Stolen Moments With My Forbidden Love

Chapter 1 Prologue My name was Alix Stevens, and I lived in a small apartment on the third floor with my mom, in a fifteen-story building at the heart of Manhattan. July tenth had arrived--it was my birthday. To celebrate, my best friend, the eccentric Marina, had decided to take me to a new nightc**b that had just opened recently. Personally, I was never used to this kind of outing. My mom and Marina constantly criticized me for spending too much time locked away in my room, drawing. I loved drawing, and I knew it was mostly because of my father, who passed away when I was eight. He had been a talented illustrator and an incredible teacher. He had even created a comic book with one of his closest friends. Drawing always brought me comfort, because every time I picked up my pencils, it felt like I could be with him again. "Alix, Marina is here!" My mother shouted from the living room. My mother had a habit of yelling, even when we were only a few meters apart and my door stood wide open. My mother always carried a playful, almost childlike air about her. At thirty-four, she worked as a waitress in a restaurant. Today was her day off; unfortunately, she had decided, much to my dismay, to team me up with Marina for this outing. I always felt overshadowed by Marina. I wore jeans every day, while she always dressed in skirts or dresses. She was tall and blonde, with stunning brown eyes, while I was average in height, with black hair and green eyes. My mother often told me that, with eyes like mine, I could win over any man. But for that to happen, I'd have to actually be interested, and the truth was I was painfully shy, especially around men. "Alix, are you ready for the fittings!" Marina exclaimed as she entered my room. "Oh, please, Marina, I'm perfectly fine with what I'm wearing!" I exclaimed, already irritated before she could even begin. Marina struck a dramatic pose, folded her arms across her ch**t, and looked me up and down before bursting into laughter. "My dear, there's no way you're going out cl**bing in that outfit," she added, turning to the bag she had brought along. I looked at her, feeling hopeless. Please, not another clothes fitting session. I had no choice in the matter, since my dear mother got involved, and before I knew it, I was practically dragged off for a fitting session in the bathroom. The outfits were just as revealing as I had feared, and each one made me more uncomfortable than the last. Their expressions said it all when they had me put on a very s**y black mini-dress with a front opening and an especially short hemline. And as I expected, it was this dress that my mother and Marina both chose without hesitation, even though I felt completely exposed in it. "Great, you look stunning!" Marina said, but to me, the dress seemed almost vulgar. "You're stunning, my darling; you'll turn heads for sure," my mom whined. "Mom, stop crying." I tried to console her, thinking she was being a bit too sentimental, almost as if she were the one in my place. I forced a smile as Marina grabbed our bags and led me toward the door, sending me into a new chapter for my seventeenth birthday. Derek's POV: I parked the motorcycle in front of The Dead Rabbit bar, where I planned to meet my best friends. For once, I had no errands to run in town; I had promised my best friend I would join him at this new nightc**b. He nagged me so much about it that I even started having nightmares. When I entered the b*r, Ayden and Sophia Larson were already at our usual table. We had claimed the same table since high school--I was pretty sure Ayden had even carved our names underneath the tabletop after we graduated. "Derek!" Sophia exclaimed as soon as she saw me heading over. "Hi! I see you're already off to a great start," I said as I took my seat. "It's vacation time, man; we have to make the most of it!" Ayden exclaimed. "Don't even get me started," said Sophia. "Just thinking that I haven't taken a vacation yet makes me feel ill." I took a sip of my Co**na, smiling. "By the way, Derek, have you finally found a job?" Ayden asked. "Yeah, an easygoing job. You'll be surprised when you find out, but you'll only know once I'm there." Sophia and Ayden looked at me with curiosity, but they both knew I wouldn't reveal anything. "Derek!" called a su**ry voice from behind me. A blonde, whose face seemed vaguely familiar, slid onto the seat next to mine and ki**ed me passionately, though I couldn't remember ever meeting her. That was always my problem; I loved making women happy but had trouble recalling the ones I'd already met. It didn't help that al**hol and the adrenaline rush from motorcycle races made my memory even fuzzier. The girl eventually pulled away, and I noticed Sophia's eyes fixed on me, so I flashed her a sly grin, running my tongue across my lip. I had always considered Sophia like a sister. She was undeniably attractive--a tall brunette with brown eyes, a personality that matched my own, and a shared love for racing, hers with cars and mine with motorcycles. You'd never guess, looking at her, that she went to law school. The intense look she gave the girl beside me was enough to make her uncomfortable, and she decided to leave on her own, which Ayden found amusing. Ayden, on the other hand, was the kind of guy who fl**ted with girls but never took it further. He stood at six-foot-two, with striking blue eyes, he always claimed he was saving himself for the right woman. He was nothing like me and