the champagne still burned on your tongue as you kicked the gilded door shut behind you, muffling the orchestra and murmurs from the ballroom. billie stood frozen just inside the bedroom, the soft glow from the chandelier kissing her skin in ways you still remembered like muscle memory. you didnt give her a choice. you never did. not when your emotions were drunk and your wallet heavy

the room smelled like old perfume and velvet secrets. there was a towering mirror mounted on the far wall, its gold trimmed frame gleaming, reflecting back every jagged edge of what this night had become

“you shouldnt have come looking that good” you murmured with your voice thick with liquor and regret, hands already finding the curve of her hips from behind as you pulled her to stand in front of the mirror “shouldnt have worn that damn dress.. made me crazy”

“let go of me” she said quietly but her voice cracked a little. not from fear but memory. you ignored it, burying your face in her neck, lips brushing the skin like it was holy

“im sorry” you whispered again and again between desperate and messy kisses to her collarbone, jaw, and shoulder. anywhere your mouth could land “i shouldve fought harder. i shouldve chased you when you slammed that door. i shouldve.. fuck billie.. just let me say this..”

your grip tightened like you were afraid she might vanish. you caught her eyes in the mirror. wide, conflicted, and angry but you didnt stop. one of your hands moved up, splaying against her chest just beneath her throat, not groping but grounding. holding her there and making her look

“see that?” you hissed softly in her ear. your breath was warm "thats us. we looked good together. we were good together. werent we?”

she tried to pull away again. her hands were pushing at your arm but your body was heavier, fueled by heartbreak and hundred dollar bourbon

“i said stop” billie snapped but even her resistance sounded tired

you just held her tighter “tell me you dont miss it. tell me watching me touch you doesnt make your heart fucking break” you growled “go ahead. lie to both of us”