It Started With The Hickeys

Book #4 Wright-Petrov Series

At the age of twenty-two, Skye Monticello lives her life in reckless exploration, even at the cost of her innocence during a one-night stand. However, upon discovering the identity of her mysterious fling and refusing to relinquish her freedom, she decides to flee and make a fresh start.

Fate, however, has other plans, as she finds herself pregnant. Despite her predicament, she courageously chooses to raise her child alone and has been successful, almost.

After years in hiding, she comes face to face with the man who fathered her child and claimed her first. As she navigates this challenging encounter and grapples with the uncanny resemblance her child bears to his father, she stubbornly struggles to evade the man who seems to be an indomitable presence in her life.

Moreover, with him being the most influential man in the country, escape seems even more implausible. Xander Voulker Wright, the third heir of the Wright and Petrov family, adds another layer of complexity to Skye's peace of mind.

Husband

Clad in white tailored shorts paired with the same color-haltered strappy backless top and a stiletto, Skye Monticello makes her way to the bar counter.

"One glass of martini please" Her soft smile was rewarded by a polite yet admiring one from the bartender.

"You're new here" He starts a conversation while preparing her drinks.

"Yes, and I'm excited about the new experience" Her charming smile bring out the little dimples beside her lips. But her best asset is her monolid eyes that disappear whenever she smiles or laughs. Usual for having an Asian mother.

"Enjoy" With a lingering smile, the bartender carefully serve her drink.

"Thank you" Her face brightens seeing the luscious liquid inside a delicate glass.

Taking a sip, her smile widens while she locks gazes with the bartender. Who in return smiles at her upon seeing her satisfied smile.

"Enjoy" He mumbles before turning to another customer who took his spot two seats apart from her.

With a charming smile, she carefully raises her glass to him before taking another sip. Her way of thanking him for the second time.

Looking at both of her sides, she finds the place decent. And while enjoying her drink, she keeps on taking a contended deep breath. She feels so proud of herself for what she had achieved recently.

She got her dream job and tonight she will celebrate her little success. Not just with a fine dinner and champagne but maybe a man for a night if she got luckier.

She came from a humble family but her parents are way too cool to let her explore life. And now, at twenty-two, she is an ocean apart from her homeland. Despite being alone in a foreign country, she is excited to be paving her way to the corporate world. As she always dreams about.

As a newbie, with limited experience, luck is on her side. She got the job as secretary of one of the executives in the Wright Group of Companies.

Who doesn't dream of being in WGC? They are everywhere. Even if she was offered as a janitor, she will happily grab the chance to work there.

"You're such a lucky girl, Sky" she's sheepishly smiling while mumbling to herself. The night is great and she is enjoying it.

The pub is not so crowded to her relief. Just like how she wanted though she has been looking forward to meeting new acquaintances.

"You're alone, honey?"

Disturbing her silent reverie is a handsome man in a coat and tie but she's not interested. Yes, she plans to have a hook-up tonight, but she will know when the right person comes.

"I'm fine, I'm waiting for my husband" casually, she replies. And her response immediately sent the man away after mumbling his apology.

"The men here are way too cool" Discreet with her astonishment, she mentally remarks. She wasn't expecting turning a man down to be this easy.

Taking a sigh, a contented smile graced her lips. Since her arrival in the country, she feels a different kind of freedom.

She can do whatever she likes here, no one knows her and she knows no one. It's exciting.

Sipping her drinks, she discreetly scans the entire room. And someone in the corner caught her attention. Like her, the man is alone with a scotch on the rocks in his hand. His faraway look tells how his thoughts are somewhere else.

She doesn't want to be intrusive by openly staring at him so she looks away. But for a reason unknown to her, her eyes seem to be magnetized by the aura the man is exuding. Her eyes voluntarily turn in his direction for the second time.

Despite their distance and the not-so-bright light inside the pub, she could tell the man is smoking hot. His firm muscles are screaming inside his not-so-tidy white long-sleeve shirt. The first few buttons are already loosened and the sleeves are clumsily rolled before his elbows. But it's still perfectly tucked around his slender waist.

By the look of him, he obviously had a rough day. Whoever he is, she surprised herself by feeling so protective of him. If not for her prompt response to stop herself, she almost approaches him.

But the man is exuding a nonchalant aura that no one dares approaches him despite the number of women glancing his way like her.

Unlike the women in the pub who are all busy watching the same man at the corner, other men continued hunting. And Skye is among the prey.

