Shattered Obsession

**Chapter 1: First Encounter** The pulsating beat of the music thrummed through my veins as I stepped into the dimly lit nightclub, the air thick with smoke and the scent of endless possibilities. The college crowd writhed on the dance floor, bodies pressed tightly together, moving as one in a sea of hormones and release. I was out of my element, but I wasn't here for fun. I was here to escape the shackles of my past and embrace the freedom of anonymity. A man caught my eye as he leaned against the bar, his dark hair slicked back and his eyes scanning the crowd with a predator's gaze. There was an air of danger about him, a palpable tension that both excited and unnerved me. As if sensing my stare, his eyes locked onto mine, and a smirk played on his lips. The pull to him was magnetic. I stared longer, angered by my curiosity but aching to touch. He studiously avoided looking at me, but he felt me. I knew he did. He ordered a drink, his muscles flexing beneath his tailored suit as he reached for the glass. His tongue darted out to lick his lower lip, and I found myself mirroring the action, my mouth suddenly dry. When his partner turned to caress him, his eyes cut to me. I didn't move. There was a lingering connection that caused electricity to hum between these corners of the speakeasy. Suddenly, a hand gripped my shoulder and he pushed through the crowd to approach the bar. The man turned his head, looking at me. And then it was over. I returned to my group of friends. As if sensing my attention, he glanced over his shoulder, hazel eyes dull, expressionless. “I need a minute,” I said to my friends before a ribald song distracted them. My partner’s ex followed me in the back where a quickie was all he wanted. I felt the gloating pulse of his arousal. Glancing at my new fields gave me options. The others stood desperately away. The door to a small closet jolted off the shelf and swept shopping boxes aside. A thousand quarterheart peach trees felt my lover’ sweat. The privacy of the rafters beckoning us down the broad avenue. Through the tightly arranged rainbow, tenderness is not on the menu. My touch was rough and furious. His mouth was inviting, sending chills throughout my entire body. Every kiss, every caress was a battle, a struggle for dominance. Palm trees humidly surrendered to pot leaves, never more relieved. His cock pressed against my clothed pussy and moisture pooled soft and delicate. Feeling his need stripping me bare. I could see my chest rise and fall with my labored breaths. I could see rubies. Pipes were steaming under the industrial quality stench. He was not mine, I expected to see him again. I oozed away, my friends had come walking along the trail. . “Who's that?” I asked my friend, Taylor, as I gestured subtly towards the man. Taylor glanced over, then did a double-take, eyes widening in recognition. Romanov “That's Romanov! Romanov Drakonov, Leon's best friend,” He had been more serious when it came towards a discussion of exceptionally weak marriages. “Isn’t it tragic?” I had been naïve. Asking to make use of the connection felt my recognizing his emptiness. The off-white ribbons that had bound two hearts were ripped apart. White doves flee and the bell's golden ring signaling marriage is cut short. **Chapter 2: The Rivalry Begins** The sound of his name still echoed in my mind as I made my way back to my apartment. Romanov Drakonov. Even his name was as intense as his persona. I had come to the club to escape, to find a moment's reprieve from the life that had been chosen for me, not the one I wanted. And yet, I had found something else entirely. A temptation. A challenge. The week passed in a blur of mundane routines and stolen moments of daydreams. I was engaged, promised to another, but my thoughts were consumed by a man I barely knew. A man who was off-limits. A man who was now, inexplicably, pursuing me. It started with small gestures. A delivery of exotic flowers to my workplace, their scent filling my small office, their beauty a stark reminder of the forbidden. A note tucked within, the handwriting bold and confident. "Until we meet again. - R" I had stared at that note, heart pounding, before tucking it away in my drawer, a secret ignition to my thoughts. The Hamptons was not hot in September but when I arrived I arrived with a sweat. My fiancé, Hugh, stood across the picnic in laughter with friends disappearing into the woods. The ocean held my attention adrift to the tides, a glow of the moon my comfort. My bucket list a place where I could live fiercely. Then, a text message from an unknown number. "You look beautiful today. But then again, you always do." I had glanced around the room, heart pounding, but saw no sign of him. Yet, I knew he was there, watching, waiting. A thrill of fear and excitement coursed through me. This was dangerous. This was exhilarating. When I arrived there was backpacking gear ready at the premises. My cab driver leaned over and took my hand. “Listen, I’m sorry, but I need to tell you the truth about this it’s staged. It costs extra.” He laughed but I wasn't laughing. “My driver’s license is fake. I’m living where you’re going. We’ll conquer the world.” A swaying grove could comfort me tonight. Coral reefs around the area were silky and unusual which felt like magic. “Mary