Chapter 1

• I quietly watched from the car window the grassy roadside we were passing through. Since earlier, we had only passed a few vehicles, and the road ahead seemed endless, as if it led to nowhere. This is the kind of place I liked—far from the dusty air of the city.
• Peaceful, and it truly lightens the mood. I could feel the cold breeze brushing against my skin even though it was already noon and the sun was blazing.
• Maybe it was because of the abundance of trees surrounding the area.
• A typical scene in an isolated place. This is what I need right now—far from my stressful family and the prying, judgmental eyes of people.
• “We’ll stop at some local store to buy food,” Sebastian said.
• I nodded without looking at him. I just kept my eyes fixed outside the window. I wasn’t in the mood to talk, not even to him.
• I didn’t force him to come with me here.
• In fact, I insisted on going alone, but he was more stubborn than I am. I just wanted to be alone, to think clearly. I wanted an exit. An escape from reality and the painful truth.
• Yes, it was painful for me even though I didn’t love him. What he did hurt my pride. I don’t think I deserved to be treated that way. Nobody deserves that. That’s why I wanted to get away for a while—to give myself time to think about what my next move would be.
• But this guy was so persistent, he wouldn’t leave me alone. We weren’t even that close, but he was annoyingly insistent, so I just let him come with me to avoid dragging the conversation further.
• “Let’s just look for a place to stay the night. Maybe at an inn or motel. Let’s travel tomorrow instead—it’s dangerous to drive when it’s dark,” he said, and for the nth time, I simply nodded without looking at him.
• I focused more on the trees and grasses lining the road. I didn’t want to look at him, especially since his scent was so distracting. It’s not that he smelled bad—he actually smelled so good, it annoyed the hell out of me. The last thing I wanted was to be distracted by the man sitting next to me.
• I already had enough problems, and I didn’t want to entertain the thoughts hanging over my mind.
• But it’s also true—his presence gave me comfort... and confusion. I shouldn't feel distracted by him, and yet that’s what I felt whenever he was near or just around. And it only made my already confused mind worse. I didn’t want to entertain those thoughts, but I really couldn’t help it, and I wanted to scold myself for even thinking that way while I was facing a big problem.
• “Are you thirsty?” he asked. I’d been quiet for a while, and he was the only one talking between us.
• I shook my head and kept my eyes on the window. I planned to lock myself in the room once we found a place to stay.
• I still don’t understand why he cheated on me. Or maybe he saw something in me that made him do it? But God knows I tried so hard to hide and deny this feeling. I guess it wasn’t enough. Even though our marriage was arranged, he was still bound to be faithful to me, just as I remained faithful to him—even if I wanted someone else and never acted on it. I ignored my feelings and stayed loyal.
• He parked the car in front of a convenience store—the only one I had seen for a while now.
• Marty’s Inn. That was what the sign said, with small lights surrounding the signage. I guess it was a store and an inn at the same time. Very convenient for travelers like us. The entrance had glass windows and a door, and beside it was a separate building that I assumed was the inn.
• “We’ll stay here for the night,” Seb declared. That’s all he said before getting out of the car and leaving me inside. He didn’t even bother opening the door for me.
• Rude!
• Not that I expected him to be a gentleman, but it amazed me how he could be so rude to me. I knew he was naturally cold—that was part of his charm. But I’m Claire dela Fuerte. People look up to me not just because I’m a beauty queen, but also because I’m the only heiress of a multi-billion company. I’m used to being pampered and adored by many. I grew up surrounded by love, care, and admiration.
• “What are you still doing inside that car gawking at my butt?” he mocked. I snapped back to reality when I heard his scowling voice. I glared at him and followed him into the convenience store, which also looked like the reception area of the motel.
• Yeah, this is torture. A night with Sebastian Altamirano is definitely torture.
• ---
• “Ahhhh… fuck! That’s it, baby! Fuck me hard!”
• “Fuck, yeah! I wanna come in your mouth, babe! I’m cumming!”
• “Ohh...yes! Fuck me deep!”
• No matter how much I covered my ears, I could still hear the... indecent happenings in the next room. Even though my face couldn’t be seen right now, I was sure it was bright red. I almost wrapped my whole body in the blanket out of embarrassment! How could these people be so loud and shameless in a public place?
• And the jerk I was with? He just laughed at me! What luck—there were no other vacant rooms, and this was the only one available. I had no choice but to agree to share the room with him, and it seemed like the bastard was even enjoying this!
