Chapter 3

　　Nate

　　MY PHONE buzzed sharply on the nightstand, the vibration cutting through the quiet of the hotel room. I reached for it without looking. The screen lit up with a name I hadn't expected, someone from my past, someone whose voice alone could tilt the room's balance.

　　I didn't answer.

　　Instead, I handed the phone to Sienna. Her hand brushed mine as she took it, and I didn't flinch.

　　"Here's the deal," I said. "You answer. Handle the call. I keep my promise."

　　She raised an eyebrow at me. I knew it, and she knew I knew it.

　　"Fine," she said. Then she pressed the green button and put the phone to her ear.

　　A soft, feminine voice floated out. "Nate? Can we meet tomorrow?"

　　Sienna's lips curved before she even spoke. "Oh, he's… not exactly looking to meet you," she said, her voice light, playful, just enough to tip the balance. "But… maybe I am. I was the one in bed with him last night."

　　There was a pause on the line. A hitch of disbelief. Then the caller's voice, faint and hurried, whispered an apology before the connection went dead. Click.

　　Sienna held the phone out to me, letting the line go dead in her hands.

　　"Keep your promise," she reminded me.

　　"I already have," I said, my eyes catching hers.

　　She rolled her eyes, just slightly, and leaned back against the headboard. Her gaze softened, but there was still that edge, controlled, untouchable. I couldn't help it, I smiled. Approval, admiration, a silent acknowledgment of the game she was playing.

　　"Seriously," I said, lowering my voice a touch, leaning toward her, "are you really going through with this divorce?"

　　Her eyes met mine.

　　"Yes," she said simply. "And don't mistake that for… anything else. I won't be involved with you. Not now. Not later."

　　"Good," I said, leaning back and letting my hands rest casually on my thighs. "I like a woman who knows her limits."

　　Her lips pressed into a line, unimpressed, but I caught the corner of a smile. Small and subtle. I could work with that.

　　I stood, stretching slowly, letting my robe fall open just a little as I moved to the bed. She followed with her gaze, calm, unblinking. Her body language betrayed her upon seeing my morning wood.

　　"Liking the view?" I asked and wrapped my palm around my hard cock. It hardened even more upon her gaze, as if yearning for the warmth of her mouth. "You can touch it..."

　　"Oh, stop it, Nate," she said, looking away. "Last night was enough."

　　"Last night was different…" I said, stepping closer. "Now is also different."

　　Sienna looked up and met my gaze, and in instant, I could feel my blood coursing through my veins down my length. Before I stopped myself, I reached for her hand and wrapped her palm around my cock.

　　She gasped, and the sound of her only made me want to fuck her, right here or on the table. Spread her, explore her once more, ruin her over and over again.

　　"Beg for it, Sienna," I said, my voice was breathless. "Beg for my cock."

　　I saw the flicker of flame in her eyes. But instead of answering me, she pulled her hand away and looked at window, ignoring me, as if I didn't exist.

　　"I told you…" she said after a moment. "Last night was enough."

　　I exhaled sharply. This was the first time a woman refused me, but Sienna was different. She had her own rules, her own principle. And I like her even more because of it.

　　"Stay," I said, reaching for my shirt from the chair. "Rest. I'll handle a few things," I continued, glancing at her.

　　She didn't argue.

　　I slipped the shirt on, buttoning it slowly, aware of her gaze tracking every movement.

　　"You like watching me, don't you?" I asked in teasing tone.

　　Sienna's eyes flickered on me from head to toe, then a small smiled tugged at her lips. "I'd be lying if I say I don't," she said, unblinking.

　　"So, you're saying that you are attracted to me?" I pushed, for what reason, I don't know. I just enjoyed this attention from this woman.

　　That's when it hit me.

　　This daring woman in front of me is Marcus's wife.

　　The perfect one.

　　Soft-spoken. Polite. Always composed at dinners. The kind of woman who smiled just enough and never said too much. The kind of woman I never looked at twice.

　　She's not my type. Not even close. And yet...

　　This version of her?

　　The woman who pressed her heel into another man's shoulder like she owned him… The woman who answered my phone like she had every right to… The woman who walked into this room knowing exactly what she was doing...

　　This wasn't the same person.

　　Or maybe it was.

　　And everything else had just been a performance.

　　Interesting. Very interesting.

　　Her sudden movements pulled me out from my carnal thoughts. I looked up and saw her already reaching into her bag.

　　She didn't even answer or acknowledge my teasing question.

　　What a woman.

　　Then she placed the stack of bills in front of me, five thousand dollars.

　　"For the hotel," she said casually. "And your service."

　　I stared at the money, then at her. "You're serious?"

　　"Yes," she answered faster than the speed of light. No hesitation.

　　I let out a short breath. "Last night wasn't a transaction, Sienna."

　　She raised a perfect eyebrow. "It was to me."

　　Flat. Final.

　　I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "Sienna..."

　　"Take it," she cut in.

　　I stopped, brows furrowing in frustration and embarrassment. "That's not how this works..."

　　"It is for me, Nate," she cut off once again.

　　I held her gaze. Where is the submissive woman I had made love with last night?

　　Sienna just started at me, unblinking. Like she had already decided this conversation was over.

　　I exhaled through my nose, then pushed the money back toward her. "Keep it."

　　Her fingers didn't move. "I don't keep debts."

　　"Then don't call it one."

　　The silence that followed was tight and measured. Sienna glanced at the money for a second, then left it where it was.

　　"Next time," I said, reaching for the coffee, "I'll pick the place."

　　"No," answered almost immediately. "There won't be a next time."

　　I looked into her eyes and started to think if it was the same expressive eyes that used to look at me with admiration last night.

　　Sienna drew a clean and sharp line between us with that one word.

　　I clenched my jaw before nodded. "Sure."

　　She didn't respond. She didn't look away either, and so was I.

　　Marcus had no idea what he had. Or maybe he never saw it.

　　Maybe… she never let him.