Chapter 3 Hickeys

Despite giving her a fright of possible forced marriage because of the hickies she gave him, they still manage to finish their second round. 

Exhausted and satiated, they fell asleep and it was before dawn that she starts to stir. Disoriented and pained, she tries to focus. Then, the memories of last night came rushing. And despite the discomfort she feels, a sleepy smile graces her lips. It was the best night of her life. A night she will never forget. 

Taking a deep breath, her nostrils were filled with the masculine scent of the naked figure next to her. It's another new for her, experiencing waking up with a man. And she's liking it. She admit it or not, it brought warmth to her heart. 

As much as she wanted to continue to be enveloped in his strong arms, she forces herself to wake up. She needs to leave.

Ever so slowly, she carefully removes the arms wrapped around her. And when she thought she was successful, she cautiously eases away from him to get off the bed. 

"Where are you going?" His hoarse from sleep voice startled her together with the hand that abruptly grips her arm.

For a while, she froze on her spot before slowly turning to his side to find him still with closed eyes. But not long, they start to squint until it finally opens. 

"Where are you going?" He asks again after getting no reply from her earlier. 

But she was too immersed in staring at him to grasp his words. His bed hair and sleepy state are adorably cute. She hasn't thought she would find his disheveled look, fascinating. 

Unlike last night, she doesn't feel the lust that burns her. This time, seeing him in such domesticity hits something different than just a need of the body. 

"You want to use the bathroom?" He mumbles while rubbing away the sleep from his eyes. 

"Ahm...yes. I will be taking a shower. It's almost morning, I need to go" Coming back to her senses, she quickly explains. 

Her words made him pause what he was doing to thoughtfully stare at her. Seems to just have realized it was the end of the one night they shared.

"It's almost dawn. Cinderella needs to leave or she will turn into a pumpkin" she tries to joke at the complicated look in his eyes. 

But it was a joke that even she doesn't find funny. She never expected that a one-night stand could be this complicated. She was not prepared that leaving could be difficult. 

Even he was looking at her, unamused and at the same time deeply thoughtful. 

"Yeah, just for a night. Right?" He scoffs while nodding, fully understanding what she meant. 

"Yes, one night" Nodding, she tries to smile but her lips seem too heavy for a smile. 

"How about the name" He added drily. Not expecting too much from her. She made it clear last night, but for no apparent reason, he brought it up again. 

Taking a subtle deep breath, she slowly releases it with a sigh. Somehow knowing he already expects her response. 

"That would just complicate things. Let's be a stranger to each other" Another laborious smile carves her lips. 

"And if we happen to cross paths again, let's pretend we haven't met. That this night never happened between us" she added. 

The more they talk the more her chest constricts heavily. Is this what she is supposed to feel after a rumble under the sheet? How could others survive every time they have a one-night stand? Or it is just her because it's her first?

Haywire thoughts are filling her head. A lot of questions she needs to answer. But she won't dare ask. 

"Hah..."

She was pulled back to the present when she hears his sarcastic chuckle. And while staring at his piercing eyes, she gave him a soft smile. That's all she could muster. 

It's been a moment of pure silence as they lock their gazes before she was pulled back into his arms. She was startled but she didn't resist. Whatever he plans to do, she's surprisingly looking forward to it. 

"Then, let's have the last round" He mutters while snuggling her lips before claiming them. 

And like a moth against the temptation of a flickering fire, she was enticed. She allowed him to ravish her body. But unlike the previous night, he is more gentle. Almost tender that's she's loving it. 

Without losing fervor, their every move is unhurried. Seeming to be relishing every moment that they are together. If not for being a stranger, they could have mistaken their act for making love. For someone with experience, it is way far from the usual rumble of a one-night stand. 

For the third time, he claims her. But this time it's somewhat cherishing gentleness, almost soulful. Both are aware of the invisible connection developed between them. But given their circumstance, they are desperately struggling to resist. 

"Ahhn..." Her moans were muffled by his slow lingering kisses while they move in rhythm as one. Different from their previous ones. 

With her arms wrapped around him, her hands move to explore his splendor. Seeming to memorize every firm muscle of his perfectly toned body. He feels great in her touch. While he did the same. His hands wander around her flawless nakedness.  

As they pave the way toward their heaven, they pour everything into the unspoken language that only lovers know. They dance to unheard music. Their bodies knew their deepest yearning amidst the certainty of not meeting again. 

It's just a one-night stand. They are supposed to just hook up and leave. But their impending parting seems arduous for her. 

And it's been in her mind since she left the hotel. Leaving the stranger who has been a huge part of her unforgettable night. 

No matter where her feet and her crazy brain would bring her, she will never forget the man who claimed her first. 

"Thank you for a wonderful experience. Whoever you are" She whispers while blankly staring far away. The sun is already rising on the horizon and her flight is about to depart. 

While the plane rises into the air, her heart continues to sink deeper into unexpected despair. The heaviness is overwhelming her and a tear fell down her cheeks. The realization struck her hard but she fervently shakes her head while massaging her constricted chest. 

"Shit" She has to take several deep breaths to ease his laborious breath. The first time she got affected by leaving. 

"Why should you be special?"

