It's already past one, yet I couldn't sleep. I tried to work to kill time until my eyes give in to sleep, but my brain doesn't want to cooperate. Clara Bell's face keeps popping in my head, clouding every sense of my being.

I've never been bothered before just because of a woman, a kiss no less, and from the woman who hated me ever since, especially when Claire and I started dating.

And to be honest, I hate her for meddling with Claire and I, for accusing me of what she heard of, and of hating me without a logical reason.

I thought she's just another spoiled brat, but as she grows up, she turned to be the woman I've never expected her to be. Far from what I thought she would be.

Not the sweet, kindhearted woman.

Not the selfless, thoughtful friend.

And she has the sweetest lips I've ever tasted. I never thought a kiss could make a man go crazy until that very night. That kiss that killed my interest to have any willing woman, it had occupied my thoughts, and if I don't make her mine pretty soon, I'll be thrown in that mental cell.

Fucking bloody crazy!

I grumbled under my breath as I reached out for my phone that was sitting on the side table next to me.

I've been staring at my laptop, reading contracts and reports, yet the numbers and letters make no sense, I couldn't get my brain to process it.

I grunted in vexation as I furiously folded the laptop that was sitting on my lap and placed it on the pillow at my side. My back leaning against the white upholstered wingback headboard.

I tapped on my phone and read my emails instead. Mostly from our international partners. For a moment, I couldn't grasp the words, and finally, I was immersed on replying each of the endless emails.

The clock ticked, I was still wide awake, fingers tapping on my phone non-stop until it beeped and I saw Ice Princess name which drifted my attention, and the halfway done email was forgotten. I log out of my email account and tap on my messages

My heart skipped a beat as I excitedly opened my inbox. All my senses seemed to be awakened even more.

Why did you break up with Claire?

My eyebrows darted together as I read the text again. I quickly checked the time, and it's 2:17 in the morning.

My fingers went back on tapping the keyboard to reply. My heart didn't stop beating like a damn drum, it's too loud in my ears.

Why are you still up?

I tapped again in the text box to response when another message came.

I read it.

Just answer my damn question. Why did you break up with her?

I could feel her anger in her text. I have a strong feeling she's drunk knowing her friend is there, and she wouldn't be so bold enough to text me. For how many years I've known her, Clara Bell never sent me a text nor a call. As much as possible, she'll avoid me.

I deleted the text I formulated a moment ago and started typing again.

Are you drunk? Jesus Christ, Clara Bell! It's past two in the morning!

Not long, a response came.

That was fast, I thought.

Who cares? I'm not working tomorrow. Besides, I'm in the safe confine of my room. Brittany is already snoring, she's out! Imagine, I beat her?

That confirmed my theory. My temper flared up and at the same time, worried.

I'm coming!

I texted back and bolted out of my bed, my head clouding of her. If they are both drunk, then there's a possibility they will do stupid things.

I've never heard of her getting drunk. This must be the first.

I quickly grabbed my keys and headed down to the underground garage. There was no one in the lift, then it stopped in the Lobby. I scowled at the door sliding slowly to open. A nightshift guard stepped in, and he gave me a slight bow, acknowledging me. I ignored him when his eyes traveled down to my lower body. My mind still on Clara Bell and what is she doing right now.

I caught the guard at the corner of my eyes moved at one corner of the lift. The elevator moved down again and stopped at the lower ground level. As soon as the door slides open, I raced to my car.

It took me five minutes since the road is clear. I ignored the awkwards looks I got from the staff in the lobby as I strode with intent towards the lift. I was relieved when the machine started to move.

Not long, I was in front of her door, knocking. Staring grimly at the white double door as I waited for her.

Then I heard the shuffling behind the door, then the metal creaking and clicking, it goes on for a moment. She's probably struggling to open it, and my patience wearing thin as I waited.

Finally, it opened.

She looked disheveled. Her blonde hair came loose from her ponytail and in a tangled mess, but she looked rather hot for some reasons. I unconsciously scowled at her. Her eyes are bloodshot, cheeks flustered, and she's unbalanced.

And as soon as she saw me, her eyes widened but quickly morphs into a mischievous grin, and then she fell.

"Fuck!" I grumbled.

My hands instinctively reached out for her falling body before her head hit the hard floor. She giggled, as she tried to hold on onto my waist.

As soon as our skin connected, I felt like I was electrified. My blood rushed, her sweet scent mixed with the beer smelled sexy, stimulating. My mind went haywire, I didn't notice she was slipping out of my hold, her giggles growing loud, as she clung onto my boxers—

Holy Fuck!

I was wearing only a boxer and a shirt?

I quickly scooped her up and carried her inside before someone comes strolling at the hallway at this time and sees me in my boxers. A few staff who luckily feasted on my evening outfit is enough embarrassment.

And her soft body didn't help ease that discomfort I'm starting to feel. It seemed that everything in my body hardened.

"Dhid yhou drhive here with honly your boxserss?" she slurred, her giggles growing even louder.

I scowled at her. "Yes, that's because someone was crazy, staying up late and drunk!" I snapped at her, clenching my jaws.

She ignored me as she prattled on all the while giggling. She's really drunk because the Clara Bell I know was cold and definitely not playful. "Yhou should shee Brittany. She pashh oout!" she giggled all the more, I couldn't help but noticed how adorable she is when she's drunk. "And I can take more beeerrrsss," she boasted between giggles.

