"Kiss a random man that you find attractive."
The dare echoed in Katherine's head as her eyes looked around the club that was filled with people that were clearly having a good time.
A band entertained the dancing and cheerful crowd while waitresses' served rounds of drinks.
Katherine's clear blue eyes were keen and her flame red hair was dyed brown to reduce the attention that could be directed her way.
She wasn't supposed to be out this late, mingling with the common folk of her kingdom but she wasn't one to really follow the rules.
Katherine had snuck out with her best friend, Valeria to enjoy a night out but her mouth suddenly felt dry at the thought of kissing a total stranger.
Of course the adventurous part of her wanted to do the dare and besides, she was curious.
What could a kiss feel like?
She was eighteen, and a princess so, it wasn't so surprising that she had never been kissed by a man before.
Being her father's only daughter had ensured that boys were kept a good distance from her.
Tonight was her chance to satisfy her curiosity.
"It's only truth or dare. Don't tell me you are scared Katherine?" Valeria teased and Katherine briefly glared at her.
"No, I am not scared." She replied as her eyes finally spotted a man that stood out in the crowd.
Unlike everyone around him, he seemed detached from his surroundings.
He sat at the bar alone, seemingly immersed in his thoughts.
Katherine could only see his midnight black hair and leather jacket from where she stood at a distance and she swallowed hard as she passed through the crowd, slowly walking towards him. Her heart raced in nervousness as she drew close enough to make out the outline of his chiseled jawline.
"Hi." She greeted as she sat down beside him.
Katherine involuntarily caught her breath when he turned to look at her.
He had the most captivating emerald green eyes and the way he looked at her made her more nervous.
This man was definitely scrutinizing her.
Katherine broke into a nervous smile as she waited for his reply.
"Hi." He greeted her, his voice deep and distinctively male.
"I am Katherine." She introduced herself, well aware of his eyes that were now looking at her outfit.
"Leon Jones. I don't mean to intrude but if I may ask. What is a pretty young lady doing at a club this late at night, unchaperoned?" He asked, his eyes curious as they met hers again.
Her classy outfit indicated that she was from a high social class and was probably a Lord's daughter.
Most nobles kept to themselves and did not mingle with lower class citizens so, he was quite surprised and curious to see the young lady before him.
Katherine's palms felt sweaty as she chose her next words carefully.
"This might be a little straight forward but..." She trailed off her eyes searching his to make sure she really wanted to kiss this man.
Jones patiently waited for her to continue her statement.
"May I kiss you?" She asked and he was visibly surprised at her request.
His eyes were slightly wide as he tried to decipher whether she was messing with him but she looked pretty serious.
"Why?" He asked the very first question that came to mind once he regained his composure.
Katherine was thoughtfully silent as she raked her mind for a decent response. She couldn't tell him that she had been dared and risk offending him so she told him the next real reason.
"I am curious." Katherine replied, her heart racing as her eyes met his in a fixed stare.
"I am sorry but I cannot...we don't even know each other." Jones replied logically as he averted his gaze from her enchanting blue eyes. He couldn't believe he was briefly tempted to kiss a total stranger. Maybe the single glass of alcohol he had taken earlier was starting to get to his head.
That however, wasn't really an excuse.
He was actually quite sober and a part of him wanted to kiss her for no practical reason.
He couldn't remember the last time he was this drawn to a woman and it...scared him.
Jones needed to get out and away from her.
He stood up to leave and Katherine panicked because...she didn't want him to leave.
"It won't have to mean anything. It will be totally harmless." She hurried to hold his wrist and she hated how desperate she sounded but she was relieved when he stopped and turned to face her.
Katherine's heart raced when something flickered in his eyes before he lowered his gaze and looked at her lips.
This mysterious woman was right. It was going to be a harmless kiss he was giving a virgin to satisfy her curiosity. Nothing more.
Normally, he could have said no to such a request but there was something about this woman that seemed to draw him in and before his mind could register what he was doing, he kissed her and something within him erupted at the feeling of her soft lips against his.
It felt insanely good and Jones was alarmed but he managed to keep his composure and resist deepening their kiss.
The brief touching of their lips sent a shiver through Katherine's body, her heart racing as she leaned into him, hoping to get more of the intoxicating feeling that was entirely new to her.
Her hands that were glued to her side unconsciously moved to touch him but he pulled away, breaking the kiss and leaving her feeling a little frustrated.
She wanted him to kiss her again...
Jones withdrew his hand that was lightly resting on her nape and took a step back to keep his distance and prevent himself from wildly kissing her and pinning her body to his.
He was going to be a gentleman tonight and pouncing on a gently bred lady in a public club was not very gentleman-like.
Jones brought himself to look at the pretty woman standing before him.
"I hope that was good enough for you." He flashed her a charming smile and Katherine blinked.
Their kiss had been...perfect. It had greatly exceeded her expectations for what her first kiss could be like.
"It was...nice." she replied, finding herself stuttering for the first time in ages as her eyes met his that were quite unfathomable.
"I have to get going, my lady. Enjoy the night." He offered her a small nod and walked away, leaving Katherine staring at his retreating back and wondering who he was.
Was he a noble or not?
Heaven's help her but she wanted to see him again!
Katherine subtly licked her lower lip, getting a lingering taste of the kiss that was meant be totally harmless.
Her brows furrowed slightly into a frown as she realized with a gnawing intensity that being kissed by this stranger had awakened something within her.
Something entirely foreign yet... strangely welcome.