James led me to his expansive bedroom. Being in this intimate space with him should have felt strange and foreign. But as he quietly closed the door and turned to face me, his expression soft in the dim lamplight, I felt my reserves subsiding.

Maybe it was the wine - but I knew I was still pretty sober; perhaps it was the adrenaline of acting the part of a perfect couple all evening, but suddenly, the air between us felt tense.

I looked at the dark wood furnishings and navy blue accents. A king-sized bed dominated the space, and my heart fluttered at the thought of sharing it with him. At least it's big enough to keep some distance...

"I can sleep on the floor," James offered, seemingly reading my mind. "Or I can find another room..."

"Don't be ridiculous," I said, trying to sound nonchalant despite the butterflies in my stomach. "We're both adults. We can share a bed...besides, what would your parents think if they found you in another room?" Although I sounded confident, I had my doubts.

James quirked an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "You sure about that? I recall you finding my presence rather... irresistible last time."

A blush crept up my neck as I recalled our night together after the gala. "That was a mistake," I said firmly. "One too many drinks."

"If you say so." James's tone was teasing, but the intensity of his gaze made my skin crawl.

I busied myself with getting ready for bed, stepping into the en-suite bathroom to change into the nightgown Evelyn had provided. But when I slipped it on, I stared in disbelief. The black lace and silk concoction was more lingerie than sleepwear, clinging to every curve and leaving little to the imagination.

I contemplated sleeping in my dress, but it would ruin it beyond repair. Steeling nerves, I stepped back into the bedroom, covering my chest with my arms. "James...lend me one of your T-shirts, please."

James, who had changed into shorts and a T-shirt, looked up. His gaze grew heated, smouldering with undeniable want as they raked over my barely clad form.

"Well," he drawled, his voice low and rough. "Looks like my mother has excellent taste."

"This is hardly appropriate," I huffed, tugging at the hem futilely, attempting to cover more skin. "How could your mother think this is sleepwear? A T-shirt, please!"

James ignored my request. He stood, stalking towards me with a predatory grace that made my mouth dry. "I don't know," he murmured, stopping just inches away. "I think it suits you perfectly."

My eyes snapped to his darkened gaze. Heat pooled in my core under the intensity of his look and voice. James's hands came to rest on my shoulders, a phantom searing touch slowly snaking down my body to rest at the hips. I trembled, betrayed by my desire.

I saw it in the way the corner of his lips twitched into a wicked smirk; his eyes drifted shut as he inhaled deeply, savouring my scent. He knew I was slowly wielding, slowly melting those thick, icy walls I'd built.

"James," I warned, but my voice came out breathy and weak as I tried to squirm from his grasp.

"Yes, Noreen?" he purred, his lips ghosting along my jawline.

I swallowed hard, breathlessly trying to push away my scattered thoughts. But they all came rushing in. "We can't do this. It's not part of the plan."

"Fuck the plan," James growled, nipping at my earlobe. "I want you. I've since that night at your place. And I know you want me just as badly." He licked my neck oh-so-slowly. "And tonight, I don't have to be a gentleman..." the words were like a siren's call.

His words and touch ignited a fire within me, one I feared I couldn't control. I remembered James's heated promises at the restaurant after the press conference to explore my mysteries and unravel me piece by piece.

"Did you plan this?" I accused while tilting my head to give him better access to my neck. "The dinner, the sleepover, this flimsy excuse for a nightgown?"

James pulled back, his eyes finding mine. "I swear, I had nothing to do with it. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thrilled by this pleasant turn of events." His gaze dropped to my heaving chest, to the hardened peaks of my nipples straining against the lace. "Especially with my mother's inspired choice of sleepwear." His tongue traced those deliciously looking lips like a silent vow.

I bit my lip, torn between desire and reason. We shouldn't cross this line, but the pull I felt tempted me to take that step into the abyss. My numbed brain reacted to James with an intensity that frightened me. It's just sex..., I rationalised...and I could use some of that.

James's hands were on my body, his breath hot against my skin, and there was that heady, woodsy scent. I found my resolve crumbling under the guise of relieving some of the stress - From work, from this crazy arrangement, from years without a partner...

