A/N: Hey everyone! I had so much fun writing this chapter, I hope you guys have a blast reading it! A few nights ago, I took the time to do a massive edit of the entire story, fixing a few sentences here and there while also correcting typos and what not. I think it all flows really nicely! I've actually grown extremely proud of this story and I'm also proud of myself for being so diligent and committed to completing it for you all.
And now for some review responses from the last chapter!
InfinityMars: Every time you review, I get a huge smile on my face. It means so much to know that you have stuck with this story for awhile now and have left more than one review, it really makes me want to write more and update faster. Saying that I have written David's character perfectly in your last review was the BEST possible compliment I could have received because that was my biggest insecurity in my writing from the beginning. Thank you so much!
Momma Kay: I was FLOORED after reading that you actually created a profile just to leave a review for my story. What an amazing compliment and your enthusiasm for each chapter is seriously so inspiring to me. Also, I apologize for killing you with all of the cliffhangers! I actually didn't intend for so many chapters to end that way, but David always likes to go out with a bang, doesn't he?
WithLoveForever: You have been such a dedicated supporter of this story and I sincerely can't thank you enough. I understand your protests about the last chapter's length and the way David spoke to Regine BUT I wanted the last chapter to be one complete scene without a lot of cuts, to really focus on their interaction after the scene with Jerry. Also, I don't know if it came across in the chapter, but I tried to make it seem like David hadn't fed in awhile (at least a day?) leaving him slightly more irritable and grumpier than usual. I also wanted him to be brutally honest with Regine, opening her eyes to how well he truly knows her because he might see those things within himself as well. Hope you can forgive me? xx
Regine gulped, frantically searching her mind for a decent excuse that wouldn't make her sound like a total buzzkill in front of him.
It wasn't that she didn't want a ride on the back his motorcycle, feeling deprived of his touch after being denied their usual meeting in the Pink Room that night –– thanks a lot Jerry –– but something was still preventing her from taking him up on his offer. Perhaps it was precisely because the act of wrapping her arms around his toned abdomen was almost too appealing to her, leaving her increasingly afraid and anxious to even look at him in the eye now. Not only that, but the familiar comfort of her bed was calling her name, where she was safe and alone, undisturbed in her own little world. Protected.
And yet...
The expression on his face as he looked at her now could only be described as pure sin incarnate, almost daring her to accept his offer. This boy was going to be the death of her, she swore inwardly.
"I don't have a helmet," she stated dumbly, matching his stance by crossing her arms and glancing at the Triumph parked behind him, its opaque blackness and threatening size practically screaming 'danger.'
He shook his head, the silver of his earring catching her eye under the dim yellow light above him. "Don't need one."
Regine was still not convinced and it must have shown on her face because he placed his hand over his heart and smiled with oversaturated sweetness. "You got nothing to worry about, Regine. I promise."
She chewed on her lip as she deliberated. Who knew if she'd ever get this opportunity again, his offer expiring after her second rejection once and for all. He seemed to be over his weird moodiness from their talk in the dressing room, but she wasn't sure she wanted to push his buttons anymore that night. Thinking back to their discussion on the Ferris wheel, Regine had mulled over all of the missed opportunities she had let fly by her over the years because of her apprehensiveness, always overthinking everything until eventually convincing herself out of trying anything new. Her body ached, muscles feeling sluggish and weak, the ever present dull pain in her neck making it difficult for her to turn her head even just a few inches. She doubted her present physical state would be strong enough to defend against another run-in with Jerry, no matter how angry she was at him. Pure will alone would not be enough to overpower a spurned, volatile man who wanted to hurt her. It would probably be good for her to relax on David's bike rather than embark alone on her journey home on foot, more responsible.
Yeah, that was it.
"You know what? Why the hell not," she resolved, closing the distance between them with a few steps in his direction. "Just don't go all Evel Knieval on me, alright?"
He pivoted, swinging one leg over the shining black bike and grasping one of the handlebars to balance himself.
"Wouldn't dream of it," he mocked, holding his hand out for her. "C'mere."
