Chapter 9 Strip

There was total silence till they arrived at the penthouse. They got down and went inside. Aria has been here twice,but the luxury still impressed her.

Maverick locked the door after her, Aria sat down nervously.

"Was that your first kiss?" he suddenly asked, and she looked away shyly.

The silence spoke volumes.

"Don't answer if you don't want to" Maverick said.

"Yes, that was my first kiss" she finally said as his eyes shot up in surprise.

"Really?"

"Yes"

"I met you as a virgin, too" he said and Aria picked her fingers shyly.

"You're twenty-five, beautiful, intelligent...and untouched, wow" Maverick said and Aria blushed slightly.

"What are you implying?"

"No boyfriend? No relationships?"

Aria's lips pressed together. "None of your business," she replied.

"I'm making it my business," he said.

"It's not in the contract"

"Keep it to yourself then"

"I had a boyfriend when I was 16 at the orphanage"

"A boyfriend at 16?"he asked and she nodded.

"What happened?"

"He left the orphanage, a rich family came to adopt him"

"And you never...reconnected?" Aria shook her head.

"Never saw him again"

"Then what? No one caught your eye?"

Aria shrugged."Focused on studies, then work"

"Unbelievable"

Aria raised an eyebrow."What's unbelievable?"

"You, untouched and unexplored"

"Oh please"

"I've been thinking," he said.

"About?"

"Our arrangement"

"What about it?"

"I'd like to break one of the rules tonight"

"Which one?"

Maverick looked at her"Marital duties"

"You know we are supposed to follow schedule," she reminded him.

"I just can't wait until Tuesday."

"Besides we have Sunday--"

"I know," Maverick interrupted.

"But I want you now"he said and Aria's lips parted.

"Maverick, we agreed-"

"I know what we agreed," he said.

"Tonight, I want to make love to you" he said and Aria's eyes widened,she didn't prepare for this.

"Ever heard of chain play?" he asked and Aria frowned, looking confused.

She shook her head. "No"

"You'll know tonight," he whispered.

"Strip"

"Strip? You want me to strip?"

"Of course babe"

"What do you take me for, some kind of showgirl or stripper?"

Maverick chuckled. "No, Aria. I just want to see you."

"I'm your wife and not some sluts you carry, you can't just tell me to strip in that tone"

"Aria, don't make this complicated"

"Complicated? You're the one making it complicated. Our arrangement was clear, right? marriage, not prostitution"

"That's not what I'm demanding for!"

"Then what's the issue? Because from what is going on right now, you want me to perform as a showgirl for you"

Maverick's jaw dropped. "You're pushing boundaries, Aria"

"And you're pushing mine. I thought we had an understanding"

"I don't know what 'chain play' is, and frankly, I don't want to know. We had an agreement, Maverick. No sex until Tuesday"

"You're still stuck on that?"

"Yes, I am. We both agreed on the designated day so don't change it"

"You've really grown some wings, haven't you, Aria? Thinking you can defy me?"

"I'm just holding you to our agreement," she said solemnly.

Maverick smirked. "So, you think you are smart, don't you? Anyways, let me tell you something, Aria. Those wings you think you've grown? I'm going to clip them. Very soon"

After saying that, he turned and walked out of the penthouse, leaving Aria feeling uneasy.

He got into his black luxurious car and drove to an exclusive club within the town.

Maverick parked in the club's VIP parking lot and stepped out of his luxurious car. As he walked in, the bouncer nods in recognition.

His appearance commanded attention as he walked in. He settled into a private VIP section, ordering a whiskey from the waitress.

As he took a sip of his drink, a lady with piercing green eyes and bouncy hair came over. Her skintight dress revealing all her curves.

"Hmmmm....Well, well, well. Look who we have here" she said, seating very close to him. "All alone and looking so deliciously brooding"

Maverick wrinkled an eyebrow. "I'm Just here, enjoying the view and cool music"

The lady chuckled, her hand massaging his thigh.

"What do you think, I can improve the view," she said.

Maverick gave a fake smile as he withdrew her hand from his thighs. "So, why are you here tonight?"

