Lisa moved slowly, carefully, as if the slightest sound would shatter the fragile silence of the room.
The sheets slid against her skin as she eased herself off the bed, her heart pounding so loudly she was certain it would wake him.
Leo lay sprawled beside her, one arm thrown over the pillow where her head had rested hours ago, his breathing deep and even. For a moment, she allowed herself to just look at the sharp line of his jaw, the calm dominance in his sleeping face.
This was a mistake, she told herself.
A beautiful, terrifying mistake.
She took one step forward.
Then another.
She was just one step away from freedom when a strong hand wrapped around her wrist.
Lisa gasped.
In one swift pull, she lost her balance and landed back on the bed, the mattress dipping beneath her weight. Her breath rushed out of her lungs as she found herself beside him again, her pulse racing.
"Running away already?" Leo's voice was low, amused, and very awake.
Her eyes widened. "I ... I didn't...." She grabbed the sheet instinctively, clutching it to her chest. "I don't know how I even got into this room."
Leo smirked slowly and sat up, completely unbothered. The sheet slid away from him as he stood, unapologetically naked, stretching like the night hadn't left its mark on either of them.
Lisa yelped and covered her face instantly. "What are you doing?!" she cried.
He laughed softly. "Relax. You saw everything last night."
"That was different!" she snapped, peeking through her fingers before quickly hiding again.
"Put something on!"
Instead, he tilted his head, studying her. "Funny. Last night, you walked into my room and took advantage of me. And now you're acting innocent."
Her lips parted in shock. "What?!"
She turned her face away, whispering to herself, "What have I done…"
Leo took a step closer, leaning over her, his presence overwhelming. Lisa tightened her grip on the bedsheet, pulling it higher as if it could protect her from the intensity in his gaze.
"What are you doing?" she asked breathlessly.
He smirked. "Answer my question. Why did you come into my room last night? And don't tell me you don't remember."
She swallowed hard. "I… I was drunk. I honestly don't have a clue how I got there."
He straightened, the teasing expression fading slightly. "Is this how you get into other men's rooms? Say you don't remember and walk away?"
"No!" she said quickly. "This is my first time."
The room went silent.
Leo froze.
"Your… first time?" he repeated slowly.
The words echoed in his head, louder than the music from the night before, louder than her laughter, louder than her kisses. He looked at her again not with amusement this time, but with something darker, heavier.
She nodded, her eyes glossy. "I've never… done anything like that before."
He exhaled sharply and turned away, running a hand through his hair. After a moment, he picked up a small tablet from the bedside drawer and handed it to her.
"Take this," he said quietly. "It'll help with the pain."
She stared at the pill in her palm, realization crashing over her.
Her body ached not just physically, but emotionally. She hugged the sheet tighter, her cheeks burning.
Leo avoided her eyes.
He strode towards the bathroom door. "I'm going to shower."
As soon as the bathroom door closed and the sound of running water filled the room, Lisa moved.
Fast.
She grabbed the nearest clothes she could find, pulled them on with shaking hands, and slipped out of the bedroom. Her heart raced as she hurried through the massive hallway, down the stairs, and out into the cool morning air.
She didn't look back.
By the time Leo returned, towel around his waist, the room was empty.
The bed was cold.
He glanced around once, then chuckled softly to himself.
"She ran," he muttered, a slow smile forming. "Interesting."
Lisa burst through the door of her apartment and collapsed onto her bed, face buried in her pillow. Her mind replayed everything the party, the drinks, the mansion, his touch, his voice.
Did I really do that?
A one-night stand… with a stranger?
She groaned, rolling onto her back, staring at the ceiling in disbelief.
Just then, the door creaked open.
"Lisa?" her friend Jasmine called. "Where did you disappear to last night after the drinks?"
Lisa sat up slowly. She explain everything to Jasmine.
Minutes later, Jasmine was staring at her with wide eyes. "Wait. You're telling me you had a one-night stand with a stranger"
Lisa covered her face. "Please don't say it like that."
Jasmine grinned. "Okay, but what did the stranger look like? Was he handsome?"
Lisa hesitated. "Very."
"Rich?" Jasmine teased.
"I think he is''
Jasmine gasped dramatically. "Lisa! This is literally a movie plot. Cinderella gets drunk and wakes up in a CEO's bed!"
"Stop it!" Lisa groaned. "You're making it worse."
Jasmine laughed, then softened. "So… how do you feel?"
Lisa looked down at her hands. "Confused. Embarrassed. And… I don't know why, but I can't stop thinking about him."
Jasmine smiled knowingly. "Oh no," she said. "This isn't over."
Lisa didn't reply.
Deep down, she knew her friend was right.