Sophia, who just wanted to enjoy life. After all, you only lived once. "Alright, let's go!" I called out, downing my beer in one go. "Yes, let's go check out the hotties we're going to find!" "Mercy. I bet it will be full of kids!" I thought Sophia had really gone out of her way to ruin our fun. But as far as I was concerned, I fully intended to enjoy myself tonight. Chapter 2 A Glance Alix's POV: We arrived in front of the club where Marina had decided to take me. All the girls stood outside, dressed in outfits that were more than just a little pr**ocative, and the boys openly stared at them without any shame. Watching the way they looked at us made me regret letting Marina and my mother talk me into wearing this dress. I honestly felt like a piece of meat to them. "Stop stressing so much. We came to have fun!" Marina told me, her voice a mix of authority and amusement. "Speak for yourself..." I grumbled. "Come on, relax, you'll see--after a drink you'll feel better," she said as we walked into the c**b. What?! She expected me to drink, too? In seventeen years, I had never touched al**hol, and I certainly had never danced. Did she really think I would suddenly change just because I turned seventeen today? Once we got inside, Marina immediately led me straight to the middle of the dance floor, which was so crowded I could hardly make my way through. I felt incredibly uneasy as I pushed my way through the crowd to reach the dance floor. When we finally reached the dance floor, Marina began moving to the music as if it were second nature, while I stood completely stiff, glancing nervously around. "Come on, Alix, let go!" Marina shouted, grabbing my hands and trying to get me to move. But there was nothing I could do; I just felt more and more uncomfortable, and it seemed like this dress got shorter every time I moved. "Do you want to go get a drink? It will help you relax a bit. I promise I won't get anything too strong." I nodded. With Marina, I never really had a choice anyway, and maybe it would help me loosen up. Marina and I had met back in middle school. She had always been as eccentric as she was now, and she never let anyone push her around. I was the quiet, reserved type; I loved spending time alone, sketching in my corner. In fact, art was what had brought us together--she'd found my sketchbook in the school bathroom after I left it there, and she had been amazed by what I drew. People always said opposites attract, and Marina and I proved them right. Marina's POV: Alix really didn't seem to be having any fun; she desperately needed to unwind. I ordered her a co**tail with just a splash of gin--there was no way I'd let her get tipsy her first night out. "Here you go. There's very little al**hol in this one." "Thanks. They had nothing without al**hol, right?" she asked, bringing the straw to her lips. "Drink and stop overthinking! Here's to being seventeen!" I could tell from her smile that she was enjoying the drink I picked out for her. At least I finally got a real smile from her. Alix never seemed to realize just how beautiful she was. If only she could see how many boys had been watching her since we arrived. Sure, the dress played a part, but her green eyes stood out even more with that line of black eyeliner and the touch of pencil I added. She really should have thought about highlighting them more often. "Do you want us to go upstairs? There are fewer people," I asked, noticing she was getting jostled more than she liked. "Very good idea." We made our way upstairs. Indeed, there were definitely fewer people, though most were couples, which might have made her feel even more awkward than before. I spotted a free table near the bar and suggested we sit there. "So, what do you think for a first night out?" "Not too bad, at least we're better off here than downstairs," she said while sipping her drink. I smiled, glad I had finally managed to help her relax. "Do you have any plans for tomorrow?" "No, why? Don't tell me you want to go out again," she asked, clearly unenthusiastic. "No, well yes, but it's a different kind of evening," I admitted. Alix shot me an even more disapproving look, and I couldn't help but laugh; honestly, it was about time she started going out. Poor thing, she was going to miss her whole youth if she kept hiding away. Derek's POV: We had gone straight upstairs to settle in once we arrived. Ayden was already chatting up someone across the room, while Sophie stood nearby, keeping a close eye on the girls on the dance floor. "I told you there would only be kids. Look at them, they barely look old enough to be here." I laughed and took a sip of my drink; Sophie never missed a detail. Still, if you really paid attention, there were some true standouts in the crowd. My gaze met a particularly attractive blonde, and I sent her my best smile--after all, we were here to have a good time, weren't we? Sophie noticed where I was looking and glanced over at the girl for a second. "Not bad; let's just hope she's at least old enough to be here," she said, turning back to me. I shot her a sly smile; I fully intended to check that out. Taking my drink, I joined her on the bench where she was sitting. "Hi, my friend over there is wondering if you're of age?" I asked, pointing at Sophie, who just rolled her eyes and looked away. "Of course, I'm twenty-one," she replied, running her hand over her neck. I slipped my arm around her shoulders, and she nearly started to giggle. I loved moments like this. Girls were so easy to