Chapter 1
One Night with a Stranger
Thawin reached for the phone resting on the dashboard and pressed to answer. His voice, low and edged with the southern drawl of Songkhla, carried down the line.
"What is it?"
"The garland's ready, boss. I'll be waiting at the usual spot."
"Alright."
He grunted his reply before ending the call, then pressed down on the accelerator. The six-wheeler truck surged forward, overtaking a pickup with practiced ease. His sharp, southern features framed eyes that burned with quiet intensity. A rough line of stubble shadowed his jaw as he chewed his gum slowly, side to side.
Thawin—known to most as Tul, the young "Nai Hua," or boss—was the owner of one of the largest transport companies in Songkhla. An orphan raised on temple alms, he had been taken in and supported by an old monk, a close friend of his late father. The man had provided for him until the end of his college years, but passed away before Thawin could take his university entrance exams.
Left to fend for himself, he clawed his way upward, earning a degree that became his ticket to better prospects. Armed with both education and an instinctive talent for business, he became a company manager at only twenty-five.
Determined to learn every aspect of the trade, Thawin eventually branched out, starting his own firm. Through grit and relentless effort, he pushed it to the top. By thirty-five, his company had become the leading transport service in Songkhla. Yet despite his success, he remained the same down-to-earth man—sometimes rough, even a little untamed.
The hulking truck swung off the road, circling the side of a gas station where the meeting was set. Thawin glanced at his watch—barely nine o'clock. He still had thirty minutes before the cargo check. Enough time to hit the restroom and ready himself.
"Roadside garlands"—that was what truckers called the karaoke-bar girls who catered to men like him, those who spent days and nights on the highway. Thawin wasn't one to indulge often, but every now and then, the urge was there.
This time, it was Son, his right-hand man, who had insisted. "She's something else, boss. Not like anyone you've ever had." The way Son talked had planted a seed in him. It had been months since he'd last touched a woman, and the thought gnawed at him until he finally agreed.
The station was large, with clean restrooms and a convenience store. Dressed simply in a T-shirt and ripped jeans, Thawin grabbed some water and toiletries, lit a cigarette, then climbed back into the truck.
From his pocket, he drew out a small red box, tearing the foil open in preparation. The thought of warm flesh, the sound of a woman's soft moans—his body responded instantly, his blood rising, his groin tightening with need.
And then—something else. A faint, sweet fragrance drifted across his nose. His brow furrowed. He turned toward the sleeper berth in the back, where the blanket shifted oddly. Flicking on the cabin light, he narrowed his eyes.
He wasn't one for superstition, but the sight still made his pulse quicken. His voice came out hard and sharp.
"Hey! Who the hell's there!?"
No answer—only the tremble of fabric, the muffled stir of something hiding beneath.
Crouching low, his massive frame moved like a predator. He yanked open the console drawer, pulled out a hunting knife, and muttered under his breath, rough and dangerous.
"You've got no idea what you just walked into…"
"Help me…"
"…!?"
The faint, ragged moan made his sharp features tighten with suspicion. His gaze locked on the trembling blanket, every muscle taut. In one swift motion, he drew the knife from its sheath, his voice a harsh growl.
"Come out now, or I swear I'll cut you!"
"…Uhh… it's so hot…"
"Then get off my damn truck! Go!"
His bark thundered through the cabin as he ripped the blanket aside, tossing it to the corner.
What he saw froze him still—
A woman.
"What the hell… a person? Or a ghost?"
"Help me… so hot…"
She lay there, slender and delicate, her skin pale and smooth. An oval face flushed red at the cheeks, eyes glazed with feverish sweetness. Her ponytail had come loose, dark strands spilling across her face. The sight was enough to stir something primal inside him, his body reacting with a hardness straining against his jeans.
"Who are you? How the hell did you get into my truck?" Or had he forgotten to lock the door? His thoughts tangled as he leaned closer, catching the faint, clean fragrance clinging to her.
A glance at the clock—past ten already. Could she be the woman Son had arranged?
"I'm… so hot… please… water…"
"Shit!"
He let out a startled gasp as her small hand reached for his shirt, tugging it down until his body pressed against hers.
Her soft, slippery hands roamed over his chest and arms, sending shivers up his spine. A burning heat surged through him, making his teeth clench. His body was aflame with desire.
"If you don't stop… don't say I didn't warn you!"
He grabbed both of her wrists, pinning them firmly against the side seat. His eyes, sharp and intense, met her sweet, innocent face.
"Are you the one I… bought?"
"…"
Her dainty form froze, not understanding the meaning behind the word "bought."
"It's… so hot… help… hot…"
The faint moans trembled with a mix of suffering and a strangely seductive allure. She writhed lightly, her eyes glazed in a way that seemed to beckon.
