Chapter Three

His presence lingers in my mind, adding an extra layer of excitement to the evening. I find myself stealing glances around the room, hoping to catch another glimpse of him.

Continuing with my drink, I hum along to the music, reveling in the moment. It's been ages since I've had this much fun. Suddenly, I noticed the mysterious stranger again. He walks up to me, a warm smile playing on his lips.

I can't tear my eyes away from him. With wavy dark hair cascading smoothly across his brow and piercing eyes that seem to hold countless secrets, he exudes an undeniable charm. Our eyes lock for a brief, electrifying moment.

"Hi," he says, his voice so soothing it sends shivers down my spine. A warm blush rushes to my cheeks in response.

"Hi," I reply, my tone laced with a hint of flirtation, scolding myself inwardly for succumbing to his charm. My gaze is fixed on the captivating man before me. I notice he is staring at me lustfully.

A bond forms between us. With a knowing glance, he whispers, "It's getting hot in here, don't you think?" I shudder as my clit becomes wet with his smooth voice. I melt away in his arms.

He kisses me with a passion I've never felt before, and I moan into his mouth, lost in the moment until I sense him kicking open a door. I realize we're in a room. He continues the kiss as I wrap my leg around him, pulling him closer, his erection pressing into me. He pins my arms with one hand while his other hand traces my curves, his mouth never leaving mine.

I surrender to the moment, losing myself in the intensity of our connection. His hands explore my body with a hunger that matches my own, each touch sending me deeper into ecstasy. I feel my panties dripping wet from arousal. He releases me, resting his back on the headboard, and grabs my thigh, pulling me closer.

His hand goes to my hair, releasing it to let my curls fall freely. He guides his fingers from my scalp to the ends of the curls, muttering in a husky voice, "Fucking beautiful." Our bodies dance in unison, discovering our pleasures and desires. It's a whirlwind of passion. In his arms, I discover a freedom I've never known before. As the night takes shape, the world outside fades away, and I fall into the enticing spell of the stranger.

The ringing of my phone wakes me up. As I open my eyes and look around, I jolt up, realizing I'm in a room that isn't mine. Panic sets in as I try to make sense of my surroundings. I search for any familiar clues that could explain how I ended up here. The room is dimly lit, which adds to my confusion. Like a flash, the pieces of my thoughts come together, and I remember everything that happened the night before.

I look around, hoping the stranger is still nearby, but all I'm met with is silence. How could I let myself get lost in the moment and have sex with a stranger? I don't even know his name. With mixed emotions, I dress, gather my belongings, and leave. I'm angry with myself for everything that happened.

Ava is worried sick when I get home. She locks me in a loving embrace the moment she lays eyes on me. "I was afraid something had happened to you," she says, her voice filled with concern. "Ava, you wouldn't believe what happened," I added hurriedly.

"What? What happened?" Ava asks, her face troubled. "I met this guy at the club, and we... we... we ended up... you know." Ava's eyes widen as she reaches for my arm. "Wait, do you mean you... slept with him?" "I did. It was hasty, reckless, and totally out of character for me. I can't believe I let myself get so carried away.”

Ava sits me down on the couch. "All right, take a deep breath. It happened, and there's no point in lingering on it now. Please, tell me everything." I take a moment to gather my thoughts before describing meeting the stranger, the instant connection we shared, and the passionate encounter that followed. With each word, I feel a weight lift off my shoulders, knowing I can confide in Ava without judgment.

Ava's expression softens as she pulls me closer, her embrace offering comfort in my moment of vulnerability. "Hey, it's okay. We all make mistakes," she says soothingly. "But this is different, Ava. I feel... I feel like I've lost control of my life," I admit, my voice trembling with emotion.

Ava gently strokes my hair. "You haven't lost control, Jasmine. You're just going through a rough patch. And you don't have to do it alone. I'm here for you." Tears well up in my eyes as I lean into Ava's embrace, grateful for her unwavering support. "Thank you, Ava. I don't know what I'd do without you."

*****

My one-night encounter with the mystery man stays with me. I wonder why he left without a word, not even a note. I lay on the couch, phone in hand, scrolling through my I*******m feed and liking a series of photos that catch my eye when a thought flashes through my head.

Lately, I've been feeling tired, even after a decent night's sleep, longing for a nap. I notice my taste buds yearning for salty tangles with the sweet creaminess of ice cream. My breasts feel sore and somewhat fuller; I immediately touch them to confirm. Then there is my missed period, which sets off alarm bells in my head. I sat down on the couch hastily.

I dash out the door and go to the store. The thought of becoming pregnant, especially after my divorce, is overwhelming. This can't be happening. When I arrive at the store, I purchase four pregnancy test strips. I come back home, my mind swirling with worry. Ava has returned from work.

"What's up?" She questions, keeping her eyes buried in her system. 

"Hello," I answered, my voice shaking.

"You seem uncomfortable," she says, her gaze lifting from the screen to meet mine. "Ava, I think I'm pregnant. The signs are there." She looks at me, shocked. I nod my head.

"Let's not rush to conclusions, let's be certain you are pregnant.” she said, shaking her head.

I waste no time in making my way to the bathroom, my hands trembling slightly as I unwrap one of the pregnancy test strips. Taking a deep breath, I follow the instructions carefully, waiting anxiously for the results. Each passing second feels like an eternity until finally, the timer beeps, signaling that it is time to check.

My heart pounds in my chest as I pick up the test strip, my hands shaking with nerves. As I glance at the result, my breath catches in my throat.