My vision was starting to get hazy from all the drinks. I really couldn't be on par with them. My alcohol tolerance was so low that when I was tipsy, they seemed to only be getting started. Of course, they're used to strong alcohol. They're gangsters! They drink every time they win a fight. Whereas I, I feel like I'm a mere ignorant kid here.

　　"Hey, are you okay?"

　　A strong arm was suddenly snaked around my waist when I almost missed a step and most probably fell down the entire staircase. Immediately recognizing the scent, despite the strong aroma of liquor, I nodded while massaging my temple. The loud boom of the bar's music really isn't helping with my throbbing headache.

　　"I'm already so drunk... Fuck..." I muttered more to myself. I shut my eyes and waited for the dizziness to stop.

　　"Wow," he chuckled. "You really can't drink, huh?"

　　Irritated, I looked at him from the side and scoffed. "I can. The drinks are just too strong."

　　"I gave you the weakest, Madame," he said, still chuckling. "It's alright. Let's get you home."

　　"I don't wanna go home..."

　　I can just imagine the dread I'll feel when I return right now. I'm finally discovering the world, I can't just go back and restart my life! Life as Mrs. Monterier isn't really exciting to me. Life as Ashanti, though...

　　"You don't wanna go back—?"

　　I cut him off. "No. I hate Adam. Let me stay here..."

　　The empty emergency exit suddenly roared to life with his deep laugh. His laugh reverberated everywhere.

　　"No, I'm not taking you home to your husband. I'm taking you to my place, silly."

　　"Oh, take me there then..." I drawled, looking up at him despite my heavy eyelids. I really thought he was going to return me then, I would've gone berserk. How dare he take me away from Norvina and the others?

　　When our gaze locked, his laugh faltered as his dimples disappeared. His smile was gone and at the same time, his eyes changed.

　　"Don't look at me like that, Madame."

　　"Stop calling me that."

　　"What do you want me to call you then? Hmmm?" He started inching nearer. I took a few steps back at a desperate attempt to give us distance but all I felt was the railing of the stairs behind me and his breath fanning over my nose.

　　He was slowly washing away all the tipsiness I have.

　　"A-Anything but that."

　　His gaze dropped to my lips, my slightly quivering lips, as he licked his own.

　　"I never really got a chance to taste what you drank earlier," he said, his voice becoming a mere whisper because of our close proximity. "What does it taste like? Hmm, baby?"

　　Oh God. When I told him to stop calling me Madame, I never really thought about the alternatives. But the word baby coming from his lips is definitely having an effect on me. I cannot believe this man.

　　My breathing was ragged and heavy, and so was his. Because of my uneven breathing and racing heartbeat, I had to part my lips. His gaze fell to that again and he looked at those intensely.

　　I couldn't fathom what I feel. I . . . Why do I like this? I should do something. This is cheating. I am married. I am . . . married to a man that does not care about me. And look at him. This demeaning man. He's the embodiment of sex. How am I supposed to hold back to such a gift from God? He is showing interest in me, something Adam would never do. What am I supposed to do here?

　　"Can I taste it?"

　　The question rendered me speechless. The booming music from the bar just a door away seemed to have moved ten miles farther from where we are because the sound just disappeared from my earshot. All I could hear was my heart almost leaping out of its cage. All I could feel was the heat. The haziness of my sight was gone, and all that's left were the pair of coal eyes staring darkly at my lips.

　　And finally, after much hesitation, I nodded. Fluttering my eyes closed, I felt his lips crash into mine and something just exploded within me. I think it was the overflowing sexual tension that fueled me to agree but whatever it was, I thank it. Because if I wasn't pressured to nod, I wouldn't be experiencing this level of ecstasy and pleasure.

　　God, this man is making me crazy. He's making me want more. He is a different level of threat I don't think I'll ever be able to handle. What are you doing to me, Igor Adnor?

　　Warning: Some contents of this book are sexually explicit and contain adult themes

Sex, drugs, vulgar language, violence, guns

. If you are not fine with these, you can stop reading from here. If you do want to continue, please be advised accordingly. The aforementioned themes are not promoted by the author

specifically drugs and violence

nor novelcat, they are essential for my characters' development as well as the plot's.

　　Also, please be informed that this scene happened later in the story.