Strictly In The Bedroom 2

Chapter 4 Chemistry

M A L L O R Y

“Could it be fate or just a random circumstance?”

When he asked me that question again, my mind raced, and to be honest, I was also wondering if our frequent encounters were fated or just plain coincidences. After being with Thomas for nine long years, I have to admit that I was drawn to him and enjoyed our lively banter, which was something I had not experienced in a long time since I never really spoke in a flirty manner with another guy while being with Thomas. I was aware that there was a natural chemistry and spark between us, but I also wanted to avoid being too invested in him too quickly.

I mean, I have not been acquainted with him that well, and I barely knew the guy, but then again, I came here to enjoy a vacation, so why would I need to know him more in a serious manner? And I was unquestionably not searching for a significant relationship or meeting a guy on this vacation. I did not want to call it fate, since I thought the universe was providing us with an opportunity to explore the sudden connection between us and I wanted to let things go naturally. Rather, I chose to see these sudden encounters as a fortunate coincidence, a delightful event that was worthwhile to explore while I was on my little holiday in Lisbon.

“I do not believe in fate, but I believe in signs and coincidences.” I answered him right away before adding, “And I would say that us meeting here in the same places so many times, has certainly been more than just a random circumstance. Not unless you have been following me.” I smirked, trying to look as if I was being mischievous.

He laughed once again, a sound that was nice to hear as it was light but at the same time deep, “Maybe the universe is trying to tell us something…”

“Oh, wow, big words.” I commented.

I waited for him to banter back, but his light blue eyes were just staring at me intently, in the most calm and at the same time seductive look on his face, smiling sexily as it reminded me of how he was actually licking his lips from last night, while finally responding, “The universe must be trying to tell us something, and we should listen.”

I think it was the way he was staring at me, but honestly, he was just absolutely so dangerously attractive that his words were bothering me, and the way he looked at me and the way he carried himself was tickling me. On the one hand, I was excited at the thought that the universe was working in our favor with these accidental meet-ups, and had brought us together for a reason.

But whatever reason that was, I felt it. I felt the spark between us, something that I never felt with Thomas not until he pursued me. But with this random stranger, I felt it. Was the universe conspiring? Because I was honestly intrigued by our dynamic. At the same time, I was also hesitant to dive too deep too fast and wanted to be cautious in my approach. Whatever this chemistry was or connection was, I knew this was just a fleeting moment.

I came here in Lisbon to forget about my pain, to find myself once again and have fun, and not find another guy to fall in love with. However, the connection I had with him was undeniable, and it was hard not to get caught up in the moment, especially with the way he actually looked handsome and hot.

I needed to remind myself that I was here to enjoy myself and not to get too caught up in my feelings for anyone else who would only hurt me anyway. I was not ready to find love again, and definitely not with a stranger like this man. I had to push away the temptations to get emotionally invested in the charming but dangerous stranger and focus on my own happiness.

The last thing I needed was another relationship and all the drama and pain that came with it. I wanted to have fun and enjoy my time here, not to become entangled in a messy romantic situation. I had to remind myself to keep things casual and not get carried away.

I nodded my head in response as I started walking past him and turned my head towards the right path while informing him, “Then you should have listened to the universe telling you to bring a map so you would not get lost.”

He paused and chuckled lightly under his throat while shaking his head.

“Hiking trail is on the right side.” I continued to say as I began walking away from him.

“Hey wait up!” He hollered.

“You are not from here, are you?” I asked him calmly, noticing that he was confused with the pathway to the trail.

“Well, aren’t you an attentive one?” He commented while smirking at me, walking with me at my own pace. “I came here to study, that is all.”

I just nodded my head, not really wanting to ask more but I was curious, “Study?”

He nodded his head, “Yeah, I am studying business administration and double majoring in English Literature.”

My eyes just widened even more. When he said studying, I was taken aback by it right away. Jesus, how old was this guy? He was definitely making me feel like a creep knowing that I was way much older than him.

“What is that look?” He asked me while smiling softly.

“You are not eighteen, right?” I could not help but ask since I was admiring him and his body, so if he was eighteen, knowing my age as a 35-year-old woman, I would be absolutely disgusted with myself right now.

