Freya stood frozen in place. Her amber orbs dimmed a little despite the sudden skipping of her heart. Her gaze had rested on the five men seated at the conference table. From the look of things, she and Shay just interrupted them.
She should have felt annoyed, at least, uncomfortable in the sudden situation. Yet, she felt neither of those things. Somehow, her gaze had found a pair of strikingly attractive familiar ones.
The same ones that had her choking on her saliva in her dreams. She felt drawn to them like a moth to a flame. So pretty! So full of wonder. So... she mentally shook her head trying to stop the chain of thoughts.
Although they were the most enthralling pairs of golden orbs she had the pleasure of seeing, she couldn't let them bewitch her. She managed to compose herself, feeling a different set of eyes on her being.
Not willing to be a participant, she turned towards her companion, trying to understand the situation. Although she had been away for a long time, their current circumstance was rare.
This enterprise was known for its first-class services. How then, did they end up in a room already reserved by someone else? Shay snapped out of her shocked daze and turned her gaze towards her best friend.
She sent her an apologetic look despite her own confusion. If she had been on her own, she wouldn't mind. Unfortunately, she had Freya with her and had promised her a stress-free and fun night.
At the moment, there was nothing fun about finding her brother and his colleagues in their reserved room. So, whose fault was it? Did she perhaps mix up the rooms? Or did her brother somehow make a last-minute business appointment?
Shay took Freya's cold palm into her own, squeezing it in reassurance. She turned her attention back to her brother, the comforting smile she had given Freya gone. She needed answers and only her brother could provide them.
To his credit, Juan excused himself from the table and walked towards the two gorgeous women. He tried to avoid gazing intently at the angel. Unfortunately, his eyes had their own thoughts. They kept straying towards the woman who was now trying to avoid direct contact.
"Shay, why are you here? Shouldn't you be at home busy with your assignment?" His spoke. Freya froze once again. That soothing manly voice had coaxed her before. It had comforted her and relieved her of her pain when she needed it most.
Hearing it again, this close, made her legs weak. She tightened her grip around Shay, trying to stay grounded. She couldn't embarrass herself like that. She shouldn't. So she began to think of other things instead of stealing glances at the man.
"I called to confirm its availability. Perhaps there was a mix-up. Should we just go somewhere else? But brother, I brought Freya here to unwind. It would ruin her night if we had to move now."
Shay wanted to add more but chose to stop there. Her brother was a stranger to Freya. The less he knew about her the better. She loved the man but hated his womanizing ways despite being in the know as to why he was a womanizer.
Perhaps it was having this knowledge that convinced her even more to prevent the two from crossing paths If they do, she didn't want to be the reason. Any other night, she would have left. Not today.
Juan looked directly at his sister's companion. He could tell at a glance that she was mentally far away. Suddenly, the image from their first encounter popped into his head.
An angel, illuminated by the moon, face bathed in glistering tears, eyes shut tight in pain. He could still perceive the soft whimpers that had left her very kissable lips.
Although her pain didnt take away from her beauty, it caused him discomfort. The only time he wished to hear her whimpers and gaze upon her watery eyes was when she was writhing in pleasure beneath him.
"The room is enough to accommodate us. Perhaps you two can take the inner rooms. If you need anything, you know what to do. Our presence will serve as an extra pair of security. Also," he paused gazing straight into Freya's eyes.
"No alcoholic drink for your friend. She should still be on the drugs I prescribed. " He reluctantly looked back at his sister. "None for you as well. It's still a work night. Take care of yourself and your friend."
He smiled, gently caressing his sister's face before pulling her into a hug. In the process, Freya whose hand was still in Shay's was pulled forward as well. Juan ended up hugging both women.
It wasn't planned but he loved it. He couldn't help whispering in her ear and didn't miss the tremor that went through her body. "You smell heavenly, Angel". Juan released them both, sending Freya an apologetic look.
"Sorry, I didnt mean to pull you along. I hope you don't take offense that I took the liberty to hug you well."
He let go of his sister before walking away. Shay watched her brother, her mouth wide agape. What just happened?
Her gaze followed him until he sat back. It was his gesture that snapped her out of her astonishment. She pulled Freya along, afraid to say a single word while they were still in the men's proximity.
Freya was too shocked to react. Shortly, the two girls were settled in the inner room that was cosy and partially lit. The brightness was neither too bright nor too dim. It was just the right amount of brilliance.
Shay finally looked at Freya. She couldn't help it. Her friend had reacted contrary to how she normally would. Although she knew that the hug between her brother and her friend was unplanned, the result left her unsettled.
She was suddenly very sacred to her best friend. Before she could think further she blurted out words she instantly regretted.
"He is a womanizer! My brother is a womaniser. He isn't good for you." Freya flushed in embarrassment, her palm instinctively covering her eyes in mortification. She didn't realize how obvious her attraction had been to everyone watching.
A groan escaped from her throat. Suddenly, she didnt know if this night would be anything but a disaster. She had thought she would escape the man that haunted her dreams yet here she was. Heart pounding, legs weakening and body surrendering to him.
In his presence, she had unconsciously submitted. She didn't know how to resist him. Everything about him was lethal to her. He was like a drug she took a whiff of and instantly got hooked on.
Shay's words replayed in her mind. Suddenly, all the attraction she felt turned into resentment towards herself. She couldn't blame the man for being attractive. She could only blame herself for being weak.
She finally looked up at her friend, her cheeks still warm from the blush. "Noted. Thank you for letting me know." Unfortunately, she couldn't keep the bitterness out of her words. She couldn't help it.
Shay looked away in regret. She bit down on her lips, afraid that she would say something else that would cause her friend more embarrassment. However, common sense told her to elaborate to prevent any misunderstandings.
It wasnt her place to tell Freya who to like and who not to like. Yet, it was her responsibility to warn her at least. Prevention was always cheaper and better than a cure.
"I... " she sighed trying to find the right way to put it. She took Freya's hand in hers once more turning her body completely towards her. She placed a soft kiss on the other girl's knuckle.
" I am sorry for saying it like that. It wasn't intentional. I panicked. I love my brother, you see. But I love you too. Between my brother and you, I feel the need to protect you. I know how strong you are Yaya. I know that there is nothing strong enough to break you. You always find the strength to stand back up.
However, my brother might as well be just the thing that could break you. He is a wonderful brother. A loving son and a dutiful and responsible man. In every other role he takes, be it a friend or an acquaintance, he is perfect. Except when it comes to love, my brother is a walking disaster.
He didnt choose to be that way. His experience pushed him into it. But, Yaya, he is also a magnet that can easily pull you in. Nothing would make me happier than having my best friend as my sister. Sadly, I don't trust Juan enough to protect your innocence. He is not deserving of your purity. I am sorry once again. I didnt mean to embarrass you."
Freya gave her a helpless smile. She understood the words and appreciated them. If Shay hadn't said these words, perhaps she would continue to fall deeper down the rabbit hole. She finally admitted the truth to herself.
She was fatally attracted to that fine man. Knowing that he was a womanizer would help her keep a clear head around him. She would ensure that her attraction would end tonight.
"Thank you. I apologize too. I didn't mean to lose myself like that out there. It's just that your brother..." she couldn't finish her words. She couldn't say that the man had haunted her dreams the whole week. She couldn't admit to fantasizing about him occasionally.
Tonight, she didn't plan to meet the man from her dreams. Regretably, that is where he would stay.