Chapter Three #2
I don’t know what this is, but surely I’m allowed to be foolish every once in a while.
It may lead to somewhere, it may not, but I really want to go along for the ride and see what happens.
Hand in hand, we walk away from the muffled sound of voices and the slow strains of the band.
The house comes into sight with its key features bathed in a soft glow from the spotlights scattered across the gardens.
We reach a white picket fence then turn the corner to the vast swimming pool at the back of the house.
I feel the sudden rush of blood to my head.
I haven’t felt like this for a long time.
Not since… push him out of your mind… do not give him a second thought.
As we get nearer to the pool, Daniel stops beside a rattan sofa.
“Please,” he signals for me to sit, then takes a seat himself.
The music still hums in the background, but it’s harder to make out the song.
Daniel shifts his body closer to mine, his arm rests along the back of the sofa while his fingers caress my shoulder.
He brings me close to his side as I lay my head against his hard chest, curling into him with my arm around his waist. We fit so perfectly together.
“Do you enjoy your work, Hannah?”
I look up to him, “You want to talk shop? Now?”
His brow furrows, but there’s a slight smirk too. I curl back into him then say, “I love it, but I’m not really a career girl.”
“But you came out here for your job?” his tone questions.
“If I gave you the chance to live and work in beautiful foreign surroundings for two years, would you refuse? It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to see one of the most incredible countries in the world.”
“I see your point, but I also imagine a lot of thought goes into such a big move. I assume you want to make a success of it?”
“I do, but I don’t live to work, I work to live and get amazing opportunities like this one.
Don’t get me wrong, I put my heart and soul into my job and I love what I do, but all I need is to be there to make Richard’s life easier.
I wouldn’t want to go home every night and worry about numbers and deadlines, it’s not me.
When I get home, I want to switch off. Apart from weekends like this. ”
“I’ve just realised I don’t really know anything about you, apart from the fact that I like the taste of those perfect lips. I want to taste them again,” he says while focusing on my mouth with intense hazel eyes.
“I like the taste of you too.”
The rise of his eyebrows and cheeky grin has my body in a controlled spin, especially when he says, “Just my lips?”
“And the rest of the body that comes with it.”
It sounds slutty, even if I didn’t mean it to.
His soft kisses distract my thoughts and my body ignites with his touch.
Our need intensifies, and I move closer against his hard chest. Our eyes meet for a split second before his fingers comb softly through my hair and guide me back to his mouth.
A familiar sandalwood and soap aroma surround my senses and arouses every part of me.
I search for my sensible side, although I don’t look too hard.
I don’t want this to stop. With one hand still in my hair, his other drifts downwards while my hand smooths the length of his upper body.
I’m so aroused but unable to get close enough.
“Not here, Hannah. I don’t want us to be a sideshow for some unsuspecting party guest. I want you all to myself.”
Everything stops and I know we’ve gone too far.
Our bodies are still, our eyes locked. This is Daniel Grant—a man who can have any woman he wants.
I’m under no illusions this would be a one-time only affair, I’m not stupid.
And what are the repercussions of sleeping with one of my employers?
He’s never in the office, he said so himself.
This could be easy. Can I come to terms with a one-night stand?
It’s not something I’ve experienced before.
I have to decide quickly. Do I want this?
Do I really, really want this? Yes, but not in this way.
My reply is a very breathless, “I’m sorry, we’ve already gone too far.
” I sit up abruptly and adjust my clothes.
“I got carried away.” Before I can change my mind, I stand, but Daniel catches my hand and pulls me towards him.
I stare at the tiles below my feet, too embarrassed to look him in the eye.
“This is my fault. I’m moving too fast. ”
“No, it wasn’t just you, it was my fault too. Now is not the right time for me. I should have thought this through. I’m sorry.”
I take a few steps back.
“Can we at least talk about what just happened?” His tone holds so much confusion and I feel like shit for doing this to him, but I have to stop this now.
“It’s best if I just go. I’m so sorry.” I ignore Daniel’s pleas to stop as I run as fast as my legs will take me.
When I reach the ballroom, my palms take the weight of my body against the outside wall while I control my ragged breaths.
I wipe the beads of sweat from my brow, abruptly straighten up, and smile politely at the drunken party goers as they pass me by.
When I think of what I’ve done, my insides want to make an appearance.
This is the right decision. It has to be.
At least, my head is in agreement. My heart has an entirely different idea altogether.