Barcelona — Aria Palacio Resort, Private Poolside
The sun poured gold across the sky, casting a soft sheen on the blue-tiled pool below. It was a free day for the delegation—no meetings, no speeches, no signatures. Just a break... or at least that's what it was supposed to be.
Lila Penrose was a vision of lethal grace, and today, she came dressed as temptation incarnate.
Her black mesh bikini clung to her like a second skin. It was transparent in the right places, seductive in the wrong ones. She wore a sheer sarong tied low at her waist, offering the illusion of modesty, but Rowan's eyes couldn't unsee the silhouette beneath it—the soft curve of her breasts, the dip of her waist, the roundness of her hips. Her nipples pressed softly against the fabric, sending a shockwave through him with every glance.
Her hair was pulled into a high, sleek bun, exposing the smooth column of her neck, her sharp collarbones. Diamond studs glinted on her ears. Her lips, painted the softest shade of brown, curved into the subtlest smirk as she walked past him barefoot.
Rowan Vale, the man who never flinched during billion-dollar negotiations, who stood still as empires shook—he couldn't breathe.
He had survived boardroom wars and media storms. But today, he was fighting her—and he was losing.
From across the pool, Lila locked eyes with him. Just for a second.
Her gaze was unbothered, unreadable, like a Queen to a King she'd already checkmated.
He leaned back in his lounger, trying to cool the fire under his skin. But it was impossible. The wet heat in the air, the way the sun kissed her skin—gold on caramel—and the way she dipped into the pool like a siren from ancient myths... he was undone.
She emerged slowly, water streaming down her body, droplets tracing the curves he ached to touch. Her head tilted back, exposing the long line of her throat. Eyes closed. Lips parted.
God... he swore under his breath.
Nico, lounging beside him, noticed. "You've got it bad," he muttered with a lazy grin. "She's not even trying, and look at you. Like a man watching the world end."
Rowan didn't answer. He couldn't. Because everything in him was straining—jaw clenched, hands fisted at his sides. He had resisted her glances. Her perfume. Her silence. But now?
Now she was poetry written in curves and confidence, and he couldn't pretend anymore.
She stepped out of the pool, the sun glinting off her wet skin like a blessing. She walked past him, slow, knowing, unshaken.
He stood.
He didn't even realize it until Nico gave a low whistle. "Well, well… the King just took a step."
It wasn't just a step. It was surrender. It was Rowan Vale, finally tipping his crown.
Because the Queen had played her hand with elegance and danger.
And Rowan had lost.
Double checkmate.
---
Barcelona — Aria Palacio Resort, Private Poolside
Rowan stood, unmoving, staring as Lila sauntered past him, her steps measured, her presence undeniable. Her beauty was a force, an effortless power that she wielded with every glance, every gesture. It was as though the air itself bent around her, taut with the weight of unspoken promises.
He clenched his jaw so hard it ached, his knuckles white as he gripped the sides of his lounger. His body was already on fire from the sight of her—the way the water clung to her skin, the way her hips swayed with a kind of grace that both challenged and beckoned him. The urge to follow her, to take her by the arm and pull her back into the pool, to kiss her until she couldn't remember her own name... it was all too much.
But he didn't. He couldn't.
Rowan Vale, the man who had built empires, who had navigated treacherous waters in business and life, now found himself shackled by his own restraint. Every instinct told him to go after her, to finally give in to the pull that had been growing ever since their first encounter. But something deeper inside him held him back.
Perhaps it was pride. Or maybe it was the lingering fear that giving in to this magnetic force would mean more than just physical pleasure. It would mean losing himself in a game he didn't know how to play.
He watched her from a distance, every move she made seemingly designed to undo him. She was talking to Nico now, laughing softly at something he said, and Rowan couldn't help but notice how Nico's eyes lingered a little too long on Lila, a little too suggestively.
His gut twisted, but he held his ground.
This is a game, he thought. And I'm not going to lose.
But he could feel the clock ticking. Every passing second made it harder to breathe, harder to stay calm. And Lila—God, she knew. She knew exactly what she was doing.
Her eyes flicked to him again. For a brief, fleeting moment, their gazes locked, and in that second, it was as though the entire world paused. The music, the chatter, the poolside conversations—all of it disappeared.
Her smile was subtle, but it was there. A knowing, teasing smile that told him everything: She was in control. Always had been. Always would be.
Rowan inhaled sharply, his chest tightening as her lips parted slightly, as if to say something. But then, she turned, walking away with that same deliberate, calculated pace. She didn't need to say a word. She never did.
I won't chase her, he swore to himself, though his body screamed otherwise. I can't.
But every step she took away from him felt like a crack in his resolve. A slow, painful unraveling of everything he had worked so hard to control.
Nico, oblivious to Rowan's internal storm, clapped him on the back. "You're going to have to make your move soon, mate. She's got you wrapped up tight."
Rowan didn't respond. He just watched her disappear into the crowd of partygoers.