Thawin didn't overthink it. At this hour, with a woman on a stranger's truck, who else could she be if not the one arranged?
He didn't wait. The urgent heat within him drove him to rise, turning off the cabin light and stripping off his own clothes until bare. Then, he leaned toward her again.
"Hot, huh? I'll take care of it myself."
"Cold!"
He let out a low, teasing chuckle. "Not so cold anymore, huh?" A mischievous glint played in his eyes as he moved closer, straddling her. His strong hands glided over the soft curves of her body, exploring with deliberate, heated intent. Thawin swallowed hard, a surge of desire coursing through him. No woman he had known before had stirred him like this—even before claiming her fully. The thought made his pulse quicken, and he knew that if he gave in completely, satisfaction would elude him only for a while longer.
"Ah… your hands… they hurt."
"The hands of a man who works hard don't stay soft from sitting idle at home!" he replied, teasing, his tone edged with playful dominance. He leaned closer, nuzzling the fragrant curve of her neck, leaving subtle traces of his presence.
Her small protests barely registered as his movements drew her in. She felt the heat between them build, her pulse racing with a mix of excitement and desire. He pressed closer, brushing his lips against hers in a fiery, demanding kiss, his touch teasing and possessive.
Her soft attempts to pull away were soon overwhelmed, and she found herself surrendering to the intensity of his rhythm, unable to resist the magnetic pull of his presence.
Lalita—known as Nam Ob—felt as though she were drifting in a fevered, intoxicating dream. The man before her radiated heat and strength; broad, muscular shoulders, a sculpted torso, and dark, intense eyes that burned with a magnetic intensity. Every glance made her pulse race, leaving her weak and breathless, unable to resist the allure.
Her hands moved instinctively, tracing the firmness of his chest and the defined lines of his abdomen, drawn by the raw, commanding presence he exuded. A low, husky murmur escaped him, and her wide, glimmering eyes met his with a mixture of curiosity, longing, and confusion.
"Do you want this that badly?" he growled, his patience evaporating in an instant. His strong body pressed closer, every movement charged with desire. One hand traced and explored her form with deliberate intensity, while the other held her firmly, guiding her with controlled insistence.
The heat between them surged, a raw, magnetic pull that left Lalita trembling, caught between anticipation and helpless surrender. Her soft, urgent gasps, filled with longing, only seemed to fuel the intensity radiating from him.
"I… can't… it's too hot…" she whispered, her voice trembling with need.
Her movements grew bolder, hips shifting instinctively, responding to the heat radiating from him. He clenched his jaw, a shiver of intense sensation coursing through him.
"You're in such a hurry… fine, I'll match your pace—but don't cry to stop!" he murmured, a rough edge to his voice, yet there was a spark of pleasure in the sound, revealing his approval of her boldness.
He shifted his weight, positioning himself above her, and prepared carefully, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. His hands traced her curves with deliberate care, exploring the softness that fit him perfectly. Her clear, trembling gasps filled the cabin, her wide eyes locking onto his in a mixture of invitation and challenge.
"You're teasing me," he whispered, a low growl of both warning and delight in his voice.
Thawin pressed closer, lips grazing hers, swallowing hard as desire surged through him. His hands guided her gently, drawing her nearer, the intensity between them undeniable.
A tight heat met him, and he hesitated for a heartbeat, sensing her resistance and the delicate tension. Questions flitted through his mind, unspoken, as he adjusted, careful yet driven by the moment.
"Ah… it hurts…" she whispered.
He froze for an instant, sharp brows furrowing, his body tense with both restraint and longing.
Thawin's gaze fell on her, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. She seemed inexperienced, yet the heat between them told a different story. He didn't dwell on it—he was far too focused to hesitate now.
"Alright, just hold on a little longer… it'll be fine soon," he murmured, leaning closer.
His lips and tongue sought her with fevered urgency, leaving a trail of heated traces. Her small hands grazed his broad back, rising and falling with uncertain touches, eyes closed and lips parted in soft murmurs. Shivers ran through her body, a mix of tingling excitement and sharp sensations.
The sound of his low, husky breaths mingled with the rapid beat of her pulse, filling the cabin with a palpable intensity. Their bodies moved together, a slow rhythm building the fire between them, each touch igniting the flames higher.
He held her slim waist firmly, drawing her closer as their bodies moved together with mounting intensity. Her chest rose and fell with each motion, fueling the fire that surged through him. His lips parted slightly, a low, satisfied sound escaping as he reveled in the connection.
Before him, she seemed almost dreamlike—delicate curves and soft lines accentuating her slender form. Her small hands gripped the pillow tightly, teeth nibbling her lower lip as her eyes fluttered closed, soft, breathy moans escaping in rhythm with their movements.
