Maybe Next Time

Karina's words sliced through the air, devoid of any hesitation. They hung there, heavy, like a fog settling between them, thick with tension.

Beside her, the man fell into an abrupt silence. Though Miss Ashford couldn't help but feel a faint sense of satisfaction at finally quieting him, any pride was drowned in the weight of the moment.

As she met his gaze, the intensity of his dark eyes bore down on her, making the wait for his response feel like an eternity.

Then, a shift—a glimmer of something menacing danced in the depths of his amber eyes. It was a cocktail of anger and frustration, a stark departure from his previous demeanor, and it sent a shiver down Karina's spine. The realization that she had sparked such a reaction in him momentarily unnerved her.

Slowly, he seemed to register the fear reflected in her eyes, releasing a heavy exhale in response. Running a hand through his tousled hair, he pushed back the unruly strands from his forehead, his tanned skin creasing with a deep frown. With a sigh, he closed his eyes tightly, as if trying to rein in his escalating irritation.

Time seemed to freeze, and Karina found herself holding her breath, awaiting the man's next move.

Finally, he opened his eyes, revealing a calm gaze that took her aback. His demeanor suggested her words hadn't fazed him at all; any flicker of emotion she'd perceived was merely a trick of her mind.

With a gentle touch, he shifted Karina's body to the side, pulling her into a comforting embrace from behind. As he brushed her light brown hair away from her neck, his lips met her smooth, pale skin in a tender kiss.

"I don't feel like sharing anything now," he murmured, a faint smile playing on his lips, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Maybe next time."

'Next time?' Karina's annoyance flashed in her narrowed eyes.

He seemed oddly certain they would meet again, despite her assertion that there wouldn't be a next time— not for anything. If he expected her to return to his services, he was in for a disappointment.

His next words, however, unexpectedly sliced through the weariness of her heart: "Why don't you stay alive until you learn everything about me?"

'What the hell?' Karina's mind echoed in response.

Oddly, the man's meaningless offer brought her a strange sense of solace. Knowing this encounter was destined to be fleeting, she decided to indulge him, nodding in agreement. "Sure," she murmured.

Satisfied with her response, the stranger loosened his embrace, rising from the bed to gather his scattered clothes.

"Feeling hungry?" he asked, his movements graceful as he dressed.

As he moved, Karina couldn't help but notice the play of muscles beneath his skin—the twist of his back, the stretch of his shoulders, the curve of his hips. Despite his imposing stature, she found herself strangely charmed by the sight. Bathed in the soft light, he seemed almost gentle, a stark contrast to his earlier intensity.

She had been absentmindedly watching the naked man move about the room when her gaze shifted to her side, finally landing on the digital clock perched on the bedside table.

'Not even seven yet... What's he planning to eat?' The question lingered in her mind.

Then, a sudden realization struck her—she was due back at work soon!

Karina froze, torn between conflicting priorities, when the man returned to her side, settling onto the bed beside her and running his large hand through her soft hair.

"What's the matter?" he inquired.

Karina paused, her expression stern. "I have to leave. I need to slip away unnoticed."

The stranger raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled by her urgency. "You still need to eat. What's the difference between eating here or at home?"

His words grated on Miss Ashford's nerves. Of course, he couldn't grasp the weight of her responsibilities. He couldn't fathom what it was like to bear the burden of an entire corporation single-handedly. For him, lazy mornings and idle moments were a luxury.

Somehow, his ignorance irritated her beyond measure.

Someone like her couldn't.

Shifting her annoyed glare away from the man beside her, Karina began frantically searching for her clothes. To her dismay, she discovered that her dress lay torn, leaving her with nothing but her black coat.

With a resigned sigh, she turned her attention back to the stranger, who had been silently observing her predicament all along. She could practically feel the mockery radiating from his dark brown eyes, intensifying her irritation.

Then, a cunning idea sprang to mind amidst the chaos. Mulling it over, she couldn't help but feel like the protagonist of some cliché romantic comedy—but deep down, she knew it was the right move. A grand exit, another wild memory to tuck away in her heart.

Fixing her green eyes on the digital clock, Karina spoke up, "Hey... When does the kitchen start serving here?"

The man's face lit up at her sudden interest in food. "It's open round the clock. Got something specific in mind?"

Miss Ashford nodded. "Black coffee, no milk, no sugar. Some porridge with fruit. And dry toast. Can you arrange that?"

Her companion nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. "Sure thing, Princess. I'll be back in a jiffy."

Draping his upper body with a loose black shirt, the man rose from the bed, moving leisurely toward the door. Suddenly, he halted, turning back to face her. "Would you like some honey or jam with your toast?"

Karina seized upon the question as an opportunity to prolong his absence. With a light smile gracing her pinkish lips, she nodded in agreement. "Sure, some strawberry jam would hit the spot."

"Got it. Be right back," he assured her before disappearing behind the closed door, leaving Miss Ashford to her own devices. She stole a glance at the digital clock on the bedside table, letting out a sigh.

"Alright. Time to make my exit."

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