"We shouldn't," I whispered, even as my hands fisted in his shirt, pulling him closer. Wanting his heat, those muscles pressed against my body.

"We should," James countered, his voice rough with need. "We both want it...need it, Noreen. Don't overthink it."

My teal eyes held his for a moment. My hands slowly opened to palm his muscled abdomen, feeling his abs rippling with his every breath, every move. Fuck it... The final drop of my restraint dissolved under his hungry stare, "It's just sex...simply unwinding..." my voice was but a purred whisper.

"Sure..." And then his mouth was on mine, hot and demanding, and I was lost. Lost in the feel of everything him, in the frantic ache building between my thighs. I groaned, frustrated with the slow, tantalising pace.

Pushing myself flush against his hard-muscled chest, hands travelling south to the hardened length, inviting me to explore. My fingers pulled down the hem of his shorts and underwear, freeing him.

I broke the kiss, staring down, famished to get a taste. My eyes shot up at James as I knelt, moistening my lips before taking him in my mouth, all teasing tongue and gentle sucking motions. He tasted and felt heavenly.

"F-fuck, damn, Noreen..." in his lips, my name sounded like a caress, and I moaned in approval.

I could see his expression of absolute, reverent awe through my thick black lashes. And it only fuelled the fire burning through me.

I peeled away from him, licking my wet lips as I rose, smirking at how flustered and heaving he was.

We were standing in the middle of his room, and my eyes darted around it, seeking the nearest surface for him to ravish me against. Wall it is...

James stepped out of his shorts, now pooling at his ankles, as I pulled him by his T-shirt. That, too, would have to go in a moment. My back against the cold wall, pleading for him to sate my growing need.

"One moment, love..." he whispered to my lips, kissing them passionately before sauntering to the bedside table to grab a condom. I shivered, eager for what would come next.

With deft hands, I pulled his shirt off, staring mesmerised at him. He looks like a god...; I wanted to worship every inch of that beautiful muscled wall, but I had a more pressing need deep inside me that needed his full attention.

I was hazy with lust at this point, "Fuck me..." I purred, turning to face the wall. James did as I said, no flourishes. His big warm hands pulled my nightgown up to expose my round bottom, kneading my ass before pulling my thin lacy thong to the side. "I don't have all night, James..." I complained in frustration.

He chuckled, a dark rumble reverberating through the room, "So Bossy..."

With one swift movement, we were one. The sharp pain was nothing compared with the bliss it brought as he filled me. I mewed, resting my forehead against the hard surface and my back arching to provide him better access. It was like coming home, like finding the missing piece I hadn't even realised I'd been searching for.

He began to move, tantalising deep strokes. My breath hitched, and I enjoyed it but wanted more. I dug my nails on his thigh, "Faster..." I pleaded, and he complied. My moans began to sound, first soft and low. "Harder, James!" I demanded in my frenzy.

Again, that low rumble sounded, and his hands locked my hips in place, steadying me for his pace. Careless words and moans flowed from me as he did, my cries of pleasure shattering the silence, threatening to alert others.

"Shhhh...or the whole house will hear us," I clenched around him at the thought, but it did nothing to mute me. His hand flew to cover my mouth, muffling my sounds.

James's breathing sounded ragged and damn sexy..., as he pounded me. "Harder..." I ordered through his palm as I felt the build-up in my core. "Damn it...Fuck me like you mean it, James!" I shot him a pointed look over my shoulder.

He arched a perfect brow, biting his lip as he obliged. He twisted his other hand and pulled my long raven hair, forcing my neck to bend back slightly.

And in a few more long, deep strokes, I shattered, James's name a broken cry on my lips. I couldn't find it in me to care. He followed suit, grunting as he found his release. Both a panting, sweaty mess glued to that wall. His grip loosened, hands roaming down my body as we both came down from our high. Auburn hair spilt over my shoulder as he rested his brow against it.

"That was...amaz-" he voiced before I cut him.

"...not enough." He moved his head in surprise, eyebrow raised in silent question.

"Well, darling, we have all night..." he smirked, pleased with my protest.

That night, I lost count of the times we surrendered to our desire, but I remembered how damn good it felt to have my repressed appetite sated. How good he felt on me, in me, between my legs...

