Isabella's POV.

Ezekiel and I came back to the mansion after having a blast at the beach party. I had taken one shot of wine, just enough to feel a little tipsy, while Ezekiel had refrained since he was driving. We both plopped down on the sofa, the room bathed in a soft, dim glow that matched the quiet atmosphere.

I took a deep breath, staring up at the ceiling for a moment. Then I turned to Ezekiel and asked, "Are you sleepy?"

He shook his head and asked back, "Do you want to sleep?"

I smiled faintly and shook my head. "No, not yet."

I had a playful idea in mind. The wine had loosened me up just enough. "Let's play something," I suggested, a mischievous glint in my eyes.

"Now?" Ezekiel asked, surprised but intrigued.

I nodded, sitting on the ground in front of the table while he remained on the couch. "It's simple," I explained. "Let's play truth or dare."

He didn't hesitate, agreeing with a slight chuckle. He grabbed a small bottle from the nearby table and placed it in the middle.

"Who's going first?" he asked.

"You," I said confidently, placing my chin on the table and grinning.

Ezekiel spun the bottle, and after a few rotations, it pointed right at him. I couldn't help but smile wider. "Truth or dare?"

"Truth," Ezekiel answered, his gaze meeting mine.

"I thought you'd go with dare," I teased, raising my eyebrows.

Ezekiel leaned back on the couch, narrowing his eyes playfully. "We should start the game with truth," he said.

I thought for a moment, then asked, "What was your first impression of me when we met?"

Ezekiel looked surprised at the question. He hesitated, but finally smiled and replied, "I thought you were confident and a little reckless... but in a good way."

I smirked. "Reckless, huh?"

"Are you not?" Ezekiel teased, a playful glint in his eyes.

I sighed dramatically. "Okay, now my turn." I spun the bottle, watching as it whirled on the table before landing on him again. I smirked. "Again? Truth or dare?"

"Truth," he answered, sticking with his choice.

"Truth again?" I asked, arching an eyebrow. "Are you afraid of dare?"

Ezekiel chuckled, shaking his head. "When the opponent is you, I should be."

I rolled my eyes with a sigh. "Alright then. Tell me, have you ever had a one-night stand?"

Ezekiel hesitated for a second, then said, "Umm... not yet."

I leaned forward, my voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "Do you want to try it?"

He quickly grabbed the bottle, shaking his head with a smile. "You're asking two questions. That's against the rules." With a quick spin, the bottle landed on me this time.

"Okay, I choose dare," I said confidently, leaning back with a grin.

Ezekiel raised his eyebrows, clearly amused. "You have so much confidence," he said, placing his hand on his chin, pretending to think hard about the dare.

I kept my gaze locked on him, intrigued by what he might come up with. Finally, he smirked and leaned forward, his voice low as he said, "I dare you to go out on the balcony and shout out your biggest secret."

I blinked, surprised by the dare. "Seriously?" I asked, a nervous laugh escaping me.

"That's the game," he shrugged with a mischievous glint in his eye.

I narrowed my eyes at him but stood up, walking toward the balcony. I opened the door, feeling the cool breeze against my skin, and glanced back at Ezekiel who was watching me closely. Taking a deep breath, I leaned over the railing, my heart racing.

"My biggest secret is..." I started, pausing for effect, "...I hate losing!" I shouted dramatically into the night.

Ezekiel burst into laughter as I turned around, smirking.

"You cheated," he accused playfully.

I shrugged, walking back inside. "You never said it had to be the truth!"

Actually, I said the truth. I hate losing, and it was you, Ezekiel. I hate losing to my mom. I want you—that's all I know. The thought raced through my mind as I spun the bottle again, watching it point to me.

I sighed, already bracing for his next move. "Truth?" I asked, half-smiling.

Ezekiel smiled back, sensing something beneath the surface. "Are you afraid now?" he teased.

"Yes, Mr. Ezekiel," I replied, trying to keep my tone light. "I don't know what type of dares you give."

He leaned in slightly, a playful glint in his eye. "Okay, then tell me—did you ever have a one-night stand?"

For a moment, I held his gaze, my expression unwavering. Then, with a bit of wine-fueled boldness, I finally answered, "No, but I'd love to do it." My voice came out smoother than I intended, and I let a naughty smile tug at the corner of my lips.

He raised an eyebrow, probably not expecting that. Before he could respond, I spun the bottle again. This time, it pointed at him. "Your turn," I said with a slight edge, "Truth or dare?"

Ezekiel hesitated for just a second before replying, "Dare."

I smiled, and finally, I felt in control. I took a deep breath, moved closer to him, and lowered my voice, "Do a one-night stand with me."

His reaction was immediate—shock, disbelief. He froze. "Isabella!" he stammered, his voice almost trembling. "You know what you're saying?"

I was done pretending. Fed up with the games, with his hesitations, I placed my chin on his knee, meeting his gaze with determination. "I know exactly what I'm saying," I replied softly, my voice steady despite the wild beat of my heart. "Just for one night, Ezekiel."

He looked at me, his face conflicted, his resistance slowly crumbling. "Isabella, this isn't right..."

But I wasn't moving. I had waited too long. Slowly, I rose up, sitting on his lap, and cupped his face in my hands, forcing him to look at me, to face this.

"I know you remember that night and you knew it was me," I whispered, leaning in, daring him to deny it.

"It will be our secret, Ezekiel," I whispered, my thumb grazing his lips, testing the boundaries.

"Isabella, you're out of your mind," he murmured again, his grip tightening on my wrist, trying to pull me away, yet not with the force he should have.

I held my position, my eyes searching his, filled with desire and defiance. "No, Ezekiel. I know exactly what I'm doing. Exactly what I want."

He faltered for a moment, his breath shallow and uneven. "This... isn't right," he insisted, but there was something fragile in his voice, a hesitation that betrayed the conflict within him. His resolve was cracking.

I leaned in closer, my voice a soft whisper against the air between us, "Why not? You're not with her right now. You don't owe her anything tonight. Just one night, Ezekiel. That's all I'm asking."

His jaw clenched, his eyes closing briefly as if he was searching for control, but I could feel the tension radiating from him. He was struggling, and I was so close to breaking through.

"Just one night to forget," I whispered, my lips brushing the edge of his ear, the intimacy sending shivers through both of us. The nearness, the heat, it was undeniable.

"No one will know," I added softly, inching closer. "You said you want to try new things... why not start with me?"

Ezekiel's eyes snapped open, his breath coming out in a sharp exhale. His grip on my wrists loosened, no longer trying to pull me away but still not pulling me in. He was caught in a battle within himself, but I could sense his resistance fading.

I moved back slightly from his ear, brushing my hand against his cheek as I stared into his eyes. Without waiting for his permission, I closed the gap between us and kissed him. The kiss was rough, full of pent-up emotion and frustration. I had been restless for this moment, craving it, and I didn't hold back.