Craved by the Wrong Volkov-Chapter 267: A reckless night

He kissed her, and her mind went blank. He really kissed her.

The world narrowed to the press of his lips against hers. It was scorching and consuming. His mouth tasted faintly of whiskey.

Joey’s hands didn’t stay idle. They framed her face, his thumbs brushing her cheekbones like he was afraid she’d vanish if he let go. It puzzled her that he was treating a stranger so delicately. She fought back with the last of her sanity. She shouldn’t be making out with a hot stranger.

"Joey..." Her voice cracked as she managed to pull back an inch, palms flat against his chest. His heartbeat thundered under her fingers. "You’re not thinking clearly. You’re drunk. I can’t..." She tried to break free. Honestly, she did, because she was aware her heart could not handle the seduction.

He didn’t let her finish. His lips claimed hers again, slower this time, like he was memorizing the shape of her mouth, like he was searching for something he’d lost a long time ago and had finally found buried under layers of denial.

His lips then trailed lower to her jaw, tracing her chin like he worshipped her. She was lost. Lust was slowly consuming her.

Her brain screamed at her to shove him away. She should stop this. She should stop him. She was just the girl who watched from the side, the side character who didn’t have to be involved, but his kisses melted her resolve.

He was the one drunk on alcohol, but she was completely wasted on lust. Her fingers curled into his shirt instead.

She hated how easily her body betrayed her, how her mouth softened under his, how her breath hitched when his tongue brushed hers, tentative at first.

Heat bloomed low in her belly. It slowly gathered between her legs, and she felt the hard length of him press against her hip. In a second she was flipped onto the bed, and he loomed over her. His dark eyes, filled with desire, stared down at her before he captured her lips again.

Her knees trembled. This was bad. He was a notorious playboy who knew how many women he had in his bed. She broke the kiss just long enough to gasp, "Joey, wait... stop. We..." She could barely speak because of his kisses.

She remained flushed under him. He stilled, resting his forehead against hers as his breathing grew ragged. His voice came out low and husky with lust, slurred at the edges from the alcohol.

"If you really wanted me to stop, sweetheart," he murmured, lips brushing the corner of her mouth, "you would’ve kicked me in the balls by now."

The words landed like a slap and a caress at the same time. Because he was right. She hadn’t. Her face burned all the way to her ears. He nibbled her ear as he whispered like a devil, "I’d love to see how those pretty eyes would roll." He chimed, "Your body is practically begging for it, and I’m certain you’re fucking wet now."

Her hands were still fisted in his shirt, knuckles white. Her thighs pressed together instinctively, trying to ease the sudden aching throb between them. Every rational thought was being consumed.

She wanted this.

She’d wanted this for so long but could never have it, and now his mouth was on her neck, open and slow, teeth grazing the sensitive skin just below her ear, and the noise in her head went quiet.

One more kiss.

Just one more.

She tilted her head back, giving him room, and he took it, his lips trailing fire down her throat while his hands slid under her shirt, rough palms skimming the bare skin of her waist. She shivered, arching into the touch despite herself.

"Tell me to stop if you dare," he whispered against her collarbone, voice wrecked.

She couldn’t speak. She opened her mouth. Nothing came out.

Instead, her fingers slid into his hair, tugging him back up so she could kiss him again.

"I thought so," he smirked before kissing her harder this time, without restraint.

He groaned low in his throat, the sound vibrating through her. He parted her legs, pressing his hard bulge against her through her wet panties. The hardness of him pressed insistently against her core through their clothes, sending a sharp spike of pleasure that made her gasp into his kiss. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

For one dangerous, perfect night, she let herself give in to temptation. It was just one night, and it should mean nothing. The rest of the night was a blur of drunken lust. She didn’t remember how long it lasted, but he didn’t stop until he passed out drunk after releasing inside her. Poor Genny lost count. Joey slumped against her and hugged her in his sleep.

It was a wild, reckless night, and the experience felt worth it. At least she thought so.

---

The room was dark hours later, around 4 a.m. Genny didn’t fall asleep despite being exhausted. Her mind was still reeling from what had happened.

She slept with Joey Alvarez. Damn.

Moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting silver shadows across the tangled sheets. Joey lay beside her, his arm wrapped tightly around her waist.

She stared at the ceiling.

His breathing was uneven. Then his voice broke.

"Amber..."

Her heart stilled.

He shifted slightly, tightening his grip. "Amber... why don’t you love me?" he murmured in his sleep. "I’m sorry... I’m sorry..."

The name echoed in the darkness. Again and again. Each time it felt like a blade sliding between her ribs. Tears slipped silently into her hair.

He wasn’t holding her. He was holding someone else. Even in sleep, she wasn’t the one he wanted.

Something cracked inside her as the painful reality settled in.

He held her tightly while calling another woman’s name over and over, asking why she didn’t love him, asking for forgiveness. That night she finally understood everything. He was guilty for touching her while loving someone else. This was a mistake.

Her eyes blurred as tears rolled onto the pillow.

She waited until his breathing deepened, and carefully, like a thief, she slipped out from under his arm.

The cold air bit at her skin as she dressed. Her hands shook as she found hotel stationery on the desk.

She stared at the blank paper for a long time before writing.

I’m sorry I wasn’t Amber.

I hope she loves you back one day.

Please let’s forget tonight and never see each other again.

Her tears fell before she realized she was crying, staining the ink. She placed the note beside him.

He didn’t stir.

Before dawn broke, she walked out of that room alone.

Crying in a way she had never cried before.