CHAPTER THREE: ONLY US

IRIS

“Oh,” I gasped when ‘John’s’ surprised gaze met mine.

I forgot to take the towel with me to the bathroom, but in my defense, I didn't think he would just barge in without even knocking.

“Shit,” he cursed, stepping back and gently shutting the door.

I moved to the closet, taking out a white towel from the numerous towels that were in there, and then I wrapped myself with it and walked to the door, opening it without hesitation.

His back was facing me, but he turned as I opened the door. “Sorry about that,” I said. My face felt hot all of a sudden.

John’s eyes flickered down briefly before snapping back up to my face. If I didn't know any better, I would’ve thought he looked… affected. Though I wasn't sure whether it was from the embarrassment or something else.

He cleared his throat. “I should be the one apologizing. I wasn’t thinking,” he breathed, handing me a pair of clothes. “Figured you might need something to wear.”

I hesitated before reaching out to take them. My fingers brushed against his, and for some reason, my breath caught in my chest.

“Thank you,” I said softly, feeling sheepish.

He nodded curtly, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his sweatpants. I held the clothes to my chest, studying him. This man didn’t look like someone who made a habit of taking care of strangers. He appeared distant, and controlled, like he was holding back. But still, he was helping me.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” The question came out in a whisper.

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he ran a hand through his thick, dark hair, letting out a breath like he didn't know how to respond.

“Would you believe me if I said I have no idea?” he said, chuckling. “This is completely out of character for me.”

Ah, I see. “So, you… pity me?”

He shook his head slightly, keeping his grey eyes trained on mine. “No. I just know what it feels like to hit rock bottom, and it looks like you just did.”

My throat began to tighten. I swallowed thickly, my emotions threatening to consume me.

Don’t you feel silly?

Don’t you feel fucking stupid?

Those were the questions that Sebastian had asked me, and the truth was that I did feel stupid.

I felt like less of a woman. Years of trying to get pregnant but nothing to show for it.

I nodded as silence settled between us. I was never going to forget tonight for as long as I lived.

“Your name’s not really John, is it?” I asked tentatively.

He smirked. “Just like yours isn’t really Mia.”

I couldn’t help the smile that pulled on my lips at his response. Touche.

For a fleeting moment, he gazed at my mouth, but he looked away before I could even register that it happened.

All night, I’d been trying not to admit to myself how sexually attractive this man was. I had never looked at another man outside of Sebastian, and it was as though him breaking me opened my eyes.

I swallowed thickly, berating myself for the question I was about to ask. But, I needed to know this stranger’s answer.

Clearing my throat, I asked. “Do you find me attractive?”

His eyes widened. “What?”

Still clutching the clothes he gave me, I moved a few steps closer to him, so close, that I could feel his warmth.

I had no idea what had come over me. This sudden spark of bravery I felt.

Keeping my eyes trained on his, I repeated my question. “Do you think I’m attractive? When you saw me come out of the bathroom, did you… feel anything?”

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “What is this?”

He was definitely affected by me, I could sense. I guess I wasn’t that useless.

There was a moment of silence between us, and in that moment, I considered my choices. I could either see this to the end and face embarrassment, or I could walk away, still embarrassed.

Fuck it.

I let the clothes drop to the floor, and tentatively, I placed my hands on his chest.

“I have one last favor to ask,” my teeth came down on my bottom lip. No going back now.

“Hey…” he trailed off, staring between my face and my hands. I could feel the tempo of his heartbeat increase. I held back a smile. Oh, he was affected alright.

“I want you to fuck me.”

He stepped away from my hands as if I’d burned him.

“What? I can’t do that!”

“Why?” I tilted my head. “Are you married? I don’t see a wedding ring. Are you dating anyone?”

His eyes turned dark. Hooded. “I don’t date.”

I let out a breath. That was perfect. Just what I needed.

“You have been hurt, Mia, or whatever your name is. The wound is still fresh. I don’t want to hurt you.”

I shut my eyes, trying to drown out the memories. I was hurt. That was why I needed this. To forget.

I blinked rapidly to prevent the tears from gathering. This man didn't need to see me cry again. Especially not now, when I was asking for something so intimate.

He ran a hand through his hair, heaving a sigh.

This was it. I let the towel drop, and I moved closer to him again.

“Please, just one night, and I swear you will never see me again,” I whimpered, looking into the sunken eyes of this man whom I didn't know.

His gaze flitted to my lips and back to my face, and the hooded expression on his face transformed into a conflicted one even as he swallowed.

A beautiful mess of a man, that’s what he was.

“Mia…” his gaze turned hungry as he stared down my body, then looked at my face one more time, as if trying to find a hint of hesitation. “Are you sure about this?”

I nodded once, and that was all the confirmation he needed before his lips came crashing down on mine.

I kissed him back, rising on my tippy toes so I could wrap my arms around his neck.

The kiss wasn’t sweet. It was raw, filled with so much tension and urgency. I could sense that this was something he needed too. Maybe even more than I did.

His hands caressed the contours of my body, moving towards my butt and squeezing. And then he lifted me off the ground, walking back into the room.

I gasped against his lips as he spun us around, pressing me against the wall and rocking his bottom half against me so I could feel how hard he was.

“Tell me to stop,” he rasped against my mouth, his voice unbelievably low and raw. “Tell me to stop now, Mia.”

I shook my head. I wanted this, and nothing was going to change my mind. “I don’t want you to stop.”

Something dark and hungry flashed in his eyes before he captured my lips again and with more urgency this time.

And just like that, there was only us. Only him. Only me. Just for tonight.