Still a little wary, she reached out to meet him with shaking fingers, feeling him draw her closer to where he was seated. Using their intertwined fingers to steady herself, she copied his movement and swung her leg over the side, placing herself behind him and thanking the gods she had decided to wear her black skinny jeans and heavy blazer that night. Hesitant to touch him at first, she kept her arms at her sides, awkwardly sitting there until she heard him clear his throat in front of her.
This shouldn't have been as nerve-wracking as it was, the memory of her hands roaming up and down David's body in the Pink Room reminding her that this was not foreign territory here. For some reason, it just felt more real in this moment, touching him intimately – out in the open and for free no less. He wasn't paying her to ride on his motorcycle, all of this being on her own free will, intimidating her to the point that she had to stifle the need to run away like the scared weakling she was. Knowing he wouldn't start the engine until she was in position, her hands reluctantly found their way to the sides his body, gently pressing against his leather jacket covered waist, fingers nowhere near close enough to meet around his middle. Taking this as progress, David wasted no time starting the engine, making it roar to life as he glanced down at her small hands, letting the bike warm up before taking off.
"You might wanna hang on a little tighter than that, sweetheart," he called over the humming engine, a hint of a smile in his voice. He was definitely enjoying this, much to her annoyance. Feeling defiant, she took it upon herself to wrap her arms a little too tightly around him, squeezing his middle until she was sure she was suffocating him. However, it only seemed to add to his pleasure, eliciting a laugh she could feel rumble deep in his stomach, completely unharmed. "That's better."
The bike surged forward with more thundering force than Regine had anticipated, causing her to literally shriek in surprise, her eyes snapping shut in humiliation.
And then they were flying.
With her arms snaked around him and her eyes still closed, she felt weightless. Just like everything else he did, David rode his Triumph with meticulous precision, cutting corners and accelerating at just the right times, Regine couldn't help but be impressed despite her rising anxiety levels.
They did not ride in silence.
Regine just couldn't help it, little yelps escaped her mouth when he'd take off after a red light and loud screams of surprise cracked through the air as he raced down the vacant streets of Santa Carla at light speed. She knew David was showing off for her, even letting out a few of his own hollers as they bounded down a particularly dark road, making it twice as terrifying for Regine and about a hundred times more fun for him. He never once looked back at her, his concentration focused entirely on the road, completely in his element. She didn't mind. It was like riding on a roller coaster.
No, it was better.
All the fear and confusion from the night seeped out of her as Regine clung to him, the thrill and speed creating the most heavenly distraction from everything real. The wind whipped violently through her hair but she didn't care. Her eyes were wide open now as they zoomed past the bright burst of lights on the boardwalk, the crowd of adolescent misfits and towering attractions disappearing behind them with a blink of an eye. She never wanted it to end, too distracted to remember the precise moment she had dipped her arms underneath his jacket to wrap around the tight muscles of his abdomen, the only thing separating them now being his thin black t shirt.
For the life of her, she also couldn't pinpoint the moment David had covered her entwined hands with one of his own, holding her to him, making her feel secure with just a single brush of his fingertips.
"Turn here," she yelled in his ear after recognizing the familiar avenue leading up to her apartment building. They were almost at their destination, his small nod being the only indication that he had actually heard her, removing his hand from hers to grab onto the handlebar, turning onto her street.
Slowing down to cruise through the quiet neighborhood, Regine hunched her body and relished in the feel of being so close to David for what few short minutes they had left. Feeling more comfortable on the back of the bike, she rested her cheek between his shoulder blades, breathing in his scent and smiling to herself as she pressed against the soft leather of his jacket.
How many girls had been in her exact position, cuddled up behind him as he made them swoon with this whole bad boy act? Regine frowned a little, the thought of David being with other girls never crossing her mind before this instant. It wasn't like they were anything even remotely resembling a couple, but she wondered if there were others who were kept up late at night, thinking of him, dreaming of frost blue eyes. There was no way in hell she'd ask him about it now, knowing it wasn't her place, but the thought of him being with somebody else continued to eat away at her as they approached her apartment.
As they pulled up to the curb directly in front of her building, she let her arms loosen around him with more reluctance than she cared to admit, the low purring of the engine being the only sound rumbling through the desolate suburban area. Running both hands through her hair trying to tame the tresses that now had too much body due to the blustering wind, she caught his eye as he turned to look at her with a crooked grin, eyes wild.
