Chapter 5

Simone wouldn’t need to be paid in gold to help the mouthy Laura shut up. She could picture herself pouring wine over the blonde, red wine preferably, but had to restrain herself and put a commercial smile on all through the evening.

She learnt from the overly talkative woman that she was a model, a well-paid one… Simone had to repress a yawn more than a couple of times. She didn’t know how William could put up with the woman. But then again, he was a man, a man with needs, and she couldn’t expect him to remain celibate.

Hell, this was surprisingly her first time seeing him with someone, and that in itself was more than she could hope for.

In this day and age, finding a faithful partner was hard enough, never mind finding someone who never indulged in the pleasures of the flesh.

In her ire, and out of rampant jealousy, Simone didn’t pay attention to her alcohol intake. Soon, she asked to be excused from the small gathering of officials amidst the party, needing to use the restroom to freshen up.

She was glad that Ryder didn’t seem to notice how flustered she was, and if he had, he was gentleman enough not to comment on it. She wouldn’t possibly be able to look him in the eyes afterwards if he did.

The restroom was thankfully empty. She even checked the stalls, to make sure.

After carefully rinsing her face, Simone didn’t hesitate to give herself a pep talk, “Move on, woman. He’s with someone else already, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Don’t be a fool and take his kindness for anything more than it actually is.”

Just as she sighed heavily, a voice she knew only too well rang in the empty restroom, “Who exactly are you talking about?”

Simone’s heart dropped, and her eyes bulged as she saw William by the door.

He always looked regal in formal attire, and now wasn’t an exception. Hell, he made her feel like she might start drooling over him.

She knew that there was more to her infatuation with him than just lust, but she wouldn’t admit it to herself, never mind him.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied coolly, despite the blush that threatened to cover her whole.

“Lying to me, are you?” His chuckle made her want to hold onto the sink in front of her for fear of falling, but she couldn’t possibly admit the truth.

Their relationship would be unsalvageable if she were to say what roamed her mind. She would lose any standing she might have had in his eyes. And the mutual respect and understanding they had for one another might be ruined too.

Simone couldn’t imagine her life without William in it, and thus she tried to play it cool, and went to leave the restroom. But to do that, she had to sidestep him by the door – and lo and behold, he was having none of that.

“Tell me, Simone?” He pressed on, as relentless as ever.

Her breath hitched in her throat, and she could only mumble a timid, “Please…”

Please don’t make this harder than it has to be, she wanted to say. Please don’t make me say it.

Her breathing became labored because of their proximity, and her heart tried to beat its way out her chest in panic – but that was not all.

What was she supposed to tell him really?

She almost hoped someone would come so that she wouldn’t have to answer him. And yet, despite all her fears, her insecurities, and the doubt gnawing at her insides, she craved this kind of attention, especially coming from him… It had been way too long since she last was in a relationship, and she now realized her mistake.

She didn’t dare to try to move him out of the way, almost as if she was afraid the simple touch would burn her. Time stilled for a moment, and they were locked onto one another.

William was too close for comfort. He was staring at Simone, his eyes challenging, hooded, and slightly dark with desire. His lips parted, but not a word slipped past them. She waited with bated breath for a word, a gesture, anything...

Instead of mocking her verbally for her absurd reaction to him, he smirked. She couldn't avert her eyes, never mind putting distance between them. She was frozen in place.

Then, he leaned down, and she couldn't help but allow it to happen. Her eyes closed, and their lips met together in a dance as old as time itself. The kiss, albeit fleeting, didn't lack in the passion department, and stole her breath away. She gasped, opening her mouth for him, giving him better access. He wasted no time exploring it with his tongue.

When they parted for air, seconds later, he smiled at her – a true genuine smile which she seldom saw. She, on the other hand, blushed a deep crimson.

Would they ever be the same again?

He walked out without saying a word to her, and she wondered for a moment there if it had been a dream, or worse, a test… She wouldn’t outlive the humiliation if that was the case.

But then, she recalled his smile, and convinced herself that he might reciprocate her feelings after all. Her hand rose to her lips, and she felt like she still tasted her devilish stepbrother on them.

By the time she returned to the party, roughly ten minutes later, people had begun to leave already. She had to stand next to William as they saw some officials out. The way he simply stood next to her, their arms sometimes brushing, made her feel like the most precious and maybe the most delirious woman alive.

How could she allow him to have such a hold over her?

“Check your phone,” he whispered after a beat.

She managed not to show a visible reaction, and merely let out a noncommittal sound in the back of her throat.

Upon doing as he told her a couple of minutes later, she realized she had received two texts.

It read: She is irrelevant to me.

Her heart picked up its pace without delay, and she had to hold back a gasp.

The second text had the knack to make her blush: Let him touch you, and you won’t like the consequences.

She couldn’t look William in the eyes, but she now had her answer… It hadn’t been a test, and this might be the start of something big, possibly more than she could handle, but she wasn’t one to back down from a challenge.