From Betrayal To Bed

"No!" The word ripped from Nora’s throat. The shock hit her knees, nearly sending her crashing into the carpet of the law office. Sasha was six months pregnant. Nora and Bryce had only finalized their divorce three months ago. The math was simple and sickening.

She stared at Sasha, the betrayal stabbing directly at her chest. "You were supposed to be my best friend. How could you do this to me?"

"Do not shout at her," Bryce snapped. His hand slid possessively to rest on the curve of Sasha's waist. "It is not her fault that you failed to take care of me in bed. A man has needs, Nora."

"I did everything for you!" Nora yelled, refusing to let the hot tears spill over her eyelashes. "I filed for divorce because you cheated on me with half your staff. And now my best friend is your baby mama?"

"Fiancée," Sasha corrected. She lifted her left hand, catching the overhead fluorescent lights on a massive diamond ring. "Bryce proposed yesterday. I was going to tell you that too."

Nora’s stomach twisted into a tight, agonizing knot. Her knees buckled for a second. She grabbed the edge of the heavy mahogany conference table to support her weight. "You both... how?"

"We owe you zero explanations," Bryce said. His tone turned to ice, devoid of any past affection. "Take the one million dollar settlement, or forget about getting a single dime from me. Make your choice." He turned to the lawyer sitting quietly at the head of the table. "This meeting is over. Thank you, Hugh." Bryce tightened his grip on Sasha. "Let us go, baby."

Together, they walked out the heavy oak door.

Nora collapsed into the leather chair. Her brain struggled to process the dual devastation. Her childhood best friend was not just carrying her ex-husband’s child—they were getting married.

Hugh closed his folder, the sharp snap breaking the silence. "I will give you five minutes to gather yourself, Miss Hayes," he said, standing up and leaving the room.

Nora had no memory of the cab ride back to her aunt’s house. She just remembered stumbling through the front door, grateful her aunt was away on a shift, and heading straight for the cramped bedroom she now rented. She shut the door, fell onto the twin mattress, and sobbed. Her chest heaved with raw, jagged breaths. Sasha had been her best friend since they were kids. Nora had genuinely considered dedicating her own time to help raise Sasha’s baby. The thought stung like acid now.

Her phone alarm blared from her purse. It was time for her shift at Jojo's Diner. She stared at the bright screen, wiping her swollen eyes. She could not face customers today. She typed a quick text to Gia, her manager, saying she was sick and could not make it.

Panic followed the sent text. She just lost a day's wages. She had no tangible income, and she could not survive on a waitress wage forever. Having walked away from Bryce's money, she needed a lifeline. Wiping her wet face, she scrolled to her brother’s contact and hit dial.

"Dane," she breathed when the line connected.

"What do you want? I thought I told you not to call me," Dane answered. His voice held zero warmth.

"Dane, please. I need your help," Nora pleaded, a sob breaking her sentence.

"I have nothing to do with you, Nora. I told you that before. When you walked away from this family for that idiot, I said that was the end."

The fresh pain of Bryce’s betrayal flared again. She had given up her family for him, only to be tossed aside. "I know. But I have nothing left, Dane. I made a terrible mistake. I need help," she whimpered into the receiver.

Heavy silence stretched over the line. "Fine. What do you want?"

"Money. Just enough to get my photography equipment back and restart my career," she said, scrubbing her eyes.

Dane hesitated. "Fine," he finally said. "But Dad cannot know. He would kill me."

"I will not tell him, I promise."

"Meet me at Oasis Bar in an hour."

"Oh, Dane, thank you. Thank you so much," she breathed out.

"Just make sure you look presentable," he replied, hanging up.

Nora stripped and stepped into a quick shower, letting the hot water calm her nerves. She could not dwell on Bryce and Sasha today. She needed to secure this money and move forward. She dug through her tiny closet and pulled out the only luxury item she kept—a black sheer gown. It clung tight to her curves. She brushed out her brown hair, applied light makeup, and left the house.

Oasis Bar buzzed with low bass music and dim neon lighting. Nora arrived ten minutes early, claimed a small table near the back, and ordered a drink. She checked her phone. No word from Dane. She scanned the crowded room, her heart racing. She had not gone out to a bar in years. Her marriage had isolated her, and the thought of navigating the single life terrified her.

"Hello."

The deep, rich voice came from her left. Nora turned her head. A man stood beside her table. He had sharp, striking features, a strong jawline, and piercing hazel eyes. His tailored black suit stretched over broad shoulders and a thick chest. His dark hair was slicked back, and a confident smile touched his lips.

"Do you speak?" he asked, amused by her silence.

Nora felt heat rush to her cheeks. She had been staring. "Sorry," she muttered.

"Mind if I join you?" He did not wait for her to answer. He pulled out the chair across from her and sat down. A faint scent of expensive cedar cologne washed over her, mixing with the glint of his diamond-studded watch.

"How are you?" he asked.

"I am waiting for someone," Nora blurted out. She looked away, flustered by his intense focus.

"Okay," he drawled. He raised a hand to signal the waiter. "I am waiting for someone too. I thought you could use some company in the meantime."