"You looked lonely, baby girl. Fancy a great company?"

She cringely rolls her eyes at the cheesiness of the line from the man who sits close to her. But instead of showing her annoyance, she plastered a sweet smile on her face before facing him.

"I've irritated my husband too much, he took his drink away from me. Don't want to annoy him more" With a sulking smile, she discreetly points at the man in the corner to prove her charade.

Following her finger, he saw the man from afar who happens to glance his way. He was met by a chilling cold eye that made him scurry away, leaving Skye.

Though surprised by the man's odd behavior, she shrugs it away. It's a relief he left. She has no plans of dealing with a terrible company with the mood she has right now. This night must be great.

But the man was not the last. As the night deepened, the pub is getting packed. Another two approach her. Unfortunately, they are not her type so she sent them away saying the same thing about her annoyed husband. If only they are just closely gorgeous as the man at the corner, she could reconsider. But no one seems to come close to how handsome he is.

"This might not be a great night, after all, Skye" she frustratedly mumbles to herself as she continues to sip her second glass of martini. Oblivious to the envy of the women who heard her boast about her husband.

She has been in the pub for hours and aside from the man in the corner, no one piques her interest.

"Maybe it's time to go home" She whispers after gulping half of the remaining liquid inside her glass. Seeming to have a pointless waiting, she gets ready to go back.

"I'm over with my vexation"

Startled by the presence beside her, her head snaps to the side where a figure occupies the seat next to her. And she was more stunned upon realizing it was the man at the corner of the room she had been watching earlier.

Aside from what he said, his mere presence made her head go blank. Like a fish out of water, her mouth opens and closes. Failing to speak her mind.

"You told everyone your husband is annoyed at you. The reason, you, 'my wife' was left alone" he continues after seeing her bafflement at his presence.

"I've overcome my 'irritation' now" he added, emphasizing the word irritation. His brows arched to the show she put up earlier.

Still unable to speak, she just keeps on staring at him while he did the same after getting no response.

"And since you are ready to leave, let's retire to our room, my lovely wife" Without tearing his gaze away from her, he casually told her.

"You better keep your charade or the men you just turned down would think you are toying with them" After she continues to be dumbfounded, he leans close to her ear and mutters. From someone's point of view, they are being intimate, but she knew better after hinting at the warning in his voice.

"Ahm..." Clearing her throat, she straightens her stiff limbs while trying to act casually with his closeness.

They are almost pressed together and it doesn't do well with her sanity. His manly scent mixed with the expensive cologne he was wearing is quite lethal.

"Your room or mine?" Getting a grasp of herself, she softly asks. She doesn't know where her courage came from but she doesn't want to contemplate at the moment. Maybe from the two glasses of martini, she consumed.

This is what she has been waiting for and she won't miss the chance though she doesn't want to get her hopes high. This might be a show he is willing to play. Anyway, she was not sure if he is really inclined in spending the night with her. Still, she's nervous and at the same time excited just being this close to him.

"If you will feel safer, let's have your room" he responded without moving away from her. His hot breath fanned her skin and she caught the smell of alcohol. Everything about him is stirring something delicious inside her. And it's making her more excited.

"My room, it is" She casually smiles while trying to hide her trepidation and her shaggy breath.

And though she has expected him to assist her, she was still surprised by the arm rounding her slim waist. His possessiveness overwhelmed her aside from noticing their height difference.

For her five feet three inches tall height with an added three inches from her heels, she still didn't reach his shoulder. He is quite a giant.

Walking side by side, they left the pub amidst the envious gazes from around. A perfect couple in everyone's eyes. And like a real couple, they played their part as they headed straight to the elevator.

She expected he will let her go once the door closes but she was wrong. He continues to hold her firmly.

"We're alone now" She calmly reminds him despite her hitched breath.

"Was it for a show?" He casually retorted without removing his arm around her. He even tighten his hold that plastered her to his side. His entire palm rested on her back, caressing its bareness.

The way he looks at her not only intimidates her but made her dumbfounded. All she did is meet his piercing gaze while dulled by the deafening beat of her heart.

"Well, bad news, wifey. I don't intend to just have a show here" With a smirk forming on his lips, he cups her chin as he closes the small gap between their faces. But he pause before their noses touch.

"I expect you to do what every wife should do to placate her husband after a fight" He earnestly added while his thumb caressing her slightly open lips.

"A great sex"

****tbc****