smirk widens as he watches her squirm, her breathing fast and shallow. His thumb presses harder, rubbing slow circles against her. Her back arches off the couch.
"Mm, you sound real concerned about this Alex guy," he murmurs, his voice thick with amusement and something darker. "You want me to be with Kate that bad, huh?"
Aria's nails bite into his biceps as he increases the pressure. "Oh, I want a lot of things," she pants, rolling her hips against his hand. "But mostly, I want to see what happens when someone actually pushes her buttons the right way."
She breathes heavily.
"You… don't get it… Alex is a real problem. He's head over heels for her. He calls her Goddess. She calls him Baby Boy…"
Aria keeps slowly rocking her hips.
"Your words and sex alone… won't be enough…"
Brian's smirk turns hungry. His thumb presses harder, tilting her head back to bare her throat. "You're saying I need to fight for it?" he murmurs, lowering his mouth to nip at her pulse. "That I have to work for Kate's attention?"
Aria gasps as Brian's teeth scrape her skin, her body arching instinctively. "No," she pants, "you need to… take it. You need to show her why she should want you—not just let her decide on her own."
Brian's chuckle is dark and rich as he grinds the thick bulge in his pants against her thigh. His thumb never stops, rubbing slow, insistent circles that pull Aria's breath into short, sharp bursts.
"You talk like you know her so well," he murmurs against her ear, warm breath sending shivers down her spine. "Like you know what'll make her say yes."
Aria moans softly, hips rolling against his hand as pleasure builds. "I do," she breathes. "I know her… better than anyone except maybe Alex. And even he doesn't understand her the way I do."
Brian's grip tightens on her ponytail, yanking her head back as his other hand slips beneath the waistband of her panties. His fingers press against her without hesitation, with one hard thrust.
"Damn," he groans against her ear, rolling her hips against him at how soaked she is.
"You get off on this, don't you? Planning how to get me inside her." His fingers curl, dragging slowly while his thumb finds her again, circling tight.
Aria's back arches off the couch, thighs clamping around his wrist as pleasure builds. "Alex was scared this morning… when I told him everything… when I basically told him everything…" She giggles, the sound breaking into little moans.
"If you scare him too much… it could all fall apart. Play it smarter. Kate's still crazy about him… even if she's starting to have doubts…"
Brian's breathing turns ragged as he pumps his fingers faster, thumb pressing hard against her. The way she speaks—half moan, half instruction—sends another rush straight to him.
"That's what I'm counting on," he growls, nipping her earlobe. "The doubts. I want her thinking about me when she's with him." His hips press against the couch cushion, chasing friction as he pictures Kate above him—golden hair spilling over her shoulders, blue eyes dark with want as he spreads her legs.
"He's not just gonna let this go…" Aria whispers. "Even if Kate dumps him… he'll try to win her back. He's got a damnton of money… you have no idea. That's a problem."
Brian's fingers pause inside her. His grip tightens for a beat before he pulls his hand free and brings his glistening fingers to his mouth, bringing his fingers to his mouth with a low groan.
"Damn, you're right," he murmurs. "He's got resources. And he's got her history." His free hand strokes down her side, settling on her hip.
"But I've got something he doesn't." His thumb is rolling in slow circles as he holds her gaze. "I've got her now. Right damning now."
"I know how to fix the money problem," Aria whispers, a quiet moan slipping out. "Gotta take it away from him. No money—no power. Then he can't get in the way anymore. I've been working on this for months… I talked his publisher Dana into piling more shit on him… making him write way more than usual. He's burning out creatively… but real slow."
She lets out a shaky breath. "I went behind my best friend's boyfriend… all because of you…"
Brian chuckles darkly, pressing his body flush against her back as he keeps teasing her through the drenched fabric. "Yeah. And look how good it feels." His breath is hot against her ear as His fingers slip beneath the waistband again.
"You wanna stop me?" he challenges, moving slowly against her.
Aria's nails dig into his forearm, hips rocking against his hand on instinct. "Damn no," she breathes, but there's a catch in her voice.
Brian feels it—the way her body betrays her even as she tries to sound in control. Aria laughs, squirming under him.
"What a cocky guy!" she gasps between heavy, rapid breaths. "You're gonna have to work for it! She's smart. What, you think it'll be that simple? Ha! Hahaha!"
Brian suddenly stops. His grip tightens for a moment before he smacks her ass hard. The sharp crack echoes through the room.
Aria jerks forward with a yelp, body tensing as the sting spreads.