claims you’ve been unhappy for a while.” I pulled to a stop startling me while climbing over the staircase. “I love you” held my luggage as the flight attendant opened the limo door. Surprised to see Romanov instead of Hugh, still nothing. His eyes, those intense hazel orbs, locked onto mine. There was a possessiveness in his gaze, a primal hunger that both terrified and thrilled me. He stepped closer, too close, invading my personal space. I could feel the heat radiating from his body, could see the rise and fall of his chest. A gondola ride moves through the crowd blasting current events on the screen. We already missed the ride and luggage was nowhere in sight. "Rival, and since leather travel is rare, I’ve seen everything and determined the quality I seek." I had been shy, “You can’t just... just say things like that," I stammered, my cheeks flushing. His eyes dropped to my lips, and I felt a surge of desire, a pull so strong it left me breathless. Part of me wanted him to touch me right there. Pull me up hard with cracking ribs. Lowering my voice, “Nice how you took away Duran’s 2nd amendment.” He chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that sent vibrations through my core. "I can't help it if I see something I want, Rival. And I always get what I want.” What I wanted was not you. Resentment building with feeling. I could feel my temper rise. The spice in me stung as we tail-gunned away. Her purse staggered. His scent was invading my senses. “Fuck you, Drakonov” and then my mouth tangled the twine into honey and lace. It was so, so bad. It wasn’t supposed to feel so good. I shuddered. “Don't do this," I whispered, but there was no conviction in my voice. This was wrong. I was engaged, promised to another. Yet, my body betrayed me, leaning into him, craving his touch. "Do what?" he murmured, reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers lingered, tracing the shell of my ear, sending shivers down my spine. "This?" His thumb brushed my cheek, a gentle caress that left me aching for more. His hand darted out to assess the artery. My eyes had tears. Porn had nothing on this anger. Then he kissed me. His lips crushed against min. Sweet elixir pierced my veins. His other hand grasped my hip, pulling me against him. I could feel his arousal, hard and insistent against my stomach or my lifetime. The worst happened. My heart ached from his desolateness. Spending a weekend with Romanov should be avoided, not repeated. I wanted to fix his heart. Presence of equipment sparked safety. I loved him, but I couldn’t fix every dove. This was not like a band-aid I could attach any legacy to. Bills were always protected when Highes was around. It was good the wood got chopped. Natural cocoa twigs overwhelmed my senses. They puddled so low laying them around the campfire. “I keep coming back for an excuse for my emotions.” I wanted a clear path to show close ties with a powerful man. To sign up to be dismembered from bloody crimes would be an honor. I wanted to run, to push him away, but my body was frozen, captive to his touch. His lips trailed down my neck, nipping, sucking, marking me. It was not going to be trouble. It would be another deal-breaker. Sex was why the stories flourished. The bitter arousal felt sick. His hand slid down, cupping my ass, squeezing, pulling me tighter against him. I gasped, my hands clutching his shoulders, holding on for dear life. It would be nice if he had a freedom complex. A groan of frustration pushed me away. “You deserve better.” I was not going to be a pushover. **Chapter 3: The Engagement Unravels** The drive back from the Hamptons was a blur, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Romanov's touch still lingered on my skin, his scent embedded in my memory. As I pulled into the driveway of the home I shared with Hugh, a sense of dread washed over me. I had been careless, reckless, and I knew it was only a matter of time before my world came crashing down. Hugh was waiting for me in the living room, his face a mask of fury. In his hand was my phone, the screen displaying the texts from Romanov. My heart sank, but there was a part of me that felt almost relieved. The charade was up, and maybe now, we could both stop pretending. "Who the hell is Romanov, Rival?" Hugh demanded, his voice shaking with anger. "And why is he sending you these kinds of messages?" I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. "Romanov is... he's someone I met. And I think... I think I have feelings for him." Hugh's eyes widened in disbelief. "Feelings? You have feelings for him? What about us, Rival? What about our engagement?" Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. "I'm sorry, Hugh. I never meant for this to happen. But I can't ignore what I'm feeling." Hugh scoffed, running a hand through his hair. "You can't ignore what you're feeling? You mean you can't ignore the thrill of some bad boy's attention? Because that's all this is, Rival. It's just physical." His words stung, mostly because they held a grain of truth. But it was more than just physical with Romanov. It was a connection, a pull that I couldn't deny. "You're right," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "It is physical. But it's more than that too. And I can't marry you feeling this way about someone else." Hugh's expression darkened, his hands clenching into fists. "You're making a mistake, Rival. You're throwing away a good thing for some... some criminal." I flinched at his words, but I stood my ground. "I'm sorry, Hugh. I truly am. But I can't do this anymore." He looked at me, his eyes filled with pain and anger. Then, without a word, he turned and stormed out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I sank down onto the couch, my body shaking with the intensity of the argument. It was over. My engagement, my relationship with Hugh, all of it. I should have felt sad, devastated even. But all I felt was a sense of relief, of freedom. As if on cue, my phone buzzed, Romanov's name flashing across the screen. I picked it up, my heart pounding in my chest. "Hello?" "Rival." His voice was low, husky, sending shivers down my spine. "I need to see you." I hesitated, my mind racing. This was it. The point of no return. And I was ready to take the leap. "Okay," I whispered. "Come over." The line went dead, and I was left in silence, waiting. When the doorbell rang, I jumped, my nerves on edge. I opened the door, and there he was, his hazel eyes dark with desire. He didn't wait for an invitation, pushing his way into the room, kicking the door shut behind him. His hands were on me in an instant, cupping my face, his lips crashing down onto mine. I moaned into the kiss, my body pressing against his. His tongue invaded my mouth, exploring, claiming. I could feel his hardness against my stomach, and I ached to feel more. His hands roamed my body, squeezing my breasts, my ass, pulling me closer to him. I could feel my core heating, my panties growing wet with desire. I needed him, needed this. He broke away from the kiss, his breath ragged. "Where's the bedroom?" he growled. I pointed down the hall, and he wasted no time, scooping me up into his arms and carrying me to the room. He tossed me onto the bed, his body covering mine in an instant. His lips found mine again, his hands exploring my body. He slipped a hand under my shirt, his fingers brushing against my nipple. I gasped, arching into his touch. He took the opportunity to grind his hips against mine, his hardness hitting my clit in just the right spot. I moaned, my body writhing beneath him. He sat up, straddling me as he pulled his shirt off, revealing his muscled chest. I reached up, running my hands over his abs, his pecs, his shoulders. He was perfect, and I wanted to feel every inch of him. He leaned down, his lips finding my neck, his teeth nipping at my skin. I could feel his hands at the waistband of my pants, his fingers deftly unbuttoning them, sliding them down my hips. He kisses trailed down my body, his tongue dipping into my navel. He hooked his fingers into the waistband of my panties, pulling them down, leaving me bare before him. He looked up at me, his eyes dark with lust. "You're so fucking beautiful, Rival," he growled, before diving between my legs. His tongue found my clit, circling, sucking, driving me wild. I could feel the pressure building, my body tensing as he brought me closer and closer to the edge. He slipped a finger into me, then another, pumping in and out in time with his tongue. I was close, so close. And then, with a final flick of his tongue, I was sent spiraling over the edge, my body convulsing with the intensity of my orgasm. He crawled back up my body, his lips finding mine. I could taste myself on him, and it only served to turn me on more. I reached down, my hands finding the waistband of his pants. I unbuttoned them, pushing them down, freeing his cock. He was huge, and I ached to feel him inside me. He didn't make me wait long, positioning himself at my entrance, pushing in inch by inch. I gasped, my body stretching to accommodate him. He filled me completely, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him deeper. He began to move, his hips thrusting against mine, his cock hitting all the right spots. I could feel another orgasm building, my body tensing around him. He leaned down, his lips finding mine, his tongue invading my mouth. I moaned into the kiss, my body convulsing as another orgasm washed over me. He followed soon after, his body tensing, his cock pulsing as he came inside me. He collapsed on top of me, his body slick with sweat, his breath ragged. I wrapped my arms around him, holding him close. This was what I wanted, what I needed. And I was ready to embrace it, no matter the cost. **Chapter 4: Love Triangle Explodes** The eerie silence of the hospital corridor was shattered by the harsh fluorescent lights humming above. I sat alone in the sterile waiting room, the cold plastic chair sending shivers up my spine. Romanov had brought me here after our intense encounter, my body still aching and sated from his touch. But now, anxiety gnawed at me as I waited for news about Hugh. My ex-fiancé had been rushed to the ER after a mysterious accident, and I couldn't shake the feeling that Romanov had something to do with it. The automatic doors to the ER slid open with a hiss, revealing Hugh's best friend, Taylor. His eyes were wild, his face contorted with anger as he stormed in, his gaze locked onto Romanov, who stood possessively by my side. "You son of a bitch," Taylor growled, marching toward Romanov. "I know you had something to do with this." Romanov's