read. With a single glance, I could always tell what they wanted, and this one was no exception. She only had eyes for me. Her hand was already sliding along my leg as my lips brushed her neck, and I felt her shiver with anticipation. In an instant, her lips found mine, and just as things heated up, my phone vibrated. I didn't even need to check; it had to be Sophie texting something like "Well done." I knew I couldn't help myself--I just liked making women happy. Alix's POV: Marina chatted with the guys at the table behind us while I surveyed the c**b. The decorations were genuinely beautiful, featuring striking bursts of color. I never would have imagined seeing such vibrant shades in a place that was otherwise so dimly lit. I returned to the upper floor and took a good look at the walls, which displayed even more stunning colors, the aluminum columns catching the lights and casting brief, shifting highlights across the surfaces. I found myself mesmerized by those shifting colors until my eyes settled on a couple ki**ing--not the couple themselves, but the ta**oos covering the man's arms truly caught my attention. I squinted, trying to catch the full effect as the light slid over his skin, revealing intricate designs. The ta**oos looked genuinely fascinating; whoever had inked them was clearly talented. I was completely absorbed in admiring the artwork that I didn't even notice when the girl left, and now the person with the ta**oos was looking straight at me. I met his gaze and froze. I wanted to look away but couldn't. His stare was so intense, it felt as if he could see straight through me, as if he meant to devour me from the inside out. He sat casually on the bench, and while I remained completely transfixed by his eyes, he brought his glass to his lips, never breaking eye contact. After a sip, he let his tongue trace his lips, still smiling at me. At that moment, I was utterly hypnotized by his gaze, and my breathing quickened with the intensity between us. "Alix, should we go get a drink?" I jumped, turning to Marina, who now stood with the two men from the next table. "Are you okay?" Marina asked, noticing how shaken I seemed. "Yes, yes. Let's go." When I glanced back at the stairs where the ta**ooed man had been, I saw he was gone, and I felt a wave of relief. Chapter 3 The Tattoos Alix's POV: We got back from the nightc**b around four o'clock in the morning. My feet ached terribly; I really wasn't used to wearing heels. Marina had introduced us to two guys who raced motorcycles in the city. She was already planning to meet them tonight, but I honestly wasn't interested in that kind of outing. My father had been hit by a motorcycle gang, so it was the last place I wanted to be. Still, knowing Marina, I doubted I'd have much of a choice. My mother was working today, so I had the apartment to myself. I stretched out on my bed, pulled out my pencils and sketchbook, and stared at the blank page. The only thing I could think about were the ta**oos I'd seen on his arm. I tried to remember every detail and started to draw. I had no idea how long I spent on the sketch, but eventually I finished the main outlines. That was when his intense gaze came to mind, sending a chill through me as I remembered how it felt. Almost without thought, I began to sketch his eyes on the paper. A gaze so intense it looked like it could pierce right through someone's soul. By the time I finished, another shiver ran down my spine just from looking at it. All the desire and strength in that gaze came through in my drawing. The sound of the apartment doorbell pulled me out of my thoughts. I got up to open the door for Marina, who walked in as if the apartment were her own. Honestly, she probably spent more time here than at her own place. "You're not ready yet? We have a meeting with the guys in thirty minutes," she said, rummaging through my wardrobe for clothes. "Marina, I've had enough after last night," I said, collapsing onto my bed. "Absolutely not, we promised them we'd come." As always, Marina paid no attention to my protests and tossed a pair of short denim shorts and a black crop top at me. "Wait, are you serious? It's cold!" I exclaimed. "Don't worry, the temperature will rise quickly," she said with a laugh. I gave up, picked up the clothes, and went to change in the bathroom. Derek's POV: That day, I headed to the spot chosen for the night's races. We changed locations every evening to avoid getting caught by the police. Though it was sometimes a close call, but I'd never been caught. Now we actually had our own place in Brooklyn, and for some reason, the cops never showed up there. I arrived with my red and white Ducati, just as I did every night I planned to race, and parked beside Sophie's Mustang. That one already had her eyes on the poor guys she planned to leave behind in her rear-view mirror once the race started. I got off my bike, took off my helmet, and slipped on my sunglasses. I loved the impression of being untouchable, even though everyone knew there was probably no one more approachable than me. I walked around the Mustang to join Sophie. "You're already tormenting your opponents," I said, leaning against her car. "Derek, darling, don't scare them. You know I'm not that cruel," she replied with a wink. I rubbed my hands together, smiling; she definitely seemed fired up tonight. A group of kids showed up near the starting line with their brand-new little Suzukis. I watched the newcomers, and my gaze landed on the girl who had come