My Husband's Secret

Chapter 2: Scent

--- A R L I A H ---

“What. Was. That?” Lee sassily asked as soon as I arrived in front of everyone. The surprise look on my friends’ expressions was so visible that I could easily sense their upcoming banter about the incident.

“Oh. My. God. Did everyone just witness the prologue of Leah’s love life?” Niana said in disbelief, joining Lee in their acts.

“Did everyone also sense the s****l tension between the two!” Vanessa seemed to open up something interesting to everyone that they started cheering again!

I ignored the rest of their banter and started finding some vacant space where I could sit. The guys, who were new to my eyes and probably the boyfriends and dates of my friends, offered me some space. Even Lee’s boyfriend stood in his seat just so I could join the group.

But of course, my friends seemed to be on the same page in not letting them join the group until they were satisfied and done with their talking.

I inhaled a deep breath and crossed my arms on my chest as I looked at the seven one by one.

“But… that was Red, right?” Samantha said after sipping her cocktail. Her attention landed on Lee, then on the other girls. My brows furrowed at the mention of the name. For some reason, I heard the name before. I just… could not pinpoint… when and where.

“Of course, that’s him! No wonder I saw some crazy woman flocking at the entrance as soon as it was heard that he would be coming here and joining his friends!” Niana informed.

“Oh… then, if that man is Red…” Lee did not finish their sentence and the rest of them suddenly became silent. My forehead creased at their reaction.

Why the sudden disappointing atmosphere?

“Why? Who’s Red?” I asked, since I didn’t know the guy.

All seven of them gave their full attention to me. They looked at me in disdain, as if not knowing the name of the person I asked was a grave sin.

“You don’t know that man, Leah?” Sam asked. I looked in her direction, then shook my head.

“Why? Is he a son of the president or something?”

“Well, I think its alright for Arliah to not know that playboy,” Kristine said coldly. My eyes shifted to the woman next to Alexa.

The rest suddenly agreed except for Lee. “No. It’s better that he knows Red rather than not. What if that man suddenly gets interested in our beautiful friend? Oh, as much as I love that dramatic bump, it would be better if it was a different man.”

“Well, you have a point.”

Then they continued talking about what happened once again. I remained silent as I stared at them. I don’t even know why, but it felt like they were planning a love-life plan for me or something.

And since most of them were engrossed in the topic, I finally had the seat beside Brenna and Zia, who were both silent while the five were arguing.

“Since you’re late…” Brenna suddenly said, then leaned on the table to get something. She lifted a bottle of alcohol then poured me a shot. She was grinning when she faced me.

“This is your punishment.” She added as she came back, beside me. I looked at her in disbelief. I thought they would actually let this drinking punishment pass.

I sneered at the two girls before I downed the alcohol in one drink. I winced at the taste and sting and the heat immediately spread from my throat down to my stomach.

“Of course, that would not be enough, Leah!” Lee, who seemed to finally notice me here in the corner with Brenna and Zia. He stood up, then took the same bottle on the table and started pouring on three shot glasses!

“Oh! Since you’re absent at three gatherings, then this is your other punishment!” Niana stood on her seat and helped our gay friend with the drinks.

My shoulders fell as they started cheering. Everyone was very excited. And since I am here to enjoy the night, I did not complain and accepted the three shots and drank them consecutively until the last drop. When I was done, my entire body was already feeling hot, but that did not stop me from catching up with each one of them.

I had temporarily forgotten about the problems of my life when everyone gets rowdy once again. The music changes and some were already hyped with the music. I laugh so hard with everyone. I truly miss them. We rarely saw each other because of our work. And it was actually a miracle that most of us are here now!

When everyone was starting to feel that the alcohol had finally taken its effect, Sam and Niana started pulling us toward the dance floor. Of course, the night won’t end without dancing with the crowd!

I was dancing with all of them at first, but ever since their boyfriends and dates joined us, one by one, my friends disappeared in the crowd without my knowing. As soon as I realized that none of them were around, a few men were flocking in my direction!

Oh well, it’s not that I am complaining about being alone. That reason could not stop me from enjoying my night.

I shut my eyes tight as I continued dancing, especially when the music changed into a familiar Spanish song. The crowd cheered. But a minute had not yet passed when I felt someone’s presence in front of me. Of course, I had foreseen this. And since I did not want anyone to disturb me from dancing my problems away, I stepped out before they could even touch me.

I managed to evade the other men. But not until I felt fingers on the exposed skin of my back. I am wearing a sweetheart bandeau crop top paired with high-waist pants and heels. I was wearing a coat earlier, so my outfit is still very formal at the office. But once I had taken off my coat, my outfit was really feet for a party.

My body shivered at the man's touch. It sent goosebumps into my entire body, but not in an… uncomfortable way. Then after a couple of seconds, the man was too bold to claim and invade my personal space. His full hands were now touching the small of my back.

I should be bothered by his touch, alright. But for some reason, this man’s touch woke something within me. Something I could not name and so foreign. I don’t understand why I let him get a hold of me like this. His firm hand was caressing my curves and swaying with me while enjoying the music.

I could feel his hot breath on my nape, I could feel his body against my back. And damn, I am no saint, but I could feel his growing member behind me!

I was suddenly feeling so hot. I had to close my legs tightly when…my body trembled as a reaction to his touch. I find our distance too intimate. And the fact that I am being like this to a stranger is very alarming! If this is the effect of alcohol, then I should really get a grip on myself!

My heart was pounding so hard against my chest as I opened my eyes. I wanted to see this man who was waking up foreign sensations I did not even know existed. I had to turn around in order to get a better vision of the man who dared to touch me.

His large hands and long fingers remained on my waist despite what I did. I looked at his face. His features were very familiar. Like I had seen him somewhere from the corner of this place. And when I finally recognized whom the man was, my eyes widened and I immediately stepped away.

His hold was not that tight so I immediately slipped away.

He was… the man whom my friends claimed to be a certified playboy.

The man’s brooding eyes never left me. I made a hard swallow as my heart hammered so loud against my chest. For some reason, the way this playboy looked at me felt like… he was watching over his prey who was trying to get away from his trap.

“You’re new here,” he pointed out. I could hear the familiar tone of his voice despite the cheer and noise around us. I looked straight into his deep set of eyes. It was already a miracle that I managed to meet his gaze.

“Why? Am I your new apple of the eyes, playboy?” I said in return instead.

A playful smirk immediately appeared on my lips. “News does really spread so fast,”

He stepped closer in my direction and snaked his hands on my waist once again. And I feel so betrayed that my body did not even forbid him to put his hands on my waist again. He started swaying at the rhythm of the music and I ended up being the same.

What is this?

Why do I suddenly feel so dizzy? Why do I feel so… I inhaled a deep breath. His manly scent lingered in my system.

D-mn it.

Is this man seducing me? What did he do to me that I am not pushing him away? I don’t easily get seduced by strangers yet… something that this playboy possesses makes my knees so weak.

Is this how he… got his woman? Because if this is his method, then I must say that whatever his method was, it seemed that even I, who vowed to choose a better man, had no escape from a playboy like him!

“I like your scent. So sweet and… addicting.”

I was so lost with what I was feeling at the moment that I did not even hear what he was saying. I was too distracted of his slow touch on my waist, like he was trying to wake up something wanton within me just so I could give in to his biddings.

“I wonder what’s your… blood… taste…” he whispered as he crouched and pressed a kiss on my neck.