Arian's stomach clenched with dread and unease as she parked her father's car in front of the Wilder Pub. Though it was just called a pub, she knew from their website that they offered more than booze. Way more.
Since it was ran by the powerful Wilder family, they catered to a lot of elites as well. It was a place where both minimum wage workers and millionaires could come and enjoy a fun time.
Arian wasn't one to judge others, but hedonism was never something she would be able to stomach. She was more reserved when it came to sexual stuff and she firmly believed that having random sex partners wasn't good for one's mental health.
As she walked inside she took a deep breath to prepare herself for what she might see as she made her way up to the second floor. Drunks, naked bodies and maybe actual intercourse. She could handle it. She may be reserved, but she wasn't a kid. She was 18 years old.
Entering, she was immediately hit by the scent of air freshener mixed with pizza and the endless chatter of voices and glasses hitting the table.
Clutching her bag tighter, she walked up to the receptionist seated behind the desk. Both the quality of the desk and the woman's attire made her appear far more fancy than any common waitress or cashier.
"Excuse me, um, my cousin Jessica Walker checked in here earlier today. Around 5pm. She texted me saying she was extremely drunk and on the 2nd floor, Room 108. I'm here to collect her."
The receptionist briefly looked at her before glancing down at the touchscreen monitor, scrolling through several rows of names and rooms before she got to the room Arian mentioned. "Um, yes, I see here, the name Jessica Walker."
She leaned back slightly, her hands hovering over the keyboard. "This room is one of our most exclusive ones and we guarantee complete privacy to our clients. I'm afraid I can't just let you up."
Arian pulled out her phone and showed the woman her text messages from Jessica. "This is her. I'm definitely not invading her privacy cause she asked me to come."
The receptionist looked through the texts before nodding. "Alright, but go straight there. And I'll have to take your phone before I let you up."
Arian was taken aback. "Take my phone?"
"Yes," the woman stated. "As I already said, the rooms on the upper levels are private. We can't run the risk of you recording something and posting it; it would be bad for business." She held out her hand. "Give me your phone, get you friend and I'll return it to you once you're back down. Company policy."
For a brief moment Arian was tempted to just walk out and leave Jessica to her problems. Then she signed and handed over her phone.
The receptionist took the phone, vacated her seat and went behind the double doors for a whole minute before coming back with a key.
She set the key on the desk. "Go down that hall and take the elevator."
"Thank you." Arian took the key, walked to where she was directed and got into the elevator. As she ascended, she rubbed her arms and thought about the pile of revision she had left to do before her math final. What a complete waste of time this was. Jessica was lucky she was family, cause if this were just a friend she would just cut ties with them.
Going out by yourself and getting so drunk you can't get yourself home was the epitome of stupid.
And doing it all to get the attention of a man who treated women like sex objects, even more stupid.
The elevator dinged as it got to the second floor and Arian's eyes widened with surprise when she saw how much nicer the upstairs hallway was.
The walls were painted gold.
The floor was a lush red carpet.
And the high ceiling was lined with chandeliers.
Damn, was she stepping into a palace or a fuck house?
As she proceeded down the hall, she noticed there were several mirrors hanging on either sides of the wall and security cameras installed every time she turned a corner.
Why did I have to hand over my phone if they're recording? Is this really just a safety measure?
She moved with urgency towards her target, feeling very uncomfortable and wanting to leave. The second floor did not feel normal the way the first one had. She couldn't hear any sounds coming from the rooms she passed. The silence was eerie. Were the rooms soundproofed as well? Probably.
"105, 106, 107, 108! Fuck, finally. Gods this place is huge." Arian raised her hand and knocked even as she slid her key into the lock. "Jess, it's me, I'm coming in."
Opening the door, she stepped into a pitch black room, only illuminated by the light in the hallway. "Jess, why is---"
Her words were cut off when the lights suddenly turned on and she saw who was in the room with her.
Sprawled on a massive velvet couch like a king, Jace Wilder eyed her with dark amusement. "About time you got here, sweetness."