"No more, babe. Let's take you to bed," I said and carried her straight to her room as soon as the door shut behind us.

I felt her buried her face in my chest. Suddenly, my heart seemed to slow down. I love the feel of her soft body against mine. It feels wonderful holding her like this.

Bloody hell, I can hold her like this forever. She fits so perfectly in my arms.

"You ssshmell goodd, Alex," she slurred, her voice sleepy and soft.

My groin tightened as I felt her hot breath kissing my skin through my shirt. Blood rushes down to where it shouldn't be at this moment. My lower region felt uncomfortably hard and restrained underneath my boxers. The loose boxer seemed to suddenly felt tight.

I grunted mindlessly.

I lay her on her bed, and she released my neck. She curled in a fetal position.

I wonder if she brushes her teeth. Turning her in a flat position with her back on the bed, she groaned in protest but didn't move, I smelled her breath. Definitely, reek with beers. I quickly strode towards her washroom and found her toothbrush and toothpaste. I strode back to her bed and perched at the edge, then facing her, I cupped her chin, nudging her mouth to open.

"Open," I snapped when she was about to shake her head, shaking her chin off my grasp.

"I need to brush your teeth!" I hissed, and just then she stopped squirming, and opened her mouth voluntarily.

I brushed her teeth in silence. I could feel her eyes staring at me intently. When I'm done, I strode back to her washroom and filled the glass I saw in there with water, then walked back to her. She was waiting for me, her eyes half open.

Her eyelids are droopy, her clasped hands resting on her flat tummy.

"Here," I said perching back at the edge the bed. I helped her sat up, and she rinsed her mouth once.

I strode out of her room to her kitchen and threw the dirty water in the sink and put the glass in her dishwasher before grabbing another tall glass and filled it with water.

When I got back to her room, her eyes are already closed, and her breathings are even.

I sat next to her and whispered. "Clara Bell," I called out.

Her eyelids fluttered before slowly opened up. "You need to drink some water," I said, and she didn't protest. She must be very exhausted that with half open lids she forced to sit with my help then drank the water.

As soon as she drank half of it, I helped her lay back on her bed. "I'm dizzy," she whispered, her voice hoarse.

"That's because you're drunk, babe!" I hissed, but my voice is tender, then pulled her blanket and covered her until her shoulder. As soon as I tucked her in, she's already out. Her lips slightly apart, her face looked so calm, so serene. Leaning in gently, I placed a kiss on her lips, light and brief, I don't want to wake her up.

"Sleep tight, baby!" I murmured softly before pulling myself up and quietly leave her room to check on her friend.

A few of empty bottle of beers scattered on the floor.

Brittany was slumped on one end of the couch. I reluctantly moved her, gingerly pulling her by her shoulders avoiding to touch any part of her body until her back lay horizontally on the couch.

I went to get a blanket for her, too, then cleaned their mess. I decided to sleep in her guest room instead of going home with my boxers.

It was almost four when I finally lay on the bed in her guest room, next to hers. And it didn't take long when sleep finally engulfed me.

I woke up with a start. I scanned the unfamiliar room, and it dawned on me where I am. Beige walls, a few paintings hang on the wall, white chests by the wall on my right side and a vanity mirror in between.

Sunrays pouring generously through the transparent glass wall, the curtains were drawn on either end, I forgot to close it last night.

I sat upright and swung my legs out of bed, then reached out for my phone on the white side table that matches the color of her bed, then checked the time. It was almost eleven.

I got out of the bed and walked out of the room. I headed straight to the kitchen thinking to make some coffee or perhaps breakfast for us.

When I got to the living room, my gaze instantly found the couch where Brittany slept last night but it was empty, only the green blanket that was neatly folded was left on the couch.

Brittany left.

I felt a little relieved that she's gone.

I walked further into the room and straight to her kitchen. I rummaged through her fridge and found a box of eggs, milk, orange juice, strawberries and grapes, a couple of bell peppers: red and green, and an opened white wine.

I let out a growl.

And then I thought I could make an omelet instead. I saw she has a bunch of cheeses.

My gaze drifted to her countertop and saw the expresso machine that looked like it has been used.

I smiled.

She also has a bread sitting next to the fruit bowl with apples and oranges, on the island counter.

I went to work, prepared the peppers first, cut them into strips, then scrambled four eggs.

I was whistling as I waited for the pan to heat up, and while doing so, I grated some cheese.

I was almost done with the omelet when I heard footsteps coming from behind me.

Flipping the two omelets, I turned the stove off, then turned to face her. I plastered a sweet smile on my face, perhaps it will melt her anger for finding me here in her kitchen, invading her privacy.

"Good mor—" the rest of the words had been swallowed down as I felt my eyes was about to pop out of its socket.

I was gawking at Clara Bell, not knowing which to stare at, her chest or between her legs.

She was only wearing her red lacy thong that matches her bra.

She was frozen on her spot, too, gaping at me, and then she blinked before abruptly turning on her heel and sprinted back to her room.

Fuck!

My cock twitched at the same time.

..

Alex is so adorably sweet. I think he's in love, to think he had forgotten to wear pants, lol.