"You enjoy that?" he asked in a rasping voice, his hair ruffled from the harsh breeze.
"It was incredible!" she exclaimed, grabbing onto his broad shoulder and using it as leverage to maneuver herself off the bike, her ears still ringing. "That's it, you've converted me! I think I need one of my own now. Just like this one," she finished, tracing the side of the bike with her finger in admiration.
He chuckled. "Then who would I have to ride on the back of mine?"
"I'm sure you'd be able to find someone with relative ease," she slipped, letting her previous suspicions and jealousies take control of her teasing, her cheeks burning in the horror of it all.
He looked taken aback for a split second as she stood before him, regaining composure of his expression before she could blink, quickly closing his parted mouth, replacing it with a smug smile instead. "No one that looks like you, gorgeous. That I know for sure."
Regine fought the urge to roll her eyes, seeing through his rehearsed act instantly. Didn't he realize yet that she knew the games he was playing? Was this the part where she was supposed to bat her eyes at his every word, dropping to her knees before him and swearing her undying love for him?
She wished for the day when they'd both be able to take off their respective masks and let the other see who they truly were.
Today would not be that day, it seemed, not with the way he was grinning at her now, brows raised with conviction.
Regine sighed and shook her head. "Good night, David," she said sternly.
He bowed his head in mock defeat, eyes dragging up to meet hers once again. "Good night, Regine," he repeated in the same tone, taunting her.
Smiling, she took her chances and stepped forward, stealing a quick kiss on his cheek, feeling the soft stubble that covered the cold skin there. "Thanks for the ride," she whispered.
He didn't respond, just examined her face, eyes glinting with what looked like hunger or desire, Regine couldn't be sure which as she turned away from him and headed toward the stairs of her building, careful not to look over her shoulder at him again for her own heart's sake.
The pink and blue neon lights of the Doll House sign could be seen glowing from a mile away when the sun eventually went down in Santa Carla. Those lights were getting closer and closer as Regine bounded down the sidewalk, sweating buckets. Practically dragging her huge duffel bag on the gravel behind her, she sprinted across the street, with her shift starting in just ten minutes.
Avoiding aimless pedestrians as best she could, she finally made it to the club, huffing and puffing, waving a quick hello to Andrew before dashing inside. Sweat was forming at the nape of her neck as she snuck passed the bar and scurried into the dressing room, blatantly hiding from Vinnie. A few girls were scattered around the room when she entered, some half naked and cackling about something, others moping at their vanity, staring coldly at their reflection with dead eyes. Just another normal night at Doll House, she thought to herself as she scanned each face for Jenna's dark beauty, seemingly running late herself.
It was dreadfully hot that day and Regine couldn't be bothered to fuss with her hair before going on, choosing to pile it high on her head in a ponytail instead. She quickly made work of her clothes and slipped into her white lingerie, throwing a silk negligée over to give her something extra to shed on stage. Frantically fanning herself to keep her makeup from melting due to the blistering temperature, she heard her name being introduced from the main room, sending her in a flurry to the platform, pushing passed a few peeved dancers on the way.
The song was one she had danced to a thousand times before, making it easier for Regine to repeat her usual moves instead of improvising new ones on the spot. Knowing it was a complete impossibility, her eyes still skimmed the audience, searching for Jerry's familiar timid smile among the strange faces. There was no way he'd ever be let back in the club after last night, but her stomach was still in knots as she examined every individual sitting before her.
Eyeing a young couple in the corner, nestled together with a bottle of champagne all to themselves, Regine sauntered over. She loved when couples came into the club, it usually meaning a fantasy was being fulfilled. Whether it belonged to either party always revealed itself overtime and they were usually very responsive, keeping the tips flowing and the drama to a minimum. The two seemed to be enjoying the attention as Regine bent her body for their gaze, the girl timidly placing a single in the shoulder strap of her nighty with a wary smile while her boyfriend watched the interaction with lusty appreciation.
Yep, his fantasy. No doubt about it.
