My first time in a club was kind of the kickstart of something amazing.

It was my twenty-first birthday and my friends took me to a club. They got Hector's permission first, of course. He was thirty-one but still too busy worrying over me.

He really is an old man now.

We went to club Notte. It was a lame name, especially after hearing that Silas was the one who named it. Despite the dumb name, the club was very famous and there was a super long waiting list.

Being the little sister of the owners had its advantages.

We were given a VIP lodge. It was kind of cosy and away from the busy dance floor. Cecelia and August were already twenty-one, so they'd drunk alcohol before.

The only alcohol I've had was some wine that Giana sneaked into our room last summer. It tasted sweet but I didn't dare to drink too much.

Amelia did and she passed out. We had to fucking guard our room so that no one would find out that she had a hangover.

Anyways, they ordered our drinks. Once they arrived, I realised that was a bad idea. They went straight for hard liquor.

Vodka.

"Shouldn't we start with something light?" I questioned.

"You only turn twenty-one once, El!" August grinned and pushed a shot towards me.

They quickly explained to me how it worked. I'd have to take the shot, bite down on a lemon and then lick some salt off my hand. I felt nervous but also excited.

Why do I want to get drunk?

It'll probably bite me in the ass tomorrow but I wanted to let loose tonight.

The vodka burned my throat and it was a horrid experience but kind of addicting. I took another shot and giggled as we experimented with other drinks. The cocktails were sweet and right up my alley.

"Let's go dance!" Amelia grabbed my arm.

Her cheeks were red and her eyes wide. She'll be as drunk as me. I followed her down to the dance floor and danced with my friends.

No one bothered me as I'd feared. By now people knew who I was and what it would mean if they harassed me. It made them fear me but I no longer cared. I could freely enjoy myself on the dance floor without some creep touching me.

I was swinging my hips to the beat and I've never felt more alive. In this moment nothing mattered and I could let loose. Everybody around me was drunk as well and we were all enjoying this moment of freedom I threw my head back and my eyes went up to the balcony that supervised the dance floor.

Someone was leaning on the rail. His seductive green eyes were taking in every move my body made. For what felt like forever, our eyes were on each other. I only focused on his eyes and saw what he felt while looking at me.

Hunger.

When men look at me hungrily, I get scared, but not this time. It made me feel very hot. Not in a sexy type of way. I just felt warm all over my body and had a desperate wish for him to touch me.

"Oh, Alex!" Amelia grinned widely and wove at him.

My eyes went away from his eyes. The familiar handsome face, his dark hair and suit. I'd been lost in a trance that I didn't even notice that it was Alexander Ferrari.

A smirk appeared on his full lips. He wove back to Amelia but his eyes were on me. I was starting to sweat.

"I need to use the restroom," I told my friends urgently.

Eunha joined me. We went to the restroom in the VIP section because that one was empty. I sat down on the toilet for a hot minute and tried to cool down.

I'm drunk. I didn't even notice that it was him.

But he did.

His smirk told me that.

I know that I used to say that I would seduce him but now that I'm older, I don't know if I want to do it.

This small interaction was enough to leave me hot and bothered.

He hadn't even touched me.

Fuck.

Fuck.

Fuck.

I got out of my stall and walked to the basin. The cold water helped cool down my hands but I still felt like I was under the hot sun.

"I didn't know that you could dance like that, bellissima."

Gorgeous. He called me gorgeous.

Fuck.

I met his green eyes through the mirror. A smirk played on his lips again and I wondered when Eunha was going to come out of her stall. She could clearly hear everything.

"We don't know each other that well." I shrugged.

My voice sounded strange like I was out of breath.

"I intend to change that." His voice was determined.

I watched how he approached me and only halted right behind me. I could smell his amazing cologne. The warmth that was coming from his body was heating me up even more. I set my hands down on the basin to balance myself.

"They call you the beauty of New York." He pushed my hair behind my shoulder to expose my neck.

I knew that people called me that. My siblings teased me with it daily and it was just embarrassing because I definitely didn't feel like I deserved that title.

"You really are stunning, aren't you?" I felt his whisper against my neck.

His lips were so close that if I moved just slightly, he would be touching me.

Why did I want that so badly?

"Elena?"

Eunha got out of her stall. Alexander didn't move away. He met my eyes in the mirror before putting his lips on my ears.

"You're going to be my beauty of New York, hm?"

There was a possessive tone to his whisper that made me gasp slightly. I felt a beat of sensation run down to my core.

Shit.

Alexander stepped back and then got out of the restroom. I tightened my grip on the basin as Eunha rushed towards me. She wrapped her arm around my waist.

"What just happened? Did he bother you?" She frowned.

"No." I got out.

Her big brown eyes met mine and I rested my head on her small shoulder.

"Oh, this is going to be bad." She muttered.

She was right of course. If my brothers found out, they'd kill Alexander. He must know that as well, so I wondered why he even bothered. He already had so many admirers and lovers, why would he need me?

Perhaps it was because he felt what I had felt. This inexplicable connection was only building up.

I needed it to explode so that I could find release, but that meant that I'll have to give myself to him.

That thought should terrify me. I was worried that it didn't.

/////////////////////

"Act on it, Elena. This is your chance to express your sexuality. You'll have control over the situation because it'll be your choice. It's healthy to have wants."

That's what my therapist told me. It's been almost six years since Ronan but I still talked to her. My mental health had healed tremendously but I still couldn't make the step to end my sessions. I still needed her even though I haven't had an attack in two years.

