* TEASER - 500 reads milestone

Serena’s body burned with an unusual heat, a relentless warmth that crawled over her skin and seeped into her bones. She wondered if it was the aftermath of being thrown into the pool earlier, her damp clothes now causing a feverish chill. But this was different—intense and unyielding. Her throat was parched, and she desperately needed water.

After searching the room to no avail, she grabbed her key card and stepped into the hallway. Each step felt heavier, her vision blurring as a strange sensation clouded her senses.

Her thoughts jumbled, Serena stumbled forward, catching the faint touch of a cool breeze. It seemed to come from an open balcony nearby, promising relief from the sweltering heat. Drawn to it, she pushed the door open, stepping into the small, secluded space.

A sharp, refreshing scent met her nose, momentarily cutting through the haze clouding her mind. Her eyes landed on a man seated in the shadows, his posture composed, yet commanding. He was effortlessly handsome—his chiseled features illuminated by the soft glow of moonlight spilling through the open balcony.

Serena blinked, her mind firing erratically. He's... striking.

Her steps were unsteady, her balance wavering as she moved closer to him.

“Why are you here alone?” she asked, her voice slightly slurred as she pressed her fingertips against her temples in a futile attempt to clear her thoughts. The dizziness refused to subside, and the oppressive heat surged stronger.

The man, Alexander, paused in his work. A pen sat poised between his fingers, his laptop open on a small table before him. He had come to the balcony seeking solace from the crowd and the noise below—a moment of quiet to process his thoughts.

But now, as he took in Serena’s disheveled state, his brows furrowed slightly.

“Are you drunk?” he asked, his tone calm and detached, though his eyes followed her with interest. Her behavior was unlike anything he had seen from her before.

Serena swayed closer, catching the faint scent of his cologne—clean, crisp, and grounding.

“Have we met before?” she asked, her voice soft, almost wondering. She didn’t even know why she had said it. Her thoughts were too muddled, and all she could focus on was the man before her.

Alexander's lips twitched into a faint smirk as he observed her. Her flushed cheeks and glazed eyes spoke volumes. “You don’t seem to be thinking clearly.”

Serena chuckled lightly, the sound airy and detached from her usual composed demeanor. “You look... really good,” she murmured, her voice trailing as her attention fixated on him.

Alexander leaned back, his movements deliberate as he quietly closed his laptop and set his pen aside. “Is that so?” he asked, his tone laced with mild amusement.

She nodded, her steps faltering as she approached. Her hand grazed the small table, and Alexander instinctively adjusted it to prevent her from knocking into it. She was close now—too close—and her proximity brought a subtle warmth to the air between them.

“I’m thirsty,” she admitted, her voice a near whisper. “So thirsty.”

Her fingertips brushed against the back of his hand, the touch featherlight yet electric. Alexander’s eyes darkened as he studied her.

“You’re clearly intoxicated,” he remarked, though there was an underlying edge to his voice.

“I need water,” she continued, her voice tinged with frustration. “And I’m... itchy.”

Alexander’s gaze flicked downward for a moment before returning to her flushed face. He glanced past her toward the view beyond the balcony. From this vantage point, the edge of the pool and the dessert station were visible, though the bustling activity of the party seemed far away.

The balcony was small, barely six or seven square meters. It housed a long sofa, a rocking chair, and a compact folding table, leaving little room for anything else. Yet, in this intimate space, Serena’s presence was inescapable.

Her fingers traced light patterns on the back of his hand, her knee brushing against his. The unspoken tension hung heavy in the air, and Alexander’s expression shifted.

Removing his Patek Philippe watch, he placed it on the table beside him, a subtle but deliberate act. His voice, low and steady, broke the silence.

“Do you recognize who I am now?”

Serena’s glassy eyes met his, a slow smile spreading across her lips. “Husband,” she answered, her voice sweet and unguarded.

Alexander’s composure faltered for a split second, replaced by something darker, more primal. In one swift motion, he pulled her into his lap, her body fitting against his as though it had always belonged there.

His lips descended on hers, the kiss firm yet questioning, as though testing the waters of her consent. Serena’s fingers curled against his chest, her body responding instinctively to his touch.

The thin straps of her nightdress slipped from her shoulders, and as Alexander’s hands explored the curve of her back, he discovered what she had omitted beneath the fabric. A deep, throaty chuckle rumbled in his chest.

Her lips were kissed, and her nightdress was lifted.

Realizing there was nothing underneath her nightdress, he chuckled lightly...

*******

Dear Gentle Readers,

this author would like to express his utmost gratitude for your support. 

500 reads have been reached, another milestone. Grazie a mille! 

This teaser is part of a future chapter... will let you know which one so you will not need to pay it in the future. 

Again, much thanks!