WRONG ROOM.

Chapter 2

Endora’s POV

My heart throbbed like it was about to rip apart as I banged my fist against my chest, then grabbed the bottle of alcohol and drank until the burn forced my eyes shut.

A hand closed around the neck of the bottle and pulled it away.

“Pull yourself together!” Daniel urged, and my eyes lifted to meet him.

I hadn’t imagined he would come searching for me, he literally abandoned his work just to stand by me.

And I was thankful for that, thankful that someone still cared, yet my chest still felt tight.

Why did it feel like I was splintering inside knowing someone I loved betrayed me?

“How do I silence the pain? The image of us calling me a cheat is literally everywhere.” My voice cracked into a whisper as I sniffled, staring at Daniel.

His gaze softened as he moved closer. “It’s alright to feel sad, Scarth, you can cry it all out. Besides, those online pictures are a false narrative,” he said, patting my back gently.

“And after tonight they don’t deserve your tears anymore,” he added, and I let out a bitter laugh.

Even though the alcohol struck hard, harder than I expected, I still felt every dagger of sorrow stabbing my chest.

I thought people claimed drinking could drown the pain.

But mine felt different.

Locking eyes with Daniel, “I don’t think I want to live anymore. It’s over, I’m a fresh graduate. Who will employ me with such a ruined reputation?” I bit my lips as I reached for another bottle, but he snatched that too.

“You’ve had enough. Let me take you home,” he offered, trying to lift me, but I shook my head.

My hand clutched his shirt, using it to rise as I faced him. “I don’t want to go home,” I blurted.

Returning home meant seeing the mess of cake I made, the way I had scattered my whole place just to please him.

How I had prepared to surrender my dignity to him.

But I guessed he didn’t deserve it.

Not even a fraction.

And maybe it was something else I craved. Daniel’s eyes pierced into mine.

“I want you to have sex with me,” I confessed just as his lips parted to speak.

His brow furrowed as we stared at each other for a second.

Then he cleared his throat. “You’re drunk, let’s go—” The words barely left his mouth when I shook my head.

“I mean it. I want you to sleep with me,” I declared bluntly.

His Adam’s apple shifted as he chuckled faintly. “Jeez Endora, I can’t have sex with you,” he said in a firm voice.

He didn’t take me seriously as he dragged me down the hotel corridor.

Suddenly his phone rang, making me pause as I leaned against the wall.

“Go on, I’ll wait for you.” I gestured at the phone in his hand, and he smiled briefly before stepping aside to answer.

Scanning the hallway as numbness dulled my tears, I knew I would still cry later, but for now I only wanted to erase the ache.

Fixing my gaze on the elevator, I saw Daniel pacing while speaking.

When the elevator doors began to close, I stepped inside. Daniel turned just in time to see my face.

His eyes widened. I gave him the smallest smile as the doors shut.

The elevator groaned downward. On the next floor a door stood open.

I slipped through it and closed it behind me before the thought of what I just did could catch up.

My chest rose and fell as I turned my gaze to the figure before me.

For a fleeting instant, it felt like the air was stolen from my lungs.

“Who the hell are you?!” His thunderous voice curled my toes as my fingers tightened around the doorknob.

My eyes scanned his face, the thick brows, a mouth that looked like it rarely smiled, a jaw sharp enough to cut through glass.

He was unfairly, almost aggressively beautiful.

“Are you deaf or something?!” His voice rose again, jolting me back to reality as I opened my mouth then shut it.

“Umm, I’m Endora,” I whispered, but he didn’t seem convinced, stepping closer.

I noticed his stride falter as he tried to drag me out, but instead I tiptoed and looped my arm around his neck, pulling him down.

His face hovered inches from mine. “Are you—” He didn’t finish before I pressed my lips against his.

His cold lips stayed closed as I tried to pry them open. Unexpectedly, his hand shoved me away.

My back slammed against the door, and I winced.

Damn it! He was strong.

He wiped his lips with the back of his hand. “What the fuck is this?” he spat.

Rolling his sleeves, “I won’t repeat myself. Who are you?” Each word made my throat tighten.

What was wrong with me?

Forcing myself on a stranger?

“Let’s have a one-night stand. I’ll pay you,” I said, and his eyes narrowed.

“What?!”

“I’ll pay you,” I repeated, stepping closer. Foolishness burned in me.

I knew Jace chased Mia because I never gave him my body.

And maybe it was right to give it to someone else. I would only feel lighter knowing another man touched me before he could ever.

And I’d be damned to let Jace near me again.

“I don’t sleep with strangers. Now get out of my room!” His voice carried weight, almost making me scared.

However, I wasn’t. My hands went to the straps of my dress. I slowly let them fall.

The fabric pooled at my waist, then lower. His gaze tracked every inch, dark and assessing, before it returned to my face.

“You’re playing a dangerous game,” he said.

“I know.” I whispered.

He closed the distance in two strides. One hand settled at my waist, the other gripped the back of my thigh and pulled me flush against him.

A gasp slipped my lips at the closeness. “You shouldn’t start what you can’t finish.” His voice curled into my ear as his hand gripped my ass firmly.

I felt myself grow wet at the sound of his voice. My fingers twisted in his shirt.

“Maybe you’re the wrong person,” I said. “But tonight I want to be wrong with you.”

His grip tightened on my ass. For a long second neither of us moved.

Then his mouth found mine again, his soft lips pried mine open as he deepened the kiss.

At that moment the door locked behind us with a quiet, final click.