Chapter 6

Rosie's POV

The remnants of what happened last night echoed in my head like a spirit haunting me. Every warm touch that burned my skin was revived by the memory that flashed inside my head, sending me electrifying sensations.

I cursed myself inside my head for reminiscing about a sinful and wrong night with a stranger.

I cupped my cheeks, shrugging the thought off my head as my phone vibrated in my bag.

'Elite lounge. Third floor'

I stared at the message before I sucked in a deep breath.

The beat of my heart wasn't normal because of the person waiting for me inside.

I never once imagined that I'd encounter him again in this lifetime. But fate knew how to play me so well.

Massaging the coat of my formal business attire, I calmed myself down.

I came here for work. That was all.

My heels were clicking as I walked inside the exclusive club. My pencil skirt felt tight as the unstoppable tension built inside my chest as if my heart could feel that something I couldn't handle was waiting for me at the elite lounge.

But no. I shouldn't think about his threat because I was here for Thraia.

I rode the elevator until I reached the third floor.

When the elevator door slid open, only then I realized that the elite lounge wasn't a VIP room for some formal event. The whole third floor was nothing like a business suite but an intimate private floor.

This place was a predatory playground.

Loud music was playing, hurting my ears like it was meant to torment my head.

The metallic sound clashed against the wild crowd dancing like there was no tomorrow. The smell of alcohol and cigarettes mixed in the air. The smoke made the lens of my eyeglasses a bit blurry.

I bit my bottom lip as I saw someone familiar at the end of my sight.

Sitting on a couch like a king, eyes closed, arms crossed. His legs were parted wide, looking so perfect in his black jeans and black polo with the first two buttons open.

He looked like a real danger. He stood out among the crowd. The cigarette smoke and neon light were like intentionally put there to make him stand out.

His lips were pressed into a grim line, brows were furrowed like he was annoyed about something.

I swallowed hard, my fists curled as I looked at the two women sitting on his sides—massaging his arm while giggling, the other was whispering something in his ear while her hand was playing with his collar.

My eyes raked their whole body. Sexy dresses, long legs. A body every man would die to touch.

My hands automatically caressed my conservative business attire. A complete opposite of the exclusive party's dress code. However, I shrugged the silly thought off of my head.

I walked towards where Thorn was. I stopped and stood in front of him. I saw his brows twitch a little as he sniffed like he smelled something that woke up his senses, but his eyes remained shut.

"Excuse me," I said amidst the loud metallic music.

No one noticed my presence—or maybe no one really cared.

I inhaled sharply and cleared my throat before I spoke again. "Excuse me."

"Who are you?" The woman sitting on Thorn's right looked at me from head to toe. Her brows shot up as disgust flickered in her eyes after seeing my formal attire.

I suddenly felt anxious because the people nearby noticed me because of the woman's tone.

The woman's hands remained on Thorn's arm, the other woman even caressed his leg.

The sight sent a sharp pang in my chest, but I forced the pain to shut. I should be professional because I was here as his personal assistant.

"I'm here for Mr. Rockwell," I answered politely even when inside, there was an urge to drag the women away from him.

No. I shouldn't feel possessive of him because he was no longer mine.

"I'm asking who you are. How do you know Thorn?"

I lifted my chin. "I am his assistant."

"Assistant?" The other woman laughed. "We're having a good time here. Get lost, loser."

I chewed my bottom lip as I looked at the two women.

Obviously, they wouldn't allow me to take him away.

"Mr. Rockwell, I'm here to pick you up," I said, trying to get Thorn's attention.

Was he asleep? But I didn't think he could sleep in a noisy place like this unless he was dead drunk.

Thorn didn't open his eyes, nor move. Probably because the music suddenly turned louder.

I looked around and found the DJ at the corner.

"So pathetic..." I heard the woman say as I turned and walked towards the DJ.

I was halfway when someone suddenly blocked my way. The alcohol the man was holding spilled on my coat.

"I'm sorry, gorgeous." The apology didn't sound sincere. It sounded...playful. Like he intentionally spilled the liquor on me.

I lifted my face and saw a handsome, tall man looking down at me. I confirmed that he did that intentionally when I saw a ghost of a smile on his lips while his drunk eyes flickered with lust.

I sucked my breath. "It's okay. I can just wash it."

"You can take it off so I can have someone bring it to the laundry."

My brows furrowed against the thick eyeglasses I was wearing. "Excuse me?"

He smiled. "Or, maybe we can sit and have a drink instead? I'm really interested in unique beauty like you."

The music was loud and I could barely hear him, but the expression on his face was enough to give me a hint of what he wanted in the first place.

I shook my head. "I'm sorry, I'm not here to have fun. I'll just ask the DJ to tone down the music a little so I can talk to the person I came here for."

He chuckled and moved a little closer, making me step back in defense.

"Well, you're at my party, gorgeous." He extended his arms like he owned the whole place. "This is my party, and since you're in my party, you should play by my rules."

"I didn't know there's rules in a party like this," I said, a bit annoyed.

He smirked. "There is. And you already broke the rules with your annoying business suit. So if you want to tone down the music, have a drink with me. If not, you should take that eyesore of a business suit. Your coat is ruined anyway."

I looked at my coat and when I lifted my face again, I realized we already drew attention.

He bit his bottom lip as he watched me intensely. Lust danced in his eyes like he had seen my body underneath my formal clothes.

My teeth gritted and to end this nonsense conversation, I removed my coat.

The man in front of me whistled as I revealed my fitted tank top to everyone's eyes.

I stared at him blankly. "I guess this is enough."

His brow shot up as he chuckled. "Oh, babe. That's not enough. I want you to remove your top as well."

My brows automatically furrowed. "What?"

He took another step closer as I heard people around us laughing like what this man is demanding is actually enjoyable.

He moved his face closer to mine and whispered, "Let me help you."

I panicked when he handed his liquor glass to the man beside him and lifted his hands to 'help me'.

"This is how you should dress in my party," he said and was about to touch me when someone suddenly pushed him.

My body stiffened as a man with a large frame, broad shoulders, manly scent, and dark aura stood between us.

The beat of my heart instantly changed its rhythm as I stared at the familiar back of the man who just saved me from humiliation.

I couldn't properly think as I stared at his black clothes, and when he spoke, my breathing stopped, "That's enough."