Each step Claire took reminded her of the exquisite sex she'd had. She could feel the soreness between her legs; alas, it wasn't anything horrendous but rather memorable. But she had to forget it. Yet, she would close her eyes and Ryan would appear, and when she'd choose to open them, her body would succumb to the feeling it adamantly recalled.

How gently he lay her on the bed and spread her legs apart. The way she broke apart the buttons of his shirt and undressed him so desperately while kissing and devouring each other hungrily. And mostly, how he entered her deep and slow, only to end up fucking her senselessly until her insides shattered from ultimate ecstasy.

An emotional uproar rolled inside Claire's mind like a deadly tornado, strong and violent. To break the spell, she opened her eyes and gasped so loudly. God, she was still in the elevator, alone. Ryan was still in the hotel room, and she had no idea if going back to the party was a wise choice or not, given her current just-fucked-up state.

I fucked him. A plethora of remorse seared her, but it was too late to regret.

The elevator pinged and Claire was once again on the lobby floor, right where her friends had been searching and waiting for her inside the ballroom. When she returned to the table, the party was proceeding flawlessly with so much music, drinks, and socializing through which new acquaintances and business relations had a golden chance to be formed.

"And her majesty is finally back." Pure sarcasm laced Gena's voice when she regarded Claire's return. "Mind telling me where you have been in the middle of the party?"

"I was just getting some air outside," Claire replied while slumping into her chair. "I think I'm done with this. I wanna go home. Are you good to leave?" She plucked a champagne flute from the passing waiter, trying to quell the sense of anxiety that remained still inside her.

"Outside, huh?" Gena asked, ignoring Claire's plea to leave. And then Bruno approached their table; her inquiries were cut short. "Tell that to him and see if he'll buy it. As for me, I'm not for sale, Chica." She reared herself back, a playful glint dancing in her eyes.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Claire muttered under her breath while smiling softly at Bruno. "Hey," she said to him after a sip of chilly champagne.

"Playing hide and seek? Where have you been?" Bruno quizzed.

Gena raised a knowing eyebrow as Claire took a long sip of her drink. She knew something was up, especially now that Ryan was also returning to the ballroom after a long while, walking past them with a small smile with a phone in his ear.

They were together! Gena gave Claire a tight, meaningful glance.

"I went out for some air," Claire forced a smile and stuck with the same story, talking to Bruno. "I didn't miss much, did I?"

"Not really," Bruno replied, smiling at her gently. He was up on his feet and he didn't seem to have any intention of sitting down yet. "But I do want to steal you for a while because someone has been looking for you. Do you mind, Gena?" He glanced at the Asian charmer.

"Not at all." Gena bobbed her head swiftly. As Harry reappeared, she happily added, "Take your time. I'm in safe hands."

Harry's face flushed.

Mr. Stevens was enjoying his drink when Bruno presented Claire to him. As always, the old man was extremely delighted to have her audience, and the feeling was absolutely mutual for Claire.

"I'm so happy you could make it, Claire, and you look very beautiful," said Mr. Stevens, and to Claire's horror, Ryan was seated just across from her.

Why were the heavens so busy putting this man on her path whenever she'd go? Maybe she had to plant a tracker on him so they wouldn't clash again.

"The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Stevens." She smiled, trying to ignore the beautiful distraction. "Congratulations on this big day! I'm positive it means a lot to you."

"Oh, thank you, my child. I'm just an old man now who takes pleasure in seeing my two grandsons continuing my legacy," Mr. Stevens remarked, and the two boys exchanged knowing looks upon the comment.

"I see. And they're doing a great job," Claire said, more to Ryan whose eyes couldn't leave hers for even a second.

It made her heart skip several beats and she hated it, mainly because she loved the subtle attention he gave her. She simply enjoyed it and it was awful to admit how much she wanted to stay by his side.

When another guest cut in to speak with Mr. Stevens, or maybe Ryan, Claire used the opportunity to slip away by wishing them well for the rest of the night. She kindly thanked Bruno for the invitation and asked Gena to leave, which the latter unwillingly obliged.

