Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Matilda's POV

The night stretched endlessly. All my senses were amplified in that long, silent darkness—his every touch, every breath, even the slightest tensing of his muscles became impossibly vivid.

Physical pleasure let me temporarily forget all my real-world troubles, like soaking in warm spring water. That full-body relaxation made me stop thinking, wanting only to enjoy the moment, to drown endlessly in it.

It was a joy beyond ecstasy, impossible to put into words. With his final rough exhale, I felt him shudder deep inside me, every pulse of him beating in rhythm with his heart.

One beat, then another... until finally, stillness.

I collapsed on the bed, too exhausted to open my eyes, without even the strength to move a finger. Minutes later, I felt the man wrapped around me from behind shift.

The instant his burning chest left my skin, I shivered from the cold, then suddenly realized what was happening. "Don't... no more... I'm too tired..."

He turned me over, his large hand supporting my lower abdomen, letting my back arch naturally, exposing my most vulnerable place to him.

He didn't speak. His actions answered me: I might have started this game, but when it ended was no longer my decision.

He pulled me tightly into his arms, carrying me into the next wave.

The first thing I felt when I fully regained consciousness was overwhelming exhaustion crashing over me like a tidal wave. Every joint, every muscle screamed with soreness.

I whimpered softly and slowly opened my eyes. An unfamiliar ceiling and a crystal chandelier hanging overhead assaulted my retinas as those chaotic memories came flooding back.

My eyes flew wide open. 'Matilda! What have you done? You fought with Kerena, then ran out like a lunatic? You got wasted and had a drunken hookup?'

Most importantly, Rhys had been following me the whole time last night! Which meant everything I'd done had probably already reached Wellington's ears by now!

What would he think of me? His employee, living in his house, having a one-night stand right under his bodyguard's nose?

A boss as demanding as him—how could he possibly accept such chaotic behavior from a subordinate?

My mind instantly spiraled into chaos. After a long while, I finally snapped out of it. I had to do something! Though I had no idea how to fix this, it was better than continuing to lie here naked, doing nothing!

I scrambled up in a panic, only to see my clothes and a man's suit carelessly thrown on the floor, tangled together inseparably, just like last night's messy encounter.

Trembling all over with nerves, I tried to crawl out of bed, desperate to leave before things got even worse. But suddenly, an arm reached from behind, hooking around my waist and effortlessly pulling me back into his embrace.

I broke into a cold sweat, struggling weakly. "You... let me go... I have to get to work!"

"Don't move..." His drowsy, muffled voice came from behind me. "Sleep a little longer."

Wait. That voice...

All my struggling stopped instantly. I stiffly turned my head. A familiar face appeared in my vision without warning.

Smooth skin, a high-bridged nose, hair that had lost its usual meticulous styling after a night of exertion, now falling softly across his forehead.

Wellington!

How was I in the same bed as Wellington? So the person I'd done those chaotic things with—it was him! I'd slept with my boss again?

Like I'd been scalded, I tried to spring away. But the arm around my waist tightened suddenly, pressing me deeper into his burning embrace.

His chin rested on top of my head, his low murmur unclear in my ear. "Don't move... whatever it is, we'll talk after we sleep. I'm too tired..."

Within seconds of those words, I heard his breathing even out. He'd clearly fallen asleep.

I went rigid as stone, trapped in his tight embrace, unable to move. He said he was too tired?

Something exploded in my brain, my cheeks instantly burning. What did he mean, too tired? Had I really been that demanding last night?

'No! Matilda, now's not the time to worry about that!'

The point was—how was Wellington even here? Had he been the one at the bar last night who found me, brought me here, and... kept me up all night?

Those gentle yet helplessly soothing words from last night echoed clearly in my mind. Each word carried scorching heat, making my heart race wildly, my scalp tingling.

This realization hit harder than just a simple one-night stand, leaving me even more flustered and lost. The lingering effects of alcohol and extreme emotional turmoil made my temples throb painfully, my eyelids growing heavier.

Trapped in his warm embrace, his scent—both comforting and heart-racing—filling my nose, my taut nerves somehow began to loosen bit by bit in the midst of utter chaos.

My consciousness blurred again. Before I completely closed my eyes, the last thing I heard was the heavy, steady beating of his heart deep in his chest.

When I regained consciousness again, bright daylight flooded the room. I groggily opened my eyes, staring at the ceiling for several seconds before jolting awake.

The space beside me was empty. I sat up abruptly, the violent soreness in my body making me gasp. Turning my head, I saw the bed beside me was vacant.

Wellington and his clothes had vanished without a trace. He was gone. Gone completely and thoroughly.

My heart sank. He'd left so decisively without leaving a word—was he angry?

Of course. What happened last night was just a mistake to him. Maybe even a problem. He'd definitely want to erase all traces of it as soon as he woke up, eliminating any risk to his reputation.

Was I the next thing to be "handled"?

My hands and feet went ice-cold, my heart racing so frantically my stomach churned, nausea rising in waves. I didn't know what to do next.

After a long time, I realized I had to leave here! Even if what was coming could completely upend my life, I couldn't keep waiting here uselessly!

I frantically threw back the covers to get out of bed, planning to shower first, but discovered I was surprisingly clean. Aside from muscle soreness and a subtle ache in intimate places, there was none of the sticky discomfort I'd expected.