with them. She wore short denim shorts and a black crop top that hugged her curves, but her body language told me she felt embarrassed. Her friend, on the other hand, looked completely at ease, laughing and reaching out to touch the guy on the motorcycle every chance she got. "What are you looking at?" Ayden asked, handing me a Co**na. "I'm watching the new kids and their girlfriends." "Small fry for you, isn't it?" Ayden said with a smirk as he headed their way. I smiled to myself; he was really about to make me race against these kids. Ayden's POV: "Hey there, guys!" I called out as I approached them. The group gave me a once-over, these brats acting as if they were sizing me up. "Do you want a little race?" I asked them. "You think we're just here to stand around?" the little blond shot back, trying to sound clever. "I've got a good plan for you. My buddy over there is looking for opponents, if you're interested." I pointed to a guy standing across from Derek by the Ducati, hoping to make them feel comfortable. If I pointed at Derek directly, they'd probably back out right away. "No worries, we'll take him on whenever," the blond kid exclaimed. "OK! OK! Let's say in twenty minutes then." "No worries!" He confirmed. I headed back, bursting out laughing, to where Derek and Sophie were leaning against the Mustang. "You didn't trick them like you did with Tom, did you?" Sophie asked, giving me a stern look. "Who, me?" I laughed. "It was Derek who wanted to have a bit of fun." Sophie glared at Derek, who only turned his head away and laughed. "I'm going for a ride," he said, leaving me with Sophie, who gave me a quick smack. Derek's POV: Ayden was like a kid when it came to making newcomers sweat. Anyone familiar with these races knew my bike was the one to fear. Those two had just shown up to show off in front of their girlfriends, and I knew I'd have to crush their pride with a twist of the throttle. I wandered off to greet a few people I knew; after all, I'd been racing for twelve years and recognized almost everyone here. I grew up in this environment since childhood; my only other option had been joining a gang, but since I didn't like weapons or d**gs, my choice was easy. I was just about to join a group of friends and grab a b**r when the blonde from the c**b last night appeared right in front of me. "Do you remember me?" she asked, gazing at me with a languid look. "Of course," I replied, running my tongue over my lips. In less than three minutes, we ended up pressed against a car, ki**ing. "I suppose you don't have time now?" she asked, her eyes wide and pleading. "No, I have a race in ten minutes," I replied. "Ten minutes is enough, isn't it?" she pressed. I turned away for a moment to check where the newcomers were, only to catch another gaze fixed on me. I stopped paying attention to the girl ki**ing my neck and pressing herself against me. My eyes found that other girl--the one who had been staring at me just like she did that night in the nightc**b. Her gaze cut straight through me. Alix's POV: I watched the people around me, letting Marina chat with the boys; their macho, narcissistic conversation didn't interest me in the least. While I focused on the line of cars and motorcycles in front of me, my eyes drifted to a couple ki**ing, and I recognized the ta**oos on his arm. I started drawing the ta**oo in my mind again, realizing I'd missed a lot of details in the sketch I drew earlier. Once more, I found myself completely mesmerized by his ink. Then I remembered his stare and looked up. He was still watching me, even with his sunglasses on. His face was turned in my direction, and I could feel his intensity from across the lot. A shiver ran through me as I recalled the way his gaze pierced me last night. Once again, I couldn't look away, caught by that strange rush of sensations building inside me. There was something about his presence that sent chills all the way through my body. "What are you doing?" the boy we'd come with asked, slipping his arm around my waist. I immediately shifted, breaking my gaze from the ta**ooed man. "Nothing, I was just watching the cars," I answered, crossing my arms to keep him from touching me again. "We'll be moving soon. Come on or you'll miss the start," he said, this time keeping his distance. Derek's POV: Was I imagining things, or did that girl just pull away when he put his arm around her? "Sorry, I have to go," I said to the girl next to me, who by now was getting pretty worked up. "Shall we meet later?" she asked, her eyes full of de**re. I gave her my most charming smile, gently touched her face, and pressed my lips to hers. Honestly, though, my mind was elsewhere right now. I was far more interested in that girl who kept staring at me. I made my way back toward Sophie, Ayden, and the others gathering around my Ducati. I glanced toward the girl in question, and she didn't seem to notice me at all, even though we were only a few meters apart. "Are you ready to beat those kids?" Ayden shouted as I climbed onto my motorcycle. I grinned and pulled off my T-shirt. "You're not going to start again, are you?" Sophie called out, a teasing smile on her lips. She knew exactly how well-motivated I was to give the newcomers a real scare. Alix's POV: I was still stunned by the sheer presence he carried. As I struggled to concentrate on what Marina was saying, the roar of a motorcycle next to us snapped me out of my thoughts. "Oh my gosh, who is this guy?!" Marina exclaimed, clearly thrilled. "He