✦﹒✦﹒✦

Sunlight peeked through the thick curtains as I stirred, my eyelids fluttering open. For a moment, I lay still, disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings.

Then, the previous night's events came rushing back - the dinner, the wine, and the night of unbridled desire. A lazy smile tugged at my lips as memories of tangled limbs and breathy moans flooded my mind.

Carefully, I extricated myself from James's loose embrace, scooting to the edge of the bed and wrapping the sheet tightly around my naked form.

James stirred beside me, his hand reaching out to pull me back. I stiffened, a frown marring my brow as I grumbled drowsily. The remnants of sleep and the night's exertions made my movements sluggish.

"Noreen," James murmured, his husky voice still thick with sleep. "Come back to bed."

But I was already swinging my legs over the side, the cool air prickling my bare skin. "No pillow talk, no morning kisses or cuddles," I said firmly, my tone brooking no argument. "Last night was just sex, James."

I could feel his eyes on me, sense his dissatisfaction radiating. But I couldn't afford to let things get even more complicated between us. Boundaries would need to be reevaluated.

James sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair. "Okay, Ice Queen," he said, a rueful smile tugging at his lips.

I shot him a sharp look over my shoulder, but the ice in my gaze was tempered by the undercurrent of desire that still thrummed through my veins. Memories of his skilled hands and wicked mouth sent a shiver down my spine. I had to clench my thighs together to quell the ache blooming anew.

James caught my subtle movement, his smile turning predatory. "Sure you don't want to go for round... what are we on now? Six? Seven?" He propped himself up on one elbow, the sheet slipping dangerously low on his hips.

My gaze dipped instinctively to the hard planes of his chest, trailing those juicy abs and over the dusting of hair that disappeared beneath the covers. I licked my suddenly dry lips, sorely tempted to crawl back into bed and lose myself in his touch, family brunch be damned. After so many years of nothing, my body practically screamed for more.

But the rational, proper part of my brain won out. "I'm sure," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. "We have appearances to keep up, James. Your parents will be expecting us for brunch."

James's eyes darkened at the mention of his family, a challenge sparking in their blue depths. Admiring my naked form, he spoke in a low rumble. "Quickie, then?"

My jaw nearly hit the floor at his brazen suggestion, but deep down, a sinful part of me found it amusing. Thrilling, even. Lifting my chin defiantly, I announced, "I'm going to shower. I suggest you do the same. Separately," I added pointedly.

James opened his mouth as if to argue but seemed to think better of it under the heat of my unwavering stare. With a curt nod, he swung his long legs over the opposite side of the bed and stood in one fluid motion. I averted my gaze, trying to ignore the way his naked, muscled form affected me.

But before I could escape to the en-suite, James was suddenly in front of me, scooping me into his strong arms. A surprised giggle burst from my lips as I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck for balance. "We should save water..." he joked.

He carried me into the spacious bathroom, shutting the door behind us. Emboldened by his roguish grin, I leaned in and captured his lower lip between my teeth, biting and pulling with a teasing glint in my eyes.

James growled low in his throat, sending a heat spike straight to my core. He had me pressed against the cool tile wall in a heartbeat, his body moulding to mine as the shower spray beat down around us.

"You're playing with fire, Ms. Hunter," he murmured against the shell of my ear before nipping the sensitive skin.

I gasped, tilting my head back to grant him better access even as I said, "Less talking, James..."

With that, I sealed my mouth over his, the kiss hard and demanding. We lost ourselves to the slick slide of tongues and wandering hands, stoking the flames of desire that had never fully been extinguished from the night before.

When we finally emerged from the steam-filled bathroom, flushed and sated, I slipped into the demure dress Evelyn had left for me, arranging my features into a mask of calm composure.

Returning to my clipped, business-like tone, I turned to James. "This was just sex, venting the stress of our busy lives. It will not be a routine thing..." I looked myself in the mirror, soothing the dress. "Let's keep it compartmentalised."

An annoyed grunt sounded behind me. "Once a week?" James asked.

I glared at him through the mirror. "You'll be lucky if you get it once a month..."

And with that, we exited the bedroom to join his family downstairs.