"Thank you, but I am good," she said. Her skin felt too warm. She shifted in her seat, suddenly hyper-aware of the heat pulsing between her legs. Why was she reacting to a random guy? Bryce had just shattered her life hours ago.

The man frowned, making no effort to hide his disappointment. "Fine."

A waiter dropped off his drink. Nora’s phone buzzed on the table. She snatched it up. A text from Dane. *Can't make it. Figure it out yourself.*

Her chest hollowed out. Tears threatened to spill over her lower lashes. She typed furiously, begging him, asking when they could meet again. She told him she had zero options left. Delivered. Read. No response.

The man across the table watched her face fall. "Are you okay? What is wrong?"

"Nothing... I am... I..." Nora stammered. She grabbed her purse and started to stand up.

He reached across the table and wrapped his large hand around her wrist. A jolt of electricity shot up her arm. "You cannot go out like this. Sit down. Take a breath."

His voice held a warm, compelling authority. Nora sank back into her seat. He signaled the waiter again and pointed at her glass. "Bring her another."

He looked back at her. "Drink up. It helps."

The alcohol did its job. By the time she finished her second glass, the tight knot of anxiety in her chest had loosened.

"Thank you, Mr..."

"Roman," he smiled. He leaned forward. His knee brushed against her thigh under the small table. Fire sparked across her skin. "What is your name?"

"Nora," she whispered.

"Nora," he repeated softly. "Who were you waiting for?"

She took another sip, letting the gin numb the sting of Dane’s absence. "My brother."

"What made you so sad?"

Maybe it was the deep timber of his voice. Maybe it was the alcohol. Nora opened her mouth and everything poured out. She told Roman about the divorce, the six-month pregnancy, Sasha's betrayal, her pawned cameras, and her lost photography dreams. Roman listened. He held her gaze, nodding, his hazel eyes dark and focused. They talked for another hour. They drank, and somehow, Roman made her laugh.

Nora looked at his mouth. She acted before her brain could stop her. She leaned across the small table, grabbed the lapels of his suit jacket, and pressed her lips against his.

She pulled back a second later, gasping. "Sorry. I am embarrassed."

Roman did not say a word. He stood up, grabbed her waist, and hauled her against his chest. He kissed her hard. His tongue parted her lips, sweeping into her mouth. "Let us get out of here."

"Yes," Nora nodded. She let the alcohol and the blind desire take the wheel.

They stumbled out of the elevator and down the hallway of the luxury hotel, laughing and kissing. Roman keyed open the door. They tumbled inside. He kicked the door shut and pinned her back against the wall. He could not keep his hands off her.

"I... I have not done this in a long time," Nora confessed softly. Her hands fumbled with the buttons of his shirt. It had only been Bryce for more than a year.

"I will be gentle," Roman promised. He dipped his head and kissed the side of her neck, biting down on her pulse point.

Nora relaxed into his touch, surrendering to the heat. Roman gripped the straps of her black sheer gown and slid them down her shoulders. The dress fell to the floor. Nora stood before him in just a pair of panties.

Roman stripped off his shirt and trousers in rapid motions. His chest was broad and cut with hard muscle. He reached out and cupped her bare breasts, squeezing the soft flesh. His thumbs brushed over her hardening nipples. Nora gasped, arching her back. Roman took her pink nipple into his mouth, sucking hard, swirling his tongue over the peak.

Nora moaned out loud, tangling her fingers into his hair. She responded to him with desperate hunger, forgetting they had only met hours ago. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. He laid her down on the white sheets and dragged her panties down her legs. He unbuckled his belt and pushed down his boxers. His penis sprang free, thick, fully erect, and heavy.

Roman crawled over her. He spread her thighs wide apart, kneeling between them. He leaned down, pressing open kisses over her stomach, before moving lower. His mouth found her wet pussy. He parted her folds with his fingers and dragged his tongue flat over her clitoris.

Nora cried out, her hips jerking up off the mattress. He sucked on her clit, sliding two thick fingers deep into her vagina. She was soaking wet, slick and ready for him. The intense physical pleasure washed away every thought of the law office.

He pulled his fingers out, positioning himself over her. He pressed the thick head of his cock against her vaginal opening. He pushed his hips forward, sinking his penis deep inside her pussy in one smooth, long thrust. Nora gasped at the stretch. He filled her tight walls, pausing to let her body adjust to his size.

Then, he began to move. Roman pulled back and drove deep into her again. His movements were rhythmic and powerful. Flesh slapped against flesh, echoing loud in the quiet hotel room. Nora wrapped her legs around his waist, taking every inch of his cock. He thrust harder, faster, hitting her deep inside, grinding his pelvis against her swollen clitoris with every downward stroke.

Nora clawed at his back, moaning his name. Roman pumped into her with ruthless, sensual hunger, fucking her until she shattered into a blinding orgasm. Her wet pussy clenched tight around his thick cock. He gave one final, deep thrust, groaning loud as he emptied inside her. He collapsed onto her chest, drowning out the pain of Bryce's betrayal for the rest of the night.