has an incredible body, did you see those ta**oos?" I lifted my head toward the sound of the motorcycle as it rolled to a stop beside the two guys walking with us, and I froze where I stood. I recognized that ta**ooed arm right away--I'd drawn it so many times since yesterday. But that was nothing compared to the rest of his body. His ch**t was covered in ta**oos, the centerpiece a Tibetan face reimagined in a pop-rock style, tongue sticking out, surrounded by swirling mandalas that climbed all the way up his neck, where a red lotus flower stood out. And then there was his back, fully inked with a massive skull, mouth wide open and teeth bared as if it were about to devour us, all of it set against a background of mandalas. If I'd already been fascinated by the ta**oos on his arm, I was completely mesmerized by the artwork covering his body. Every detail was beautifully depicted. "Alix," Marina called out, catching me as I tried to take in every small detail. Marina nudged me with her elbow. "What?" I finally managed to ask. "Do you know him?" she asked, her eyes never leaving the man on the motorcycle. "He's practically devouring you with his eyes." I turned my gaze back to the man on the motorcycle, and a sudden shiver ran through me. His gaze really was devouring me--then, just as a gu**shot rang out, he took off at full speed. Chapter 4 The End of Innocence Marina's POV: "Oh my god, that guy is really hot! Did you see him take off doing a wheelie? He must be fearless. The guys are definitely going to lose!" I exclaimed, completely euphoric. If I'd known, I wouldn't have wasted my time chatting with them. I should have wandered around to check out more of the good-looking guys--he definitely couldn't be the only one here. "We should go check out the finish line. Just to get another look at his body and maybe catch a glimpse of what's under that helmet," I said to Alix, grabbing her by the arm. Alix seemed totally spaced out; I practically had to drag her through the crowd that had gathered near the finish line. We ended up standing in front of a stunning brunette with ocean-blue eyes. He smiled at me, and a shiver ran down my spine, but just then, a girl stepped between us. She didn't look friendly at all, so I stepped back and turned my gaze to the road. "Do you think they stand a chance against that guy?" I asked Alix, who was still lost in thought. "Huh?" she finally replied, snapping back to reality. "No, I don't think they have any chance of winning." "I confirm," the brunette beside me interjected. "He's not called Speed Breaker for nothing." She gave a mocking smile. "Speed Breaker," I repeated, trying to understand. "Yeah, he's like a wave crashing through at full speed. Once he takes off, nobody can catch him," the guy next to her added, just as the roar of a motorcycle engine filled the air. Everyone around us started shouting and jumping, yelling "Speed Breaker!" as we caught sight of motorcycle headlights in the distance. "Where are the others?" I asked, surprised that their headlights hadn't appeared yet. I didn't have time to question it again before the red and white Ducati shot past the finish line like a bullet and lifted into a wheelie. "He always has to overdo it," the girl beside us muttered, moving in his direction. "Come on!" I said to Alix, making my way toward the man on the motorcycle. I was determined to see who was hidden under that helmet. Alix's POV: Marina pulled me through the crowd gathered around the ta**ooed man. A s**y brunette shoved us forward, and we ended up pressed closer to him along with her. The boy and girl who'd stood beside us earlier were already near him, and I realized they were his friends. "Quick! Take off your helmet!" Marina shouted, unable to hide her impatience. I glanced at Marina and smiled; honestly, if he didn't hurry, she looked ready to rip the helmet off herself. As I turned toward the source of all the hysterical screams, he finally lifted his helmet, and his green eyes locked onto mine. Once again, I froze, overwhelmed by the intensity in his gaze that seemed to burn right through me. I bit my lip. His stare was so fierce and so alive. Until now, I hadn't known the color of his eyes--and realizing they were the same shade as mine was almost unbelievable. "I wasn't imagining it; he really was looking straight at me!" Marina exclaimed. Suddenly, I looked away as a stunning blonde jumped into his arms and ki**ed him. I didn't have to see her face to know it was the same girl he'd been with at the nightc**b. I should have known he wasn't single. "Let's go join the guys; they're finally arriving," Marina said, sounding disappointed. I didn't want to join them at all, but I had no choice. Marina had driven us here, and I didn't even have my license yet. I glanced over before weaving through the crowd that had gathered around the Ducati and the ta**ooed boy with green eyes, and I noticed he was still watching me. I turned away and sighed. I shouldn't even let myself believe for a second that he was really looking at me. After all, I'd been the one studying his ta**oos so openly. Knowing guys like him, he probably only looked my way for his own amusement. The way he ran his tongue over his lips at the nightc**b said enough. He struck me as the type who probably had a line of admirers, and honestly, I wasn't interested in that kind of thing. My mother and Marina always said I'd end up an old maid with my sketchbooks, but at least my drawings would never break my heart. Derek's POV: As I rolled up to the finish line, I scanned the crowd until I finally spotted her. The girl with black hair and those piercing green eyes that seemed to see right through me. I tried to hold her gaze, hoping to catch just a hint of a smile on her lips, even though she always looked so serious despite the fire in her eyes. But just then, that other girl showed up, and by the time I nudged her aside, the one I was searching for had already disappeared. I looked around and caught her eyes one more time, but she turned away instantly. It annoyed me that I didn't get to enjoy her beautiful gaze a little longer. "You look upset for someone who just won!" Ayden called out as I got off the motorcycle. "Did you doubt me? That was just a warm-up," I replied, grinning as I grabbed a b**r from the locker. "Those kids must be crying right now," Ayden said as he let out a laugh, glancing off into the distance. "Well, it's my turn to have a little fun," Sophie said as she slipped off her black leather jacket. "Good luck," I told him. "You'd better be at the finish line when I get there!" She shot back coldly. I watched her, surprised, as she got into her Mustang. "What's her problem?" I wondered aloud. Sophie's POV: I slid into the Mustang, waiting for today's opponent to show up. Derek was serious; he really thought I hadn't noticed the way he kept staring at that girl just now. He was always chasing after someone new, but this time he was going too far. That girl still looked like she was in high school. He couldn't keep playing these games with someone that young. "Are you ready, doll?" my opponent shouted as he climbed into his car. "You know what the doll has to say to you!" I said, flashing him a bold middle finger and then pressing it to my lips with a sly smile. I shifted into first gear, waiting for the gu**hot to set us off, hoping they'd all be right at the finish line when I returned. Marina's POV: We rejoined the boys, who, just as we expected, were sulking after being outsmarted. "He's not the one we were supposed to race against! Nobody's crazy enough to go up against Speed Breaker!" the blond guy exclaimed, slamming his helmet to the ground. "You shouldn't have agreed the moment you saw him at the starting line," I said. Honestly, it would have made more sense to quit at the beginning than to go through with the race. "We're going to have a drink with the others to get over our defeat," he said, putting on his most charming act by draping an arm over my shoulders. Who could say no to free drinks? I shot Alix a wink, hoping to get her to follow us; right away, I caught her rolling her eyes and pursing her lips, clearly giving in just to keep the peace. One thing was for sure: it would be tough for me to get her to relax if she didn't have a drink. Last night at the party, she loosened up--at least until we met those guys. After that, she'd completely retreated into her shell. We joined their friends further inside the building, and I noticed the tall brunette with those stunning eyes picking up two b**rs and stepping outside. It was a shame we were already with someone else; otherwise, I would have gone to look for him. "Marina." I turned back to Alix. "I need to go... You know where," she whispered in my ear. We both stepped out of the building, and after asking a few girls, we finally found a spot where we could relieve ourselves. "Are you planning to stay late?" Alix asked me. "It depends. If things go well with the cute one tonight, maybe I'll stick around; otherwise, we won't be here much longer." "I hope not. I really feel uncomfortable here," she said as she left the place where she'd been peeing. "There you are, girls!" The guys showed up just as we finished. "Yeah, girl stuff," I said, holding onto Alix's arm, who was, once again, clearly embarrassed. "Do you mind if I borrow your friend for a couple of minutes?" the cute one asked Alix. Alix hesitated but, after seeing the look I gave her, she understood it was my chance to make a move. "No worries," she replied, letting go of my arm. "Thanks," I whispered to her as I took the boy's hand. Alix's POV: Here I was, stuck with the other one. But I couldn't act like a child and ruin Marina's evening. "Do you want to go see the cars?" he asked. Let's say it would at least keep us occupied, and with a bit of luck, I might see the man with the ta**oos again. To get back to the cars, we had to pass through a narrow alley. I followed him a few steps behind, feeling incredibly uncomfortable around boys. I never knew how to talk to them, let alone look at them. In truth, the only men I had ever really looked in the eye were my father and that ta**ooed man. I slipped back into my daydreams, picturing myself sketching his tattoos in my drawing notebook and trying to remember the exact shapes of the mandalas surrounding the Tibetan face. That was when my nightmare began. In the shadow of the alley, the blond boy suddenly trapped me, pinning my arms down as his mo**h forced itself onto mine. "Don't act all shy! Everyone knows you're a tease like the others!" he said, twisting my hands behind my back with one hand. With his other hand, he slid under my top... I wanted to scream, but I'm completely paralyzed. I also knew the noise from the music and the engines would drown out any scream I tried to make, so my voice died in my throat as he un**d my shorts and bu**ed his fingers inside me. We had read so many stories lately about women who lost their lives after being as**ulted that I didn't dare make a move. "You can scream all you want; no one will hear you!" He sl**ped me as he stepped back slightly, fixing his clothes in a rough, careless way. I closed my eyes, tears streaming down my face as I felt him force his way into me. I bit my lips until they b**d. I regretted not staying home instead of choosing those pr**ocative clothes. I blamed myself for not being stronger and for not refusing Marina. I wished, in that moment, that I could simply just die. Chapter 5 The Girl With The Green Eyes Sophie's POV: I trusted him. As I stepped out of the Mustang, I called Derek's name. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he replied just as my opponent finally showed up. "Impressive!" he called out, climbing from his own car. "Does that mean I owe you a drink?" I grinned, feeling proud of myself while Derek and Ayden broke into laughter. Those two always knew how to act like kids when the mood struck them. Derek rolled his neck and tossed my jacket back to me. I shot him a look while joining my opponent. For a while now, Sophie had been behaving so strangely. Why all the warnings lately? Derek's POV: Something about Sophie's eyes grabbed my attention; I found myself wanting to learn more about her. With a shrug, I wandered off, hoping to spot the girl with green eyes. Since those two kids hadn't taken their bikes, she couldn't have gone far. Her gaze really stuck with me. I wanted to understand her better. There was nothing flirtatious about the way she looked at me--completely different from most people these days. Too bad for them, I just wasn't in the mood. As I scanned the horizon to see if I could spot him, my attention shifted to a young man stepping out of the alley, glancing behind him as though checking whether anyone was tailing him. I moved closer and realized it was the same kid I had bumped into earlier, the one who had been with the mysterious girl with the green eyes. Reaching the entrance of the alley, I looked around, unable to pick him out among the crowd of teenagers celebrating like they always did at the end of a race, then I turned my gaze back toward the narrow passage. I had no idea why I kept staring into that alley or why something inside me urged me to walk in, but I felt pulled in that direction, as if something there needed to be found. I took a step forward, lit a ci**rette, and only a few paces later, I noticed a pair of legs behind the trash bin. At worst, it was just two fools fo**ing around behind the dumpster, which was never discreet. veryone passed this alley whenever they needed a place to relieve themselves. As I passed the dumpster, I looked over, and my bl**d went cold on the spot. Lying in front of me was the b**e body of the girl with the green eyes. Alix's POV: When he finished what he wanted, he let go of me, and I crumpled to the ground. I had no strength left, not even the will to make the smallest movement. "You better shut your big mouth!" He released me while getting dressed again. "No one will believe you anyway!" I heard him walk away, and my tears began to fall in silence once more. I had just lived through the worst nightmare any woman could imagine. My body had been vi**ated and taken, and I had been powerless to stop it. I stayed there, numb on the ground, thinking of nothing except how much I wanted to die. How could I go on living after what had just been done to me? I did not even have the strength to dress myself. My body felt so battered that I no longer knew how to move. I just wanted to die at that moment, I told myself as I closed my eyes and held my breath. As I resigned myself to stopping my own breathing and ending my miserable life, a noise came from beside the trash can. I opened my eyes halfway; his green eyes were staring at me with disgust. "D**n it!" he exclaimed, clutching his head and spinning in place. I squeezed my eyes shut. I did not want to look at him. I was half‑na**d in front of him, unable to speak or move enough to cover myself even a little. All I could do was cry and pray that he would leave as quickly as possible and let me die behind that tr**h can. When I heard him kick the trash can, my shaking grew worse. I waited for him to finally leave. For a few seconds, I heard nothing except laughter growing closer. I trembled even harder, still unable to move or cover myself. Derek's POV: I did not know what to do when I saw the state she was in, and I vented my anger on the trash bin. She was shaking so badly that I could not touch her or comfort her after what she had gone through. I leaned against the trash bin after hitting it several more times, just as a group of boys started heading our way. I glanced at the girl with the green eyes and realized I could not leave her there, and I could not let them see her like this. "Sorry." I said as I moved in their direction. "Can you go piss somewhere else?" "Why is Speed Breaker having an issue?" he asked me, trying to look behind me. I positioned myself so he could not see the girl behind the trash bin, although I suspected they had already noticed something. "She's sick, so she took off her top after throwing up, and well, you know, she's young and it wouldn't be right for the guys to gawk," I replied, forcing a smile. "No worries, man, we can go somewhere else," he responded, understanding. "Cool, thanks!" I said to them as I watched them leave. I ran a hand through my hair. It had been a close call, but I needed to get out of here. "Yo Speed Breaker!" I turned around, surprised as the guy came