Present-day, after the Auction,

“What are you planning, de Jesus?” The sound of her stilettos echoed on the plaquette floor of his apartment. The same apartment she’d seen three years ago. No visible changes as she recollects her memories from that fateful night. “Your madness is unquestionable. You are like my dad. Billions for me and the necklace?” Her feet brought Jade to the familiar bookshelf. She gets the book she’d scan the last time; Pride and Prejudice written by Jane Austen.

The journey to Greg’s apartment was torturous. They hadn’t talked inside the car since that little stint back at the hotel. Jade was aware of the tension enveloped between them. She didn’t pretend everything was normal because it’s not. Her blood boils as she felt trapped, trapped that planning to escape is futile.

And here she was, back at where their history begin.

Greg let himself stared at the cold stature of the known fashion designer he’d obtain from the auction together with the emerald necklace. He had no intention to join the craze. Never intended to let himself be known to her and yet he’d surprised everybody even himself to bid not just million but a 100 billion pesos for the pair. He just can’t let Faustino Imperial lay a finger on her. Something dark had raised inside him, he’s seeing red at that moment.

He’d done his best to forget everything about this prudish heiress. But the circumstances won’t let him. And despite his resilience, she was suffocating him with emotions hard to handle. He was holding back all this time. And maybe it’s time...

Three years...

He didn’t like the memento that from the moment he met her that fateful night he’s never the same man again. He never encouraged any woman to stay overnight in the hotel room. Never bring any woman to his apartment before...

He broke those rules.

For this woman clad in gown burnt of red color and silk. Looped around the neck, and strapless on both sides, it’s bareback showing off that sexy back from the base of the neck till her waist. Sides of her breasts are visible and one legged peeped out of high-thigh slit.

She was wearing nothing that he hadn’t already seen. He’d seen far less. But Greg had to battle the strong urge to ravish this woman. He removed his coat and toss it to the sofa before he made his way to the bar counter to get some drinks.

“A small bird said that the necklace was a Velez heirloom,” she heard liquid pouring nearby. Jade looks back and saw Greg helping himself with a glass of brandy. He's wearing his white polo with sleeves folded up to his elbows less the expensive coat. “I just bought something special for you. Aren’t you thankful for that?”

“And should I buy that?” Jade said, glaring back at him in irritation. “How generous of you to do that? If you’re waiting for my heartwarming ‘thank you’ then dream on, de Jesus. Dream on!” She put back the book and stomp her way to sit on one of the sofas, fully aware of Greg’s stare on her. Felt a little terrified and wasn’t sure why she’d gone with this man. She sat there like a regal queen, flared and sophisticated on that red halter, evening gown.

His smile was arrogant, irritatingly confident. He sat on the barstool next. “Now, we’re back to square one? Have I told you, mi querida, that princess act prudish and shy not a tigress with smart ass tongue?”

Her cheeks fired with heat and she clenched her fist. “You’re absolutely making fun of me.”

“Of course not, it’s been a long time, Ann,” he took a swig of his brandy while staring at the woman in red, eyes scanned her appreciatively from head to toe. “Three years? Three years and look at you? You’ve made your name to the fashion industry. Should we call this as a late celebratory party for your success?”

She looked into his eyes, puzzled, and also felt chilled to the bone. He had always been a stranger, she reminded herself. Just because they had sex doesn’t prove anything other than that he was very good at sex.

God! Now why she’s talking about how this man is good about sex?

Jade frowned, stood up, and clutching her bag. “Coming with you is a mistake. You can have the necklace, but I can’t possibly stay with you nor stay in this kind of agreement. This is ridiculous! Now if you excuse me, Mister...” his smile faded. He gritted his jaw against the newly uncontrolled libido.

Oh no! Not so easy, mi querida...

Greg put down his drink, stood up, and walked over her. He saw her cheeks flush as he got nearer. His blood leaped in response. She looked nervous, wasn’t half confident as she was letting on. He touched her jaw and saw her mouth firm as if warding his effect on her.

“You’re missing the point here, mi querida. You are practically sold to me. And you’re not allowed to leave this apartment without my permission or meet any of the boyfriends at the side.” His mouth was a grim line. No, he can’t let this woman leave him as she’d done before.

Fire filled Jade’s body, she nudges his hand and said flatly. “Try me.” She challenged.

He came up closer and hovered over her, feeling that familiar rush of desire when he looked at her body up to her face. Her mouth was enticing him more than ever. “Then let’s try it.” Greg grabbed her and she struggled to his embrace, trying to get free. He lifted her, throw her over his shoulder, and take her upstairs.

~*~

“Put me down this instant!” she squeals like a kid, all kicking and pounding.

“Not gonna happen,” Greg opened the door of his room and drop her on the bed. Jade tried to escape but he immediately pinned her to the soft mattress, hands held above her head. His thighs kept her legs in place, still resisting but... “Keep on moving your legs, baby, and something will come alive.”

She stopped, but her eyes flared in fury. “You can’t fuck your way out of this, de Jesus! Hmmp!” Greg crushed his lips on that sassy mouth in a bruising passionate kiss, wanting to punish her for something he wasn’t sure of.

As if something was holding her back, she fights to respond but Greg used every skill in his arsenal to make her respond and when she did, his blood ignited.