She gave the two a flirtatious smile and backed away from them toward the pole, her eyes never leaving theirs. Removing her negligée with practiced ease, she wrapped her leg around the silver pole and twisted around it slowly, inching to the floor. Throwing her head back, she caressed her body, focusing her attention now to the male sitting alone in the center of the crowd, wearing an expensive suit and an arrogant smile. Winking at him, Regine slowly lowered herself onto the floor, slinking in his direction on her hands and knees, hoping he liked what he saw.
His smile only grew wider as she approached, his hand fishing for a few bills in his coat pocket, making Regine's eyes shine with delight. Lying on the cold floor before him and arching her back, she felt his fingers slip the money between the waist band of her white lace underwear, the recognizable feeling of victory rushing through her as she slithered away from him.
The air in the room was hot and thick, the smell of cheap beer and cigarette smoke permeating the atmosphere as she continued to sway her hips for the crowd. Rising to her feet, she found her way to the pole again, grinding her body against it to the beat of the music, wasting no time to unhook her bra and fling it on the floor, leaving her exposed. Her audience cheered as she placed her arms over her head and slid down the cold silver pole, gazing out at her doting admirers.
A flash of white caught her eye immediately, drawing her attention over to the bar. There, alone with his back to the bar, was David. For the first time since his original visit to the club, he was actually here to see her perform, a glass of whiskey in his right hand and his face intense, watching her every move. Regine couldn't help but feel a wave of unease spread through her entire body as she scrutinized her every move for the remainder of the song.
Was he upset? Jealous? She couldn't be sure from such a great distance but she swore she could see his jaw clench and unclench repeatedly as he watched her.
Regine continued to dance but didn't dare approach any other members in the audience in case he actually was upset. She did not need to be the cause of another fight on the floor for the second night in a row. Vinnie just might get fed up enough to fire her this time.
With the melody slowly drifting to a close, she made her way off the stage to the applause of the crowd, almost tripping on her heel as she bent to gather her tossed clothing from the polished crimson stage. Her best plan of action would be to ignore him until he would – hopefully – get the hint and wait for her in the Pink Room. If she greeted him at the bar now, rumors would start flying between the dancers that he was her boyfriend, and she didn't want to ruffle Vinnie's feathers more than she already had that week. Marching straight to the dressing room without looking back, she nearly collided with Jenna's back, who had been walking in the same direction a few feet ahead of her.
"Oops," Regine blurted in surprise as Jenna whirled around, stumbling back a few steps. "I'm sorry! Didn't see you there."
Jenna only giggled. "In a hurry or somethin'?"
"A little," she breathed, grabbing her hand and leading them to the dressing room at a faster pace, letting the door slam behind them. "He's here."
Jenna blinked.
"And that's surprising to you because…?"
"He's never here when I go on," she explained, feeling frantic. "If Vinnie sees me talking to him, he'll get the wrong idea. Should I just wait it out? You know, stay out of sight? I can just stay in here until he leaves or something."
Jenna rubbed her palms over her face in exasperation. "Girl, you're about to give me wrinkles with all this drama you keep bringin' in here. Handle it. I won't have you hiding in the back room all night when you should be out there making money. Ignore him if you have to, or don't. It's really up to you."
Regine shuddered at her words. She was being so weak, hating the fact that Jenna had to see her like this, she deserved to be scolded. The experienced dancer was someone she always aspired to be, never letting her emotions take over her work or taking anyone's crap, especially a customer. It didn't matter that David was there, she wasn't going to let it stop her from going about her shift, business as usual. At least, that's what Jenna would do in her position.
"You're right, you're so right," she affirmed. "I'm sorry for coming to you with all this crap. I'm gonna be better."
Jenna exhaled a deep breath and smiled back at her, placing a hand on Regine's shoulder. "You know I'm just lookin' out for you, right?"
"Yeah, I know," she replied, matching her smile, not caring in the least that she was still topless. "Sometimes I just need that kick in the ass."
"That's what I'm here for!"
"Thanks mom," Regine teased, snickering as the brunette lunged forward to swipe her on the arm for that snide comment.