"Just looking for some excitement. And I think I just stumbled on it" She said, caressing his thigh, her touch sending shivers down his spine.

"Excitement, oh really? Let's see how it goes."

Without hesitation, she slid down, her lips tracing his chest and abdomen.

Maverick's heart skipped a beat as she reached her destination.

The lady's professional hands slipped into his boxer, freeing his erection and Maverick's eyes closed.

Her warm breath was felt across his skin as she took him in her mouth.

The lady's moans activated his erection, intensifying the sensation. Maverick's fingers were caught in her bouncy hair, directing her rhythm.

But amidst the pleasure, his mind drifted to Aria.

"Let's take this to the next level" she said and Maverick's eyes fluttered open.

But instead of agreement, He pulled away, his breathing ragged.

"I'm Sorry" he muttered, adjusting his zip stand and belt.

"Are you okay?"she asked but Maverick didn't answer. He grabbed his car keys and stood up.

"I need to go" Without hesitation, he left the club.

The night cool breeze cleared his head as he drove back to the penthouse.

Finally, he arrived home, it was silent as that of a graveyard as he stepped in. Aria was already asleep, sleeping like a baby on the soft bed.

Maverick stood beside the bed, looking at her.

Why the guilt? He has done this countless times before.

Why did it feel so wrong now?

With a heavy sigh, he entered the bathroom.

Kaden was at the bar, his gaze fixed on his phone while waiting for the waitress to take his order and just then a soft gentle voice broke the silence.

"Hello Sir, What can I get you tonight?" The voice asked and Kaden looked up immediately.

Standing before him was a vision of loveliness, her light green eyes shining like crystals. Her burgundy hair is packed in a ponytail.

Kaden's breath caught.

He forgot about his phone in his hand

All he saw was her.

"Welcome to 'The Red Door Tavern'. I'm Maria. What can I get you tonight?"

Kaden's face warmed as he struggled to compose himself.

"Uh, b-beer. Whatever's good" he managed, his eyes still fixed on hers.

"Coming right up"

Kaden shrugged, his gaze still fixed on her.

Maria giggled and headed to the bar to get Kaden's order, her ponytail swinging with each step.

She returned with his beer and a warm smile.

"Here you go. Enjoy your drink to the fullest" she said, setting the glass in front of him.

Kaden appreciates her for the nice customer service, their fingers touching briefly as he took the glass.

"So, tell me Maria, how long have you worked here?"he asked as he took a sip of his drink.

"About six months now. I love it. The regulars are great"

Kaden smiled. "I can see why. You're welcoming" he said, and she looked away, smiling.

"So, what's your favorite part of the job?" Kaden asked.

"Meeting new people, hearing their stories. You'd be surprised what people share with their bartender"

Kaden chuckled. "I can imagine"

"Maria, what's going on here?" her boss, Rachel, came into the scene, arms crossed.

"Just taking care of this customer, ma'am" Maria replied.

Rachel's gaze shifted to Kaden, her expression transforming.

"Kaden Green, the second son of the influential Green family. You should be rolling out the red carpet, not just chatting with him casually"

Maria's eyes widened. "I didn't know."

"Exactly. That's the problem. You shouldn't need to know. You should treat every customer like royalty especially people like him"

Maria nodded hastily. "I'll make it right, ma'am"

Rachel nodded. "See what you do. Offer Mr. Green our finest whiskey, on the house"

Maria made to leave to fulfill Rachel's instructions but Kaden stopped her.

Kaden stood up, pulling out his wallet. "No need for the whiskey, thank you. I'll be leaving"

"Very well, Mr. Green"Rachel said smiling, Kaden's visit to her bar has already made her day.

Kaden turned to Maria. "Thank you for the conversation. May I have your number?"

Maria paused for a second, staring at Rachel before shaking her head. "I'm sorry, I don't give out my number to customers"

Kaden wrinkled an eyebrow but nodded. "Understood. Goodnight"

He paid and left the bar, heading to his sport car outside when his phone buzzed.

*Meet us at the warehouse at midnight. The Phoenix is waiting.

He read the message and then he pocketed his phone,before getting into his car.