''Temptation had a name, one would have thought it was entirely Sullivan Jake until he collided''
The sun-kissed its way through Catherine's window revealing dawn already. A spacious room with a nice moderate-sized wooden bed beside it was A study table with a laptop on it. A milkish colour transparent flowery curtains allow the sun to express its welcome through it. The ringtone of her alarm buzzing like an angry bird interrupted her beauty sleep. She groaned, blindly hitting the alarm clock till it stopped-7am on a Saturday. Oh lord! Why did she even set an alarm in the first place?
Oh! Yeah! She had a list of things to do, she remembered. She lay on her bed for a while, debating if she really needed a clean apartment or if she should just continue living in her pigsty a little longer, but the smell of dirty laundry piling on the hamper and dishes stocked up in the sink made her sigh- no more postponement.
She scarcely opened her eyes, unwrapped herself from the sheet, stretching her hands over her head and letting a puppy squeak from her wide mouth. She flung her feet from the bed onto her hard floor, Today will be a busy day, she whispered as she slowly made her way to the kitchen, first on her to-do list was coffee-as the machine sprung to action, she grabbed her phone and checked out her messages- a reminder popped up- work out at 9am.
Catherine checked it out, work out? After cleaning? This Saturday is looking way too productive; she hissed. She got the laundry hamper and headed to the washing machine- she put in the dirty clothes and turned on the machine.
By 8am, she was engrossed in her laundry, loud music blaring from her earpiece. She sang along while folding her clothes and suddenly swung her body in a funny dance move. It made the chore enjoyable.
The harsh smell of detergent mixed with leftover coffee took her to her next task- vacuuming; She started cleaning and arranging her apartment bit by bit but Midway through it, she mistakenly sucked up a handkerchief which made the vacuum cleaner violently protest before shutting off totally.
Oh! No! She muttered, sliding to the floor to sort it out.
By the time she was done, she had less than 15 minutes to get ready for the gym. She quickly threw on her gym costume, grabbed her water bottle, and headed out; still short of breath from her excess cleaning.
Arriving at the gym, her instructor grinned, you look like You've already had a full workout done, are you okay?
Catherine huffed; cleaning is a sport; I already did cardio.
Her gym instructor laughed, oops! Too bad, it's time for leg work.
Catherine frowned but followed her inside,
In an hour, she was done at the gym, and she headed straight home.
She had already gotten into her apartment when It struck her that she needed to do some grocery shopping; she grabbed her car key and headed out again but this time, to the supermarket. In less than 30 minutes, she was back home, utterly tired. She fell flat on her sofa and hit the sack.
A rumbling tummy accompanied by an ache pulled her out of her nap, forcing her to open her eyes. She sluggishly staggered her way into her kitchen to make a quick lunch.
While eating in her dining, her phone vibrated and a notification popped up.
'' Meet me at the George's lounge by 7 pm for a business dinner- Sullivan Jake'' Her breath hitched at the sight of his name.
So commanding! How did he even get my number? He never asked me for it, she fumed with anger, Trying to suppress her attraction for him with her anger, she rolled her eyes. Is there anything too hard for a man like him to get? She shrugged and waved out the question.
She seems absorbed in her thoughts, pacing back and forth slowly. Why does he want to have this dinner with me? Her heart is beating like a drumbeat. Is this a date? Her pulse pounding, she knew she wouldn't be comfortable alone with him in a dinner setting. That man certainly has some sort of tricks up his sleeve; well I won't be a bait this time around.
Catherine knew she should have turned down the invite the moment it came. An exclusive business dinner with a man who makes her heart beat and her instinct run wild? That would be carelessness on her part, and yet, impulsively, she was walking right into the lion's den, knowing fully well that it was impossible to come out unscarred.
The lounge was upscale, dimly lit with exquisite taste. The kind where official deals were whispered and sealed over expensive whiskey. Sitting inside in a secluded corner was Sullivan putting on a nicely fitted tailored suit exuding his effortless control- the kind that makes people obey him without challenging his authority. He was going through the menu when he lifted his face to look up. There, he saw her; he rose as she approached, his gaze raving over her with an alarming intensity.
So pretty, looking like a water goddess, walking like she owns the ground, she sure knows her onion when it comes to fashion; her fashion sense was always on point- her dress seductively clung to her body like a child seeking attention, and her sleek dark hair beautifully flaunt around her shoulders. Damn! What a beaut!
She walked graciously towards him with a sly smile on.
