Raw Desire

Raw Desire

Alexander Fjord

Copyright © 2024 Tyrone Rainford

All rights reserved.

Contents

Chapter 1: The Meeting

Chapter 2: The Aftermath

Chapter 3: Push and Pull

Chapter 4: The Pull of Submission

Chapter 5: Cracks in Control

Chapter 6: The Addiction

Chapter 7: Breaking Point

Chapter 8: Control and Release

Chapter 9: Emotional Unraveling

Chapter 10: Facing the Darkness

Chapter 11: Renaissance

Chapter 1: The Meeting

––––––––

I never wanted to be here.

The bar was loud, a cacophony of voices blending into a chaotic hum, bodies pressing too close together, drinks sloshing in half-filled glasses. The kind of place where the air felt thick with sweat and sex, even though the night hadn’t even hit its peak. Zoe had dragged me here, insisting I needed to loosen up, her words echoing in my head as I glanced around the room.

She didn’t get it. Zoe was the kind of girl who could walk into a place like this and own it—her confidence magnetic, eyes drawn to her wherever she went. Me? I was the opposite. A wallflower, an observer, never wanting to be the one who stood out. But here I was, sitting on a red velvet stool in the corner, nursing a gin and tonic I didn’t even want, wishing I was anywhere else.

That’s when I saw him.

It wasn’t his looks that first caught my attention—although they didn’t hurt. He had the kind of face you noticed, sharp jawline, dark stubble, eyes like shadows that seemed to hold a secret no one else could touch. But it wasn’t just that. It was the way he stood, leaning against the far wall like he didn’t belong here either. Like the rest of the room didn’t matter.

He wasn’t looking at anyone. Until his gaze found me.

I felt it before I saw it—the slow, deliberate slide of his eyes locking onto mine, a magnetic pull that made my heart thud against my chest. His lips curved into a smile, but not the kind you see in magazines or on polished dating apps. No, this smile was something darker, more dangerous. A smirk, a challenge. A promise.

Zoe, of course, noticed none of this. She was too busy scrolling through her phone, probably texting some guy she’d hooked up with the week before. You’re supposed to be having fun, she teased, nudging me with her elbow. Not staring at some guy like a deer caught in headlights.

I’m not staring, I lied, quickly looking down at my drink. The ice clinked against the glass, condensation dripping onto the bar as I tried to steady myself. But the truth was, I was staring. And I was scared. Not of him, exactly, but of the way he made me feel in that moment. Exposed, vulnerable, like he could see straight through me.

Zoe laughed, completely oblivious. Yeah, sure. Look, if you want to get laid tonight, just say the word. I can be your wingwoman.

I’m not here for that, I said quickly, my voice sharper than I intended. Zoe raised an eyebrow, but before she could say anything, a shadow fell across the table.

Him.

Can I buy you a drink?

His voice was low, smooth, and entirely self-assured. The kind of voice that didn’t need to ask twice. His hand rested casually on the back of my chair as he stood over me, and even though he wasn’t touching me, I could feel the heat of him. Too close. Too intense.

Zoe smirked, clearly enjoying the show. Looks like someone’s interested.

I could barely find my voice. I... I already have a drink.

Then let me get you another.

It wasn’t a question, but he didn’t wait for an answer anyway. His eyes never left mine as he gestured to the bartender, ordering something without even asking what I liked. There was a weight in his stare, heavy and unyielding, and for a second, I thought about walking away. About getting up and leaving before this went any further.

But I didn’t.

The bartender slid a new drink in front of me—something dark, amber liquid swirling with ice. I hesitated, fingers trembling slightly as I reached for the glass.

What’s your name? he asked, leaning in just enough so that I could catch the scent of him. Musk and smoke, something rich and intoxicating.

Eliza, I answered, my voice barely above a whisper.

Eliza, he repeated, like he was testing it out, rolling it over his tongue. There was something about the way he said it, like he owned it now. Like my name belonged to him.

And yours? I asked, trying to regain some semblance of control, even though I could feel it slipping through my fingers.

Dominic.

He didn’t offer anything more, and I didn’t ask. There was a tension building between us, thick and electric, the kind that made my skin prickle with anticipation. I could feel Zoe’s eyes on me, but she was staying quiet for once, watching with that knowing smirk of hers.

Dominic’s fingers brushed against mine as he slid the glass closer to me. You don’t seem like the type who comes here often.

I swallowed hard, the heat of his touch lingering on my skin. I don’t.

Then why are you here?

It was a simple question, but the answer felt complicated. Too complicated to explain in a place like this, with the music pounding and the lights too dim, everything around us a blur of motion and noise.

I don’t know, I said finally, hating how unsure I sounded.

But he didn’t seem to care. His eyes were still locked on mine, like he was reading something deeper, something unspoken. I think you do.

There was something in his tone, something that made my breath hitch. He was too close now, his body angled toward mine, cutting off the rest of the room. I could feel the heat of him, the intensity radiating off him like a pulse. It was overwhelming, suffocating, and yet I couldn’t move.

