In the dimly lit hotel suite, Eden was pinned beneath the man, struggling to catch her breath. His kisses rained down on her neck like a storm, eliciting gasps and moans from her. The faint light from the window outlined his chiseled jawline, and she couldn't help but notice how strikingly handsome he was.
Rumor had it he was the top pick here, so the service must be top-notch.
Lost in the moment, she felt his strong, bony fingers grip her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. His voice, deep and velvety like a cello, commanded, "Look at me."
It was a tone that brooked no argument.
"Remember my name, it's—"
"Are you doing this or not? If not, I'll find someone else," Eden interrupted impatiently. She was in the mood, not in the mood for small talk.
Besides, in a situation like this, who cared what his name was?
The man let out a cold chuckle before capturing her lips in a fierce, dominating kiss. Eden melted into it, her mind spinning.
"First time?" he murmured, his voice dripping with allure as he leaned closer to her ear.
Eden managed a faint "Mhm" before the sensation of floating took over, and everything else faded away.
When it was over, Eden lay sprawled on the bed, utterly spent. Her eyes flickered toward the man beside her, catching the inky depths of his gaze, unreadable and intense.
Seeing the glint of mischief still in his eyes, she quickly wrapped herself in the blanket. "No… no more."
"Hmm?"
"Your service was… satisfactory. You'll be paid well," Eden said, forcing herself to sit up. She began gathering her clothes from the floor, slipping them on one by one. "The check's on the nightstand. Take a look. If it's not enough, I'll add more."
Sure, he'd nearly worn her out, but it had been worth every penny.
The lights flicked on, and Charlton sat on the edge of the bed, picking up the check with those same bony fingers. His eyes sparkled with amusement. "Quite generous."
"That includes a little extra for your silence, got it?" Eden turned to face him, and once again, she was struck by how breathtaking he was.
"Seems like you enjoyed my service," Charlton smirked, pulling her back down onto the bed, pinning her beneath him once more. "How about… another round?"
"No!" Eden protested.
But Charlton didn't let go. Instead, he tugged playfully at the strap of her bra. "When a woman says no, she really means yes. I know how it works."
"I'm the client. I call the shots," Eden shot back, her rationality finally kicking in after the heat of the moment.
"Client?" Charlton rolled the word around in his mouth before letting out a soft laugh. "You're the first to call yourself that."
"What? The first?" Eden blinked, confused.
"Yeah, so… how about a long-term contract?"
"Long-term?" Eden froze. Was he suggesting she keep him on retainer?
Sure, he was handsome, and the service wasn't bad, but Eden had no intention of keeping a guy like this around. If the Claybournes found out…
She didn't dare to dwell on it, quickly pushing the man off her. "Sorry, I'm not into this. Find someone else." Without waiting for his reaction, Eden bolted out of the room.
When the assistant knocked and entered, he found his boss with a stormy expression, clearly in a foul mood. Nervously, he stammered, "Mr. Roope, are you okay? I think I just saw a woman—"
Before he could finish, Charlton's sharp gaze cut him off, sending a chill down his spine. The assistant clamped his mouth shut, not daring to say another word.
The check twirled between Charlton's slender fingers, a faint smirk playing on his lips. But those who knew him well could tell—he was furious.
Charlton rose from the bed, his commanding presence filling the room. The assistant trailed behind him, careful not to make a sound. He couldn't help but wonder who the woman was that had just left his boss's room.
Given Charlton's notorious aversion to women within a ten-mile radius, this was beyond bizarre. Had his boss suddenly changed his ways?
—
At the Ocean Sky Club, Eden reached the private room just as cheers erupted from inside. "Kiss her! Kiss her!"
Peeking through the crack in the door, she saw Rendell pull Blanche into his arms and plant a kiss on her lips. A sharp pain shot through her chest, her fists clenched at her sides, nails digging into her palms without her even realizing it.
"Santiago, you're playing with fire. What about Eden?"
Eden's hand froze on the doorknob as she heard the question. She didn't rush in.
"What about her? I'm not divorcing her. I'm just asking her to be understanding and not cause trouble for Blanche. Isn't that enough?"
Rendell's impatient voice echoed from inside the room. Though she'd heard similar words the night before, the pain in her heart hadn't dulled one bit.
She bit her lip hard, listening to the laughter erupting from the room. Her whole body trembled.
Suddenly, the door swung open from the inside, and Eden found herself standing there, exposed to everyone's gaze.
