Chapter 3 Your Turn

The warmth of Marissa's skin brushing against Shane's sent a seductive thrill through him.

Shane made no attempt to retreat. If anything, the intensity in his eyes deepened. "Are you not worried I'll tell Collin?"

"You won't." A barely noticeable smile touched Marissa's lips. It was the first time she tried to entice a man, yet there wasn't even a trace of hesitation in her manner. When she raised her face, her long lashes trembled delicately, and her clear eyes carried an almost disarming innocence.

She continued, "You and Collin have never been close. And for someone with your reputation, it's strange that I've never heard a single woman speak badly of you, not even on those vulgar gossip sites. That tells me you'll probably make a decent partner in bed. Whatever happened before doesn't matter to me. But from this point forward, I need you to stop screwing around."

Her challenge was unmistakable. Backing out would make him look like a coward.

Shane bent down, lifted her into his arms, and headed straight for the door. "Fine," he said under his breath. "Let's go somewhere else and see what I am getting."

...

By then, a handful of people had already crowded the hallway.

Declan was practically glued to the door, stretching his neck and pressing an ear against it as he tried to hear what was happening inside. The door abruptly swung open, sending him tumbling backward onto the floor. His eyes widened when he spotted Shane carrying the veiled woman. He immediately scrambled upright.

"Holy shit, Shane! What's happening?" Declan exclaimed.

The others stared at one another before their faces broke into mischievous grins.

"Seriously, Declan? Can't you figure it out? Shane's getting some tonight. That girl must have really caught his attention!"

"I've been telling you all along. The fastest way to forget a breakup is to find someone new. A fresh body will make those old memories disappear!"

Laughter erupted through the hallway as the men hooted and whistled.

Shane's face turned cold. Without warning, he drove his foot into the man who had made the filthy remark. "Get lost. And don't fuck up my night."

His gaze swept over the others. "And you'd better show her some respect."

He stepped into the elevator, pressed the button for the highest floor, and left his stunned friends standing there.

What the hell had just happened?

Shane had never been the kind of man who abandoned his friends for a woman. More importantly, he had never cared enough about any woman to insist that his friends show her some respect.

The realization slowly sank in, sending an uneasy shiver through the group.

Come to think of it, despite the countless women Shane was rumored to have slept with, the women around him had always behaved themselves. None had ever been bold enough to touch him without permission. And they had certainly never witnessed him carrying one of them, especially not in his arms like a bride.

Could it be that Shane had finally fallen for someone? Who exactly was this woman?

The upper levels of Crimson Lounge had been converted into an exclusive luxury hotel, with each of the wealthy men maintaining a private suite there for long-term use.

Shane's room was especially extravagant. Every detail seemed designed for seduction. Bottles of wine, flowers, various props, and costumes were all within easy reach. Even the curtains billowing gently from the balcony carried a soft pink hue that gave the entire room an unmistakably sensual atmosphere.

He had brought women upstairs to rest before, but this was the first time he had ever carried one across the threshold himself.

Marissa clearly knew what she wanted, while desire was already raging through him. Yet when the moment finally arrived, his mind went blank. He suddenly had no idea what he was supposed to do next.

For the first time, his impulsive confidence seemed like a terrible decision.

Marissa slipped from his embrace with ease and kicked off her shoes. While Shane stood there looking completely lost, she took his hand and led him deeper into the suite.

"Are we doing it now?" Shane asked before he could stop himself.

"Not yet." Marissa's expression remained composed. "Show me your medical report."

She produced her own report first and placed it in his hand. "This is mine. I'm completely healthy. If you've got any infectious diseases, then our arrangement ends here."

The corner of Shane's mouth twitched. After a moment, he pulled out his phone and opened his latest medical records.

What timing.

He had undergone a checkup only yesterday.

Marissa quickly scanned the results. Everything was clear, and the tension in her expression eased noticeably.

As long as he was healthy, she had no reason to object.

"Good," she said. "You know what you're doing, so I'll let you take the lead."

She moved to the middle of the bed and stretched out on her back. Then she lifted one small hand and crooked a finger at him. "Come here."

Shane's expression instantly became rigid. He knew what he was doing?

A strange embarrassment washed over him. There was no way he could confess the truth now, so all he could do was force himself to play along. "What am I supposed to be? Some kind of human sex toy?"

Marissa went still. A second later, understanding dawned on her face. She propped herself up on one elbow, reached for the buttons of her shirt dress, and slowly undid them one after another. More of her smooth skin came into view until the white camisole beneath revealed the gentle curves of her figure.

She caught the strap with one finger and eased it down from her shoulder. Surely that was enough to count as seduction.

"Your turn," she said.

The words were ordinary, yet inside the charged silence, they landed like a direct challenge.

Neither of them could afford to retreat now.

Shane's final shred of restraint gave way. His jaw clenched as a daring edge entered his expression. He planted one knee on the mattress, leaned toward her, and caught her lips in a fierce, impulsive kiss.