She always helped me straighten out my thoughts and emotions. Whenever I felt especially lost, she could help me find my way again.

I wasn't surprised that she encouraged me to try it with Alexander. She explained that it'll be good for me. I've only had bad experiences, so it will be healing to have a consensual sexual interaction with someone I choose.

If it wasn't Alexander, it wouldn't have been so difficult. He worked with my brothers. Starting anything with him would be stupid.

But I couldn't forget about his lips against my ear. His eyes were on me as I danced. Bellissima.

I didn't think that I was into possessive guys but just his tone alone made me want to kiss him.

Fuck.

I need cleansing because my mind and pussy were in overdrive.

After my therapy session, my bodyguards drove me home. As soon as I entered the living room, I was attacked by a little energy monster.

Fabio jumped on top of me. His wild blond curls were a mess as usual and his bright green eyes beamed when he grinned up at me.

"Auntie!" He grinned.

I swear my heart swells every time he calls me auntie. I hugged him close to me and repeatedly kissed his cheeks.

"How much did you miss me?" I asked.

"A loottttttt!!" He dragged out the word.

Fabio was always full of energy and luckily he had a lot of aunties and uncles to play with him. Soon he'll even have a cousin. I spotted a six month pregnant Dahlia on the couch eating grapes.

She's had that craving since the beginning and it never stopped.

The baby inside of her had great taste. Grapes are the superior fruit as you all know.

"How was your session?" Of course, Hector sat by her side.

Ever since Dahlia found out she was pregnant, he hasn't left her side. He worked mostly from home and only went out when it was really necessary.

It drove Dahlia insane but she really enjoyed his overprotective side. He even massaged her feet when they were swollen.

My brothers treated their wives like Queens. I want the same.

"It was good." I smiled and sat down with Fabio on my lap.

I brushed his hair out of his face with my fingers. He really needed to go to the hairdresser but he didn't like getting his hair cut.

"Uncle Tory says that we're going on a trip!" Fabio told me excitedly.

He was very verbal for a three-year-old. His sentence made sense and he didn't make a lot of mistakes. His parents always talked a lot with him and he also had a big family, which helped him a lot.

"Is that so, uncle Tory?" I smirked at Hector.

Fabio had nicknames for all of us because saying names was too hard for him in the beginning. He got very confused at Silas name, so he now calls him Silly.

Silas was uncle Silly which made a lot of sense.

"We're going to the mansion next week." He explained while rubbing Dahlia's swollen stomach.

"Next week?" My smile fell.

My senior year of college started then. I had to attend classes then, so I wouldn't be able to go.

"Once I pop my baby out, I'll take you on a splendid vacation. Huh? What do you think? The Maldives. Getting massages from two hot shirtless men-" Hector cut Dahlia off by grabbing her tightly by her chin.

"Watch it." He warned her.

She grinned sheepishly while sending me a wink. I shook my head with a chuckle.

"I can't come, buddy, I have to go to school."

"Ew!" Fabio scrunched his nose.

"Exactly, ew." I agreed.

My classes weren't all too bad but I couldn't wait to graduate. I was so over doing exams and making assignments.

"Piccolino!"

(Little one.)

I was Fabio's favourite auntie but he always forgot about me when his parents were around. As soon as Theo stepped inside the living room, Fabio jumped off my lap and bolted towards his dad.

"Papa!"

Theo raised him off and kissed his forehead tenderly. He was a really good father, to no one's surprise. He practically raised the twins, Victor, Amelia and I with so much love.

"We're going to cut your hair," Theo told him.

Fabio was a very energetic but well-behaving boy. He was respectful and polite but he could turn into a little tantrum monster. As soon as it happened, I always ran off.

I was not interested in seeing a little kid cry and whine.

"Mama's going to do it." Theo tried to calm down his son.

"Papa, no!" He whined.

Dahlia was grinning in amusement and I just wondered what she'll do if her kid would have a tantrum. She'll probably let Hector deal with it. He'll be the strict parent and she'll be the laid back mom.

Theo took Fabio upstairs to face his doom. The poor little man was putting up the fight of his life.

"You see my little baby? Don't ever put mommy through that, otherwise, we won't be besties." Dahlia muttered against her stomach.

"You'll have me discipline our children?" Hector rolled his eyes.

"Everybody got their role. Besides you have a lot of practice, especially because of Elena." She smirked.

I glared at her but Hector chuckled as if he remembered all the times when he had to discipline me.

Believe me. It was a lot.

"I raised six kids. I'm ready for mine to come out." He stared at her stomach.

"Me too. Being pregnant is only fun because you spoil me. The pain isn't really that much fun." Dahlia nodded in agreement.

"Well, I'm excited too."

I moved closer to her and placed my hand on her stomach.

"I'm going to be your favourite auntie," I told the baby.

Dahlia hated gender reveal parties. Like with an actual passion. She had to force herself through Ariana's. That's why the gender was still a mystery.

"You'll say that to every niece or nephew that you'll have." Dahlia laughed.

"I just simply am the favourite auntie." I shrugged.

I really was. I liked to have nieces and nephews. It was easy for me to spoil them without having too much responsibility.

Until one day that I'll have my own children. Although childbirth still scares the fuck out of me.

But to even have children, I'll have to have sex. Something I didn't think I was ready for until Alexander Ferrari.

My therapist's words rang through my head. She was right but I don't see myself having the courage to actually go through with it all.