Chapter 17
Alistair's POV
I could hear the sound of my phone ringing, faint and insistent. I didn't need to check the screen to know it was Raman. But my head wasn't in the right place—wasn't in the right sense at all.
Lumel's mouth and hands did things to me I never imagined I'd feel, each touch unraveling me, each kiss burning deeper. My thoughts blurred, tangled between guilt and the fire rushing through my veins.
He leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear, his voice low and teasing.
"Do you wanna go somewhere more comfortable?"
I couldn't even form words. My head was spinning, my body betraying me. Somehow, I don't know how, Lumel managed to guide me out of the conference room. The world around me felt like a haze, yet his touch was sharp, grounding, inescapable.
He opened a hotel room door with casual ease, as if it had been waiting for us all along. Before I could think, he pushed me inside, his lips crashing against mine, hungry and relentless. My back hit the wall, then the bed, his weight pressing me down, his hands everywhere—claiming, teasing, demanding.
I let out a sound I didn't recognize as mine, lost between resistance and surrender, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it would break through my chest.
His hand slipped under my shirt and, with one decisive motion, tugged it upward. I raised his arms, letting the fabric fall away, the cool air of the room brushing against heated skin. Before I could draw another breath, he pressed him back down, his chest firm against mine, pinning me to the sheets.
The difference in our strength was undeniable—every shift, every press of Lumel's body reminded me how easily he could hold me there. And yet, that strength never felt threatening. It felt… grounding. As though him was claiming me with every touch, every kiss.
Lumel's mouth trailed from my lips to his throat, teeth grazing lightly at my pulse. I gasped, my fingers tangling in Lumel's hair, half wanting to pull him closer, half clinging just to keep steady.
"Relax," Lumel murmured against my skin, voice low, warm, and commanding. His hand slid down, fingers brushing Alistair's waist before settling at my hip, anchoring me.
The mattress dipped as Lumel pushed me further back, until my head rested against the pillows. Lumel followed, bracing himself above him, his weight pressing down. Our bodies aligned fully now, heat against heat, every movement amplifying the tension between us.
My breaths came shallow, his chest rising quickly against Lumel's. I've never felt exposed, vulnerable under that steady gaze, but it only drew me deeper. My hands traced Lumel's back, feeling his muscles shift beneath my palms.
When Lumel finally captured my lips again, it was slower, deeper, more consuming. His hand slid along my side, fingers brushing bare skin with a tenderness that contrasted sharply with the firm way he held me down.
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Alistair's POV
In the middle of the night, I bent down to pick up my clothes scattered across the floor. My shirt was missing almost all its buttons, hanging loose and useless in my hands. I couldn't find my phone anywhere, and then I remembered—it must have fallen back in the conference room. Raman would be worried sick by now.
I glanced toward the bed. Lumel was asleep, naked, his breathing slow and calm. I never thought this would happen again. The last time, I could blame the drinks, but tonight I had no excuse. My chest tightened.
I pulled on my trousers, buttoned what was left of my shirt, and picked up my jacket. For a moment, I just stood there, looking at him one last time before turning toward the door.
"Leaving again?"
His voice stopped me cold. I turned. Lumel was sitting up, eyes half-shadowed but sharp.
"I… umm…" My words stumbled out, useless.
He stood, unapologetically naked, and walked toward me with that quiet confidence that always seemed to undo me. I froze as he reached out, took my jacket from my hand, and tossed it carelessly onto the bed.
"I'm not letting you go so easily like the last time," he murmured, a chuckle slipping past his lips before he leaned in.
"My phone." I mumbled against his lips.
"Don't worry about that." he said, his breath on my lips
Then his mouth was on mine, hard and certain, and all the reasons I had for leaving fell apart.
I kissed him back. And once again, I didn't stop.
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Lumel's POV
The next morning, I stirred awake before him. Alistair was still asleep beside me, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. His hair had fallen over his forehead, messy from the night before. I reached out and brushed it back gently, smiling to myself. He's so much better looking when he's sleeping, I thought. Peaceful. Untouchable.
I slipped out of bed and took a quick shower. When I came out, he was still out cold. I chuckled under my breath. Guess I must have worn him out.
I dressed and called for room service, ordering breakfast. While waiting, I asked one of the porters to fetch a phone left in Conference Room B1. A few minutes later, it was delivered. I turned it on and the wallpaper appeared—a younger Alistair, standing with a beautiful woman who could only be his mother, the resemblance clear. There was also a little girl clinging to him, and another man at the edge of the frame. My eyes lingered on the photo longer than I should have.
The bed creaked. Alistair stirred, his eyes slowly opening. I set the phone down.
"Well, look who's waking up," I teased lightly.
His gaze went straight to the phone. "My phone."
I handed it to him without a word. He unlocked it quickly, scrolling, almost as if to make sure nothing was missing.
"I ordered food," I said, breaking the silence.
"Mm. I'm fine," he murmured, not looking up.
Silence settled between us, thick and unspoken.
"I ordered new clothes for you," I added.
He finally nodded, picked them up, and walked into the bathroom. The door shut behind him with a soft click.
I sat back, staring at the closed door… then at the bed we had shared.