Annabel's POV
I woke up smelling like sex, the morning sun kissing my skin, its warmth washing away the remnants of last night's pain.
My leg still aches.
I searched the room with just my eyes, but there was no sign of Daniel yet.
Where could he have gone?
The thought of his warm skin and strong arms wrapped around me all night flooded my mind. It was a memory that I wished would last forever. His lips on mine, the sweet words he whispered in my ears, and how hard he drove inside me, yet every stroke made me want him more.
My mind ran from how I first met Daniel, my initial plan of just using him to spite James and Stephanie.
And now this.
How on earth did I let myself fall completely for him?
How do I explain to people that my first orgasm came from my father's son and he doesn't know yet?
Guilt washed over me.
My alarm beeped. I grabbed my phone. "Gush… close to noon!" Startled, my body jerked up from the bed in fear.
I was already running late for work, and the disciplinary team frowned upon incompetent staff.
Feeling anxious, I walked over to get my bag, needing to collect myself, both literally and otherwise, before thinking of leaving.
The only thing I was wearing was the big white shirt that Daniel wore me last night. No panties.
After we reached our peak, he led me to the bathroom, gave me a hot shower, replaced the blood-stained sheets, and gently laid me back on the bed.
I was too weak to move all night, and he noticed.
Daniel treated me in a way no one ever had before, as if I were fragile.
I picked up my dress and was about to put it on when the door opened. "What are you doing?" Daniel's voice stopped me.
My body froze, unable to face him, as a wave of shyness washed over me.
His steps drew to where I was standing. "Ana, answer me." His voice came out low and soft.
I turned to face him, my arms crossing my body. "Preparing to leave, of course."
But he wasn't having it. "You can't just walk out like that."
Tilting my head, I asked defiantly, "Why? Are you going to hold me hostage too?"
He moved closer to me. "Annie, I was thinking you would spend the day with me."
"Mr. Stroke, if I don't report to work, I will get my ass fired, and I can't afford to lose the only thing that pays my bills."
"The job you are talking about is mine, I can put you on bed rest for a whole month and still pay you".
He met my gaze with calm intensity, closing the space between us. Our breaths mingled, and a surge of heat coursed through me.
As if he knew what he was doing to me, he nuzzled his nose on my skin. "I can still scent my sperm on your skin," his arms crossed around my ass, pressing me close to him, enough to feel how hard he was.
My knees went weak, fighting to steady myself. In my head, I wanted to pull him away, snap him out of all this, but my body said no. My thighs felt hurt, begging to feel only his touch.
Daniel had done really bad things to me, my body only screamed his name.
"Don't leave yet, Annabel." He tingled my jaw with his tongue.
Fuck.
He always knew the places to touch, just to awaken my body's needs. Like he had mastered them all.
"Yes… yes. I'll stay." My body trembled at his touch.
"Good." He pulled away instantly.
My eyes opened with force, searching his.
"Just come down for breakfast," he said coldly.
The excitement drained from my face.
How could he be so cold? One minute he was all over me, acting like I'm the only air required for him to live, the next minute he was blunt, acting like he didn't care.
The table was already set when we got there. In the center, a carafe of freshly squeezed orange juice glistened with condensation, beside a steaming pot of coffee that filled the room with its deep, earthy aroma.
Lady Jane walked in with a platter and neatly sliced avocado, scrambled egg, buttery croissants stacked beside a small jar of berry jam. A bowl of fruits—apple, banana, strawberries, and grapes. Polished cutlery and folded linen napkins gave the setting a quiet elegance.
Her face lit up once she saw me. "Good morning, my lady," she greeted. I returned the smile as I greeted her back before she left.
Daniel and I ate silently.
The air was too calm, not much sound, just the gentle click of our forks.
After we were done, I left him to go and wash off. By the time I got down, he was no longer in the living room. I was about to turn when his voice called me back.
"Over here."
I followed his voice until I got to a room soaked in a low amber glow, shadows leaning along the walls.
The room was serene, broken only by the soft clack of the cue ball slicing across green felt.
He stood straight. "Come," he demonstrated with his hand.
Closing the distance, he handed me the cue. "Try it out."
My expression already told him that I was a novice. "Just take it, I will guide you," his brow creased gently.
Not sure if I was ready for this, I took it anyway.
He stepped aside, our shoulders brushing. The contact was brief, but it sparked, while he watched to see my shot.
I leaned over the table, steadying my cue, my eyes narrowed as I lined up my shot, but flopped.
He folded his arms. "You are stalling," he said from the corner, moving closer. "Hey, I will teach you," he leaned forward, close enough that I could feel the warmth of his body, his breath brushing the edge of my cheek.
His thumb brushed my hands, making my pulse skip.
"This is a game of focus. Just keep your grip light. Let the cue glide, not stab."
How could he be talking about focus when he was this close to me? I could feel his hard length pressed at my back.
He bent me over, guiding my hands. "Aim for the white ball," his voice husky, smoother, and slower.
Just us in the room and a quiet moment.
The cue slid forward, striking the ball with a clean click. It rolled, hit a red, and sank into the corner pocket. I gasped.
A jolt of excitement crept inside me. "I did it!" I jumped happily and hugged him.
He did not hug back for once. "Uhm… I'm sorry," realization hit me harder.
His eyes found mine, blazing with the kind of intensity that made my heart twist. He cupped my face, trailing my jawline with his finger. "What are you sorry for?"
I took a long breath, still speechless, as his eyes locked with mine.