Chapter 8 Not in the Mood

"Where have you been? Coming home so late?" Zachary murmured, his voice low.

He was naked, his chest radiating heat as his strong arms held her in a grip she couldn't escape.

"I visited my family," she answered simply.

Zachary exhaled deeply, burying his face in the curve of her neck, holding her tightly against him.

"Mr. Jennings, you shouldn't be here." Quinley sighed.

This lingering attachment would only hurt them both.

Zachary didn't respond. One arm encircled her neck while his other hand slid down her stomach, exploring lower.

His rough fingertips sent electric currents wherever they touched.

He knew her body's secret code, exactly how to unlock her desire.

Before, she would have surrendered completely to him. Through clouds or mist, water or fire—wherever he led, she would follow.

But now—

"Mr. Jennings, no!" Quinley grasped his hand firmly, her resistance determined.

"Why not?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.

He'd never forced himself on her. Sensing her genuine resistance, he released her.

"You're engaged to Ms. Davis. Coming here is inappropriate."

She stated the simple truth, though Zachary clearly didn't want to hear it.

He leaned against the headboard and lit a cigarette. In the darkness, the ember glowed bright red as he inhaled deeply.

"Jealous?" he asked, deliberately missing the point.

"No."

"Then what is it?" He took another drag, pressing for an answer.

"I don't want to be the other woman." Her voice was quiet but firm.

For three years, she'd been his shadow companion, hidden from public view. It wasn't dignified, but at least when they were both single, she wasn't debasing herself.

Now, with his engagement, continuing their relationship would mean self-degradation.

"What do you want, then?" Zachary's intense gaze fixed on her.

What did she want? What difference would it make?

"To separate. No more entanglement."

Her answer was unequivocal.

Zachary finished his cigarette and got out of bed. He dressed himself completely and walked toward the door.

As he passed her, he suddenly stopped, gripping her chin with one hand and kissing her fiercely.

The clean scent of tobacco mingled with his unique masculine aroma filled her senses. His kiss was domineering yet desperate, passionate yet sorrowful.

But he released her quickly.

In the darkness, his tall figure moved toward the exit with long strides, cutting an imposing silhouette.

The door closed behind him. He didn't look back.

Quinley leaned against the door for a long time, her heart painfully constricted.

Surely this time she and Zachary had reached a final understanding. They would have no further contact.

This was the outcome she'd sought, yet she felt no relief.

Later, she found her way to bed in the darkness. The sheets still smelled like him.

Though exhausted, sleep eluded her. Only when dawn broke and his scent finally dissipated did slumber claim her.

She slept until late afternoon. When she checked her phone, she found several unread messages.

One was from Alicia: [Ms. Elikin, join me for dinner tonight. I'd like to introduce you to someone.]

Alicia's swift action caught Quinley off guard. Her intention wasn't to find Quinley a boyfriend but to prevent any deepening relationship between her and Zachary.

Refusing would only increase suspicion.

[I'd love to. Thank you for thinking of me,] Quinley replied.

Alicia quickly sent the time and location.

Quinley didn't dress up particularly, choosing only a slightly brighter dress than usual. Light makeup, no jewelry—deliberately understated.

At 6:30 PM, she arrived at the restaurant. Alicia was already there, as elegantly dressed as ever, waving to her from across the room.

"Ms. Elikin, over here!"

Quinley approached and saw a man sitting across from Alicia. He appeared no taller than 5'7", but easily weighed over 170 pounds.

Alicia stood and guided Quinley to the seat beside her.

"Percy, this is Quinley Elikin I've been telling you about. She's kind-hearted and extremely capable. I've gone to the trouble of introducing you two, so don't disappoint me!"

Percy Thomas raised his languid eyes to appraise Quinley.

"This is her?" His tone was dismissive.

"Mr. Thomas's family is in construction materials. They're wealthy, and he's the only son. You should seize this opportunity," Alicia whispered in Quinley's ear, patting her hand encouragingly.

Obediently, Quinley smiled and greeted him. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Thomas."

Percy looked at her with undisguised disdain. Compared to Alicia, she seemed entirely ordinary to him.

He clearly wasn't impressed and made no effort to hide it.

"Have you dated before, Ms. Elikin?" His first question was surprisingly direct.

"Yes," Quinley answered with a mild smile.

Percy's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "How serious was it?"

An even more pointed question.

Quinley was no innocent. During Zachary's pre-CEO years, she had accompanied him on numerous projects.

She'd encountered people like Percy before—arrogant, rude—and had developed strategies for handling them.

But tonight was different. With Alicia present, and Percy being her introduction, Quinley needed to restrain her natural responses.

So she sat demurely, holding her water glass, taking small sips without answering.

Alicia gave Percy a reproachful look. "You're scaring Ms. Elikin! Is this how you speak to someone you've just met?"

She feigned annoyance, seemingly defending Quinley.

"Ms. Elikin, please don't mind him. Mr. Thomas is rather straightforward—he prefers direct communication."

Quinley nodded slightly.

The dinner was awkward. Alicia persistently tried to match Quinley with Percy, who maintained his haughty demeanor throughout, exuding entitlement and wealth.

Quinley played her part—modest, well-mannered, and reserved.

By the time dinner ended, it was nearly nine. Alicia received a phone call about an urgent matter and left, abandoning Quinley to continued awkward conversation with Percy.

Once alone, he became even more unrestrained.

"Are you still a virgin?" he asked, leaning back in his chair, picking his teeth with a toothpick while staring blatantly at her chest.

The question was deliberately offensive.

"I'm guessing you still are," Quinley replied with a mischievous smile.

Her implication was clear, but his comprehension was too limited to catch her meaning.

"Well, are you or are you not?" he demanded.

"You seem certain about yourself," she countered, refusing to follow his conversational lead.

Her unexpected responses clearly irritated him. Percy's questions went unanswered, while her comments seemed designed to provoke him.

Finally, he exploded.

"I don't wear secondhand shoes. If you think I'm picking up discarded goods, forget it."

His words were harsh and crude.

Quinley wasn't sure if he was testing her on his own initiative or at Alicia's behest.

While he lost his composure, she remained perfectly calm.

Resting her chin on her hand, Quinley studied Percy for a long moment. "Mr. Thomas, how tall are you?"

"What about it? You're barely half an inch taller than me! I may only be 5'6", but my business is taller than the Mount Everest!"

Percy's arrogance was revealing. Clearly, his height was a sensitive issue.

Quinley pressed on, "And you weigh more than 170 pounds, correct?"

"Calling me fat? I'm robust, not overweight. Look at your skinny arms and legs—you're clearly undernourished."

Percy's plump face flushed red, the fat under his chin quivering with indignation. Quinley couldn't help but laugh.

His expression darkened further. "What's so funny?"

Quinley covered her mouth, trying to suppress her laughter. When she finally composed herself, she asked casually, "Would you mind sharing your... well, length or girth?"

She asked without a trace of embarrassment, her eyes wide with mock curiosity as she stared at Percy.

He had likely never encountered such a shameless woman, one who would joke about a man's pride.

"You—" He rose angrily, pointing a trembling finger at her.

"Oh, you mean it's like your finger," Quinley gestured at his little finger, then murmured, "That's a child's size."

Before he could respond, she held up her thumb.

"Or maybe like this?"

There could be no greater humiliation for a man.

Quinley smiled with feigned innocence.

In this battle of wits, Percy was clearly outmatched.

Still, he refused to concede gracefully. As he left, he hissed through clenched teeth, "You'll regret this."