I didn’t want to.

The corner of his mouth lifted into that same dark smile, the one that made my stomach flip. You came here for something, Eliza. It wasn’t just for a drink.

My pulse quickened. There was something about the way Dominic said my name, the way he leaned in like he was giving me no room to escape, but still, I couldn’t move. The bar around us disappeared—the voices, the music, even the lights—all blurred into the background as his presence filled the space.

He was right. I didn’t come here for the drink. I came because I needed something I couldn’t name. Something I couldn’t find by pretending to live a life I wasn’t meant to have. I came here for a reason. And he was standing right in front of me.

Zoe, ever the loyal best friend, picked up on the shift in the air and quickly excused herself. I’ll be at the bar, she whispered, shooting me a sly smile as she grabbed her purse. Text me if you need an out.

Dominic’s gaze never left me as Zoe slipped away, her absence barely registering. It was just us now. The bar, the people, the noise—they were all distant. I was in his orbit, and nothing else mattered.

You haven’t answered me, he said, his voice a deep rumble that sent a shiver down my spine. He was so close now, his breath warm against my ear. Why are you here?

I swallowed hard, feeling my throat tighten. I don’t know, I whispered, even though I did. The answer was there, lodged in the back of my mind, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it out loud. Not yet.

Dominic’s hand brushed against my knee, a subtle movement that sent a shockwave of heat through my body. His fingers lingered for a moment before moving higher, his touch featherlight but full of intent. Liar, he murmured, his lips grazing the shell of my ear. You know exactly why you’re here.

I sucked in a sharp breath, my heart hammering against my ribcage as his hand slid up my thigh, stopping just shy of dangerous territory. His touch was possessive, like he already owned me. I should’ve pulled away, stopped this before it went any further, but I didn’t.

I couldn’t.

What do you want, Eliza? he asked, his voice low and rough, sending a delicious tremor through me. His eyes bore into mine, and for a moment, I felt like I was falling. Spinning out of control, but grounded by the heat in his gaze.

I don’t... My voice cracked, betraying the storm of emotions swirling inside me. I didn’t know what I wanted—at least not in words. But my body was already betraying me, leaning into his touch, craving more.

He didn’t move, didn’t press. Just waited, his hand resting on my thigh like he had all the time in the world. His patience unnerved me, but it also pulled me in. I was used to men being hurried, rushing toward the inevitable conclusion, but Dominic was different. He was in control, and he wanted me to know it.

His thumb traced slow circles against my skin, each stroke sending a wave of warmth through me. You can tell me, he said softly, but there was nothing soft about the look in his eyes. They were dark, smoldering, watching me with a hunger that made my knees weak. Tell me what you want.

I bit my lip, feeling the pressure building inside me, a mix of desire and fear swirling in my gut. I didn’t do this. I didn’t let strangers touch me like this, didn’t let anyone get close enough to break through the walls I had so carefully built around myself. But Dominic had found a crack, and now he was prying it open, inch by inch.

I... The words wouldn’t come. Not the ones I needed. My body was on fire, every nerve ending alight with anticipation, but my mind was screaming at me to stop. To get up, walk away, and never look back.

But then his hand moved higher, his fingers brushing the sensitive skin just beneath my skirt, and the last shred of control I had slipped away. I let out a shaky breath, my body betraying me as I leaned into his touch, craving the heat of his skin against mine.

That’s what I thought, Dominic said, his voice a low growl. His lips curled into that same dark smile, the one that had first drawn me in, and in that moment, I knew there was no turning back.

Before I could think, before I could stop myself, I reached for him, my hand finding the hard muscles of his arm, the heat of his skin burning through the fabric of his shirt. I didn’t know what I was doing, but I knew one thing—I wanted more.

Dominic’s eyes darkened, his smile widening as he leaned in closer, his lips hovering just inches from mine. Tell me, Eliza, he whispered, his breath warm against my lips. Tell me what you want.

I want... My voice was barely a whisper, trembling with anticipation, but it wasn’t enough. Dominic needed more. He needed me to say it, to own it. And the truth was, I wanted to. I wanted to let go, to give in to the heat building between us, to feel his hands on me, to lose myself in the fire.

But I couldn’t. Not yet.

He must have sensed my hesitation, because his fingers stopped their slow, teasing dance against my thigh, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to stand still. Then, without warning, he pulled away, breaking the contact between us, leaving me breathless and wanting.

I’ll give you one chance to walk away, he said, his voice calm but commanding. But if you stay, you’ll be mine tonight.

The air between us crackled with electricity, and I could feel the weight of his words pressing down on me. This was it. The point of no return. One step, and there would be no going back.

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest as I looked up at him. His eyes were dark, full of promises I wasn’t sure I was ready to keep. But there was no denying the heat between us, the fire that had been smoldering from the moment we met.

And in that moment, I made my decision.

I didn’t respond to Dominic’s challenge with words. His gaze on me was like a predator stalking its prey, knowing that the final moment was inevitable. The air between us thickened, and I