I groaned loudly as a bright light seeped through my eyelids. I cracked an eye open slowly, holding my head in pain as I sat up. It had been so long since I last drank that I'd almost forgotten how brutal hangovers could be. It felt like a train was slowly crushing my head as I clutched my temple.
"I'm never gonna drink again," I vowed.
I paused, glancing around the unfamiliar room. Where was I?
I remembered the drinks… and then the rest was all a blur.
Wait.
The music. The man from the bar. It was all starting to come back and I gripped the sheets harder, wrapping it around my body. I couldn't believe I'd spent the night with a stranger.
What the hell was I thinking?
I glanced at a note on the bedside table and reached for it.
'I had a nice time last night, stranger. I hope I made you feel better. Love, Damien.' It read.
Damien. Not that I planned to remember his name. That was a one-time mistake.
I gasped at the time and scrambled for my phone. I turned it on and jumped out of bed. I wore my bra quickly, my phone exploding with notifications.
I zipped on my dress and grabbed my bag. The ride down the elevator was a shameful one. I felt eyes on me, like everyone knew what I did.
My phone buzzed and I stared at the screen.
Oliver.
Oliver---my colleague and probably the closest thing I had to a friend at work---was calling.
"Aria!" he hissed. "Where the hell are you?"
"I'm on my way," I said, darting out of the elevator towards the entrance.
"You have a presentation in twenty minutes," he said.
"I'll be there as soon as I can."
I hailed a taxi and sighed heavily. "I'll be there in fifteen. Max."
"You'd better."
I ended the call quickly and adjusted my dress. It looked like I was headed for a brunch not a boardroom.
"Where to, Ma'am?"
"Brown Industries."
I reached for a hair tie in my bag and pulled my hair in a ponytail. The dress was a little short for a meeting but I had to make do. I had an important meeting I'd been preparing towards for a month. There were rumors our new boss was going to be in attendance.
It was my one chance to prove myself that I had what it took and to increase my odds of getting that promotion.
I touched up my lips and smelled my breath. It didn't smell too bad but it could be better.
"Do you have a mint?" I asked the driver.
I smiled when he passed me one and inhaled deeply. There were no room for failure. I'd heard the new boss was strict and getting on his bad side was not an option---not when I had a promotion due after years of working my ass off.
"Here we are," the driver said, bringing the car to a stop.
I shot out of the taxi quickly and ran inside the building.
"Hold the door," I yelled, pressing the buttons frantically.
"Shit!" I cussed when the elevator closed in my face.
There were 80 floors in the building, I couldn't afford to wait any longer. I had 45 seconds before the meeting started.
My phone pinged loudly. "Aria, where are you?"
"Lobby," I sighed.
"You need to get here right now!"
I cut the call, glancing at the empty elevator opposite from me. It was used only by executives…which I was not. But desperate times called for desperate measures.
So I pressed the button, hoping with everything in me that it didn't stop until the 20th floor, where the meeting was being held.
My heart raced in my chest as I glanced at the number on the door. I was almost there. I heaved a sigh of relief when the doors slid open on the 20th floor and ran towards the conference room.
I waved when I saw Oliver beckoning on me, my heels clicking on the hard marble as I got closer to him.
"Where the hell have you been?" he asked.
"Long story," I glanced at the door. "Has he arrived?"
I sensed a presence behind me and froze.
"You're late, Ms. Scott," a voice called.
Oliver clicked his teeth as I squeezed my eyes shut in embarrassment.
Shit!
"Mr. Brown, I have a perfectly good explanation for---."
The words died in my throat as I turned to him. The familiar blue eyes held mine, somewhat amused at my stunned expression and I stumbled back.
"Mr. B-Brown?" I asked.
His lips curled up, reminding me of the sinful things he'd done with them.
"I was told to look forward to your presentation today," he said.
"Aria," Oliver called.
I shut my slacked jaw and gulped loudly. How did he manage to look so calm while I was a mess that I'd not only spilled out my guts to my boss, but also had sex with him?
He inched closer to me, the familiar scent of sandalwood and aftershave sent my body into over drive and I inhaled deeply.
"I should warn you, I'm not easily impressed," he said.
I cleared my throat and took a step back. I could also be a professional about this, it was only sex after all.
"You should look forward to it…sir," I said.
He smirked, his gaze flitting to my neck. "Oh, I will."
He leaned closer to whisper in my ear. "Although, I doubt it'll be as memorable as last night was, Ms. Scott."
His warm breath sent chills down my spine. Heat flushed to my cheeks as he walked away, leaving Oliver staring at me in confusion.
"What was that about?" he asked.
I shook my head. "Nothing."
He paused, a frown forming as he stared at my neck. "You should probably deal with that."
"What?"
I brought out my phone and gasped when I saw my reflection. My neck was filled with hickeys!