Shayla
As I lay in bed, unable to find solace in sleep, the weight of my thoughts pressing down on me, I decided to seek refuge in Chris's room. Quietly slipping out of my own bed, I made my way down the hall, the dim moonlight guiding my steps. When I reached Chris's door, I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I should disturb him. But the need for his comforting presence outweighed any reservations I had, and I gently pushed open the door.
To my surprise, I found Chris lying naked in bed, his features softened by sleep. As I climbed into bed beside him, his eyes fluttered open, confusion flickering in their depths as he murmured my name. I pressed a finger to my lips, silencing him, before leaning down to capture his lips in a passionate kiss. Urgency fueled my movements as I undressed, the desire between us palpable as I straddled him, sinking down onto his hardened length.
With each thrust of my hips, waves of pleasure washed over me, the intensity of our connection transcending the physical realm. Chris's hands roamed over my body, igniting flames of desire as we moved together in perfect harmony. It was as if we were two souls bound together in the throes of passion, our bodies melding into one in a symphony of ecstasy.
But as the first light of dawn crept through the window, casting a soft glow over the room, I was jolted awake by the shrill sound of my alarm.
A dream.
Blinking away the remnants of the dream, I realized it was just that—a fantasy, fleeting and ephemeral. With a heavy sigh, I slipped out of bed, my cheeks flushed with embarrassment at the intimacy of the dream.
As I made my way to the bathroom to start my day, I caught sight of Chris sitting at the table, a cup of coffee in hand. Our eyes met, and he offered me a warm smile, a playful twinkle in his eyes. My heart skipped a beat at his flirtatious gesture, and I rolled my eyes in mock exasperation before disappearing into the bathroom, the memory of our dream still lingering in the air between us.
As I sat down at the table, Chris greeted me with a warm smile, a plate of freshly prepared breakfast waiting for me. "Good morning, Shayla. I hope you slept well," he said, his voice filled with genuine concern.
I returned his smile gratefully, nodding as I took a bite of the food he had made. "Thank you, Chris. This looks delicious," I replied between mouthfuls.
Chris watched me eat for a moment before speaking again. "I've arranged for a driver to take you around today," he informed me, his tone gentle but firm.
I opened my mouth to protest, but then I remembered that we had taken Chris's car here, and mine was back at home. Reluctantly, I nodded in acceptance, realizing that I had little choice in the matter. Chris's grin widened slightly at my acquiescence, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of gratitude towards him for his thoughtfulness.
As we continued to eat, Chris dropped another bombshell. "You can go back home by tomorrow evening," he stated matter-of-factly.
I glanced up at him in surprise, wondering at his sudden generosity. "Are you sure? I don't want to impose," I replied, my voice laced with uncertainty.
Chris shook his head, his expression earnest. "It's no imposition at all, Shayla. I want you to feel comfortable and safe," he assured me.
Feeling a rush of gratitude towards him, I finished my meal and gathered my things, preparing to leave. As I made my way towards the door, Chris's voice stopped me in my tracks. "You look beautiful, Shayla," he complimented, his eyes soft with sincerity.
Blushing at his words, I offered him a shy smile before slipping out the door, feeling a warmth spreading through my chest at his kindness.
As I stepped into the office, I was greeted by the woman who appeared to be in charge. Her demeanor seemed familiar, but I couldn't quite place where I had seen her before. She welcomed me with a polite smile, but there was an underlying tension in the air as we began our discussion.
As we walked through the property, she pointed out various features, trying to sell me on the benefits of the space. I listened attentively, but I could sense her trying to upsell the property beyond what I needed.
Finally, we settled into her office to discuss negotiations. That's when she dropped the bombshell, mentioning the recent party where I had accompanied Chris as his date. "So, Shayla," she started, her tone shifting subtly, "I couldn't help but notice you and Chris at the party. He's quite the catch, isn't he?"
I raised an eyebrow, sensing where this was heading. "Yes, he's a great guy," I replied cautiously, unsure of where this conversation was headed.
She leaned in closer, her smile turning slightly predatory. "Well, Shayla, I have to be honest with you. I have my eye on Chris, and I don't appreciate competition," she said, her words dripping with insincerity.
My heart pounded with indignation. "Competition?" I echoed, my tone laced with disbelief. "I'm not sure what you're insinuating, but Chris and I are just friends."
She chuckled, but there was no warmth in it. "Of course, dear. But let's not kid ourselves. You're a beautiful woman, and Chris is a desirable man. I just think it would be best if you kept your distance," she said, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly.
I felt a surge of anger rising within me at her audacity. "Excuse me?" I retorted, my voice tinged with indignation. "I don't appreciate you dictating my personal life. Chris and I are adults, capable of making our own decisions."
She sighed, her demeanor shifting from faux politeness to thinly veiled threat. "Look, Shayla," she said, her tone turning icy, "I can make things very difficult for you if you don't cooperate. It would be in your best interest to back off."
I clenched my fists, refusing to be intimidated. "I won't be bullied or blackmailed," I declared firmly, standing up from the table. "And if you think you can scare me into submission, you're sorely mistaken." With that, I turned on my heel and stormed out of the office, leaving her seething behind me.
As I stormed out of Rebecca Stone's office, my hands trembled with anger. I couldn't believe the audacity of that woman, trying to manipulate me into staying away from Chris. I needed to calm down before I could even think straight. Before I left the building, I grabbed one of her business cards, noting her name: Rebecca Stone.
Once outside, I spotted Mark, the driver waiting by the car. His presence was a welcome sight, offering a sense of stability amidst the chaos of the situation. I approached him with a forced smile, trying to push aside the frustration bubbling within me.
"Thank you, Mark," I said, my voice strained but polite as I handed him the next address. "Let's head to the next appointment."
Mark nodded, sensing my tension but wisely choosing not to comment on it. He started the car, and we pulled out of the parking lot, leaving Rebecca Stone and her manipulative tactics behind us. As the scenery passed by outside the window, I tried to focus on the task at hand, pushing aside the unpleasant encounter with Rebecca and the unsettling feeling of being threatened. There were more important things to deal with at the moment, and I needed to keep my head clear.
As Mark navigated through the bustling streets, I couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling that Rebecca's words had left me with. The revelation about her connection to the Stone family only added to my unease. The Stones were renowned in commercial real estate, wielding considerable influence and power in the industry.
"So, Mark, what do you know about Rebecca Stone?" I inquired, trying to keep my tone casual despite the turmoil brewing inside me.
Mark glanced at me through the rearview mirror, his expression thoughtful. "The Stones are a big deal around here," he began, his voice tinged with respect. "Rebecca's part of that family. They own quite a bit of property in the city."
I absorbed his words, feeling a knot form in my stomach. If Rebecca was indeed part of such a prominent family, it explained her boldness and confidence. But it also made her warning about Chris all the more troubling.
"And what about her interest in Chris?" I probed further, my voice betraying a hint of irritation.
Mark shrugged, his eyes returning to the road ahead. "Rumor has it she's been after him for a while now," he replied casually. "But I wouldn't worry too much about it. Chris seems like a decent guy. He can handle himself."
His words offered some reassurance, but I couldn't shake off the nagging doubt that lingered in the back of my mind. I reminded myself that Chris and I were just friends, and that's how it should stay, especially with my divorce still looming over me. I needed to focus on my priorities and not let distractions like Rebecca Stone interfere with my goals.