back toward me. "Here, take my sweater." He did so by pulling off the sweater tied around his waist. "She won't make her way through the crowd in just a b*a." "Thanks, man. I'll pay you back for this." "Don't worry, seeing you run is already a gift for me!" he said as he walked away. I looked at the sweater, thinking that at least it could cover her a little when she walked through the crowd, but would she even let me help her? Alix's POV: I tried desperately to pull up my shorts and underwear while he was talking, but I could not do it as my body refused to move. "Listen, tell me if you don't want to." he began speaking softly. "I have a sweater here, I could give it to you to put on so that I can take you back to your friend." My god, Marina! There was no way she could find out what had just happened to me. She would call my mom, and they would be so traumatized by what had been done to me that I would never be able to look them in the eye again. But honestly, who would I ever be able to look in the eye? "I'm going to come closer to help you put it on, if you don't want me to, say so. I promise I won't do anything to you. I'm just going to help you put it on," he told me in a neutral voice. I still did not have the strength to respond to him. My god, let me die! Why did it have to be the man with ta**oos who found me like this? "I know. So you can trust me, I'm not going to take my eyes off you for a single moment. I'm going to count to three." He began counting, and when he reached three, I heard him move toward me slowly while I flinched at every step he took. "You need to open your eyes so you can trust me. I know it's not easy given the circumstances, but I want to see your eyes in case you have any doubts about my intentions." "I'm trembling so much that I feel like my bones are going to crack." "Please, look at me," he gently said, and I could sense his scent close to me. "I won't do anything to you," he insisted. "I just want to help you." "I don't know why." His voice seemed soft and reassuring for a moment, and I timidly opened my eyes, fully sinking into his, which were only a few centimeters from mine. "I won't look away for even a moment," he said as he stepped a bit closer. "I'll help you put on the sweater, and when that's done, I'll adjust your clothes." I closed my eyes at that sentence. By that, he meant my shorts and und**wear. I really wished I could die at that moment. "Please open your eyes and look at me," he told me again. Even though I did not want to open them and wanted to stay in the dark, I felt his gaze pressing on me, and I opened my eyes again. He gave me a reassuring smile and came closer, never breaking eye contact, and pulled the sweater over my head in one smooth movement. He touched my arm to straighten the sleeve, but I instinctively pulled away. "Sorry. We can leave the sleeves like this," he told me, clearly worried about how I reacted. He did not break eye contact, and neither did I. "You'll need to stand up; it'll be easier for me to help you dress." I began crying even harder. Why did it have to be him helping me get dressed again? Why had he come into this alley? "Don't close your eyes. Look at me," he pleaded. He placed his hand on the sweater's sleeve as I opened my eyes. "You know how to stand up." I shook my head weakly, and he slipped his arm between me and the wall while keeping his eyes fixed on mine. I knew he was far too close, but for some reason, I was not afraid. Was it because of his intense, neutral gaze that remained locked on me? In an instant, he pulled me up, and before I realized it, my clothes had been adjusted. He stepped back toward the trash, and I collapsed to my knees again, still unable to regain control of my trembling body. Derek's POV: Without knowing it, I caught her so her head would not hit the ground. Feeling her trembling and crying against my ch**t made me realize that I was hurting for her too. How could someone do that and walk away as if nothing had happened? How could someone inflict so much suffering on another person? How could someone vi**ate a woman and leave without even looking back? I felt hatred rising in me as I pulled the hoodie up and lifted her into my arms. There was no way I was leaving her here, and even less that I would let her go home alone. So I decided to take her with me. We moved through the crowd like that, with her curled against my ch**t, crying, while I held back the anger pushing me to go after that little f**l. "Have you ever ridden a motorcycle?" I asked her as I approached my motorcycle. She shook her head no. At least she knew how to move again. I set her against the Ducati, keeping one hand on her so she would not fall, and grabbed my helmet with the other. "I'm going to have to take off your hood." I spoke softly to her. I gently let go of her and removed her hood, revealing her face hidden beneath her long black hair. I reached out to fix her hair, doing it unconsciously until she lifted her head slightly. I placed the helmet on her while holding her gaze, then lifted her onto the Ducati, where she slipped her arms into the sleeves and took off at full speed. ...... Looking into another's eyes and sensing an unspoken pull once defined true love. That quiet spark between two souls was supposed to mean everything. Yet reaching it seemed impossible when the world kept forcing them apart. Age gaps, harsh realities, and the weight of circumstance pushed them to the edge... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &2&