Chapter three: The almost one night stand

The moment I stepped into his apartment, I knew I had entered a different world, this man was living in extreme luxury, it was in complete contrast to the bar where I had met him.

Everything screamed of wealth.

The marble, polished to perfection. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed a stunning view of the city skyline And the furniture was sleek, and obviously expensive, it looked like it had been lifted straight from the pages of a luxury magazine.

Even the air smelled rich.

New leather. Polished wood. And of course his intoxicating smell.

That scent was masculine, dark, and addictive. I knew I was gawking.

Who the hell was this man?

From his tailored suit to his effortless confidence, everything about him oozes power. This wasn’t the type of man who belonged in a rundown bar.

I barely had time to process before the door clicked shut behind me, the electricity between us only tripled, it was so thick and suffocating that I had to remind myself to breathe.

He loosened the collar of his shirt, rolling his shoulders as if he was getting ready for something. His gray eyes locked onto me in a predatory gaze that made me want him more.

Every glance, every slight arch of his brow, every clench of his sharp jawline had my body responding in ways it shouldn’t.

I should have been intimidated. Maybe even scared. But instead, heat curled in my belly, pouring between my thighs .

When he walked past me, his fingers barely grazing my wrist, I melted like butter.

“Wine?”

I nodded, not sure I could use my words. Watching him pour was almost hypnotic, the way his fingers wrapped around the bottle, a simple slow tilt and the deep red liquid cascading into the glass.

Every movement was sinful and deliberate.

He handed me the glass, and our fingers brushed. I felt a spark.

I took a sip, hoping it would cool the fire spreading through my veins but It didn’t.

"So," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, "what do you do?"

He smirked, stepping closer, eyes not looking away even for once. “Does it matter?”

I took a step back.

He followed.

Another step and this time, he was closer, he was in my space.

I should have pushed. I should have demanded an answer. But then he took the glass from my hand.

My nipples tightened against the fabric of my dress. Goosebumps raced down my arms. My pulse roared in my ears.

I had never reacted like this before.

Ever.

Nothing could have prepared me for what happened next.

His lips found mine.

I knew they would be good lips, he did have nice kissing lips after all, they were soft and more than anything I could imagine.

The first kiss was slow. As if he was testing me or giving me a chance to back away.

But I didn’t.

My mouth parted, and he took his invitation, his tongue sweeping against mine in a kiss so deep, so consuming, I forgot how to breathe.

This was dangerous and I wanted more.

My core was on fire, as my nipples were pebbling.I had never had this type of reaction before.

Ever.

Nothing could have prepared me for when his lips found mine.

I knew he had good kissing lips.

Full. Firm. Devastating.

His kiss was soft at first, teasing, coaxing, waiting for my response. Not that it took much effort.

I gave in.

My mouth parted, allowing his tongue to invade me, a slow, sensual claim that sent my senses into a tailspin. His hands found my waist, gripping, pulling, crushing me against him until there wasn’t a sliver of space left between us.

My body molded to his, His hands moved to my waist, strong and demanding, pulling me flush against him.

No space or hesitation, just desire.

My body molded to his, and God I could feel every hard inch of him pressing into me.

This was dangerous and large.

He was definitely experienced, I would give him that. There was no hesitation or fumbling. His kiss wasn’t sloppy like my ex-boyfriends. No, Ethan kissed like a man who knew exactly what he was doing.

And worst of all?

He made me forget.

Forget that I had been cheated on for months. Forget that I should be heartbroken. Forget everything but the feel of his lips, the heat of his body, and the way he made me burn.

He tasted like mint and alcohol, and instead of turning me off, it only fueled my hunger.

His hands traveled lower, fingers trailing down my spine, lighting me up in ways I hadn’t even known were possible.

My own hands had a mind of their own, slipping between us, fumbling with the buttons of his shirt, desperate to feel more of him.

More warmth and his skin.

I had never done anything like this before.

But I didn’t want to stop.

His skin was smooth under my touch as his muscles tightened beneath my fingertips. He was holding himself back but I didn’t want him to hold back.

Our clothes disappeared in two seconds of frantic kissing.

My back hit the couch, and his lips found my throat, teasing, sucking, his tongue flicking against my sensitive spot.

I gasped.

This was happening!

He hovered over me, his gaze dark as he was eager to consume me, He was watching as I licked my lips while he undid his belt.

I was finally going to have sex.

But then…

Was I really going to sleep with an obnoxiously rich, drop-dead gorgeous man just because my boyfriend cheated on me?

The thought hit me like ice water.

My chest rose and fell rapidly, my heart pounding but not just from arousal, but panic.

I hadn’t thought this through.

I wasn’t this girl. I wasn’t reckless. I was a thinker, a planner. I was careful. I definitely didn’t do things on impulse.

And I sure as hell wasn’t going to lose my virginity to a man whose last name I didn’t even know.

I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing myself to breathe.

Then, just as he leaned in to kiss me again, I turned my head away.

“I can’t do this,” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding in my head.

He pulled back, his brows furrowing, giving me a you can’t be serious look.

My gaze flickered downward to his very obvious erection and I knew just what I had to do.

I didn’t wait for his response.

I shoved at his chest, scrambling to sit up, my hands shaking as I reached for my dress.

My fingers fumbled as I yanked it over my head, barely managing to get it on before I bolted for the door.

I didn’t even look back.

It wasn’t until I was outside, when I was breathless and trembling in the cold night air, that I realized something.

I had left my underwear in his apartment.

Fuck my life.

Like I said, birthdays were the worst.

I glanced at my phone.

00:00.

It wasn’t even my birthday anymore.

Great.

Finally, this shitty night was behind me.

Now I just had to figure out how to get an Uber.