Feather like kiss.

~You look so beautiful.... having your shaking legs wrapped around my waist.~

ALORA POV:

He kissed me. Rhys Larsen kissed me.

The touch of his lips was extremely soft and feather like but it was causing my toes to curl. It was making me crave for more and leaving me with anticipation. He did nothing. He did not deepen the kiss but I could feel that kissing Rhys would be a heavenly experience.

When he pulled away, which only felt like eternity, I breathed heavily like I just finished a marathon. I warily glanced at him. However, he had his eyes on someone else.

I tried to get rid of the tingling sensation on my lips by diverting my attention only to find that Linda was leaving.

Now I get why he did that. In order to blend well with the crowd he kissed me so we would look like a couple and my guards wouldn't bother me.

I let out a sigh of relief. However, that kiss, that lingering feel, the anticipation, it was only building.

"Let's go. I will take you home." He grabbed my wrist me lead the way out of the arena.

Soon, he hailed a cab and we were sitting in the back seat of it. Meanwhile, I was still in a state of trance.

"Hey, you.... are you alright?" Rhys snapped his fingers in front of my face to grab my attention.

"Yes, yes." I glanced at him from that corner of my eye and forced a smile. Rhys was making me feel like a teenager who just had her first kiss.

"And I was getting worried that you might be thinking I really am a trafficker." He chuckled. That throaty and deep chuckle made me clench my thighs and it wasn't just the sound of it, but the way a dimple popped up under his lip on the left side. This man is just so beautiful. God really took his time and ultimate care in making him.

"You have arrived at your destination." The sound of navigation made us jolt from our places.

"Thank you for tonight, Rhys." I said to him sincerely. If it weren't for him, my secret would have been out already.

I opened the car door to leave but he stopped me by holding my wrist. His touch sent shivers down my spine. "You didn't tell me your name." His deep eyes bore into my face that made me swallow hard.

"Alora... Alora Scarlett." I whispered and he smiled.

"Alora." He repeated my name like he is savoring it. "Here.." He pulled out his phone from his pants, "Punch your number. If you will need my help sneaking out, I will gladly do so."

His words made me smile. To be honest, it isn't bad to have someone to share this side of mine with. Although I am not allowed to share my number under normal circumstances but tonight is kinda special. Without any hesitation, I gave him my number and left the car.

I carefully walked inside the house. The lights were turned off. Since, it is almost midnight now, I am sure the housekeepers have left and other than a few guards outside and my Dad in his study, there isn't anyone at home. I tiptoed and stayed vigilant to not make any sound.

Moreover, I made sure to take off the jacket that I was wearing. Just leaving myself in a pair of jeans and a hoodie.

"Where have you been?" Dad's grumpy voice startled me. I almost screamed at that.

"Dad.." He turned on the lights in the living room and gazed at me intensely.

I sighed and breathed heavily.

While the disappointment he carried on his face, a tiny part of me was regretting sneaking out like this.

"Dad-"

"I asked you something, Alora." His words were stern and determined.

I took a step closer to him, "I wanted to get some air-"

"It wouldn't have hurt to tell us." His eyes narrowed at me, "You should have taken Linda with you. Do you have any idea how worried we were because of your action tonight."

"I am sorry." I whispered, "But trust me, no one knows about me. You know I haven't made any public appearances yet and taking guards with me attract more attention. This way, I blend in with the crowd-"

"Don't try to lecture me." He wasn't clearly not satisfied with my suggestion, "People are trying to find my weaknesses to get me. I need to win this election. You know how much efforts I have put for this day and I request you not to ruin it for me. Just stay put and listen to what I am saying."

I fiddled with my fingers while my gazed was glued to the ground. What Dad said, it wasn't wrong and since my childhood, I have seen how hard he has worked to be the President of the country. He loves it, maybe more than me. That's why I have to live in this golden cage in order to fulfill his dreams.

"I am sorry." All I could do, it was to apologise.

"Go to your room. Next time I don't want such a thing to happen again." He made his point clear before leaving me all alone in the living room.

I sighed and massaged my temples. 'I don't know whether I should be happy for meeting Rhys tonight or be sad for the fact that my security is going to be even tighter from now onwards.' I couldn't help but think as I made my way to my bedroom.

Soon, I stripped out of my clothes and took a shower. After I was done cleaning up and drying my hair, I plopped on my bed and groaned.

At that moment, the message on my mobile caught my attention. It was from an unknown number. However, I knew who the sender it. My heart suddenly started to beat erratically and I couldn't help but chew nervously on my bottom lip.

After I opened the text, I was sure that it's him.

Rhys: Was the mission successful?