Their kisses become desperate; teeth nipping, biting, holding him to her as they raced together, hearts beating in unison.

Greg struggles to drag himself away but he had to. It was so good. He couldn’t feel civilized staring to her with that unruly gown, eyes go huge, pupils dilated and mouth swollen to his kisses. “I can tell you miss me.”

“No,” She tried to pull away but Greg only dragged her closer. Embarrassment washed over her.

“No? Maybe I should try harder then,” he covered her mouth once more. She moaned softly into his mouth and shuddered. The kiss became far more passionate; gentle and soft and she was drowning to the sweet sensation. Her body defied her, responding so willingly to his kisses and caress.

She was spinning with need. “This is wrong. I should hate you,” she said breathlessly against his mouth. “I hate you...”

“No, you don’t hate me, mi querida,” Greg slid his hand at the side of her gown, found her left breast and caressed it, letting that pert tip stiffen against his palm. Jade closed her eyes while his caresses continued. He drops kisses to her jaw, her cheeks, and the side of her lips. “You actually love it. Let me give you what you want...” He had a satisfied smile on his face as he looked like her, realized he’d longed for this moment to happen.

Jade shook her head, refusing the idea but can’t deny the need his touches unveiled inside her. She recovered her wits and felt anger rising at his arrogance. “Two can play this game, de Jesus. And I’m certain I won’t lose.” Her eyes fired with determination. She won’t let this man have his way on her. Not anymore.

“Prove it, Ann,” it was primal, urgent request. He loosens his grip, eyes challenging hers. “I’d like to see you try this time. Make me lose.”

Didn’t waste time any longer, Jade grabbed Greg’s head and pulled his mouth down to hers. Their mouths opened and their tongues lashed while their aroused bodies strained against each other. Her tongue speared into his mouth deeper, tasting every corner of it, mimicking the way he ravished her mouth earlier. And so did Greg. It was as if the kisses are more important than breathing. They battle for dominance and seems both of them are drowning to the sensation that washed over them, consuming them.

“I need to remove this,” he said as he stripped her gown over her body. She got no bra to hold her lovely breasts and as exposed to his avid gaze. His hands went to her waist and shove her pantyhose and panty down. As he did, he felt passion once more, much stronger than before.

Completely naked, Jade felt exposed again. The chill air wasn’t able to cool her. She was on fire. But right now, she was useless. She’s at his mercy no matter how she denies that very fact.

Greg’s hands began to move on her skin, feeling those delicious curves and onto the lush bottom. He missed this, the feeling of her skin against the palm of his hands. She was a woman and she was his.

Thrilled, aroused, and in a hurry, they continued to drive each other wilder in need. He bent his head and took one of her breasts into his mouth. He began to suckle the turgid nipple while he rolled the other between his fingers. He kept that for a while, giving fair attention to both lovely pert breasts, loving the soft moans and feeling tremors of delight sweeping through her.

She craves the pleasure, the sensation of being touched. God! It’s been three long years and finally...

Her hips were already grinding on his hard bulge, still constrained by his trousers. Feeling frustrated, Jade reached down but Greg stopped her.

“Let me and just lay back,” He said and stood up, and started undoing his polo.

Jade’s mouth went dry at seeing his torso revealed bit by bit. She bit her lower lips as she met his eyes glint mischief. He’s a tease.

He was stunning. His body was incredible. Beautifully muscled. His chest is made of all hard lines, firm muscles and smooth tanned skin. Her eyes went down to the trail of dark hair that started beneath his belly button and disappeared into his trousers. Jade had to clenched her hands to stop herself from reaching out to undo that button. Jesus! Now she sounded so impatient.

Now, where’s the Jade who wanted out of his apartment earlier?

She gulped when she saw the bulge pushing insistently against his trousers.

“Keep looking like that and I’m taking you now, hard and fast...” he said throatily.

Her eyes snapped up, face hot as he stared at her with that heavy-lidded gaze. His eyes worked it’s way down her body and she shivered. He unfastens that button and then pushed his trousers down, taking his underwear with it.

And her eyes widened like the first time…

~*~

Jade open her legs as Greg loomed forward, passion mingling together till it was one big circle of lust. Their mouths worked against each other, hands running over their heated bodies until they were grinding their sexes together. His naked arousal slid along the folds of where she ached the most.

“I need you now, Ann,” she moaned, his words driving him insane with desire. She felt his erection pushing against her, causing a delicious burn. Jade throw her head back as pleasure coursed through her with every inch she took. She didn’t move as her body adjusted to its size, feeling so full like it’s first.

Their mingled breaths were harsh in the quiet space.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

Jade was speechless, so do Greg for a moment. But she nodded. She’s more than okay. She felt whole again, joined to him like this. Soon Greg started to move with slow, deliberate thrust and when she get accustomed he increased the strength and power. The tempo change, it becomes more desperate.

He gave her encouragement, telling her how beautiful she was and how good he felt inside her that makes her wilder. They were both so turned on that they reached their mutual completion in minutes. She sags underneath him afterward, her mind was a blissful blank of nothingness.

“Sleep, for now, mi querida. We’ll talk tomorrow,” Greg planted a feather kiss to her temple then lay beside her. He covered their bodies with comforter then he wrapped his arms around her before succumbing to sleep.