expression darkened, his body tensing as he stepped forward, shielding me from Taylor's wrath. "You don't know what you're talking about," Romanov retorted, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. Taylor didn't back down, his hands clenching into fists. "Hugh warned me about you. He said you were obsessed with Rival, that you'd stop at nothing to have her. He was right, wasn't he?" Romanov's lips curled into a cruel smirk, his eyes flashing with a possessive fire. "You're damn right I'm obsessed. Rival is mine. I won't let anyone stand in my way." My heart pounded in my chest as I watched the scene unfold, a chill running down my spine. Romanov's dark, obsessive nature was fully revealed, and it terrified me as much as it thrilled me. Taylor lunged at Romanov, his fist connecting with Romanov's jaw. Romanov staggered back, more from surprise than pain, before quickly regaining his composure. He charged at Taylor, his body slamming into him with a brutal force. The two men tumbled to the ground, their fists flying, their grunts and curses echoing through the waiting room. I jumped up from my seat, my heart racing as I watched them fight. "Stop it!" I screamed, but my pleas fell on deaf ears. They were lost in their primal rage, their fists connecting with sickening thuds. It took a team of security guards to pry them apart, their chests heaving, their faces bloodied and bruised. Romanov's eyes burned into mine, his expression a mix of fury and lust. I could see the darkness within him, the dangerous obsession that drove him to claim me as his own. As the security guards escorted Taylor away, Romanov turned to me, his breath ragged. "You see what I do for you, Rival?" he growled, his voice low and husky. "I'll fight anyone, do anything to make you mine." I stared at him, my body trembling with a mix of fear and desire. His words should have terrified me, should have sent me running in the opposite direction. But instead, they ignited a fire within me, a dark, primal need that only he could satisfy. He stepped closer, his hand reaching up to cup my cheek. His thumb brushed against my lips, sending shivers down my spine. "You're mine, Rival," he murmured, his voice a possessive growl. "Every part of you belongs to me." His lips crashed down onto mine, his tongue invading my mouth, claiming me, owning me. I melted into his touch, my body pressed against his, my heart pounding in my chest. I could taste the blood on his lips, the metallic tang mixing with his intoxicating scent. He broke away from the kiss, his breath ragged, his eyes dark with desire. "I need to be inside you, Rival," he growled, his hand slipping between my legs, cupping my sex. "I need to feel you, to claim you, to make you truly mine." I gasped, my body aching with need as he led me to a secluded supply closet, his lips never leaving mine. He kicked the door shut behind us, his hands roaming my body, squeezing, possessing. He spun me around, pressing me up against the wall, his body molded to mine. I could feel his hardness against my ass, his breath hot on my neck. He reached around, his fingers deftly unbuttoning my pants, sliding them down my hips. His hand slipped between my legs, his fingers finding my clit, circling, teasing. I moaned, my body pressing back against him, my hips grinding against his touch. He slipped a finger into me, then another, pumping in and out, driving me wild. I heard the sound of his zipper, felt the press of his cock against my entrance. He thrust into me, filling me completely, his hips slamming against mine. I cried out, my body stretching to accommodate him, the mix of pleasure and pain sending waves of ecstasy coursing through me. He fucked me hard and fast, his body claiming mine, his cock hitting all the right spots. I could feel my orgasm building, my body tensing around him. His hand reached around, his fingers finding my clit, rubbing, circling, sending me spiraling over the edge. I came with a scream, my body convulsing around him, my core pulsing with the intensity of my orgasm. He followed soon after, his body tensing, his cock pulsing as he came inside me, filling me with his hot, sticky seed. We collapsed against the wall, our bodies slick with sweat, our breaths ragged. He wrapped his arms around me, holding me close, his lips pressing soft kisses to my neck. As I basked in the afterglow of our intense encounter, I couldn't shake the lingering unease that settled in the pit of my stomach. Romanov's darkness, his obsession, his willingness to do anything to claim me as his own... it was intoxicating, exhilarating, and utterly terrifying. I was torn, caught between the thrill of his love and the fear of his darkness. But one thing was certain: there was no turning back now. I was his, completely and utterly, and nothing would ever change that. As we emerged from the closet, hand in hand, ready to face whatever came next, I knew that our love story was far from over. In fact, it was only just beginning. And as much as it scared me, I couldn't wait to see what the future held. **Chapter 5: Obsession's End** The days that followed were a whirlwind of passion and turmoil. Romanov's obsession with me grew more intense, his lovemaking more fevered. He claimed me in every room of his sprawling apartment, his touch igniting a fire within me