I smiled before trying, "No, it wasn't."

Rhys: Ouch, that's bad. Are you grounded?

"I am not a kid." I almost rolled my eyes, "But yeah, I cannot leave without security in the future."

I don't know why I am telling him so much about myself when we just met but somehow, it felt right.

Rhys: It isn't that bad then.

My lips pursued into a thin line, "It's worse."

Rhys: Don't worry, we can come up with a better plan to sneak you out of your Rupanzel tower.

I couldn't help but chuckle, "You are a bad influence on me. I better keep my distance from you."

Rhys: You want to keep your distance from me? Damnit!! I was thinking of coming closer to you.

His words were normal. There was nothing bad about them. However, my entire body suddenly heated up. My cheeks were feverish whole my ears were smouldering. I fanned my face with my hands to calm myself.

"There is a fairly thick chance that you are a trafficker." After a long pause, I managed to come up with answer.

Rhys: *middle finger*

I smirked.

Rhys: Can we be friends?

He asked so innocently that my heart swooned all over again. This man... there is something intoxicating about him which isn't good for my heart and my pu**y. He makes me melt in a way that I have never thought I am capable of desiring someone to this extend. Furthermore, he looks even hotter in real life. His voice is deeper than the pacific, his eyes... they are darker than the night sky.

When I saw him, there was only one thing that came in my mind.... PANTHER.

Rhys looks like a predator hiding in the darkness, ready to devour its prey and deep down I have a feeling I am his prey this time. Still, instead of keeping my distance from him, I keep on getting closer to him. There is something hypnotising around which I can't seem to wrap my hand.

"I will have to think about it." I typed with my shaking fingers.

Rhys: Sure. Take all time you want.

He was saying. Then the typing bubble popped up again.

Rhys: I can't give you the idea that I am a trafficker.

I shook my head but the smile never left my lips.

"Good night." I sent the last text and saved his number as Panther before putting my phone next to the bed, on the side table.

However, I couldn't fall asleep at all. I continued to stare in the darkness and when I couldn't take it, I sat up with a loud groan. Although I was caught tonight by my Dad, still I was feeling satisfied and Rhys offer about sneaking me out of my Rupanzel castle was indeed tempting.

I was still deep in my thoughts when I heard the knock on the door. In the next second, it opened and I saw Linda, wearing her black suit, her hair tied into a neat bun, her grey eyes shining in the moonlight. She is beautiful but too much of a workaholic. That's why, she does not have a boyfriend.

"Are you okay? I heard a sound coming from your room?" She inquired and turned on the lights to look at me better.

"I am okay." I told her and let my head hit the pillow.

"Miss. Scarlett, can you please tell me where were you tonight?" She folded her arms in front of her chest, while I caught a peek of her from the corner of my eye.

"Out." I gave a half hearted answer.

"I am aware of that." There was this hidden fury behind her words, which scared me. I am sure she did not tell my Dad that they suspected me to be at the illegal racing site. Otherwise, he would not have let me away just with tighter security and a little lecture.

I sat up straight and gazed at her.

"You were caught in a CCTV near an illegal racing site." She added.

"Oh my God, what?" I tried my best to act as surprised as I could. There is a convenience store near racing track where I usually disguise myself into a boy. They must have seen me enter into the store and when they didn't see me come out of there, they must have looked for me everywhere in the area.

Deep down I was relieved to find out that my secret is still safe. The day they will find out that I have been cross dressing, everything will be over for me.

"Next time please be careful. I know it sound incredibly ridiculous that you went to see some underground race, but those places aren't good. All sort of gambler come there and all sort of deal are made there. You will have no idea and you would be sold." She tried to scare me but pretty Linda has no idea that I know such better more than her.

By the way, I wanted to laugh when she assumed that I went to watch a race. I mean, why didn't it hit her that I might have raced personally as well? They really take me as spoiled princess, don't they?

"Okay, okay. I already got an hour long lecture from my Dad. Can you please stop doing it as well? I want to sleep." I groaned and pulled the duvet till my face.

"Good night, Miss. Sarclett."

"Good night, Linda. And please turn off the lights. I will appreciate that." I shouted from under the duvet and she did before closing the door too.

"Crisis averted." I whispered after I was left alone. But I am indeed lucky to get away this time. There is no next time for me.

I sighed as I expected extremely tiring days ahead. "I can't spend my vacations as I want." It made me sad and I missed my Mom. When she was alive, she always supported me. It's not that my Dad doesn't love me, he does. More than anyone else. But it is his duties that are drifting us apart.

I shut my eyes as I tried my best to get rid of all the bad thoughts that started to harbour in my head.