Chapter 2: The Thrill of Revenge

When it was over, Clara lay sprawled on the bed, trying to catch her breath.

The man reached out a long arm and pulled her into his chest from behind.

He looked at her with dark, intense eyes. "So, was I useless?"

Clara found it somewhat amusing.

It seemed one truly shouldn't call a man useless to his face.

She glanced at his powerful, solid chest muscles and arched an eyebrow. "It looks like Bianca missed out on a hidden treasure."

Unexpectedly, she and Leo were a perfect match in bed.

It was the first time she had ever experienced something like that.

Her red lips curved into a smile. "Not bad. You've got great stamina."

Leo leaned down, intending to kiss her, but she held him back with her hand.

"A one-time experience is enough. From now on, we’re strangers."

Leo’s eyes narrowed sharply, his features tightening. "What does that mean?"

Sleep with him and then discard him?

Clara met his gaze, her lips curling into a multifaceted smile. "What else? Unless you want to be friends with benefits? If you’re willing, I wouldn't mind."

Her pale fingertips traveled from his solid chest down to his abs.

Just as she was about to go further, he caught her hand firmly.

He lowered his head, his thin lips brushing against her earlobe. His voice was low and husky. "You don't need me to take responsibility?"

His heavy, dominant scent wrapped around Clara like a net.

She looked at the prominent veins on his neck and the droplets of sweat sliding down his sharp jaw, dripping onto his chest.

He was incredibly sexy.

A man consumed by desire was even more captivating.

Clara raised a slender, pale foot and lightly stepped on his muscular thigh. "How would you take responsibility? Marry me?"

No man would marry a woman who had just gotten divorced, right?

She expected him to mock her.

Instead, after a moment of silence, his calloused thumb brushed over her tender lips. His dark eyes locked onto hers like an abyss. "If you dare to marry, I dare to wed."

Clara was stunned for a second.

Once she regained her composure, she used her foot to give his thigh a sharp shove.

"Are you joking? One marriage was enough. I don't plan on ever stepping into that trap again."

She narrowed her eyes at the cold, sharp-featured man. "A one-night stand between consenting adults is normal. Don't tell me you're the type who can't handle a fling?"

Leo stared at her moving lips for a few seconds. Once he was certain she was just playing around, he didn't say anything else.

He got out of bed, picked up his clothes from the floor, and began to dress.

Just as he was buckling his belt, the phone on the nightstand started ringing.

Clara saw the caller ID.

Bianca White.

She clicked her tongue.

He actually still had her number saved.

They must have had a deep relationship.

After Clara got her divorce certificate today, she had immediately deleted every trace of Sebastian Foster.

He was bad luck, and she never wanted to see him again.

Leo reached for the phone, but a slender hand beat him to it.

Right in front of Leo, Clara swiped to answer.

Then, she put it on speaker.

On the other end, Bianca thought she was talking to Leo. Her voice was soft and sweet. "Leo, I’m pregnant with Sebastian’s child. He’s promised to marry me. I hope you can talk to your family for the sake of our past—don't let them ruin my reputation."

Pregnant?

That was fast.

Thinking of the vows Sebastian had once made to her, Clara felt a sharp pang of pain in her heart.

She wanted to stop caring, but her emotions were still somewhat out of control.

She knew she would need time to fully heal.

"Leo, did you hear me..."

Before Bianca could finish, Clara suddenly pinched her throat and let out an incredibly sultry moan. "Oh, Leo... be more gentle..."

The air went silent for several seconds.

Bianca finally reacted, screaming, "Leo! Who are you with? Are you... are you with another woman?"

Bianca was shocked and incredulous.

In the past, she had practically thrown herself at him, and he had remained unmoved, claiming they should wait until marriage.

After being rejected several times, she had even drugged him once.

Even then, he hadn't touched her.

She had assumed there was something wrong with him.

Even though she was carrying another man’s child, Leo still held a place in her heart.

Since she couldn't have him, she didn't want any other woman to have him either.

"Leo! Which little slut are you with?" Bianca was becoming hysterical.

Clara’s lips curled into a smirk. She continued in a high-pitched, flirtatious voice, "Leo, you're so amazing..."

Before she could say more, the phone was snatched from her hand.

Leo gave Clara a deep, unreadable look before walking out of the room with the phone.

Clara didn't know what Leo said to Bianca. She didn't care.

She picked up her scattered clothes and dressed herself.

When Leo returned to the room, Clara was fully dressed.

Looking at his stern, handsome features and remembering Bianca’s mention of his poor background, she pulled a stack of cash from her bag.

She handed it to him. "We're even now. Let's not bother each other again."

Leo sat on the sofa, his long legs crossed. His gaze was cold and authoritative. "What do you take me for? A gigolo?"

Clara stuffed the money into his palm. "Ten thousand. That should cover one night, right?"

Looking at the woman who had turned cold and heartless the moment she put her dress back on, Leo reached out and pulled her directly into his lap.

He gripped her chin and kissed her forcefully and fiercely.

This time, he didn't hold back.

Clara lay on the sofa, drenched in sweat.

Her makeup was completely ruined.

She glared indignantly at the man buckling his belt and threw a sofa cushion at him.

He didn't dodge.

He caught the cushion and placed it back on the sofa.

Then, he took a stack of cash from his own wallet and placed it right next to her money.

"We're even. Don't worry, I won't bother you again."

Clara glared at him. "You’re a grown man. Is your heart really that petty?"

The man leaned down, tucked a damp strand of hair behind her ear, and whispered, "Goodbye."

Clara raised her foot and kicked him hard. "Good riddance!"

The man stared at her with a deep gaze for a few seconds before turning and striding away.

Hearing the door close, Clara was fuming.

That last time, he had been so wild and rough, completely disregarding her comfort.

Bastard!

Animal!

She hoped she would never see him again!

Clara went into the bathroom and stood under the shower.

Seeing the marks on her body, she couldn't help but curse under her breath.

Was he some kind of starved ghost in his past life?

After her shower, she rested in the room for a while.

The doorbell rang.

A delivery man handed her a bag.

"Ma'am, a Mr. Sterling ordered this for you."

Clara took the bag inside.

It contained food and a tube of ointment.

Seeing the purpose of the ointment, Clara’s ears turned bright red.

That rough man actually knew how to buy something like this?

At least he had a shred of conscience!