Blossom in Winter (Blossom in Winter #1)(59)

“Ah, thank you, Paulo, but there was no need, really.”

“Are you sick?” jokes Roy.

“No,” I snap.

I look around for a waiter, but don’t see any nearby.

“Seeing someone?” asks Paulo.

“That would explain a lot…”

Why can’t they just stop?

To my surprise, I take too long to answer and find them staring at me, their eyes craving an answer. “No!” I manage to pull it off with enough conviction, but I’m angry to have wanted, even for a second, to reply otherwise.

“So why on earth wouldn’t you want to be with that woman? She seems perfect for you. Independent, smart, bold, playful, and super hot. Sounds like a no-brainer.”

“Roy, I’m not in the mood tonight. That’s all. Feel free to see her—she’s at the Plaza.”

“She’s into you, man. Not me. You haven’t been in the mood for a while. Maybe Rio will lighten you up.”

Paulo chuckles. “Oh, definitely. With a drink of cacha?a and some kizomba with Rafaela, this man will be lost forever.”

They laugh hard but not me.

I just hope they’re right. Rafaela would be the perfect antidote. After all, she’s Petra’s opposite—older, taller, seductive, mature. Her body has some wonderful, juicy curves, with a striking bust and ass. She seems very confident in her own skin and has a naughty stare that would melt any man. Plus, she seems to be experienced enough to know how to play with me. With no guilt, no fear, no limits, as I like. I glance at my watch. “It’s getting late. I need to rest. Roy, don’t forget we have a meeting with Singapore at ten a.m.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be on time. Have a great night, and promise me you’ll give Rafaela a chance. You can’t refuse such a beautiful woman like that.”

I chuckle at Roy’s serious tone. “Don’t worry, Roy. Well, gents, have a great one.”





The club is dark, a string of red lights flickers above the immense dance floor to match the vibrant and sensual beats. I’m sitting at a table with some friends in a private area of the club. The atmosphere’s arousing, a group of hot chicks in skin-tight dresses are shaking their asses to the DJ, gazing here and there at me, craving some attention for their performance.

I keep scanning the dance floor for my next prey. But my heart instantly freezes at the sight of a skinny figure in a white eyelet dress with a ribbon wrapped around the waist, long black wavy hair, pale skin, big blue eyes, and cherry lips. “Petra? What are you doing here?” I yell at her. She sees me and starts running away, hiding herself among the crowd. How did she even get in? Probably with that fake ID.

I leave my table in a hurry and search for her amid the many men and women dancing. Ah, there she is. I hasten to follow the white dress. After all, she’s the only one wearing white in this club. I find her leaving the dance floor, running into a dark hallway. I speed up my pace and rush after her, wondering where she’s heading. She disappears into a room, shutting the door behind her. I shake my head.

Annoyed with her little game, I let out a breath and open the door. The room is barely lit, empty, with just a round bed where Petra’s sitting on the edge, staring innocently at me with her most angelic face—the one she usually does to avoid being scolded. Hands in my pockets, I walk toward her and stop right in front of her. She throws me a sweet little smile, looking up at me. But I remain unsmiling, rigid. I glare steadily at her and ask, “What are you doing in this club, Petra? You shouldn’t be here. You have to go home.”

She giggles instead. I try hard to remain indifferent to such a cute sound coming from her month. “Let me stay,” she begs in a low, tender voice, reaching for my wrist with her left hand. Goddammit. She’s so adorable.

I hold her fingers, caressing them slowly, but I feel something different at the touch. I glance down at them, and it’s enough to scare the hell out of me. I take a deep breath and stare again, this time more attentively. Petra is wearing an oval sapphire halo ring with a golden one below that. My jaw drops. I recognize this ring!

“Petra, who gave you this?” I ask, looking intently at the engagement ring.

She titters, her face beaming, and shakes her head in amusement. I glance at my left hand and know the answer.

Before I can ask anything further, she lays down on the bed, pulling me over her. I let my body cover hers. Lost in her big blue eyes, my lips spread apart and my pulse becomes uncontrollable. I’ve never lain on a bed with her before, but she seems far more comfortable than me.

“Do you love me?” she asks while unfastening my belt.

I widen my eyes in shock. Fuck! What’s happening? “Oh God...” I try to recover from this madness. “Petra, I can’t do this.” But I’m so stunned by all of this that I remain motionless. I can only stare at her as she hungrily unzips my pants.

“There’s no one here, just us,” she reassures in a soft voice.

Her eyes meet mine again, looking for an answer to her question.

Lost in here gaze, my heartbeat is bouncing so fast and loud that I can barely breathe, but despite it all…

“You know perfectly well I do.”

She wraps her hands around my neck, and her face glows with a smile I’ve never seen before. “I love you too.”