CHAPTER FOUR

{Thea}

My eyes fluttered open, and the first thing I noticed was the curtains draped closed. My limbs felt heavy, my body was warm, and my skin was hypersensitive to the soft sheets beneath me.

Wait, how am I on a bed?

I sat up, but I moved too fast, and the world tilted. 

This isn’t my suite.

The room was unfamiliar, and panic gripped me as I remembered the group of men from the bar. 

I struggled to push myself off the bed, slowly staggering toward what I assumed was the exit. My mind was sluggish, and I felt hot, and uncomfortable.

As I reached for the handle, the door opened, and a wave of hot air assaulted me, causing the heat inside of me to intensify, and I felt a tingle low in my stomach.

Why was I feeling this way?

This couldn’t be a simple hangover.

And then a horrible thought crossed my mind… I remembered the taste of the last drink I had, the smile the bartender had shot Jerome before handing me the glass.

“Did he… drug me?”

My legs suddenly gave way, and I fell forward, colliding with a body so firm it felt like running into a statue.

I choked out a tiny sob and slowly looked up at the curious gaze of a handsome stranger.

A towel draped low around his hips, and steam followed closely behind him. His dark hair was damp, clinging to his forehead, and beads of water ran down his broad chest.

“You’re awake” His voice was deep and even, but his eyes scanned me slowly.

A flush crept over my cheeks, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

“How are you feeling?” he asked softly.

I opened my mouth to respond, but for some reason, I couldn’t utter a word. My heart raced, but not from fear though. 

No… this was something entirely different.

He stepped backward to give me space, I could see the concern etched on his features, but the second he backed off, the heat intensified more, and I found myself closing the gap.

“I feel…” my voice came out breathy, and I bit my lip, trying to steady myself. “...warm.”

He tilted his head, focusing fully on me. “Warm? Do you need water or—”

“No. Not like that.” The words came out too quickly, and as I shook my head, the motion only made me even more dizzy.

My heart began to pound, filling me with strange sensations I couldn’t explain.

His mouth moved, but I could barely hear him anymore. Every part of my body felt like I was on fire.

I suddenly felt his hand on my head, and a frown covered his captivating features. “You’re burning up. I should call a doctor.”

He took his hand off, and the cold disappeared, filling me with the uncomfortable heat once again.

“No…” I quivered as I spoke.

I unconsciously reached for him, drawing him closer to me. “Please don’t leave me, I-I… think I was drugged.”

His gaze immediately grew cold, and he closed his eyes for a moment.

I reached out and grabbed his wrist. His skin felt cool, and I shivered as we made contact.

“Please,” I whispered softly, my fingers tightening around him. “I just… I need you.”

His eyes shot open, and he looked down at where my hand held his wrist tightly. “You’re obviously not thinking clearly.”

His voice was rougher now, and his gaze lingered on me in a way that caused the tingle in my lower stomach to amplify.

I tugged him closer. My hand trailed his chest, feeling the firmness of his muscles under my touch. 

“I don’t care.” I murmured 

He groaned softly, but his jaw hardened instantly. His hands gently gripped my shoulders like he was about to push me back. But instead of letting me go, he lingered, his thumb brushing against my skin.

“You don’t know what you’re asking for,” he murmured, his voice strained.

“Yes, I do,” I said, my lips trembling as I leaned closer, tilting my face toward his. “Please… I need this. I need you.”

“Fuck,” he muttered under his breath.

Before I could say anything else, his lips crashed into mine. A moan tore from my throat as I clung to him, pulling him closer, my body pressing against his. 

His towel slipped to the floor, but I didn’t care—I couldn’t think, couldn’t feel anything except the heat of his skin against mine and the way his hands gripped my waist.

He lifted me easily and laid me back against the bed. His lips trailed down my neck, and the ache inside of me deepened. I arched beneath him, savoring it, while my hands tangled in his hair.

Within seconds, my clothes were tossed to the floor, and the cold feeling assaulted my skin in a delicious way as I trembled under this stranger’s touch.

I didn’t care about the consequences, about the mess my life had become. All that mattered was him—the way he made me feel alive, the way he chased away the loneliness and pain with every kiss, every touch, every stroke.

By the time I collapsed back against the sheets after reeling in ecstasy, all I felt was pure, unadulterated bliss.

****

The morning sun filtered through, casting a deliciously inviting glow on his naked body. I resisted the urge to touch him, and quietly packed up my things, slipping out of his hotel room before he woke up.

I never thought I would be doing the Walk of Shame from a complete stranger’s hotel room, but crazier things had happened since I arrived in San Francisco.

I made my way back to my suite and fell on my bed with a sigh. 

Last night should have never happened. I was sure the bartender definitely had something to do with it, but without any actual evidence, what could I do?

God knows what would have happened if that mysterious stranger hadn’t shown up. Then I remembered that I hadn’t even gotten his name, but it was probably for the best.

I closed my eyes and decided to rest for a little while when I heard a knock on the door.

“Room service.”

With a groan, I dragged myself off the comfortable king-sized bed and walked to the door. I opened it, and my eyes widened in surprise.

“What was he doing here?”