Chapter 2

Chapter 2

He didn’t touch her; he simply extended his arm, gesturing for her to go first. Outside, the night air was fresh and cool. A luxurious black car waited at the entrance. The driver opened the door as soon as he saw them.

Maitê hesitated for a second before getting in.

“Just tonight,” she reminded herself.

He entered right after. The city lights blurred past the window.

“There’s still time to change your mind,” he said, without any pressure.

She slowly turned her face toward him, observing him in the dim light inside the vehicle.

“Do you usually give that option to everyone?”

“I don’t usually give any options at all.”

She smiled.

“Then maybe I’m a rare case.”

His eyes traced her face with careful attention.

The car stopped in front of the most exclusive motel in the city. The facade was discreet, the entrance private, with no flashy signs. Privacy was the rule here.

He got out and offered his hand to her. She accepted immediately. The touch was brief, but electric for both of them.

Inside the suite, she saw how perfect the place was: indirect lighting, impeccable sheets, and the scent of expensive perfume in the air.

As soon as they entered and closed the door, silence fell. Now it was just the two of them.

He removed his jacket slowly, keeping his eyes fixed on her.

“Still want to pretend you don’t know what you’re doing?” he asked, his voice deeper.

Maitê placed her purse on the table and walked toward him calmly.

“No.” She stopped just a few centimeters away. “But I also don’t like it when someone decides for me.”

She undid the knot of his tie herself. At her touch, his breathing changed.

He raised his hand and ran his index finger along her cheek. He lightly touched her chin, looked into her eyes, and pressed his lips to hers just as she opened the third button of his shirt.

His kiss was so good and intense that she sighed against his warm lips and opened her mouth wider to receive his tongue. He sighed too, aroused, and held the back of her neck to deepen the kiss even more.

His tongue explored hers with urgency, and Maitê felt her entire body respond—the heat rising through her belly, her nipples hardening against the fabric of her dress.

She finished unbuttoning his shirt with slightly trembling fingers, pushing the fabric aside until she exposed his broad chest, warm skin, and the defined lines of masculine muscles.

She kissed him again and slid her open palms across his chest, feeling his heart racing beneath the skin. He groaned low against her mouth when her thumbs lightly brushed his nipples. The sound made her belly clench.

She pulled back just enough to look into his eyes—green, dilated, and hungry. Without saying a word, she slowly descended, letting her lips trace a wet path along his chin, his jawline, and down his neck. He tilted his head back, offering more skin, his fingers still buried in her hair.

When she reached his chest, she lightly brushed her tongue over one nipple. He let out an almost inaudible sigh, and the muscles of his abdomen contracted under her fingers.

She continued downward. Her lips followed the center line of his abdomen, feeling each muscle tighten beneath her mouth. When she reached the waistband of his pants, she looked up at him. His gaze was like fire, and she was dying to burn in it.

With slow movements, she undid his belt, the button, and the zipper. The evident bulge beneath his underwear made her breath catch for a second. She pulled his pants and underwear down just enough to free him.

He was thick and hot. He pulsed in her hand when she wrapped her fingers around him carefully. She gently ran her thumb over the wet tip. She heard a low moan escape his lips.

She leaned in and placed a light kiss on the head, tasting him as the flavor invaded her mouth. He held his breath. Then she parted her lips and took him slowly, circling with her tongue while her hand worked the base.

“Ahh…” His moan came out strangled.

With her other hand, she slid up to his thigh, squeezing the tense muscles, feeling them tremble. He buried his fingers deeper in her hair.

She increased the rhythm of her lips around him. Every now and then she released him just long enough to run her open tongue from base to tip, looking up to see his jaw clenched and his eyes half-closed in intense pleasure.

He was close; his breathing grew more and more irregular.

“If you don’t stop…”

She didn’t stop. This time he groaned loudly, his fingers tightening in her hair, and then he came against her tongue. She swallowed everything. Only then did she release him carefully, running her tongue one last time over the sensitive head before pulling away.

He pulled her up; his eyes were glazed with pleasure. His hand cupped her face, his thumb tracing her swollen lower lip.

“Your turn,” he murmured.

Hours later, lying among tangled sheets, he stared silently at the ceiling. She was turned to the other side.

“I don’t usually do this again,” he said, breaking the silence.

Silence.

“Neither do I,” she replied after several seconds.

He pushed her leg aside, leaving her exposed, and they went at it again. Maitê let herself be his once more. How could she refuse? He had been the best she’d ever had.

She woke before dawn. She was completely sore, but a silly smile lingered on her still-swollen lips.

Only the bedside lamp was on. He slept deeply, his expression relaxed.

For a second, she almost touched his handsome face. But she decided against it. She got up slowly, dressed, and left without leaving a number, a name, or any explanation.

For her, it had been just one night.

For him… she didn’t know.

The sun was beginning to rise when the driver saw the woman who had entered the motel with his boss leave alone, holding her shoes.

She walked to the sidewalk, raised her hand, and seconds later a taxi pulled up. She got in and disappeared as the first rays of sunlight appeared.

The driver stared at the spot where the taxi had vanished, thoughtful, an unlit cigarette between his fingers.

“Who knows what kind of woman she was.”

He frowned. He thought about his boss inside. Was he okay? He sighed, tossed the cigarette to the ground, and walked to the reception.

“Good morning. This is Mr. Rafael’s driver. Could you call his room, please? Just to make sure everything’s fine.” He paused. “It’s just… precaution.”

A few seconds later, it was confirmed that Mr. Rafael had answered, voice hoarse from sleep. He was fine.

Less than five minutes later, Rafael came out and returned the key to the clerk. The driver straightened up when he saw him.

“Good morning, sir.”

Rafael replied with a curt nod and got into the back seat without a word. As soon as the car started moving, Rafael let out a long, nervous sigh. He leaned his head back against the headrest and stared at the leather ceiling.

He didn’t even know her first name. And worse—he didn’t want it to have ended like this.

She had made him feel something no other woman ever had. Not even the mother of his child had ever disarmed him this way.

He ran a hand over his face, rubbing his eyes. And what was left now?

Nothing.

Just the scent of her still clinging to his skin and clothes, and the taste of her on his lips.