Harry offered to give them a ride. The moment shared with Gena upon Claire's absence seemed to have worked magic, and Claire couldn't wait to hear all about it. They rode in silence, however; at least Claire did. As for Gena, she was busy making small talk with Harry, and her cheeks were frosted with color as deep as red.

"So, you also work as a private attorney even though you work for SK?" Gena asked him.

"Yes, Gena. So, if you need a lawyer, just call me and I'll be at your service," Harry replied, teasing her.

"Oh-kay, Mr. Lawyer. I may become an outlaw one of these days," Gena replied.

Smiling, Claire hung her head low toward the window. Her thoughts drifted, and sooner she couldn't hear a thing they were saying.

Harry's car pulled over at Gena's apartment several minutes later. Knowing how deep things have gotten between her best friend and this guy, she had to give them some space to say goodbye.

"Thanks, Harry," Claire muttered while making her exit.

"Anytime," Harry answered with a big smile, one reason to understand Gena's constant blushing this evening.

Claire headed inside and whipped her clothes unceremoniously. The bed was the only thing she needed right now so that everything could go back to normal when the daylight oozed—so she wanted to believe. But Ryan occupied her mind, and the more she blocked him, the harder her body relished his memories.

An overwhelming desire to be hugged filled her.

The next day was Sunday. Claire had no plan for the day. A sleazy breakfast of cereal and milk was the only thing available at Gena's. She made herself a bowl and sat up quietly, staring at Gena who was smiling insanely over the exchange of texts she had been having with Harry.

Claire wanted so badly to tell her about last night, but at the same time, she couldn't disrupt her friend's little bubble. At least one of them had to have a good morning, Claire decided. And so she began toying with cereal using her spoon, her thoughts all over the place.

"Hey? Having a silent oath? You're not even eating." Gena abandoned her phone at last.

This was the time.

"I had sex with Ryan," Claire muttered.

Gena almost choked on her saliva. "Sorry, what?"

Sighing heavily as though she'd taken a load of timber off her shoulder, Claire said, "Right during the party, he took me to his hotel room and... well, we fucked."

"Oh, my God!" Gena snapped in a stunned voice, her eyes wider. "Oh, my God! I knew something was up but I never imagined it could be this extreme!"

Shrugging, Claire let out a short laugh and crossed her legs while sitting more comfortably in the yellow recliner. "I don't know how to explain it, Gena. It was... stupid, bizarre, yet... so so fucking remarkable." The memory made her belly tingle and her breath caught again as a soft laugh escaped her lips.

"From the start, maybe?" Gena urged. "I want all the details, girlfriend. All of it."

"Ew, no!" Claire chuckled lightly. Gena drew her eyebrows together, pouting her lips. "Well, he was waiting for me outside the ladies' room."

"Hmm... savage! I like it!" Gena enthused.

"He then grabbed me and dragged me to the elevator, Gena. He's psycho!"

"Oh, my! I'd love to be kidnapped like that!" Gena grinned.

"You're fucking weird," Claire remarked tiredly, for there was nothing sexy about it as her bestie assiduously insinuated.

"Hey, don't judge me! We all have our own fantasies, okay? So what did he want? And wait, he didn't force himself on you in any way—did he?" The enthusiasm suddenly faded in Gena's voice and hardened eyes. 

Claire rolled her eyes. "No, he didn't, Mom. He wanted to talk, but we ended up arguing about this and that—well, the usual stuff about our illicit affair and jealousy innuendos." She sighed, pulled in some memories, and then added, "And out of nowhere we... we just grabbed each other and God knows what else we did." She bit her bottom lip coyly, and despite everything, she still loved and enjoyed every single thing Ryan did to her.

Crazy. She had lost her damn mind.

"Okay," Gena said gleefully; she bounced on and off on the couch as he shifted her posture. "How was it? Tell me! Tell me how the sex was. Did you love it? Did he make you... you know, feel the fireworks that most men fail to make us feel?" she cried.

If the fireworks meant the so-called orgasm, then hell yes. It was her first time, coming from a man. Yeah, she knew about self-pleasure and she had her pair of toys hidden somewhere in her bedroom.

