"Spread wider." His sultry whisper had sent a delicious shiver coursing through my entire being.

"Good," he'd commended as I yielded to his demand.

His raspy voice, coupled with the warm breath teasing my ear, had held me captive, igniting another wave of quivers.

I'd surrendered to a moan as he plunged into me, our bodies soon entangled in a rhythmic dance of desire.

His deep kisses synchronized with each powerful thrust, my own moans melding into the symphony of pleasure.

"Alice," he calls, and I can't help but wonder how he knew my name.

"Alice!" Cold water splashes against my face.

I roll over, only to encounter frigid sheets. I groggily open my eyes to discover a gloomy dawn through an open window.

"Wake up. You shouldn't have gone to that party last night. I warned you. I did. At least you didn't drink.

You'd have been a complete mess today."

Janet's boots echo as she departs.

"What time is it?"

"6:30 a.m. You're already running late."

I spring to my feet, rushing into the bathroom, still fully dressed.

I hastily stripped off the fancy attire I'd worn to the retirement party, the night's encounter with that mysterious man fresh in my mind.

His mere smile had been enough to unravel the fabric of my self-control.

A single searing kiss and a push against the wall convinced me to surrender the dress to my body.

Never had I experienced a kiss so tantalizing.

"Are you sure you're not feeling unwell?" Janet's voice snaps me back to reality.

"Uh, no," I reply, quickly crossing my arms over my chest to conceal my hardened nipples.

I turn away and step into the bathroom.

I have a mere 15 minutes to prepare for the day's obligations. As I turn on the shower and feel the warm water cascade over my skin, it's as if the stranger's fingers are tracing every curve. My hand instinctively rises to cup one breast. The memory of him seated with me on his lap, taking one of my nipples into his mouth, sends delightful shivers across my skin.

My breath quickens as my other hand ventures down my stomach, heading towards the aching juncture between my thighs.

"Alice! You're taking forever!"

Janet's voice startles me, and I hastily grab the soap to wash only specific areas—my pubic region, face, and shoulders. I intentionally avoid lathering my entire body.

I let the water rinse away the soap and hurried out of the bathroom, wrapping a towel around my body.

"What's gotten into you this morning? The Alice I know would've been ready in a snap." A stray strand of Janet's black hair falls across her furrowed brow.

Her hands rest on her hips as she scolds me. "Remember, you have a job interview this morning, and you're expected to be at the office before 7:30 a.m." She begins to tidy up the room.

Why did the company slate my interview today? I pout.

The stranger from last night—I wish I could see him again, even if it were just one last time. But we had agreed:

"This will be our first and last time," he'd told me just hours ago, sealing the pact with a passionate kiss.

It's for the best.

I sigh and then nod at Janet once I'm fully dressed. "Let's go."

Although the ride to the office was a very short one, I felt uneasy through out the journey.

Going for interviews were suddenly becoming a norm and as I much as I loathed the thought, I didn't have any choice either.

I was living on a very low budget, still the bills piling up on monthly basis were terrifying, plus, I also had Wema bank on my neck too.

Sometimes, I wish I hadn't taken the loan, but how would I have graduated from College if I hadn't?

My eyes had become moist with tears and I quickly wiped them off.

The last thing I wanted was to garner unnecessary pity from people, the independent part of me always revolted each time I got pitied.

I silently muttered some prayers, hopeful for a positive turnout of the interview.

As expected, I arrived at the office late, the frown on the secretary's face confirmed it.

"Do you job seekers ever keep to time?" I heard her murmur under her breath.

"Good morning ma'am" I greeted respectfully, clearly hiding the annoyance in my voice.

She raised a brow and and took quick glances at me as if sizing my worth, or maybe checking out my dress.

I paid no heed to her. I might not be dressed in the best, but, I was looking dashing in the flowery gown I bought from thrift the other day.

And if I wasn't looking good, I wouldn't have received the lustful stares I got from male onlookers while on the road.

I saw a door open and a pretty lady emerged almost in tears as she clutched tightly at the files in her hands.