Striding out onto the main floor with her head held high, she purposely avoided looking in the direction of the bar. She could only be so confident, fearing that one glance at David would shatter her composure completely. What she wanted most was to talk to Andrew. She wanted to thank him for last night, even though he wasn't the one who threw the first punch, he had most certainly played a key role in protecting her like he always did. Jenna would probably yell at her again if she saw her hiding outside with the security guard though, so she had to tough it out on the main floor for just a little while longer. Attempting to locate that cute couple from earlier to take her mind off things, she headed to their previously occupied seats in the corner adjacent to the stage, only to find it deserted when she got there.
Damn, someone else must have gotten to them first.
Disappointed at the loss of easy money, her heart nearly jumped into her throat as someone roughly tapped her on the shoulder. Apprehensive, she turned around slowly, only to be faced with Ivy and her sourpuss expression staring daggers at her.
"Let me guess," Regine sighed before Ivy could open her pouty mouth. "Vinnie?"
"Wow, you do catch on fast," she sneered before huffing away, causing Regine to bubble over in annoyance.
"What can I say? I'm gifted," she called back sweetly, turning around before Ivy could say anything else. Regine wasn't in the mood for any of her unnecessary rudeness tonight.
Forcing herself over to the bar, she had to fight her way through the throng of men who were impatiently waiting to order their drink, careful not to get too close to any of them in case one tried to secretly cop a feel without security noticing. The club was so packed that night, Vinnie was behind the bar pouring various bottles of liquor into small glasses, with little beads of sweat covering his forehead as she pushed her way to him.
"Hey Vinnie," she called to the overwhelmed Italian whose head snapped up at the sound of his name. Once his eyes focused on her, they narrowed in resentment, and Regine was grateful he was too swarmed with work to give her a thorough lecture about last night.
All but throwing a small bundle of money at her, he wasted no time and went straight back to making drinks. "You know the drill," he stated without looking at her.
Regine closed her eyes and stashed the money as she turned on her heel, moping over to the Pink Room with a frown. "Of course I do," she mumbled to herself.
She was dreading this dance. She was dreading David's moodiness. She was scared of the future.
Would the jealousy be too much for him? Would he stop coming in to see her? These questions were haunting her mind as she sulked to the corner of the club, slowly coming to the realization that she actually enjoyed seeing him every night. What was once an anxiety-ridden situation involving the two of them was now an exciting routine she was starting to look forward to. The passed week had been a whirlwind, his presence being the driving force that kept her on her toes, giving her butterflies and reddening her cheeks on her thoughtful walks from work and those quiet moments before falling asleep in the early mornings.
Maybe she was being too conceited, overestimating his interest in her again. She was merely projecting her own growing feelings onto him without any evidence to confirm any of her paranoid thoughts.
All she could do now was face the music (literally) and enjoy what might be her last private dance with David before he realized she wasn't worth his trouble. Tucking an escaped tendril behind her ear, she breathed deeply and entered the dark room as quietly as she could. She had absentmindedly chosen "Memories Fade" by Tears For Fears to play before walking in, too preoccupied to think outside of the box of her usual favorite songs. The soothing melody instantly filled the room, setting her at ease somewhat for what she was about to do.
Her eyes searched for his form on the couch and she was not disappointed. He had forgone his jackets that night, most likely due to the unbearable heat, and he sat before her in his usual black t shirt, the same one she had wrapped her arms around just the night before. She secretly wondered if he knew how much she liked his arms, displaying them around her whenever he could for the sole purpose of teasing her.
At first, she just watched him without moving, taking in every inch of him, trying to memorize his perfection before it was out of her grasp forever. Everything seemed to move in slow motion from that point on, for when his eyes met hers from across the room, he shot up to his feet and bounded toward her with fierce urgency.
Regine's eyes went wide as he approached her, his expression hard and inscrutable, his strides elongated until they reached her. She was panicking, reliving the events of last night and feeling so completely helpless that she simply stood there, waiting for him to unleash his anger and jealousy onto her. This scene was all too familiar now, a strange form of acceptance filling her as he charged forward. David was dangerous and Regine had sensed it from the very beginning, only she was just too foolish to admit it to herself despite the unwavering signs.
It was his eyes – the darkness that radiated within his irises, almost like deep onyx waves crashing against a sapphire ocean. How could she not have known? She should have run far away from him the first moment they met eyes across the dance floor at St. Mary's, his cold stare being enough evidence for anyone normal to stay away from someone like that.