Hey! You finally came; he murmured with a hint of excitement in his voice, was almost losing hope,
Well, you're my boss now; she shrugged her shoulders; it's a simple courtesy for me to show up; after all, it's a harmless business dinner.
What gave you the impression that it's a harmless business dinner, his lips quirked in amusement;
She arched her brows at him;
He let out a cock smile; relax, Catherine, I'm just playing you. He drew out a seat for her, she sat down and he did the same. The way he called her name sent chills down her spine.
Gosh! God must have created this man on the 7th day; he had the beauty of 10 persons in one body, a striking figure, a dapper look, nice carved broad shoulders, and an elegant height. He looked like he just stepped out of an ovation magazine and carried himself with such elegance- she was absorbed in her thought with a steady gaze fixed on Sullivan.
Catherine! With a snap of his finger,
Heart jumped, eyes blinked, Yeah, I'm with you, she lied;
Their conversation was formal swaying on the edge of the contract and its outlining details. But beneath the whole charade, something electrical sparked between them. Every word was laced with desire and every glance was a dare.
When the waiter brought in the wine, Sullivan leaned in; his finger brushing hers slightly as he handed her the glass. This was a flirting touch enough to make her heart quicken.
The atmosphere between them thickens with passion as the night stretches. The slow tension of stolen glances, the way his eyes darkened with desire each time she looked at him- all these little, collected moves of his kept her on the edge.
She had such angelic eyes- almond-shaped, long, thick eyelashes covered in Hazel with flecks of gold iris, shining like sunlight dancing on water. They seemed perfect and glowed beautifully each time she smiled, he grinned at his thought.
I love your eyes; I can't help but notice how much they sparkle each time you look at me; it tells me you find me attractive, a slow wolfish smile spread out across his face.
She blushed, you must think so highly of yourself, she forced a smile;
Just as he was about to say something, a strange female figure suddenly appeared in front of their table.
Hey Sullivan, face gleamed and ruffling her hands over his shoulders; it had been a while;
When was the last time we hung out? Putting on a clueless face with a pout lip? Ah! I remember it was when we had that romp in your car; she answered her question with her gaze fixed on Catherine, giving her a scornful look; it was such a beautiful moment for us. Trying so hard to spite Catherine, she downsized her with her eyes- who is she? She turned to face Sullivan.
Catherine looked away, her eyes throwing daggers at space.
Face reddened but calm; Uh! Remind me your name again, Sullivan gave her a brutal look, one that suggested that he was going to rip her apart if she didn't vanish right away;
Chlo, Chloe, she stammers taking a step back;
She's my woman, and we are in the middle of something important, pls excuse us, miss, he flashed her a wicked smile.
In return, she scowled Catherine as she stormed off, slamming the door.
Catherine's pulse races hard, she grits her teeth- she is greened with jealousy. She tried suppressing it, but she couldn't; she cursed at herself. Why would she be jealous of him? She had no business with him and she shouldn't give a damn about him.
He had his eyes on her, like he knew she was jealous but decided to turn a blind eye. She hated the fact that he made her feel this way; she was a woman on a mission- a Mission of revenge, and here she was, acting like a fool in love; she slyly looked away, clenching her fist under the table.
Falling back to her act, She looked at him, a sheepish smile on her face.
Your woman? Catherine swallowed hard, you're playing a dangerous game, she mumbled watching him over the rim of her glass.
He flashed her a satisfactory smile, didn't you like the sound of that?
Swiftly he rose, walked around, and leaned into her. Not a single touch, his presence was enough torture for her already.
Her pulse racing, she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
''Tell me no and I'll walk away'' he whispered, his voice- a low husky promise;
''but if you want me''
His words hung in the air. A challenge, a seduction.
Catherine's breath was shallow. The tension within her had reached its breaking point. She couldn't help but tilt her chin, locked eyes with him, and then surrendered.
Sullivan's lip crashed over hers releasing all of its passion and tension on her, slowly sliding his hand around the back of her neck, fingers playing with her hair. It was a hot and demanding kiss. She melted slowly into him and in that moment, the rest of the world fades away.
Immediately, she yanked herself off him brushing her lips with the back of her hand. She stood still like she had seen a ghost. Her bulgy eyes fixed on him sent chills down her spine, making her blood run cold, and swiftly, she jerked off without looking back.
Bemused, Sullivan stood; what just happened?
Roaming his eyes around the lounge trying to see if there was anything or anyone strange that must have scared Catherine off.
Suddenly, it hit him hard;
Oh! Shit!
Quickly he ran off after her.