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Chapter 24 - Aflame

Melissa

~' Did you reach home safely'~

~' Just arrived at mom's company'~

~' You were right. Talking and being there for mom was good'~

~Good morning~

~' Are you still mad at me?'~

~Guess what? I will be the CEO for the next one week as my mother goes on a short leave and vacation'~

I sighed, staring at my phone. The newly found hobby that I just discovered recently.

I was in an intense inner battle about whether I should text back. Truly, the resolution of conflicted feelings is an inside job that requires self-honesty, all self-delusions rescinded.

But was I ready to be honest with myself? How would I do that when what happened that day was like a fresh memory engraved in my mind.

I vividly remembered waking up in his bed that day. I was tired as I didn't recall how I slept in the first place and when my eyes fluttered open, I was met with a sight to behold.

Haze was sleeping beside me, half of his face buried in the pillow peaking the other half. He looked serene while sleeping with his mouth slightly open, soft snores escaping causing me to smile.

It was the first time I had a good look at him this close since the other days, as I was afraid of getting caught staring.

I got a chance to do so and did not waste it. His skin was tan, I realized, and his hair was brown.

I remembered how my hand moved on its own and touched it carefully so as not to wake him up.

It was silky soft that I had to close my eyes and enjoy the sensation. Oh! Don't get me started with the eyelashes; They were so long, dark, casting a shadow against his face.

Unknowingly, my fingers were already tracing the curves of his face from his hair, eyes, and nose to his lips, which had me freeze.

They were pink, soft, and moist, which made my throat dry, and so were my lips. I had to lick them, hoping to make them dry as I tried hard to pull my hand away from his lips when Max's hands grabbed them abruptly.

I thought it was the end of me and did the only thing I could think of at the moment.

Fake sleeping.

Yeah. That was my great idea. I could not possibly stand Max's teasing face. That was until I felt something hot and soft pressing my hand. At first, I thought Max might have suspected me of faking my sleep and was only trying to mess hoping for a reaction but, oh boy, Was I wrong?

More so when his hand snaked around my waist and held me possessively. Not only that, but the next thing also had, my eyes flew open when I felt his breath tickling the side of my neck.

My heart was beating as if it wanted to make a hole in my chest.

What was happening?

Undoubtedly, he was going too far with his taunts.

Whether he was doing it knowingly or unknowingly, it did not change the fact that he was crossing the line. I attempted to remove his arm more forcefully, and to my surprise, he let go.

What on earth was I doing?

I tried pushing him away from me, but he did not stop. I tried a couple of times but still got no response.

Panic rose in my chest while my body went stiff. I had read and heard many stories about how men would lose their rationality when turned on.

What if Max was out of control?

What if he was unable to stop himself and doing something worse?

Oh, my goodness!

What sort of trouble did I put myself in?

Why was I even in his bed?

Did he misread the situation as a sign that I was willing?

Many thoughts attacked my mind as I tried to push him away. Thankfully he moved back.

I was a panting mess, and my heart was pulsating louder that I was afraid he would hear it. I saw the lust and confusion in his hazel eyes. It was a look of a turned-on guy. I did not care to read more into it. All I wanted was to get out of there, go as far away from him.

Do you know what hurt the most?

It was the fact that he had been in a dream the whole time. I know I should have been relieved, but it hurt me instead. Maybe, just maybe, I felt loved and happy that he saw me as a woman but instead, he was, having a wet dream with who knows which woman or lady while I was there to make it more practical for him.

I could not blame him, though. I was the one at fault. I was the one who fell asleep on his bed and let him continue his advances. Shame washed over me that I could not bring myself to face.

So here I am, in my house, glancing at the phone while reading the messages he had been sending me ever since that day. Even when I did not return his calls or reply to his messages, he never stopped.

I was glad that his mother was doing alright and that he was now the acting CEO of his company for the next week. At least that would keep him busy. The last thing I wanted was for him to visit me.

Honestly, I did not want to continue with the charade. I thought hard about it and made up my mind. I was going to show Max the land, help him close the deal, and tell Bibi about our breakup so that everyone would go their separate ways and my life would be back to normal.

I sighed as I closed my eyes and lay back on the bed.

All I could see - feel - was my skin burning hot and craving for his touch and kisses. The way his lips nibbled on my ear and throat.

His hot tongue against my skin, commanding my blood to rush and nerves to go haywire.

Everything this man has made me feel, ever since the meeting, drove me crazy to the point I started panting just by thinking, imagining everything.

My body was hot, burning, and my stomach clenching with a yearning I could not decode.

I needed to stop thinking about those things and him but could not. I was going out of my mind. I agreed with my inner self that I needed him - no, I needed help...

¨Habibi! ¨ I was saved from the intoxicated thoughts by my lovely Bibi, thank goodness. I could not help but thank the heavens,

¨Guess who is here! ¨

What did she mean by that?' There were only two people who would make my Bibi so excited. One of them was not around, and that only left one...

They say anxiety can come from paranoia or reality. Well, mine was definitely from reality.

My pulse exhilarated, and I swear I would have fainted. If only my Bibi was paying more attention to me than the visitor, she would have seen how pale I was at the moment.

¨Hey, are you listening to me? ¨ I heard her voice faintly.

No! I could not do it.

I could not face him, not yet at least,

¨Bibi, I am not feeling well. I cannot see anyone now, ¨ I spoke weakly, hoping that she would listen, but no.

¨Nonsense, come with me¨, and with that, she dragged me to the living room where he was waiting but,

Well, that was unexpected.

I was shocked!