Chapter 2 A Scandalous Gift
1191 Words
The bar was dimly lit, bathed in the lazy rhythm of jazz. The air carried a heady mix of alcohol, cigars, and expensive perfume.
Evangeline gripped her whiskey glass, the ice clinking sharply against the sides as she downed a mouthful, gritting her teeth. "That bastard! He actually had the nerve to call me an unwanted prude? Ridiculous! There are plenty of men in this world, and I could have my pick of them whenever I damn well please!"
Across from her, her best friend raised her glass and clinked it lightly against hers.
"Eva, don't waste your energy on someone like that. Look at you—gorgeous, incredible body—if you wanted a man in your bed, it'd take what? A minute?"
With a sly smile, she leaned in closer and grinned.
"Why not give it a go tonight?"
Evangeline froze for a moment, and then her face burned crimson. A flicker of hesitation flashed in her eyes, but the alcohol in her system swiftly dulled her inhibitions.
"Fine! Let's do it!"
Her friend patted her shoulder, smirking.
"Good girl. Now, sit tight. I'll take care of everything."
Meanwhile, in the Penthouse Suite of Enigma Lounge.
Evangeline stood outside the door, gripping the keycard so tightly her palm grew damp with sweat.
Her best friend's words echoed in her head. "I got you a gift. Trust me, you won't be disappointed."
Hesitating for a moment, she finally pushed open the slightly ajar door.
The moment she stepped inside, the bathroom door gradually opened.
Steam curled into the air as a tall figure emerged, his sharp features partially obscured by the dim lighting.
Evangeline's breath hitched.
'Holy hell... What kind of out-of-this-world post-shower fantasy is this?'
Her best friend's teasing gaze flashed in her mind, and the alcohol-fueled haze clouding her thoughts began to clear.
'Wait... did she actually hire me an escort?'
"You... you're my friend's... friend?"
It took her a moment to find her voice.
She had no idea how to address the man in front of her, so she settled on the safest term—friend.
The man finally noticed her presence and turned around, his gaze locking onto her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.
His chest rose and fell with labored breaths, his sculpted muscles tense, his skin flushed with heat.
Something was off.
Before Evangeline could react, his low, gravelly voice cut through the silence, tinged with irritation. "Friend? I don't know who sent you, but get the hell out."
Evangeline's fingers trembled, nearly dropping the keycard. She blinked in disbelief.
Was this how an escort talked to his client? The sheer arrogance was almost laughable.
She crossed her arms and raised her chin. "Excuse me? I'm the one paying here! Show some respect!"
Then, her liquor-fueled bravado fully kicked in, invading her remaining rational thoughts.
She took a wobbly step forward, eyes flashing with defiance. The man's rudeness didn't affect her at all.
Up close, she finally got a good look at him.
He had sharp yet stunning features, thin lips, perfectly sculpted abs, and broad shoulders tapering into a narrow waist. His legs were long and muscular.
Every inch of him screamed perfection.
Cassian Vaughn's patience was wearing dangerously thin.
Tonight had been a disaster. Someone had tampered with his drink at the banquet, leaving his body burning with an unbearable heat. Realizing he'd been drugged, he had immediately left for the nearest hotel, hoping a cold shower would cool him down.
But the moment he stepped out of the bathroom, this drunk woman had barged in.
He didn't care whether she had entered by mistake or was here with ulterior motives—he just wanted her gone.
Droplets of water trickled down his firm chest, catching the light as they disappeared below the waistband of his towel.
Evangeline's eyes locked onto the sight, her breath growing unsteady. This was too much for her.
Cassian's jaw clenched. The closer she got, the stronger her scent became: soft, feminine, tempting. His control was slipping.
But Evangeline remained completely oblivious to the danger in front of her. She reached out, her fingertips brushing against the taut muscles of his chest. Then, she looked up at him.
Cassian stiffened.
For as long as he could remember, he had been repulsed by physical touch. Any close contact with a woman triggered an instinctive wave of nausea. But this time, he didn't sense any discomfort.
Instead, an unfamiliar sensation stirred within him, something dangerously close to pleasure.
What the hell was happening?
Before he could process it, Evangeline had already thrown her arms around his neck, giggling playfully. The alcohol had made her much bolder than usual. "Well, aren't you a handsome one?" she teased, her voice laced with drunken mischief. "You better take good care of me tonight."
Cassian's entire body tensed. He should have pushed her away. But looking into her hazy, seductive gaze, watching the way her lips curled into a teasing smile, something inside him snapped.
Their eyes met, and suddenly, the air between them crackled with tension.
Evangeline tipped her head back slightly, lashes fluttering. Without hesitation, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his.
The alcohol had completely clouded Evangeline's thoughts. At this moment, all she wanted was to indulge in the burning desire pooling deep inside her. Her tongue slipped into Cassian's mouth, hesitantly at first, and then growing bolder, exploring him like a curious little kitten.
The kiss was inexperienced, reckless, yet intoxicatingly sweet. A sudden wave of desire shot straight down Cassian's abdomen. A primal, uncontrollable urge surged through him.
He wanted more.
More of this, more of her, more of being normal.
With a low growl, he seized her wrist, pulling her against him. Then, in a swift, dominating move, he took the lead.
His tongue plunged deeper, intertwining with hers, claiming her completely. Their bodies pressed tightly together. The air around them grew thick, charged with a scorching heat, wild and untamed, like a firestorm ready to consume everything in its path.
Drugged and already on edge, Cassian found himself spiraling further under her touch. His self-control snapped.
"You asked for this," he murmured darkly. And with that, he swept Evangeline into his arms and carried her toward the bed.
*****
What followed was a night of madness.
As the morning light streamed through the curtains, a soft glow spilled across the bed. Evangeline was the first to stir.
Her head throbbed like it had been struck by a hammer.
Groaning, she rolled onto her side, only to freeze in place.
Right next to her was a man.
Eyes wide, she slapped a hand over her mouth as last night's fragmented memories flashed through her mind like an out-of-control film reel.
She actually slept with an escort?!
Damn it!
Without a second thought, she bolted upright, scrambling to collect her scattered clothes from the floor before sprinting to the door.
After a second's pause, she reached into her wallet, pulled out two hundred dollars, and slapped it onto the entryway table.
"This should cover your services," she muttered under her breath.
- Writer
