Chapter 1 Burning passion

Camila's POV:

Presenting Aphrodisiac.

A meal, beverage, or substance that arouses intense sexual desire.

Does eating, or simply the act of eating, have the power to make someone feel romantic?

Yes, but not in the sense that one might expect.

Food can evoke a burning passion by suggesting sex to the mind; however, it has not been shown to stimulate the sex organs. The body and brain have a strong bond. Frequently, our thoughts deceive us by turning on a switch that shouldn't be there.

He flicked on a switch I had no idea existed.

Whispers of the devil.

Mischievous ice blues.

Soft touches.

Enticing aroma.

Well-chosen words.

He made me want more and left my mouth watering.

I exhale in relief as I pull my faded red Honda into the parking lot. Finally, after fifteen minutes of hardships, a few sympathetic glances, and strangers shaking their heads. My car was able to be parallel parked. I can't remember how long I spent forwarding, reversing, and forwarding, and guess what? In reverse.

In the past, I made every effort to stay away from downtown because of the scarcity of parking spaces and the exorbitant parking fees. Today, though, I needed a change of pace.

I picked up my expensive hot cup of coffee and headed for the river. How wealthy people can live with themselves knowing that they are charging five dollars for a little cup of coffee is simply beyond me. However, I can't hold it against them; I am too lazy to prepare it at home, so I decided to go to their franchise and use my debit card to meet my needs. On the back of my shelf are two coffee makers that are gathering dust.

I took out my earbuds and sat down on the damp park bench, letting the sound of music soothe me. I let out a long breath and looked around. Nothing was altered. Over there, the elderly man is still alive. Young high school boys are still being observed by the cougar lady there. Here, kids continue to play unattended by their parents.

Once more, here I am. About a month ago, I had a nervous breakdown about my college graduation and came to this park. I still don't know what to do with my life after five long, cruel, and costly years.

I sometimes think college is a fraud. I can relate to anyone who has gone through or is going through the intense life of a college student.

After a semester, students rush to arrange the perfect class schedule or just enroll in the simplest professor they can find, hoping that a D will suddenly turn into a B, planning trips they can't afford but want to take, and patching up several distant relationships.

There is no assurance of employment, even as graduation draws near. After escaping one inferno, we enter maturity, a different kind of hell. Endless applications to different jobs, many of which aren't even related to the degree's topic of study. Not to be forgotten are the amusing calls from loan sharks asking for money without realizing that other bills must be paid. They use the word "prioritize" to indicate which bill is more crucial.

We can all be summed up in one word: stress.

I don't know if it's the chilly, rainy weather or the bright sun piercing my eyes, but every second that went by brought out more and more of my bitter personality. I realized that adulthood fucking sucks and the high school system is one big ole scam.

To help me relax, I've started going here almost every afternoon. I was interrupted from my emotional tirade by the sight of two figures approaching me as I was still listening to music and staring at an unknown object.

A dirty blonde was the first guy. He was dressed in grey sweatpants and a black t-shirt that accentuated his biceps. I can see he was a tall man, perhaps six feet or more, even when seated. He had fair, tanned skin. He was very attractive.

However, I couldn't help but notice the man next to him because of his strikingly familiar aura. The man jogging next to him was a little shorter than he was. His smooth tan skin and orbs are hidden by his messy, light brown hair. It was a white T-shirt that fit his body well.

They are so sexy that it ought to be against the law. However, one thing keeps coming to mind: how are they not freezing amid January? My bottom began to become numb as I scooted up into the bench and realized I was sitting in chilly water.

My jeans are presently wet from the cold water I'm sitting in. The fact that I always have a pair of sweatpants in the back of my car makes me happy.

Icy blues, his eyes suddenly met mine like an inevitable bullet.

It seemed as though the entire universe stopped at that improbable moment. His lips curled upward, nearly, but not quite, into a smile. With brutal strength, his massive chest rose, flexed, and fell, heated breath mingling with the icy air. A subtle tint of vermilion is coloring the high cheekbones. The perspiration on his cheeks gets more noticeable as it moves down his neck and blends with his shirt collar.

My entire body is screaming for me to jump him, and I can hear it. Which, as a possible rapist, may get me a great night in jail. The title, "short stump of a female jumps divine treasure," is visible to me now.

I therefore performed what I consider normal. I clapped my hand over my foolish eyes as if there were something inside.

As my right leg begins to shake violently, I can feel the blood surge to my face. I pretend to text someone while I'm staring at my phone. As they walk past me, I catch the strange scent of apples and sweat.

I look up and see that everyone is looking at them with wonder. They are, of course. They are just stunning.

I had to give a little snort. It doesn't bother me to be behind him. Marking my territory by clawing on his wide back and screaming his name.

However, they are the deadliest adversaries of women since they may easily break our hearts. I like that my heart is intact.

I am aware that they are the kind of guys who will never notice me since I am as invisible as the air. I'm below the air, wait. To breathe, they require air.

Naturally, I would never talk to them or even be close to them. My lover cherishes and loves me. Checking them out, though, doesn't hurt. I'm not cheating on my partner. I can't help but smirk as I begin to gaze at their incredibly attractive ass.

I am but human, after all.

I decided to return to the park the following day. I need this because I failed my chemistry exam. I quietly curse God for not endowing me with a photographic memory as I gaze up at the gloomy sky. However, it isn't their fault; I probably need to have done my homework beforehand.

After taking a deep breath, I put on my headphones and sat down at my regular stop. I picked a song at random from my playlist and fell asleep. When I observed a towering man coming toward me, my brows furrowed. As I put on my spectacles, I noticed a beautiful sore.

Icy blue eyes.

He's here, but why?

His hands were jammed into the pockets of his black sweatpants as he stood before me. He traced the tip of his tongue over his dry, peeling lips, moistening them and biting lightly.

A few times, he clears his throat and says, "Hi."