Thawin wanted a clearer view. He drew the curtain across the backseat and flicked on the overhead light. The soft, flawless contours of her body came into focus, her skin glowing faintly in the light. Her features bore the delicate elegance of a Thai-Chinese mix—large, expressive eyes, a well-shaped nose, and full lips that seemed made for a kiss.
Her form was smooth and evenly toned, every curve accentuated by the gentle light. Her flat abdomen and slim waist were mesmerizing, fitting snugly beneath his hands. His gaze traveled downward, and the subtle, natural details only made his pulse quicken, leaving his heart racing with a mix of awe and desire.
He let out a low, surprised groan. Something about her still felt new, untested… and it stirred something possessive in him. The thought that he was the first to share this closeness with her sent a shiver of intensity through his chest.
He slowly withdrew, observing the traces of their connection, his gaze lingering on her delicate, youthful features. Desire and concern mingled in his mind, leaving him both captivated and conflicted.
"…Ah… help me cool down…" she murmured softly, her voice tinged with need.
Her sweet, pleading voice reached him, eyes glimmering with a mix of mischief and invitation. Her slender arms reached up, brushing against his firm abdomen and tracing along the broad lines of his chest, as if silently urging him onward.
Any man would have been captivated, but Thawin's hands gripped her wrists firmly, holding them gently to the side as he muttered with controlled frustration,
"You're so impatient… just wait a little longer!"
He pressed closer once more, drawing her into a tight embrace as their bodies moved together in a heated rhythm. His hands guided hers above her head, keeping them gently in place as he nuzzled the curve of her neck and pressed his lips to hers with fervent intensity.
Every motion was deliberate, a hungry, unrestrained pull that left them both caught in the surge of desire. The rise and fall of their movements mirrored the mounting tension between them, each touch igniting the fire that flared hotter with every passing second.
Lalita's soft, intoxicating moans filled the space, her mind awash in a haze of heat and need. Her body arched instinctively, responding to every movement with urgency, as if the faster the rhythm, the more the tension inside her would ease.
"Faster…" she whispered, a mix of longing and surrender in her voice.
He paused for a heartbeat, reading the unspoken plea in her gaze, and adjusted their rhythm, caught in the shared intensity of the moment.
At her whispered urging, Thawin moved with deliberate intensity, matching her desire with every motion. In moments, her soft, clear moans trembled through the air, body quivering with the waves of sensation coursing through her.
Lalita surrendered to the surge of passion, unable to resist the heat overwhelming her. She lay still, letting him guide the rhythm, her senses consumed by the shared intensity. His touch traced and explored, drawing fire from every nerve, and each movement sent sparks of desire flaring hotter between them.
Her gasps and trembles filled the space, her hair tangled in his fingers as he continued to stoke the fire that raged through both their bodies, leaving them suspended in the haze of mutual longing.
Thawin gently lifted her onto his lap, guiding her to straddle him as he leaned back against the door. Lalita felt limp and weak, barely able to steady herself in the haze of heat and desire.
"Sit properly," he instructed, voice low but firm.
She blinked, dazed, before wrapping her arms around his neck. Thawin gritted his teeth, resisting the urge to lose control, and steadied her by the waist. Slowly, he moved in a controlled rhythm, each motion drawing a responsive sway from her body, their movements synchronized in the rising intensity of the moment.
Her soft, breathy moans brushed against his ear as she clung to him, trying to steady herself. A flicker of panic crossed her features when he gently guided her back down, positioning her carefully.
As the heat between them reached its peak, he held her securely, moving with a fervent rhythm that made her body respond instinctively. The intensity of their connection surged, each motion deliberate, matching the rising tide of desire. He nuzzled her neck, inhaling her delicate scent, while his hands traced over her form, eliciting shivers that traveled through them both.
After a brief pause, he reluctantly withdrew, easing away from her. He secured himself, glancing down to notice the telltale signs of their shared intensity, and his chest tightened with a surge of surprise and disbelief.
"Damn it!" he muttered under his breath, caught between frustration and awe at the overwhelming heat of the moment.
He muttered under his breath, eyes dark and thoughtful as he watched her sleep peacefully, oblivious to everything. Tossing the condom into the trash, he gently covered her with a blanket before stepping out of the truck to smoke by the roadside.
A part of him fretted over the possibility of an unintended consequence, yet another part reassured himself—it would be fine. She had pleased him, and more importantly, he had been her first. Whatever happened next, he was ready to take responsibility.
He stood lost in thought until his cigarette burned down to the filter, flicking it to the ground and crushing it beneath his boot. Climbing back into the truck, he heard her soft, even breathing as she slept deeply.
Thawin settled beside her, gently drawing her close. His throat tightened as he swallowed, feeling a familiar stirring at the slightest touch—but he forced himself to resist. Closing his eyes, he coaxed himself into stillness, letting the quiet of the night lull him into sleep beside her.