You're going to be the death of me

I reached up, my fingers brushing a strand of hair from Aeliana's face. "Aeliana," I murmured, her voice filled with longing.

Aeliana's eyes widened slightly, her breath hitching. Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but no words came out. The tension between us was electric, and I could feel the raw heat radiating from her body.

Fuck, she was driving me mad. Every inch of her screamed at me to touch, to take, to claim. I wasn't in love; this wasn't some romantic bullshit. This was pure, unadulterated lust. Aeliana was a puzzle I wanted to solve with my hands and mouth, a riddle that begged to be explored in the most primal way possible.

I leaned in closer, my breath mingling with hers. I could see the hesitation in her eyes, the way she fought against the same pull I felt. It was intoxicating, knowing she wanted this just as badly but was trying to resist. It made me want her even more.

"Aeliana," I whispered, my voice rough with desire. "I can't stop thinking about you. About how you'd feel under my hands."

She shivered at my words, her eyes darkening with something that mirrored my own hunger. I knew I was playing with fire, but I didn't give a damn. The thought of having her, of feeling her writhing beneath me, was all I could focus on.

I moved my hand to her waist, pulling her closer until our bodies were nearly touching. The thin fabric of her dress did nothing to hide the heat of her skin, and I felt her muscles tense under my touch. I could sense her inner battle, the way she was fighting to keep control.

"You're driving me insane," I growled, my lips brushing against the shell of her ear. "I want you so fucking badly."

She let out a shaky breath, her hands coming up to rest on my chest. I could feel her fingers tremble, but she didn't push me away. Instead, she gripped the fabric of my shirt, as if anchoring herself.

"Ciara," she whispered, her voice trembling. "We shouldn't..."

"Shouldn't what?" I challenged, my lips skimming down the side of her neck. "Shouldn't do what we both clearly want?"

Her breath hitched again, and I felt a surge of satisfaction. She was just as affected as I was, caught in the same web of desire. I moved my hands to her hips, squeezing gently, feeling the soft curve of her body against my palms.

"You feel that?" I asked, my voice low and husky. "That's what you do to me. You make me lose control."

Aeliana's eyes fluttered closed, and I took the opportunity to press my body even closer, letting her feel the full extent of my need. My mind was a haze of lust, and I could barely think straight. All I knew was that I wanted her, needed her, more than I had ever wanted anyone.

But then, a small voice in the back of my mind reminded me of the consequences. Aeliana wasn't just some random conquest. She was complicated, and this was a mess I didn't need. If I started this, I wasn't sure I'd be able to stop. And I wasn't the type to get entangled in something I couldn't control.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I needed to back off before I did something we'd both regret. I wasn't drunk enough to make this mistake, and Aeliana deserved better than a drunken hookup in a back alley.

"Aeliana," I said, my voice strained. "We need to stop."

Her eyes opened, confusion and desire warring in their depths. "Ciara, I..."

I placed a finger on her lips, silencing her. "No, we can't. Not like this."

She looked hurt, but I knew it was the right decision. If I kissed her, if I let myself go any further, there'd be no turning back. And I wasn't sure I could handle what that would mean.

"I need to go," I said, stepping back, breaking the contact that had been driving me wild. "I can't... I won't let this happen."

Aeliana nodded slowly, the heat between us cooling, replaced by a mix of frustration and understanding. She wrapped her arms around herself, as if trying to shield against the sudden cold.

"I understand," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Thank you."

I turned and walked away, each step feeling like a struggle. Every part of me wanted to turn back, to take her in my arms and finish what we had started. But I knew better. I couldn't afford to lose myself in her, no matter how much my body screamed for it.

As I left the alley and reentered the bar, the noise and chaos of the night washed over me. But it felt hollow now, empty compared to the charged moment I'd just walked away from. I ordered a drink, trying to drown the longing that still burned in my veins.

But no amount of alcohol would erase the memory of Aeliana's touch, the way she felt against me, the way her eyes had darkened with desire. I knew I'd be thinking about her for a long time, and it pissed me off.

Damn it, Aeliana. You're going to be the death of me.