He smirked, a dimple on his face was more visible now as we were walking side by side while he was shaking his head to answer me before asking, “Am I too young for you?”

“Too young for me?” I could not help but laugh lightheartedly. “Boy, we are just walking on the same hiking trail.”

“Boy?” He chirped and chuckled dryly, “I am not a kid anymore.”

“Yeah, right. Why are you on the hiking trail, anyway?” I could not help but ask him, as I was very curious about what brought him here even though it was a public place as well. I was bothered about the times we were meeting in a few places here in Lisbon far too many times that I would not think it was actually coincidental.

He responded with his signature mischievous smirk on his stupidly handsome face, “Just doing a little workout and taking in the scenery while the sun was rising. What about you, Mal?”

There was really something with the way he said my nickname but I tried not to put too much thought into it so I decided to look away from him, “Same here. I am just getting in a little exercise before the day starts.”

“Age range.” He chirped.

“Hm?” I chimed.

“Your age range.” He clarified even more.

“Too old for you to find out.” I mocked.

He nodded his head once, “Like 54?”

I gasped as he was smirking at me, “How dare you? I am not that old!”

He laughed a bit louder as I watched his abs constrict when he did, causing a stir inside me, “I was kidding, you do not actually look 54, more like 61 with a great skincare routine.” He smirked widely, teasing me even more.

“Oh my goodness, you are just being an asshole.” I answered him as we continued walking together.

He smiled while laughing softly, “Then how old are you?”

“Thirty-five, boy.” I answered him, giving him a nickname.

He stopped me from my tracks when he stood in front of me as he said, “Like I said, I am not a kid. I might be younger than you but my stamina can do a lot more things, guys your age can not last long.” He had that very sexy look on his eyes as if he wanted to eat me while saying it, as if he was taunting me that he could do many things because of his age.

He stood firmly in front of me with his arms crossed and a confident smirk on his dangerously handsome face, as if he said it suggestively. His lean frame seemed even more chiseled and lean as he smirked at me, proving that he was what he said he was. The light accentuated every contour of his body, from his bulging biceps to his washboard abs, making him look even more impressive than before. As I stared at him, I could see that he was serious when he said he was not a kid and could do more than most men my own age.

And damn, my insides were burning hot.

He leaned in, his face nearing mine making me gasp inwardly, as he added, “I am not a kid.” Smirking evilly. His eyes glanced at my lips while he was subtly licking his lower lip before traveling his eyes back at my eyes.

Golly God. The sexy look on his face as he neared his face to mine was one of pure confidence and panache. He looked as if he had no doubt in his mind that he could sweep me off my feet, and the power he radiated seemed to confirm that. He looked absolutely freaking seductive. Enticing. Arousing.

When I locked eyes with him, I could feel my heartbeat quicken and my body tingling in anticipation. As a 35-year-old woman, it felt wrong, still, I could not help but feel a strong attraction to him, and the fact that he was younger than me just added an extra layer of excitement to the situation.

We exchanged an adorable long look, cheeky smiles on our faces, but since we were not really acquainted with each other all that well, and we did not really know each other in that kind of level, neither of us was brave enough to say how fascinating we found the other despite the fact that there was this tension between us and I could tell he feels it as well. Instead, each of us immersed in our own thoughts, we kept accepting the emotion that I had been experiencing before.

My cheeks were burning from what he did, so I kept moving, veering away from him as I heard him chuckle faintly. Even though I felt the desire to scratch this sudden itch inside of me, I made every effort to calm myself down.

That itching was him.

I knew that I needed to calm myself down after feeling an overwhelming attraction towards him, especially given the fact that he was younger than me, whatever his age was, this was absolutely wrong knowing that I was a bit much older than him. I took a deep breath and tried to regain some composure, telling myself mentally to be calm and not let my emotions and brewing lust get the better and the worst of me.

He is still a kid. I reminded myself intently.

I did my best to keep the lustful thoughts under control, despite how they were growing so much. He was attractive and charming, and young, and hot, and full of vigor, and ugh! Damn him, but I had to remind myself that he was just a guy and not someone I should let get to me and definitely not someone I should let get inside me.