No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 10- Passionate night

The bass pulsed through my veins, drowning out the chaos in my head.

I let the music take over, my body moving to the rhythm, pushing away every thought of Aiah. Every memory of her hands on me, her lips claiming me, the way she smirked like she owned me.

Not tonight.

"YES, MIKHA! THAT'S MY GIRL!" Sheena hollered from the bar, raising her drink in the air. Gwen just laughed, shaking her head.

I threw my arms up, letting the beat consume me, letting the alcohol buzz through my system. I needed this-needed to lose myself, even just for a while.

But then-

A hand.

On my waist.

A stranger's touch, firm and uninvited.

I froze for a second before whipping around, my heart pounding-not from the music this time, but from something else.

Some guy I didn't recognize smirked at me, his grip tightening just slightly.

"Hey, beautiful," he drawled, leaning in too close. "You're dancing alone. Mind if I join?"

My stomach twisted. The way he looked at me-like I was something to be claimed-made my skin crawl.

I stepped back, forcing a polite but firm smile. "No, thanks."

But he didn't move.

Instead, his fingers brushed against my arm, his voice turning lower. "Come on, don't be like that."

I clenched my jaw.

And just as I was about to shove him off-

A new hand wrapped around my wrist.

But this time, it wasn't unfamiliar.

This touch-I knew.

I turned, my breath catching in my throat.

Aiah.

Her grip was firm, possessive, her dark eyes burning as she stared the guy down.

"She's not interested," Aiah said coldly, voice laced with warning. "So back the fuck off."

The air around us shifted. The guy stiffened, eyes flickering between me and Aiah, as if weighing his options.

I could feel Aiah's grip on my wrist tighten-protective, possessive. It sent a shiver down my spine, but I refused to acknowledge it.

"Relax," the guy muttered, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Didn't know she was taken."

I opened my mouth to correct him-because I wasn't hers, not anymore-but before I could say anything, Aiah stepped closer, tilting her head slightly.

"She is," she said, her voice sharp, unyielding. "And you're in my fucking way."

Something dark flashed in the guy's eyes, but he didn't push it. He scoffed, muttering something under his breath before finally backing off, disappearing into the crowd.

Silence hung between us, the weight of Aiah's words pressing down on me.

She still hadn't let go of my wrist.

I yanked my arm away, stepping back. "Ano 'yon, Aiah?"

Her jaw tensed. "He was touching you."