"It was... the best," Claire confessed dreamily.

"Wow!" Gena retorted, a spreading grin on her awestruck face. "And what else?" Her eyes glowed curiously.

"And... that's it." Claire laughed and sighed at the same time, wedging her bottom lip between her teeth. "Other than the fact that I fucked someone else's man, and I'm officially a relationship wrecker and I ought to hang myself out of guilt and shame, yet I feel that very remotely." Her joy vanished instantly at the slap of reality check.

"Oh, honey," Gena uttered mirthlessly. "It's not like they're married or something, okay? Chill! I mean, if they are a solid couple as Doris seems to make everyone believe, why was Ryan there with you at that important moment with his family and business associates all swamped in one place?"

"Because he's a legendary player and a jerk?" Claire probed, unable to believe how naive Gena sounded. "He's a man, okay? Rich, powerful, who thinks he can just own anything and anyone as he pleases!"

"Really?'" Gena cocked her head to one side, reprimanding her. "Is that all you could think of him, Claire? Is that how you truly feel when you look at him? Anyone with a good eye could notice how he looked at you as though you were the only woman in the ballroom. I don't know what he wants from you, girl, but I can tell when a guy is smitten."

"Please!" Claire rolled her eyes and resumed eating her cereals.

Ryan, smitten? Maybe but...no.

"I'm serious, Claire. Maybe you should talk to him and clear the air," Gena suggested. "And stop eating yourself alive for the good sex you had out of a moment. As you said, it just happened." She reclaimed her bowl of cereal and sat upright.

Claire held her through there. It's true; she didn't plan any of that to happen. And it was a mistake, but there was no point punishing herself for it.

"I'm just glad you're not judging me," said Claire with a weak smile. "That's the last thing I'd want to hear after what happened last night. No, I don't want to even think about it—My God!" She tossed her head back, feeling lost.

The more she tried to block the thoughts, the more she lost control.

"Why would I judge you? Jeez, I've done unspeakable things and you're always there, even at my worst." Gena stuffed a spoon of cereal into her mouth. While chewing slowly, she added, "Remember how I busted JB with that whore and set his car on fire?"

Slowly, Claire erupted into laughter. "And I was your alibi, claiming you passed out from drinking and slept through the night."

Collective laughter filled the apartment as they reminisced.

"We could've gone to jail, I swear," Gena said.

"Yeah, but I'm a rich bitch and my dear stepmother cares too much about reputation to allow that. Of course, it was Jorge who sent a lawyer but still... God, I missed college days," Claire breathed.

"Me too. And that's why I'm happy that you're finally out of your shell," Gena whispered earnestly. "You deserve all the fun and joy in the world, Claire Levy. Whoever gets you will be one lucky bastard, Ryan or not."

"Stop." Claire blushed, even though the Ryan part didn't fit in at all. "And you? What's going on with the hot chocolate? I know you have been texting with him all morning, huh?"

It was Gena's turn on the hot seat, and she beamed like a flashlight.

"Harry is... a slight mystery that I want to solve," Gena claimed. "He intrigues me, Claire, and to me that never happens too often."

"Really, now? What have I missed? Breaking the law and having him defend you?" Claire sat straight, a smile curved on her lips.

"I think I like him, but I'm still getting to know him. I honestly don't have much to tell as we only met yesterday and I'm still hung up with the whole," Gena answered matter-of-factly.

"You? Getting to know someone? That's a first." Claire giggled.

"Hey, he's Ryan's pal," Gena argued. "I should try to act decently from now on for your sake, don't you think? And besides, he's single, so at least I don't have to put up with the other woman drama."

"Oh, thank you very much for the helpful reminder!"

"Oops! That came out wrong. My bad!" Gena said teasingly, meaning so less of it.

"Well, no more Ryan. We don't talk about Ryan, get it?" Claire demanded.

"How? You won't see him again?"

"Never again." Claire was sure this time. 

_______________

A/N: Well, she claims she won't see him again. What's your take on Ryan Stevens? To me, he's a jerk! Yeah, hot and all, but total jerk so Claire, dear, stay the fuck away!!! hehe