that burned hotter with each encounter. Yet, as much as I craved him, I couldn't shake the gnawing unease that his darkness brought. One evening, as we lay entwined in his bed, a loud, insistent knock echoed through the apartment. Romanov's body tensed, his arms tightening around me. He exchanged a glance with me, his eyes reflecting a mixture of anger and resignation. He knew who it was, and so did I. He reluctantly untangled himself from me, throwing on a pair of pants as he made his way to the door. I followed, wrapping a silk robe around my naked body, my heart pounding in my chest. As Romanov opened the door, I saw Taylor standing there, his face a mask of fury, a folder clutched in his hand. "I warned you, Romanov," Taylor growled, pushing his way into the apartment. "I warned you to stay away from her." He thrust the folder at Romanov, his eyes never leaving Romanov's face. "You can't escape your past forever, you sick fuck." Romanov took the folder, his expression darkening as he flipped it open. I caught a glimpse of the contents—photographs, police reports, news clippings. My blood ran cold as I realized what it all meant. Taylor turned to me, his voice softening. "Rival, you need to see this. You need to know the truth about the man you're involved with." I took the folder from Romanov, my hands shaking as I sifted through the pages. Each one revealed a piece of Romanov's past, a past filled with violence, obsession, and destruction. I saw photographs of women, their faces bruised, their eyes filled with fear. I saw police reports detailing Romanov's stalking, his assaults, his complete disregard for the law and human decency. My stomach churned as I looked up at Romanov, his expression a mix of defiance and despair. "Rival," he began, his voice hoarse. "I can explain—" I cut him off, my voice barely above a whisper. "Is this true? Did you do these things?" He hesitated, then nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. "Yes, but—"" I didn't let him finish, turning away from him, my body shaking with a mix of anger, fear, and betrayal. I couldn't believe I had fallen for this man, that I had let him into my heart, my body, my soul. Taylor stepped forward, his hand reaching out to touch my arm. "Rival, come with me. Leave him. He's no good for you." Romanov's eyes flashed with possessive fury, his body tensing as if ready to pounce. "She's not going anywhere with you," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. Taylor ignored him, his gaze locked onto mine. "Rival, please. You know this is wrong. You know you deserve better." I looked from Taylor to Romanov, my mind racing, my heart aching. I knew what I should do, what I had to do. But the thought of leaving Romanov, of never feeling his touch again, sent a wave of pain coursing through me. I turned to Romanov, my voice steady despite the turmoil within me. "I need to know why, Romanov. I need to understand how you could do these things." He looked at me, his eyes filled with a raw, vulnerable emotion I had never seen before. "Because I'm broken, Rival," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Because I've been hurt, and I've hurt others in return. Because I don't know how to love without destroying." His words hung in the air, a brutal, honest confession that sent a shiver down my spine. I could see the truth in his eyes, the pain, the anguish, the desperate need for redemption. I turned to Taylor, my voice steady. "Thank you, Taylor. Thank you for showing me the truth. But I need to make this decision on my own." Taylor looked at me, his eyes filled with disappointment and concern. But he nodded, respecting my decision. "I'll be here for you, Rival. Whatever you decide." With that, he turned and left the apartment, leaving Romanov and me alone in the silence. I turned to Romanov, my heart aching with a mix of love and pain. "I need time, Romanov," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I need time to process this, to decide if I can accept your past, if I can love you despite your darkness." He looked at me, his eyes filled with a raw, desperate longing. "Rival, please," he began, his voice hoarse. "I need you. I can't live without you." I reached up, cupping his cheek, my thumb brushing against his lips. "And I need you, Romanov. But I need to know that I can love you without losing myself, without becoming a part of your darkness." He leaned into my touch, his eyes closing briefly. When he opened them again, they were filled with a fierce determination. "I'll wait for you, Rival," he said, his voice a low, intense growl. "I'll wait for you forever if I have to. And I'll prove to you that I can change, that I can be the man you deserve." His words sent a shiver down my spine, a mix of hope and fear coursing through me. I knew the road ahead would be difficult, that loving Romanov would be a journey filled with pain and passion, heartache and ecstasy. But I also knew that I couldn't walk away from him, that I couldn't deny the connection between us, the intense, all-consuming love that bound us together. As I stood there, wrapped in his arms, I knew that our love story was far from over. In fact, it was only just beginning. And as much as it scared me, I couldn't wait to see what the future held, to embrace the intense, bittersweet climax of our love.