Except she was drawn to it like a moth to the flame. His darkness intrigued her as much as it frightened her. There was a reason for the mask David donned around others, and Regine couldn't find it within herself to feel surprised as she stood there, frozen in place, waiting for him to show her how evil he really was.
So she let him grab her roughly by the waist and press her into the wall so hard that it hurt, she almost expected it.
What she was not expecting, however, was for him to cover her lips with his own with raw force, pure passion and lust pouring out of him in waves. With her body flush against the wall, Regine's brain almost shut down completely, her thoughts at a total standstill and her eyes snapped closed as he kissed her.
He was kissing her.
David.
He was actually kissing her. Right now.
Trying to process what was happening, her eyes nearly rolled back into her head as she tried to focus, the feel of his lips moving against hers proving to be quite the distraction. Her body was kicked into overdrive instantly, and before she knew it, she was kissing him back, too.
She kissed him with the same fervor and enthusiasm that matched his own, taking his bottom lip into her mouth and sucking on it lightly, eliciting the faintest groan from the back of his throat. She smiled against his mouth before he did the same to her, gripping her hips and pressing himself into her as he did so. David's lips were soft and forceful all at once as he eagerly inclined his head to the side to dominate more of her mouth with his. He tasted like whiskey and smoke and heaven, hypnotizing Regine as she shivered in ecstasy. Without breaking the kiss, his hands roamed down to her legs, snaking around them and lifting her up against the wall. Carnal instinct completely taking over her, Regine wasted no time and wrapped her legs around his waist, feeling his arms wrapped around her thighs, gripping them and supporting her weight.
Opening her mouth and inviting him in, she felt his tongue graze across hers, massaging it in measured, agonizing circles. Her knees would've completely given out right then and there if she was still standing and she was thankful for his strong hands that were holding her upright, massaging the soft skin of her thighs with his fingers. Copying his ministrations, she heard him growl into her mouth, fingers pressing tighter into her skin hard enough to leave bruises.
David's mouth was hot on hers as they moved against each other. Her arms were thrown around his shoulders, her fingers threaded into the blond hair at the base of his neck, yanking a little too hard at the roots when he'd use his tongue to flick against hers in a new, exciting way. His kisses were rough and demanding, like he was claiming her for his own, giving Regine a sneaking suspicion that perhaps there had been some jealousy at the sight of her dancing for all to see earlier. She returned his hot intensity, using her teeth to nip at his lower lip during her suckling, pulling him even closer to her body with need. Taking a chance, Regine bit down a little more, just enough to cause a bit of pain, and his sharp intake of breath sounded like music to her ears as he kissed her harder.
Her whole body was on fire as their tongues continued to tease and caress and stroke the other, leaving her to writhe her hips against his with a few soft sighs escaping her mouth between kisses. She heard him exhale in amusement after a particularly loud groan was pulled out of her but Regine didn't care.
She didn't care that she was putty in his hands. She didn't care that just a few second ago, she genuinely believed that he was capable of hurting her.
All she cared about in this moment was David's cold lips against hers, his hard body pressed into her own as they kissed.
Her hands moved from his hair to grip his shoulders while his grabbed onto her hips securely, pinning her more closely to the wall. His tongue was moving at a slower rhythm against hers now, exploring her mouth with relaxed ease as she let him take control. When Regine was sure she could kiss him until she ran out of air for good, he broke contact, depriving her of his perfect mouth as he pressed his forehead against hers, eyes gazing into her own. While his expression had softened somewhat, the darkness was still swimming behind those blue eyes as they bore into her. Their ragged breathing was the only sound between them now, except for Regine's thumping heart, as she anticipated his next move.
His eyes were searching for something within hers, peering deep from within until he opened his mouth to speak, their slick foreheads still touching.
"You're mine," he asserted, his voice a few octaves deeper than normal, enunciating each world clearly, baring his teeth. Almost immediately, he released her from his grasp, leaving her legs to gently slip down the wall until her feet hit the ground.
Without another word from either of them, he stepped away from her and walked out the door, leaving a sweaty and perplexed Regine behind him.
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