CHAPTER 26

~ Allison Gulferic Point Of View ~

My whole body aches and stiffen but the soft mattress made me purr in comfort. My eyes were still close as the scent of the whole room made it's way to my nose. I can sleep all day with the soft pillows and familiar scent around the whole room.

I took a peak to see what kind of hotel I was in when I saw the paintings and abstract, together with the gray and black color of the room. Definitely not a hotel room.

I jolted from the bed and roam my eyes at the whole room. My eyes widen and my lips gape in shock and surprise. Where the heck am I!? I panicked, totally unfamiliar with the designs but surely familiar with the scent.

It feels like the smell have been following me ever since but I can't just point out who's the owner of the smell. I look underneath the comforter and let out an easing sigh when I saw that I'm still wearing my own clothes. I double checked by feeling the center of my thighs. Nothing seems wrong and now I'm sure of it.

Though I'm still hungry, I haven't had a proper meal since yesterday so I went out of the room to check for some maids. I went to the living area but it was empty, not until I heard someone whistling at the other side, maybe the kitchen.

Having a hunch that it might be Renae cooking, I let the smell of the tasty food linger through my senses, making my stomach grumble. I grinned, excited to eat my food so I happily hummed towards the kitchen. Only to be stopped when I saw a huge and masculine built of a man.

He was only wearing a boxer short and black apron, under it was nothing. He was almost naked but I can't seem to find my voice to scream. I can't see his face but his body is totally something to die for. His ripped biceps and wide back made me swallow the lump in my throat even if it keeps on drying.

He looks edible.

I absentmindedly whispered to my skin, leading me to almost slapping my face for my sudden movement. I covered my mouth with my palm to stop myself from saying it out loud, the interaction of my skin made a loud sound and I saw how his body slightly jolt in surprise.

I cleared my throat, acting like the serious and professional business woman I was. "Where's my secretary?" I asked, still can't see what he looks like even when I'm already sure that he's handsome.

He flip the food on the pan before turning the stove off, my palm sweat in nervousness but when he finally stood face to face in front of me. It feels like all blood was drain from my body. My excited and giddy eyes quickly changes to serious and fierce eyes as I try to put my facade and wishing for him not to see behind my mask.

I rolled my eyes, acting as if I don't care who he is or can't even remember who he was. "Where's my secretary?" I asked again, my brow raised as I sat on one of the high chair far from him.

I need to sit down or my knees will weaken with his intense stares. I rested my elbow on the counter table before putting my chin over my palm, I stared at him too. To show him that I don't feel scared being in one room with a criminal.

"Your secretary is in a important meeting that you should be attending. Don't worry, she's in my secretary's care." He answered plainly, leveling his treatment to the way I'm treating him.

"Oh, I'm not worried. I trust my secretary more than I trust anyone." I commented, emphasizing the word trust and the way his eyes shifted into something didn't escape my eyes. Something inside me was feeling sorry and guilty but I shouldn't be.

I don't care if I'm hurting his ego or it's also bringing him trauma. Compared to us, he don't know how it feels losing the child you have been taking care of inside of your womb only to lose it.

"I'm hungry, I'm going to order some food." I stood up from the chair, not giving him time to answer. I went back to the room and ordered some food, I didn't went out until I heard the door bell ringing at the same time as a message pop on my notification about my order.

Happily and satiated, I opened the door. I can't even see the food but the thought of was making me drool. At last! A proper meal after all the stress the people around me was giving me! This is my prize for being a better version of myself.

I walk pass through the kitchen and saw him watching my every movement. I wasn't planning to eat with him at the kitchen but then a silly thought told me that I should show him that I'm not affected by his presence, even though I am.

Putting all the foods on the counter table, I asked him to hand me some plates which he instantly obey. I am almost finish uncovering my foods but he was still standing, watching me with I am doing while the food that he cooked was barely touched.

"What? You want to eat my food? Ask for it then." I threw him a smirk before giving my full attention to my food. Because of what I said, it was as if he came back to his usual self and also took care of his food then sitting on the other line of the counter table. I am two chairs away from his front but still a short distance even if the kitchen was huge enough. "How much should I pay you for some hours of rent?"

I innocently ate my food but when my eyes accidentally.. at least I want to address my curiousness to accident, look at him. His jaw was clenching and his grip at his own fork made the veins from his arms pop out.

I might be out of my mind but I find it so attractive. Since when did I see him like this? I promised myself not to feel anything but anger when in front of Zion but I can't help it. The memories of our bodies against each other are the first thing that came to my memories. My pupils dilated in shock and I can feel my whole face burning in blush.

What the heck, Allison!? Seriously!?

I was about to clear my voice to also clear my dirty thoughts but his manly voice already echoed through the four corners of the kitchen room.

