CHAPTER THREE

AURORA

My eyes were drooping already.

I tapped the side of my head with my palm and tried to keep them open, waiting for Chloe's male models. I shook my head and forced my eyes open, but nothing worked.

Three years away from alcohol and my tolerance level had become so bad. Two cups in and I was already very tipsy.

The door opened and a Greek god stepped in.

His abs were visible underneath the black silk shirt he wore, tucked into a pair of black-cut trousers. His hand stayed on his belt line as his eyes swept across the room.

I looked up at him through half-lidded eyes. He looked somewhat familiar.

“Come on, Aurora, you'd remember a face like this if you ever met him before,” I murmured to myself.

I hiccupped, hiding a giggle. Chloe's men were really top-notch.

I reached out to him and pulled him down into the space beside me.

I leaned in and narrowed my eyes, inspecting his face. His eyes were deep and framed by thick dark lashes. I raised my finger to his face and traced around his eyes.

“Pretty,” I whispered.

My hand traced down his sharp nose that added some real perfection to his face. They moved to his high cheekbones that looked sculpted to fit a living statue.

I traced my finger along the edge of his soft lips that made my fingers tingle. I tried to smirk.

“Do you want to sleep with me tonight?” I slurred.

His brows raised and before I could decipher what that meant, my back was pinned to the sofa, his face hovering over mine, my hands pinned above my head.

I arched my back so I was closer to him. I let out a deep breath, taking in his deep, rich scent of amber and tobacco.

He leaned in and pressed his lips against my ear.

“Aurora, you are drunk.”

I blinked as he pulled away. How did this gigolo know my name?

I pouted and shook my head, the leather under me squeaking.

“No... I'm not,” I drawled.

I forced my eyes open and wiggled out of his grip. I traced my hand over the side of his face and giggled.

“You know something?” I whispered, trying to keep my head up to his face. “I am a really rich lady... I can give you whatever you ask for.”

I pressed a kiss on the side of his face and then his lips. I moved back and tilted my head slightly.

“Are you sure you don't want to sleep with me?”

He let out a deep, booming laugh that bounced off the walls.

“Are you sure you want this?”

I nodded and kissed his lips this time.

I don't know if it was the alcohol or the punishing three years of my past, but all I wanted was to let loose.

“I want you.” I traced my finger along the button line of his shirt.

He let go of my hands above my head and scooped me up. My hands flew to his neck and wrapped around it, pulling him closer.

He pressed a kiss to my lips before exiting the room.

“Aurora, don't regret this tomorrow.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A yawn escaped my lips. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes.

My eyes fluttered open first. The subtle scent of lilies filled the air. Immaculate white ceilings stared back at me.

I stretched, and my hand connected with a thick, hard surface. 

‘A wall?’ my mind screamed. Why was I lying next to a wall?

My hand recoiled, and my head slowly turned.

Under the white sheets, with his chest slightly exposed.

I closed my eyes, my mind focused on last night. I remembered kissing and teasing.

I groaned as I lifted my head to his face.

My lips parted in shock as I stared at the man lying in bed.

“Alexander?” His name left my mouth in a shaky whisper.

His eyes opened that instant. Dark steel eyes stared back at me.

The Alexander I remembered was a cute-eyed boy, not this gorgeous man staring at me.

His lips curled up in a smirk while I stayed frozen, my cheeks heating up and my stomach twisting in knots.

“Take a picture. It would last longer." 

His hand moved, and before it could connect with my face, I shot up from the bed.

My feet connected with the bare floor as I stood away from him. An ache traveled down my back.

“You... I... how... you...” I stammered, a finger pointing at him.

He sat up in bed, the light from the curtains catching the lines on his chest.

I swallowed and looked up at his face, trying to hide the fact that I was checking him out.

Memories in flashes of last night flooded my head.

‘My darn mind! Why couldn't I just forget?’

I licked my lips, imagining his against mine again. The softness, the sweetness, the way his mouth worked magic.

I had enjoyed last night.

I had enjoyed it a little too well.

I picked my phone from the nightstand and scrolled through the messages from Chloe. At first they were panic and worry, and then she was glad I might have found a good substitute for Julian.

I massaged my forehead with my eyes closed.

I had mistaken this man for a male model. The alcohol must have been strong enough for me not to recognize him.

I turned to Alexander, who was now propped on his elbow, watching me with an amused smile.

“About last night...” I hesitated, my hands clasped in front of me, knuckles white from how hard I was holding the phone.

“I drank too much. I am sorry.” The words sounded wrong, but I still let myself say it. 

“Sorry?” His brows knitted. “Is that all you have to say?”

“You are my best friend's brother, and as much as this is inappropriate because you are like a brother to me...”

He held a hand in the air and shook it.

“I am no brother of yours.”

His words left me in a daze. What did he mean by that?

“We are adults. Since you also had your fun last night, why don't we just act as if nothing happened and we can both live our lives?”

I had just left Julian. I was not in the mood for any more complexities anymore.

It was just a moment of weakness with him.

His face fell, a frown tugging at his lips.

He sat up straight, nostrils flaring.

“Are you like this with every man you sleep with?”