Chapter 2

Larissa

I pressed the final swipe of lipstick to my lips and stepped back to admire my work. After flirting with my reflection, for what felt like five minutes, I decided it was time I leave.

Zephan wasn’t around today. As a matter of fact, he wouldn’t be around for the next three days. And this was the opportunity that Lennie and I had been waiting for. I didn’t want Zephan to be around when I would leave the house, unless he was going to put two and two together when I didn’t come back on time and figure out what I was up to. And then, it’s no longer going to be a shock to him.

I checked the time on my phone again before slipping a few “just in-case” essentials into my purse for tonight. Lennie had already sent me the guys’ contact days ago and we had been texting, but he didn’t want to reveal anything about himself, like his name and his picture.

He said it would make things “mysterious and much more interesting.” He also said it’d be better if we do all that in person.

Lennie knew what he looked liked though, and she had refused to tell me too. All she did was assure me that he was hot and very good in bed.

“Stupid woman.” I muttered to myself with a smile, like she could somehow hear me right now.

I didn’t bother driving since we had planned to meet up right outside a restaurant, and from there we were going to go to his apartment.

Unfortunately I got there about ten minutes late, because I was held up by traffic. I didn’t spot anyone who was likely to be him waiting out here, so I decided to text him.

Me: Where are you?

Me: I’ve been standing out here for the past five minutes and I don’t see anyone who might be you. See, this is why I insisted you send a picture but you refused.

Adding a little lie wouldn’t hurt, besides I needed him to think he was the one who kept me waiting, not the other way around.

As I watched the three dots pop up a couple of seconds later, I couldn’t help but snort at the bold letters staring back at me. When Lennie sent me his contact information, I just saved it like that—since she had refused to tell me his name—and planned to change it later when he told me.

Well, that didn’t happen.

Mr. Yes-Please: I didn’t refuse. I just thought seeing the look on your face when you found out what I look like is a lot better than just sending you a pic (smirking emoji).

Mr. Yes-Please: Also you haven’t been standing for the past five minutes.

My brows furrowed.

Me: What makes you say that?

Mr. Yes-Please: Because I saw when you came.

My whole body went stiff and I was suddenly aware of every shiver of air that grazed my skin, and I fought the urge to lift my head and look around as I typed,

Me: Can you still see me?

Mr. Yes-please: Oh yes, crystal clear. Couldn’t miss you if I tried.

Me: I’m going to kill you and Lennie.

She was the reason, this annoying human knew what I looked like even before I texted him.

Mr. Yes-Please: Who now?

Me: Just show yourself before I lose my temper.

Mr. Yes-Please: As you wish, darling.

I was about rolling my eyes and smiling to myself, but then I remembered that he could still see me, so I maintained my calm composure.

Was this guy fun to chat with? Yes. Did he get on my nerves and piss me off? Also yes. And yet, I had to admit… talking to him was kind of addictive…

I finally raised my head, giving into the urge to glance around and find this guy. It was almost 8 pm, so it was dark, but the night was busy, with lights coming from literally everywhere so I guess it was the perfect night for mischief. Or disaster. Or maybe both.

Just then, my eyes locked onto a man across the street who was probably in his early forties. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t noticed him staring at me for the past two minutes, Could he…

“No.” I said out loud, shaking my head. Lennie said he was hot and unlike other things, I could actually trust her with stuff like this. So there was—

“Hello.” A deep voice rumbled from beside me, cutting my thoughts off and making my pulse skip instantly. I slowly turned my head, not sure if I was breathing anymore and I couldn’t even hide my surprise when I saw the man standing right next to me.

Holy mother of God.

“Larissa right?” He smirked, like he could see the thoughts going through my mind right now—and God, he looked even more ridiculously fine. I just hope he didn’t notice me checking him out.

What am I saying? Of course he did.

“So this is your reason for not sending me a picture?” I said the second I found my voice, ignoring his question as the answer was quite obvious. “I guess you're satisfied now.”

“What are you talking about?” His brows pulled together, though that smirk never left his lips.

“Oh you know exactly what I’m talking about.” My eyelids drooped with lazy amusement, as I let my gaze drift over him again.

Damn, he was tall. Probably 6’5 or something.

And unlike me, who had worn a ruched, sleeveless tie-up body con mini-dress, he had dressed casually—his short sleeves showing off his biceps that were definitely there. And big. Dark hair messy in the perfect way, and forest green eyes that made me want to both roll my eyes and swoon at the same time.

A deep, velvety chuckle rolled out of him, and it took me a second to realize he was laughing at the comment I made.

“Come on, my car’s over there.” He said, pointing in a direction I barely paid attention to. God, I could listen to him talk all day. I seriously hit the jackpot. I am never doubting Lennie ever again when it comes to men.

“So, are you going to tell me your name now?” I asked, staring straight ahead as I walked beside him. If I stared at him too much, he was going to think I haven’t seen a guy like him before and probably get even more cocky.

“Harl.” He waited a few seconds before answering.

“Harl?” I blinked rapidly. Judging by the way his brows furrowed, the way I said his name must have offended him. “That’s your name?”

“Is there something wrong with it?” He asked, pointing his keys towards a black Nissan Altima, the car beeping in acknowledgement as the doors unlocked.

“N—no, it’s cool.” I answered as he opened the passenger door, gesturing for me to go in. “It’s just that you don’t look like Harl. You look more like a… uh Damian or a Xander.” I said earning another chuckle from him before getting in.

“I guess I’m taking that as a compliment.” He said before shutting the door and I briefly savored the silence and privacy of the car—and the sweet mix of leather and his faint spicy cologne—before Harl joined me.

I then turned to the spot I was standing at a few minutes ago. To think this was where he was watching me from.

We carried on talking in the car as he drove, and I was already expecting him to stop in front of an apartment, or a small house. But instead, he drove me to a hotel.

“We’re… at a hotel?” I asked, when he turned off the engine. “I thought you said we’ll be going to your house.” He paused, his hands hovering over the door handle as he turned to me with a smile.

“I guess I changed my mind.”

I blinked, processing his words as he got out and rounded the car, getting the door for me.

“Well I didn’t plan on paying a hotel f*e.” I said, when we began walking to the entrance together.

“I never said you were paying.” He snorted, sounding amused.

“What?” I slowed to a stop.” Isn’t that supposed to be—”

His sigh made the words die on my lips. “Just stop asking questions and follow me, will you?” He said softly, sliding his hand into the small of my back. And I felt my pulse race as a familiar heat pooled low in my stomach, making it impossible to form a single coherent word.

Glad, he had finally silenced me, he guided me through the entrance, hand still at my back. I stole a glance at him, and the smirk he gave me promised trouble.

And I couldn’t help but think… Maybe my husband's open marriage suggestion wasn’t such a bad idea after all.