The game was still on, but he could feel it now more than ever—he was a pawn in her hands, and he was about to be checkmated once again.
---
Barcelona — Aria Palacio Resort, Poolside
The evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the pool area. The air was thick with the scent of saltwater and blooming jasmine. Rowan, his mind racing, approached the poolside where Lila and Nico were engaged in conversation. His steps were deliberate, each one bringing him closer to the woman who had ensnared his thoughts since their first encounter.
As he neared, Lila's gaze met his, and a subtle smile played on her lips. She acknowledged him with a nod, her eyes glinting with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. Nico, ever the observant one, raised an eyebrow but said nothing, sensing the shift in the air.
Rowan stopped a few feet away, his presence commanding attention. He cleared his throat, his voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of desire. "Lila," he began, his tone low, "I was hoping we could discuss the proposal for the Los Angeles project tonight. Perhaps in the privacy of my suite?"
Lila's smile widened, and she tilted her head slightly, considering his words. "Of course, Rowan," she replied smoothly, her voice carrying a hint of intrigue. "I'll be there."
With that, she turned back to Nico, leaving Rowan standing there, his heart pounding in his chest.
---
#Later That Night — Rowan's Suite#
The door clicked shut behind Lila with a soft finality. The suite was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from the city lights filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Rowan stood near the bar, his silhouette outlined against the backdrop of the night sky. He turned as she entered, his gaze sweeping over her with deliberate appreciation.
Lila met his eyes, her lips curving into a knowing smile. She was draped in a mauve velvet robe, the fabric rich and luxurious, cinched at the waist with a delicate tie. Beneath it, the faintest hint of black lace peeked through, a subtle invitation that spoke volumes.
"Rowan," she purred, her voice a melodic blend of warmth and challenge. "I must admit, I wasn't expecting a proposal this evening."
He stepped closer, his movements measured, his eyes never leaving hers. "I thought it was time we discussed our future projects," he said, his tone low and laden with intent. "But perhaps we can start with something more immediate."
Lila raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what might that be?"
He gestured toward the desk where the proposal documents lay. "A more... personal discussion," he suggested, his voice dropping to a whisper. "One that doesn't involve spreadsheets or deadlines."
She approached the desk, her movements graceful and deliberate. Picking up the papers, she flicked through them casually, her fingers brushing over the edges. "I see," she murmured, her eyes glinting with amusement. "And what makes you think I would be interested in such a proposal?"
Rowan closed the distance between them, his presence commanding. "Because, Lila," he said, his voice thick with desire, "I believe you enjoy a challenge."
She met his gaze, her lips parting slightly as she considered his words. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, she set the papers down and turned to face him fully. "Perhaps," she conceded, her voice a tantalizing blend of sweetness and spice. "But I don't give in easily."
Rowan smiled, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "I never expected you to," he replied, his voice husky. "But I do enjoy the chase."
Lila stepped closer, her breath warm against his chest. "Then let's see who catches whom," she whispered, her lips brushing against his ear.
The air between them crackled with anticipation, the unspoken tension finally reaching its peak. Rowan leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss that was both tender and demanding, a promise of the night to come.
---
The atmosphere in the suite was thick with anticipation. Rowan stood close to Lila, the subtle scent of his cologne—a fragrance she had first noticed during their initial meeting—wafting between them. The scent, a blend of woody and spicy notes, had lingered in her memory, now reigniting emotions she had carefully kept in check.
He leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, "I wanted to see you tonight." His voice was low, almost a growl, sending a shiver down her spine.
Lila turned to face him, her eyes meeting his with a mixture of challenge and desire. "Is that so?" she replied, her voice steady, though her heart raced.
Without waiting for a response, Rowan's hands found her waist, pulling her closer. The tension that had been building between them reached its peak as he gently loosened the tie of her robe, revealing the delicate black lingerie lace beneath. The fabric clung to her, accentuating her curves, the intricate patterns of the lace contrasting against her smooth skin.
Their lips met in a passionate kiss, a culmination of unspoken words and suppressed desires. Lila's hands found their way to his shoulders, gripping him tightly as the world around them faded away.
As they parted, breathless, Lila whispered, "It's just your cologne." Her voice was tinged with amusement and surrender, acknowledging the power he held over her senses.
He grabbed her ass, tracing his fingers through her thighs, to the inner circle of her body, tracing his hands through her clitoris, grabbed her breast and suckled on her nipples gently. She pushed him to his bed, softly yet controlling, she took of his night robe and she moaned lightly in his ears
" How bad do you want me?"... and Rowan said " so bad that I want my cologne to be your new outter skin"
Then they made love, they had sex, she inserted his genitals Into her inner circles, banging him so hard, with lust, want, and obsession.
Then he whispered "I love you; I've always did"
Rowan smiled, his eyes dark with intent. "Then perhaps I should wear it more often."
The night stretched ahead, filled with possibilities and the promise of what was to come.
---