• Sharing a room with him was already awkward; hearing moans of pleasure from the next room? Disaster!
• “Why are you reacting like an old virgin?” he asked, laughing. “It’s not like you haven’t experienced that before.”
• My face flushed even more hearing his sexy laugh. This man rarely laughed, but whenever he did, I couldn’t help but be amazed by how handsome he was. I knew I shouldn’t feel this way, especially since I’m married to his brother. But like other women drawn to him, I just couldn’t stop myself. And what bothered me more was how he treated me. Was it because I was his brother’s wife or something else? Whatever it was, I didn’t want to put any meaning to it.
• “Pervert!” I threw a pillow at him.
• How could he talk to me like that? Wasn’t he embarrassed by our situation? It was so awkward! He’s my husband’s older brother, and he was speaking to me like that. Ugh!
• I heard him chuckle. He seemed even more amused by what was happening!
• I didn’t move from the bed. I pulled the blanket over my head and hugged an extra pillow. I didn’t want him to see how affected I was by the moans from the other room. I was sure he’d just laugh at me more.
• Ugh! Please remind me why I’m with this annoying man! I couldn’t understand him anymore. He always had that intimidating, stern aura—he was the CEO of their company, after all. That’s why I was confused about his behavior toward me now.
• “I’m going to take a shower again. It’s so fucking hot,” he declared.
• I felt my face heat up even more at what he said. It sounded like it had a double meaning!
• He went into the bathroom, and I heard the shower running. I finally breathed more freely. I took off the blanket from my face and inhaled the fresh air. That was suffocating. My eyes landed on the closed bathroom door. He probably wouldn’t come out right away.
• I left the bed and slowly approached the wall separating our room from the next. I pressed my ear against it to listen. No more sounds. Maybe they were done. I did hear them say, “I’m cumming,” earlier.
• I shivered at the thoughts running through my mind—not that I was acting like a virgin. I’m not. Actually, my husband wasn’t even the first man in my life. But I knew I was never that loud. I mean, screaming like that? It’s scandalous.
• I sighed and was about to return to bed when the bathroom door suddenly opened. I froze in place and gasped when he came out wearing nothing but a towel, which looked like it could fall off any second.
• It was like cold water was poured over me the moment I saw his wet, toned body. This was the first time I saw him half-naked, and my sinful eyes immediately feasted on his mouth-watering form.
• I didn’t want to compare, but I couldn’t help it—he was more ripped than his brother. His shoulders were broader, and I was hypnotized by the way he looked at me while I stared at his wet, half-naked, delicious body. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t look away.
• You have to look away, Claire.
• Don’t do this.
• But my stupid eyes were stubborn. I kept staring. I swallowed hard as he slowly walked toward me. I didn’t know where to look—should I face his burning gaze or look down?
• I’m pretty sure I looked like a ripe tomato, and my racing heart wasn’t helping. I was sweating from how fast my heart was beating and I was out of breath.
• There’s just something about him that affects me so much. That’s why I try to avoid getting too close to him—my body reacts differently when he’s around. Like I’m drawn to him. He’s like a magnet.
• I was wearing nothing under my shirt, and I was sure my nipples were showing. I knew because of the tingling sensation.
• He stopped in front of me, looking down since he was a few inches taller. He was proudly flaunting his abs, and he knew I was affected by his nudity. I could feel the heat radiating from his body. That heat pierced through me, affecting me deeply. I was sure he noticed it too.
• What he did next shattered all my defenses, breaking the wall I had built for years.
• He rubbed his index finger over my aching nipple, just above my shirt. I gasped. He drew slow circles on my hardened nipple, making it even harder, and the sensation sent excitement straight to my core.
• I looked up at him, trying to resist his gaze. His eyes were filled with raw desire, and I was sure mine mirrored the same intensity. The way he stared made my knees weak, my hands shake, my throat dry.
• “Seb,” I whispered.
• Liquid heat gushed between my thighs. I could feel my walls pulsing—it was such a strong sensation, I couldn’t help but let out a soft moan. I knew he heard it, and that only made his gaze burn hotter.
• “It’s hard.” He kept caressing my left nipple. “Just as hard as I am.”
• Before I could stop myself, I looked down at what I knew he was referring to.
• Oh, damn!
• His bulge was so freaking obvious, and I knew that towel had little left holding it up. I swallowed hard as I stared. It was massive. It looked so hard and inviting. I imagined touching it and... gulped at the thought.
• And just like that, his towel fell to the floor.