No strings attached

SEIRRA'S POINT OF VIEW

I didn’t leave his room feeling ashamed. Nah. I walked out with my head held high, heels clicking softly against the hotel corridor like I owned the damn place. Because the truth? That night with Liam — it was everything. It had to be the best sex I’ve had in... damn, forever. Maybe even ever.

And yeah, maybe I was a little drunk. Maybe my brain was a little foggy. But my body knew what it wanted, and that night, it wanted Liam Foster.

There was something about the way he handled me. Not just rough or fast, but with this careful kind of passion. Like I wasn’t just a one-night stand. Like he saw right through all the armor I’d built up and didn’t mind getting close anyway. But then again, I didn’t need any emotional strings. I didn’t go there for love. It was a damn business trip, not a romance movie.

Still… the way he said my name, the way he looked at me under those dim hotel lights — ugh. It was tempting to think about.

But I didn’t.

At least, I tried not to.

My flight home was smooth. Long, quiet, and honestly, I welcomed it. I needed that silence to get my head back in the game. I had meetings lined up the moment I touched New York. New campaigns. New clients. My empire wasn’t going to keep building itself.

So yeah, I let the night go.

I filed it under good memories and moved on. No expectations. No regrets.

I didn’t even bother checking if he’d left a number. I wasn’t going to reach out. That wasn’t me. I wasn’t about to chase a man just because he made me moan and forget my own name for a few hours. I’ve worked too hard to lose focus now.

As the jet touched down back in the States, I sat back in my seat and smiled to myself.

The conference was a success.

The deals were signed.

The press already had pictures of me shaking hands with top names, and my face was back in the business blogs trending for "best-dressed woman at the Dubai Summit."

Liam was a beautiful distraction. But that’s all he was — a distraction.

Nothing more.

By the time my driver pulled up at my mansion, I’d already buried the memory in the back of my mind.

I was home.

And it was back to work.

Because I didn’t get here by chasing feelings. I got here by staying focused. Composed. Bossed up.

And I wasn’t about to break that streak for anyone. Not even a man with eyes like sin and hands like fire.

Still…

If I saw him again, maybe... just maybe...

Ugh. Whatever.

I tossed the thought aside and stepped out of the car like the queen I was.

Let’s get back to business.

I didn’t even make it up the stairs when I heard that loud voice I’d missed so much.

“Oh my God! She’s back!”

Before I could blink, Becca had flung the door open and ran straight into me, wrapping me in the kind of hug that almost knocked the air out of my lungs. I couldn’t help but laugh, my arms going around her just as tight.

“I missed you so much,” she said, pulling back just enough to look at my face. “You look... ugh. Glowing. What happened in Dubai, woman?”

I rolled my eyes playfully as we walked inside. My luggage was still by the door, but I couldn’t care less. The scent of the house — my home — the calm and familiar vibe, it hit me instantly. It felt good to be back.

Becca didn’t waste time. She grabbed a bottle of wine, popped it open like the dramatic queen she is, and dragged me to the living room. I didn’t even argue. I was jet-lagged, yes. But this? This little catch-up moment with her? I needed it.

“So,” she started, handing me a glass and curling her legs beneath her. “Spill.”

I raised a brow at her.

“Spill what?”

“You know what. Don’t play dumb. You’re glowing like someone’s daughter who just got properly handled in bed.”

I almost choked on the sip I took. “Becca!”

She laughed hard, then leaned in like a teenager waiting for gossip. “Tell me.”

I sighed, hiding my grin behind the glass. “Okay… so I met someone.”

Her eyes widened, and she nearly dropped her wine. “What? In Dubai?!”

I nodded. “Yeah… Liam Foster.”

“Wait, Liam Foster as in the Liam Foster?”

I nodded again. “Yep. That one.”

Becca’s jaw dropped. “You mean the hotshot tech CEO with the sexy voice and the clean jawline? Girl, you slept with him?!”

I just gave her a little smirk and took another sip.

Becca was already on her feet, pacing like she was the one who did it. “Okay, no. You don’t just casually say ‘I met someone’ and it turns out to be Liam freaking Foster. Tell me everything. What happened?”

I laughed and leaned back. “Honestly? We were at the same conference. We talked… we drank… we got drunk. Ended up in his room.”

Her eyes were wide as plates. “And?”

“And… let’s just say, I enjoyed every bit of it. Every single damn second.”

Becca squealed. “Oh my God! I’m living through you right now. Tell me he kissed you like you were the only woman in the world.”

“He did more than that,” I said, shaking my head with a low chuckle. “Becca, I don’t know what it was — the drinks, the vibe, the dim lights — but that night was something else. It was like all the stress I’ve been carrying melted off.”

She sat down again, eyes dreamy now. “Wow. So what now? Are you guys going to keep in touch?”

I shrugged. “Nah. I don’t think so. It was just… one of those nights. No strings. No regrets.”

Becca looked at me for a second, then raised her glass. “To no strings and amazing one-night stands.”

I clinked mine against hers. “Amen to that.”