"No, you're nothing special" She kept on mumbling while taking deep breaths. Convincing herself everything is normal and she must go on with her plans. 

"Clam down, Skye. You're just being trivial. Stop being sentimental" she added with closed eyes. She has a few hours before landing and with the exhaustion she feels right now, she plans to sleep. But her head is haywire. 

Thankfully, exhaustion won. She unknowingly enters the pit of slumber while she's busy reminiscing her thoughts of last night.

All thoughts were pushed to the corner of her head the instant she disembarks. She needs to catch a cab or she will be late. It's her first day on the job and she doesn't want to create a not-so-good impression about tardiness. Thankfully, she decided to change her clothes at the airport before she took her flight earlier.

From the airport, she will go directly to work, and luckily, a lot of cabs were waiting outside of the arrival. 

With unconscious tapping on the armrest of the vehicle, she fervently looks around the new territory. It was her first time being in the country and she feels like she did a great decision. 

"This is what I envision it to be" She cheerfully whispers while watching the proud skyscrapers around the city. The most industrialized city she's been with. 

"Wright Group of Companies is a massive factor in this country's success" she mumbles without expecting a response. 

Several buildings, if not all, display the WGC emblem. An obvious reality that the city is ruled by the biggest conglomerate in the world. 

"If one of the Wrights would pursue a seat in politics, they would surely dominate. The entire population loves them. But they are too busy for politics" 

The driver who has been discreetly watching her fascination with the scenery around, speaks. 

"Really? They are amazing" With wide eyes and a sweet smile, she raves in surprise. 

"Tourist?" He amiably asks. They are used to tourists visiting the country, especially the main city. 

"No, sir. I will be working at the WGC main office" Proudly, she announces. 

"Wow, congratulations. Employees of WGC are well compensated. You're lucky" With a sincere smile, he salutes her. 

"Thank you" she sweetly smiles before her eyes caught the tallest edifice among the skyscrapers she saw along the way. 

"We are almost there" The driver gaily announces upon seeing her gaping at the towering structure ahead of them. 

"Good luck with your job. Have a great day, madam" After stopping at the very front of the enormous building, he turned to look at her.

"Thank you" she just absent-mindedly mumbles while getting out of the vehicle. Indeed she was speechless about how magnificent the place is. 

The photos on the web did not give justice to its true grandeur. 

"This is it, Skye. This will be our playground for now" she whispers to herself while she looks up at the intimidating structure in front of her. She has to squint to see its top but the sun is too bright despite wearing sunglasses. 

"I will be late" Realizing the bright ray of the sun, she was reminded of the time she needs to be at work. 

"Shit, you can't be late, Skye" she mutters under her breath while taking long strides towards the building. 

Not only her who is in a hurry. The lobby is full of well-dressed quickly pacing people. Everyone looks elegant in their business suit.

Good thing she chooses to wear nude-colored tailored pants paired with her white chiffon long-sleeve top with the same color inner camisole. Only a classic diamond earring adorns her ears and a white strap watch is around her wrist. Her two inches stiletto sling-back pumps the same color as her pants, finish her elegant attire.

Glancing at her watch, it's still fifteen minutes before clock-in but everyone including her doesn't want to dally. 

Clutching her white Lou Lou bag, she joins the pool of hastening employees toward the elevators. It's quite packed but she managed to find a spot. 

Standing in front of the doors, she entertain herself by watching the number display when she noticed an unobtrusive commotion on her right side. 

"One of the heirs has arrived"

"I really can't get enough of these brothers. They are such perfection"

"Gorgeous like their parents"

"Who arrived? We are lucky to see one of them this early in the morning"

"The third heir, I think. Those are his security" 

"COO Xander Wright is always the charming one, unlike Sir Alek and CEO Lucas. The two older brothers are so dangerously intimidating. I'm scared to even look at them when I happen to meet them here"

Curious to see the topic of discussion among the employees, she tries to stretch her neck to skim the crowd. Searching for the person they are talking about. And indeed, a group of several men in black suits are rounding a prominent figure.

"Yes, it's COO Xander Voulker Wright" someone confirms in a hushed voice. 

"He is so handsome" 

"Are those kiss marks on his neck?" With pure shock, someone raves in contained enthusiasm.

"What? Let me see" Tiptoeing and trying to be discreet, some of the women made a ruckus of stretching their necks to have a peek.

"Shit, Mr. Xander Wright is covered with hickeys" someone also exclaims in hosted voice. 

"What an audacious woman to have left her marks on Mr. Wright"

"Is he in a relationship?"

"I don't think so. He doesn't relationships"

Murmurs started to whir around, but Skye's focus was not on them. It's on the imposing figure whose face she will never forget. 

Looking at the man whose eyes were concealed by expensive sunglasses, her entire body went cold. If he was aware of the murmurs around him, he shows no hint. But he slightly turned toward the noise and where she was standing.

Abruptly, she turns away, afraid he might spot her. She hides as much as she can from the people beside her. She just can't believe her misfortune of being in one place with him. 

Did she just spend the night with one of the heirs of the Wright Group of Companies?

Because the man standing several feet away from her was the man who claimed her innocence. And the one she gave hickeys. 

Xander Voulker Wright. 

****tbc****