"That's what I love about you," he murmurs, voice thick with lust. "You talk so big when you're this worked up." His palm rubs slow circles over the reddening spot, breath hot against the back of her neck. "But let's get something straight—I don't damning 'chat' with her. I talk to her. And I listen. And I watch."
His fingers trail up her inner thigh, stopping just short of where she aches. "And you know what? I know exactly what she likes. I know what she's thinking when you've got her laughing at your little jokes. She wants me. She just doesn't know it yet." His teeth graze her earlobe. "But she will."
Aria sucks in a breath, hips twitching toward his hand. "Damn you," she breathes, but there's no real anger—just raw, unfiltered need. "She's got Alex. She loves him."
Brian hums against her skin. His fingers finally press back against her. "Yeah, she does. But not like she's gonna love me."
He moves against her again, slow and deep. Aria arches against him, breath coming in short, sharp gasps.
Brian leans closer, lips brushing the shell of her ear. "You wanna know the real reason I'm so obsessed with her?"
His pace never falters, fingers working her with ruthless precision. "It's because she's perfect. Not just hot. Not just some easy lay."
Aria laughs again.
"Alright, alright… I'll admit it. You've won a few battles. Now she actually wants to try the experiment. Have you be her boyfriend—her fake boyfriend, not the real deal. I'm setting it up to look temporary. But who knows? Maybe you'll end up being the one surprised, haha!"
At her last words, Brian yanks hard and tears her thong in one swift motion. She gasps, body tensing. He tosses the ruined panties aside, hands sliding up her thighs.
"Damn the games," he growls, fingers digging into the soft flesh of her hips. "You think I don't know what you're doing?"
Aria squirms as he pulls her back against his chest, pressing hard against her. "I'm setting you up to fail, dumbass," she taunts, though her voice wavers. "Alex is way smarter than you. Way more patient. He'll see through your bullshit in a second."
She laughs harder, eyes locking onto his, almost crazed. "What, you think just because you've got me hooked, you cocky idiot—that she's gonna drop Alex for you that easily? Hahahahahaha!"
Brian clamps his hand over her mouth, thick fingers pressing against her teeth, muffling the laughter. His other hand guides himself to her entrance. The swollen head nudges against her.
"Shut up and take it," he growls, thrusting forward in one smooth, deep motion.
Aria's back arches violently. Her body struggles to take his size as he bottoms out with a single stroke. Nails dig into his thighs. A muffled scream vibrates against his palm as he fills her completely. Her body clenches around him instinctively.
He presses deep inside her in one smooth motion. Then he nearly pulls back—only to drive forward again.
Brian moves against her with relentless speed, his upper body staying eerily still. She would've flown off the couch if he weren't pinning her down so hard. One hand stays clamped over her mouth. He stares into her eyes with smug triumph.
"And now… five thousand glorious strokes from Brian! This is all on you, baby. Burn these feelings into that little head of yours. This is exactly what Kate's gonna feel every single night when she's mine. Enjoy it, you crazy little Italian. We're just getting started."
The words, combined with the relentless pounding, send heat straight to her core. She moans against his palm, body quivering as he moves with inhuman speed. Her hands scramble for purchase on his thighs, nails digging in.
A minute passes. Then two. Three. Four. Five. Brian doesn't even look close to finishing.
Brown eyes locked on hers, savoring every twitch of her body beneath his weight.
Not a single drop spilled yet. He's got plenty more for her. And he's in no hurry.
"Look at you," Brian growls, his voice a guttural purr.
Another couple of minutes crawl by.
"Alright… think I'm finally getting close," Brian laughs, low and taunting. "Give me ten more minutes."
Ten minutes later, Brian finally stops.
He lifts his hand off her mouth for a few seconds.
"D-damn," she manages between breaths, voice hoarse.
Brian's grin widens, clearly pleased. "That's my girl," he rumbles.
"Damn yeah," Brian growls, wrapping both hands around her head as he pulls her closer. Aria's eyes water as she struggles to breathe.
"Shhh, just relax," Brian purrs, though his grip stays firm. He pulls her closer. Aria's eyes widen. Her hands fly to his thighs as she struggles to breathe.
Ten minutes pass.
"That's it, baby girl," he murmurs, thumb catching a tear under her eye. "You're doing so good for me."
Aria makes a strangled noise, body quivering.
Then Brian finishes. Her chest heaves, body shaking from the brutal treatment. Brian watches with a satisfied smirk while she wipes her face, smearing the mess across her cheek.
"Damn, that was perfect," he murmurs, running a thumb along her jaw. "You take me so well, baby."
Then his mood softens.
