Music Recommendation: Play With Fire by Sam Tinnesz
The next day…
As Allegra sits at the breakfast table lost in thought, the weight of the previous night's events hangs heavy on her mind. Donovan's presence across from her only serves to intensify her inner turmoil.
Suddenly, she stands up abruptly, excusing herself from the table without explanation. The others continue their conversation, oblivious to the turmoil brewing within Allegra.
After a few minutes, Donovan follows suit, leaving the table without a word. His departure goes unnoticed, as it's a common occurrence for him to wander off on his own.
Unbeknownst to the rest of the family, both Allegra and Donovan are grappling with their own inner demons, unsure of how to navigate the complicated emotions swirling within them.
In the seclusion of Donovan's room, away from prying eyes and listening ears, a sense of urgency fills the air as he pins Allegra to the wall, locking the door behind them. Her heart races with anticipation as she meets his gaze, the unspoken tension between them palpable.
Before she can utter a word, Donovan silences her with a kiss, his lips meeting hers with a fervor that ignites a fire within her. Unlike their previous encounter, this kiss is raw and primal, fueled by an overwhelming desire and longing that courses through their veins. Allegra surrenders to the intoxicating passion, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck as she loses herself in the heat of the moment.
Donovan's hands explore her waist, trailing down to wrap around her legs as he effortlessly lifts her, her gown allowing for easy movement as he carries her with ease. In this heated embrace, time seems to stand still as they become lost in each other, their desire and longing intertwining in a dance of passion and yearning.
In the midst of their fervent kisses, Allegra tries to speak, her voice barely a whisper amidst their passionate embrace. "Donovan?" she manages to utter, her breath hitching as his lips continue to trail kisses along her skin. Her eyes betray her desire for him, reflecting the intensity of the moment.
"Hm?" Donovan responds, his voice husky with desire as he captures her lips in another searing kiss, making it difficult for her to articulate her thoughts.
"Dono…" Allegra moans softly, the sensation of his lips against hers sending shivers down her spine.
"Say it again," he murmurs huskily, his breath hot against her skin. "I like it."
"Dono.." She gasped his name again, a low, breathless sound escaping her lips as Donovan's kisses trailed down her neck, igniting a fire within her. Arching against him, she surrendered to the intoxicating passion between them.
"The others.." she managed to say breathlessly, her voice barely audible amidst the rush of desire.
He groaned in frustration, torn between his longing for her and the reality of their situation. "Fuck, I know," he murmured, his voice husky with desire,
She looked into his eyes, seeing the raw intensity of his desire mirrored in his gaze. Donovan let out a frustrated groan, his flushed face reflecting his inner turmoil. Reluctantly, he planted one final kiss before releasing her. As she composed herself and adjusted her disheveled dress, she turned to leave.
Descending the stairs into the dining room, she tried to mask her inner turmoil with a composed facade. Donovan remained in his room, grappling with his own conflicted emotions, not ready to face the others just yet.
She sat down beside Declan, the weight of guilt heavy on her shoulders. Her mind raced with conflicting emotions, torn between her feelings for Declan and the undeniable allure of Donovan.
He was so... captivating, she thought, searching for the right words to describe the inexplicable pull Donovan had over her. He ignited desires she had never known existed, stirring a passion within her that left her feeling both exhilarated and conflicted.
But she knew deep down that what had transpired between her and Donovan wasn't right. She had to put an end to it, to resist the temptation that threatened to consume her and remain faithful to Declan.
"You seem lost," Declan remarks as they enter the room. Allegra turns to him, forcing an awkward smile.
"I'm okay. Just sad that we'll leave here soon," she replies, trying to mask her inner turmoil.
Declan smiles warmly as he approaches her, gently lifting her chin to meet his gaze. "I'm glad you settled in nicely," he says softly, leaning in to kiss her. But as their lips meet, Allegra can't shake the feeling that something is off. Kissing Declan doesn't elicit the same sparks she felt with Donovan.
"Were you with Donovan?" Declan asks, his tone tinged with curiosity.
Allegra's heart skips a beat, realizing that Donovan's lingering scent might give her away. "He and I met in the hallway when I left. We talked and hugged before saying goodbye to each other," she lies effortlessly, hoping to conceal the truth. Declan nods thoughtfully.
"At least he is warming up to you," Declan remarks with a smile, pulling her into a hug. But instead of comfort, Allegra feels a pang of guilt weighing heavily on her conscience.
As Allegra lays down to sleep, the memory of the passionate kiss between her and Donovan haunts her thoughts. She tries to push it aside, focusing instead on Declan's peaceful sleeping figure beside her. Closing her eyes, she attempts to conjure up different images, but her mind keeps returning to Donovan.
Despite her efforts to resist, she eventually succumbs to the allure of her dreams, where Donovan's presence dominates her subconscious. As sleep claims her, she finds herself entangled in a world where reality and desire intertwine, unable to escape the captivating hold Donovan has on her mind.
As the day of her departure draws nearer, Allegra finds herself consumed by a mix of emotions. The absence of Donovan, the man who has kept her mind occupied and her heart racing, leaves her feeling unsettled. When Calista reveals that Donovan left earlier, a wave of disappointment and frustration washes over Allegra.
She struggles to contain her anger, feeling as though she was merely a distraction for Donovan, a fleeting moment of excitement to pass the time. The realization that she may have been nothing more than a rebound leaves a bitter taste in her mouth, fueling her sense of betrayal and hurt. Despite her efforts to hide her true feelings, the sting of rejection lingers, casting a shadow over her impending departure.
As the realization of their imminent departure sinks in, Allegra grapples with a sense of regret and bitterness. The flames of her passion with Donovan, once so alluring, now leave her feeling scorched and betrayed. She feels like was playing with fire and now she is burnt. His unexplained absence only adds fuel to her resentment, deepening the wounds of her bruised heart.
When Declan approaches her with news of their impending departure, Allegra can only nod in response, her thoughts consumed by the tumultuous whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. She knows that leaving this place behind may offer a chance to heal, but the scars left by Donovan's absence will linger long after they've gone.