His deep voice reverberated across the room, charging the air between them.
Arian's jaw dropped in shock, her eyes now scared as opposed to wary. "What's, why are you the one here? Where is Jessica?" Her eyes spun around the opulent room just once before going back to him.
Jace rose to his full height and stalked forward. "Jessica's not here. She was never here to begin with. You think I'd let that flimsy nobody come to my room?"
Arian took a step back. "Your room? This is your...but she sent me a text asking me to come get her!" Her voice shook as she took another step back. She was about to turn and run back into the hallway when Jace grabbed her wrist and yanked her hard, causing her to fall down.
"Ah!"
He quickly locked the door and leaned against it, folding his arms.
Arian pushed herself up from the floor and eyed the man. She was in danger. She should have never come here. "What...what do you want Jace? And where is Jessica if she's not here?"
Jace's dark eyes drank her in. From the tip of her head to the tips of her sneakers, lingering on the swell of her breasts and the curve of her hip. His cock immediately grew hard. Fuck, she wasn't even naked yet and still managed to elicit such a strong response from him.
Why did this woman, who dressed like an aged librarian, have such a strong effect on him?
No games tonight. He would finally claim what was his.
"I don't know where your friend is. Earlier today, I asked her to lend me her phone. I'm the one who send you that text an hour ago." He smiled, enjoying her panicked response.
Arian was about to pull out her phone when she remember the receptionist had taken it. "You tricked me into coming here? And Jessica helped you?"
"Helped me?" Jace laughed, the sound of it causing goosebumps to rise on her skin. "Nah, your brainless cousin doesn't know anything. She was only too happy to lend me her phone. Probably thought I'd fuck her as a reward. Ha! Ha! What an easy bitch."
Arian's fists clenched at the insult he'd directed towards Jessica. Though she knew her cousin was a bit careless and foolish, she didn't like how Jace was talking about her like she was dirt. She was so angry, her brief shock from him knowing they were related, instantly evaporated. "So you took advantage of her? She clearly likes you and you used it against her. As expected. I knew you were trash from the moment I met you."
Jace's expression grew angry at the insult. "Trash? Have you forgotten I'm a Wilder. I could buy and sell your entire family."
"Ha, ha." Arian sneered. "This ain't the medieval age, dumbass. And don't think your wealth absolves you from consequences. Rich doesn't mean bulletproof."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Enough talk. I brought you here for a reason." He prowled towards her like a wolf. Expecting another retreat, he was surprised when the little lamb stood her ground, tilting her chin up.
He reached out to touch her face when she slapped his hand away. His lips tightened at her boldness. He grabbed both her hands and pinned her arms to her side.
"Let go of me!" Arian struggled but she was no match for his strength. "I'll scream!"
Jace walked her back and pushed her onto the couch he had been sitting on. "Scream? Sweetness, I run this place. Who'd come to save you? That's assuming anyone even heard you. The rooms are soundproof."
Jace tried to lay his body on top of hers, but Arian thrashed wildly and managed to escape his grip. She got to her feet, eyes on the door when he pulled her back, slamming her into the cushions and pinning her hands beside her head.
"If you don't wanna get hurt, I suggest you behave yourself." He breathed hotly, straddling her waist.
"Motherfucker! I'll kill you! I already said no! Can't you take a hint?!" Arian squirmed as she felt his arousal through his jeans. Her face flushed with embarrassment.
"Wow, such crude language from the nerd. But, hey, I kind of like it. I don't want some geek in my bed." He groaned. "Keep squirming like that and I'll fuck you right here."
Arain tried to free her hands from his bruising grip. "You can't do this! If I don't consent, it's called rape! I'll go to the police!"
He leaned down and pressed his chest against hers, whispering into her ear. "You came here on your own. The cameras will reveal that. And who do you think the police will believe? If anything, you'd look like a crazy bitch trying to frame a rich man. Don't forget the power my family has."
Arian knew he was right. As much as she hated to admit it. She had been duped so efficiently and now she was trapped with this notorious man who treated women like conquests.