"Alright, lie down on the couch for a bit. I'll go get you some water," he says gently. He glances at the glass coffee table, still covered with snacks and drinks. "Alcohol won't help you now—it'll only make things worse."
Aria collapses onto the couch, body still quivering. She wipes her face again, smearing what's left. Brian returns with a glass of water and kneels in front of her, holding it out. His usual smirk is gone, replaced by genuine care.
"You alright?" he asks, watching closely as she takes the glass with shaking hands.
Aria nods, sipping slowly. Her throat is raw and sensitive. Brian touches her chin gently, tilting her face up. "You look gorgeous like this," he murmurs, thumb brushing her swollen lips. "All used up for me. Perfect."
He studies her in silence for a few seconds, then asks again, "I didn't go too far, did I, bunny?"
Aria shakes her head slightly, cradling the glass in both hands. Her throat burns with every breath, but a dazed satisfaction lingers in her expression. "It's fine," she rasps. "Just… give me a minute."
Brian smiles, brushing his thumb over her cheekbone, then down to the corner of her mouth where a small smear remains. He wipes it away, brings it to his lips, and sucks slowly. "Mmm, yeah. You taste good like this." His other hand squeezes her thigh gently. "You're always so perfect when I push you like this, baby."
Aria smirks and leans into him, resting her head against his shoulder. Brian sits beside her on the couch. "So… since Kate's interested and Alex doesn't mind… Are you sure you wanna damn up your best friend's four-year happy relationship with him? What a shitty friend you are, haha!"
Aria lets out a ragged laugh, voice still rough. She sets the half-empty glass on the table and sinks deeper into the cushions, looking up at Brian with a lazy, mischievous grin.
"Shitty friend? damn, maybe. But you know me—I hate boring. And watching Kate stuck in that perfect little bubble with Alex was getting stale. She needed a little chaos. A little… push."
She stretches her legs across Brian's lap, her foot nudging his hip like she's testing how sore he still is. Her smile softens, just a fraction.
"Besides, it's not like I'm trying to ruin them. I actually think this'll be good for her. You've seen her lately—restless, drifting. Kate needs something big to shake her awake again. And you?" Aria's eyes narrow playfully as she studies his face. "You're ing big."
Brian barks a low laugh and shakes his head. His hands slide along her calves, gripping hard enough to leave faint red marks. "So this is all some noble intervention for your bestie, huh? Jesus, Ari. Only you could turn your friend's love life into a personal art project."
He sighs, leaning back against the couch. For a second he goes quiet, eyes dark with thought. "…But damn, I won't pretend I'm not selfish. You know I've wanted her since that night you dragged me to the masquerade at Château des Rêves. The way she was dancing? Christ. I was half losing my mind for a week." His mouth twists into a crooked grin. "So yeah, part of it's just me being greedy."
Aria giggles, toes slipping under the hem of his shirt. "Told you. You're a slut for pretty little blonde girls with daddy's money."
Brian rolls his eyes. "Yeah, says the girl who just had her throat worked raw on this very couch. Save the moral high ground, bunny."
A beat passes. Then Aria shifts, pushing up to rest her head on his shoulder. Her voice drops, softer, more thoughtful. "Look… Alex loves her so much it hurts to watch. He'd let her do anything if it meant she was happy. That's the real damned-up part. He's not some roadblock we need to destroy—he'll step aside on his own if he thinks it's best for her. Probably stand there and smile while she walks off with you."
Brian's jaw flexes. His thumb rubs slow circles on her leg, working out tension. "Yeah, but that's exactly the shit that makes me hesitate. I'm not trying to completely break the poor bastard. I like Alex. He's funny, he's weird, he actually gives a damn about people. Last thing I want is to see him out on the street with a bottle of Jack and no teeth."
Aria snorts, then looks up at him with a lazy smirk. "Relax. Kate's not gonna kick him to the curb. She's way too soft for that. Honestly? I think she'll try to keep him—just… differently. Maybe he becomes the sweet, adoring little pet on the side while you're the main course."
Brian huffs, eyes narrowing. "That's one hell of a messy picture, Ari."
Her grin widens. "Life's messy, big man. And so is love. Especially when it's this damned up and pretty."
She kisses his shoulder lightly, then sinks back into the couch with a sigh.
"Now quit worrying. If it all goes sideways, we'll figure it out. Kate's your shot at something wild—something you can't get from any of your usual girls. And me?" She flashes him a devilish look. "I just want front-row seats."
Brian lets out a breathy chuckle, eyes glittering. "Yeah. You would."
They sit there a moment longer, the air still heavy with sweat and heat, both of them quietly stewing in the mad little scheme they're already too deep in to stop.