"I'm not asking for any payment." His voice was so firm and dangerous that I quickly avoid his stares even before he can met mine. Because of his response I stayed quiet until I was on the last spoonfuls of my food. I'm still hungry but I'm all out of something to eat.

I fished out for my phone so I can order more food when someone put a plate full of the food Zion was cooking earlier. It even have a vegetable salad as if he knew my diet plans.

Raising my brow, the words I wanted to say didn't come out for he already turn his back on me. "Just put the dishes on the sink, I'll wash them after you're done eating." He lastly stated before exiting the kitchen.

I'm not sure of what to feel because of that so I continue eating, tasting every bit of my food and told myself that I would never ever deprived myself from food again!

Eating all my food, I was finally contented so I decided to just wash the dishes to at least show some gratitude. And I don't want to owe him something, if he don't want to accept my money as a payment, then I hope this will do.

I was currently rinsing the soapy dishes when he casually entered the kitchen, he even look surprise seeing me with the dishes but what made me even shock was that he was only wearing a simple pajama pants.

It was too thin that I can even see the bulge in his crotch, he was topless and the still wet towel was carefully caressing his soft and watery hair. Dang! He looks so delectable, especially looking at those abs and muscles.

"What are you doing?" His voice thundered with softness and my eyes quickly widened.

"I am not looking at your body!" I swiftly stated and look away where I can give my full attention. I can still see him at my peripheral vision and I notice how he try to hide the smirk that made it's way to his lips.

"I told you I'll wash the dishes." He continued and I almost wanted to bash my head at the nearest wall. God, that was so embarrassing. I thought he noticed me eyeing him from head to tow while making wild imagination inside my head. Gosh!

"I'm already done." Acting like nothing happened, I finished cleaning and wipe the whole counter table before looking back at him with a forced smile. "I need go take a shower," I am not inviting him or something, I just want to ask permission before I used his bathroom.

"Take a shower at my room." He said as he tried to divert his attention to other things.

My brow raised up, he's acting weird and I don't want to put any effort figuring it out. "Why not in the guest room?" My eyes squinted when the movement of his throat didn't escape my eyes.

"My bedrooms bathroom is bigger. You can do whatever you want to do inside."

My back leaned over the counter top, arms crossed over my chest while staring at his perfectly sculptured back. "What do you think I'll do inside the bathroom?" Even if I am the one teasing him there was a part of me that's nervous upon hearing his answers.

We have... fuck buddies for how many years. He knew exactly every routine that I do, especially when I don't want to do something with him but I feel horny.

Deep in my thoughts, I didn't realize that he was already in front of me. His eyes weren't mad but a glint of fury was in it. His lips was glued thinly as his jaw clenched with aggression.

"How would I know?" He asked back.

Both of our eyes were staring at each other, seriously and deadly that no one wants to break it.

"Why don't you take a guess?" At first I was having fun, but now I am feeling hot at the sudden press of his body as he try to cage me in between the table and him.

The side of his lips tugged up in a smirk and I accidentally bit my lower lip while following it. My breath became heavy as I can also feel his. I swallow the lump in my throat when his lips rested inches away from mine. I can already feel his breath on my skin and it's making me feel a different and tingling sensation that I have always felt with him from the past.

I'm wet.

"I believe in to see is to believe, so instead of asking... why don't you just show me?"

My eyes widened even more and my hand having the mind of it's own, landed on his cheeks, slapping him hardly with force. My action made a distance between us and it took him a few seconds to look back at me.

My heart was beating too fast as if it wanted to get out of my ribcage. The fury and slightly in desire eyes was now looking at me firmly and stoically.

I didn't mean to slap him. I was just.. I don't know.

"Why did you slap me?" He asked with a calm tone and I totally forget that I'm the one inside his territory. But I'm sure he can't hurt me, the police are just outside his condo and none of this place is sound proof.

"Because.. you're a pervert person." I tried to save myself and utter that as an explanation. That's when I saw anger in his eyes, not a normal anger but a furious one. Not sure if he was offended by my words or it was because of my slap. I'm sure it was hard.

"Pervert? Why? Did I ask you to have sex with me? In what way can you call me a pervert?" I have to calm myself multiple times, my fist clenched and my sweat are too cold. I can feel my feet trembling with the way he talk to me as the past events surge into my memory.

I look back at him with the same intense as to show him that I am not scared. "What do you think I'm doing inside the bathroom? Of course taking a bath.. naked. And you want me to show you that? Psh! Now tell me that you're not a pervert?" There I made my point and the only thing I'm hoping now is for him to just let the conversation slip.

Not sure if he read what I'm thinking but hearing my response, he turn his back at me and continued washing the dishes I just washed!

"Okay."