A Night to Be Selfish

I pushed out of my chair, rounded the small dinner table, and threw my arms around my mother. I squeezed her tight against my chest, resting my chin on her shoulder. She returned the embrace tightly, her worn hands gently stroking and patting my back. When I finally let her go and looked down into her face, joyful tears were glistening in her eyes. Seeing those tears washed away any lingering doubt I might have harbored. My mother deserved this immense happiness after sacrificing her entire youth to raise me alone.

"I am so scared, and I feel so strange right now. Getting married at my age feels awkward." She fretted, wiping a tear from her cheek with the back of her hand.

"Age does not matter at all. If you both love each other, then you should cast aside your hesitation, take Arthur's hand, and get married." I declared with unwavering confidence.

Since my father passed away when I was a baby, our lives had been a constant struggle. We were poor, and she was the sole breadwinner. She worked countless grueling hours at the floral shop just to put food on our table, never taking the time to date or focus on her own desires. She sacrificed the prime of her life for my sake. This engagement was her chance to finally embrace romance and joy.

"I want you to be selfish for your own joy. Please do not worry about me or anyone else. Just be happy." I pleaded passionately, holding both of her weathered hands in mine.

Even with my own relationship crumbling into nothing, I resolved to support her. The pain of my shattered future with Derek would not cast a shadow over her shining moment. I would do whatever it took to ensure she had a lasting, joy-filled marriage.

"Thank you, Valerie. Thank you so much." She whispered as soft sobs wracked her chest.

"Stop crying, Mum. You are going to make me cry too." I reached out and gently patted her shoulder to comfort her.

"Arthur wants to host an introductory dinner for you at his residence this Sunday. He would love for us all to be together, if you are available." She informed me, though a hint of nervous reserve still lingered in her tone.

"Of course I will be there. I cannot wait to meet him. We are going to be family soon." I gave her a bright, reassuring smile.

"That is right. That means the world to me, Val. Thank you." A final happy tear rolled down her cheek.

I bent my head and placed a soft kiss on the back of each of her hands. If anyone in this world truly deserved a fairy-tale ending, it was the woman sitting right in front of me.

Back in the harsh present, the fairy tale felt like a cruel joke. I had just endured the ultimate humiliation of watching Derek, my supposed soulmate, wed my best friend. The agony of their betrayal demanded an immediate outlet. Instead of mourning a phantom future that would never exist, I resolved to burn away the pain. The grief threatened to drown me, but a surge of defiant rebellion took over my senses.

I marched straight to the bank and withdrew the joint savings originally meant for Derek's and my future home. I was going to splurge on an unapologetic revenge transformation. First, I hit the most exclusive high-end salon in the city. The stylist washed, treated, and coaxed my hair into voluminous, effortless waves that cascaded down my back. From there, I headed straight for a luxurious full-body spa session. The vigorous scrub and deep massage buffed away the stress of the day, leaving my skin glowing and radiant.

Next, I walked into a designer boutique and pointed to a skin-tight, backless crimson dress on the display mannequin. When I zipped it up in the fitting room, the expensive fabric hugged every single curve of my body perfectly. It was scandalous and bold. I paired the dress with sky-high stilettos that elongated my legs and made me feel invincible. The woman staring back at me in the mirror was no longer a pathetic, jilted ex-girlfriend. She was a weapon.

With my revenge look locked in, I headed to an exclusive rooftop hotel bash. A wealthy acquaintance from university had invited me earlier that week after hearing about my unfortunate tale. Slithering past the velvet ropes and the imposing bouncer, I stepped onto the terrace. The night air was electric, thick with thumping bass and the clinking of champagne flutes.

I turned up to this party with one objective in mind. I needed to drink, find an intoxicatingly handsome distraction, and lose my misery in mindless pleasure. I wanted a smoking hot guy to drown me in passion just for tonight, so I could start fresh before Sunday's formal dinner with Arthur.

I grabbed a flute of champagne from a passing tray and downed it in two quick gulps. The alcohol burned a pleasant, warming trail down my throat. I set the empty glass down on a nearby table, my eyes scanning the dimly lit corners of the terrace. My target found me almost immediately.

A towering, powerfully built man with tousled dark hair deliberately stepped right into my path. I barely had time to process his broad shoulders and commanding presence before he moved. His large hand reached out and gripped my bare arm. The sudden touch was burning hot, sparking a wild rush of adrenaline straight through my veins. He did not ask for permission. He just pulled me away from the crowded dance floor, leading me down a quiet hallway toward a heavy wooden door.

He opened the door to a private hotel room and hauled me inside after him. The heavy lock snapped shut behind us with a loud, echoing click. The sudden silence of the secluded room wrapped around us, amplifying the heavy sound of my own breathing.

He wasted no time. Before I could process the sudden shift, he gripped my waist and slammed my back against the wall. The harsh impact knocked a quiet gasp from my lungs, but he swallowed the sound instantly. He crushed his hungry mouth against mine in a demanding, ruthless kiss. His lips were hot and commanding, angling his face to press his body flush against mine.

I surrendered instantly to the intoxicating lust. A wave of reckless abandonment washed over my senses. I parted my lips, inviting him in. His tongue thrust deep into my mouth, sweeping away my breath and exploring my depths with wild passion. He tasted incredible, and a low groan vibrated in his chest as his tongue tangled with mine.

Even in my sky-high stilettos, my head barely reached his broad shoulders. I tilted my chin up further, desperate to deepen the kiss. I reached up and wrapped my fingers into his thick, silky dark hair, whimpering as he dominated my mouth.

He broke the kiss for half a second, trailing his hot mouth down. His teeth nipped roughly at my lower lip, biting the sensitive flesh just enough to send a sharp jolt of raw pleasure straight to my core. When he finally pulled back slightly to catch his breath, he left me a panting mess. My chest heaved heavily as I remained pinned firmly beneath his muscular bulk, my back pressed hard against the wall in the dim room.