Chapter 69 - Scents of Intoxication

Luca's POV

The room was dark, silent except for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. I sat at the edge of the bed, my jaw tight, my chest rising and falling like I had just run a mile. But it wasn’t from anger anymore. It was something else.

Her scent was truly still on me. No matter how much I told myself Maria was overreacting, no matter how hard I tried to dismiss her words, she was right. I knew right from when I left the hotel room to come home.

That soft yet intoxicating perfume is still on me. I could literally sense it everywhere I turned. I just didn't expect others to sense it on me so much that Maria couldn't let it go.

I took off my shirt and then I pulled the fabric to my face, inhaling deeply. The scent sent the blood vessels of my penis to full length. I was hard like I hadn't just had one of the most amazing sex barely hours ago.

It wasn’t just the perfume now. It was her. Her scent, her moan, her lips, her warmth. The memory came rushing back like a drug I couldn’t get enough of.

I told myself to stop, to push it away, at least out of respect for Maria, but I couldn’t. 

My mind replayed the sex, my body reacting before I could even try to control it. I gave in. My hand found its way to my already hard penis and I stroked.

Slowly at first, tightening my hand around the hard member, then slower and slower until slower wasn't enough any longer. 

I moved faster now chasing the high that came with remembering every sound, every word, every trace of her lips. Especially the warmth of her mouth all cover my hard member then.

My shirt in my face grew damp in my grip, my breathing now uneven, harsh. I imagined her again, her body against mine but now also the heat and warmth of her inside. Though not very much tight, I remembered, but warm enough for me to want her again.

Before I could think more of her, I burst into my hands and collapsed on the bed.

With my chest heaving and my mind drenched in shame and disgust of myself, I realised I didn't even know her name. I had left her sleeping without even a note.

I hated myself for that but I hated myself for even falling so easily into the arms of a woman I do not even know.

And what's worse, I didn't even have the dignity to respect her and tell her I was leaving.

She must think me a coward. I had a one night stand and because of shame, I left her without a bye or a note.

I ran a hand down my face, forcing my heartbeat to slow. Maria’s tears now came fresh in my memory, her eyes wide with fear when I had reminded her of her place. 

I told myself I was right, that she needed to know boundaries. But part of me… part of me knew I had gone too far. Maria didn't deserve that.

*************

The next morning, the car rolled through the streets, silence heavy inside. Alex sat in the front passenger seat, scrolling through his phone, while I leaned back, staring out the tinted window. 

The city passed by in a blur, but my thoughts were fixed on last night, I almost replayed it again in my mind but I pushed it off, I should have had enough by now.

Do then I looked at Alex and I remembered Maria’s accusations and on her saying Alex could smell it too.

I turned my gaze toward him. “Alex.”

He straightened immediately, phone lowered. “Yes, boss?”

“You and Maria,” I said slowly, my tone unreadable, “you’re not friends, are you?”

His brows folded, confusion all over his face. “Friends? I… I don’t think so, boss. Why?”

I let the silence stretch, my stare pinning him in place. Then I leaned forward slightly, my voice dropping low. “Then don’t make the mistake of gossiping with her about me again.”

Alex blinked, taken aback. “Boss, I didn’t…”

“Do you understand?” I cut him off, my words sharp, deliberate.

He turned to take a good look at me, probably wondering why I sounded like that but then he said, “Yes, boss.”

I leaned back, “I didn't hear you.”

“Yes, boss,” he repeated, firmer this time.

“Good.”