Sin and I

Cheryl's pov

The night of conception.

One drink, one drink and I'll go right back home. I deserve the drink anyway.

I wrap my fingers around the doorknob of "Oaklyn's bar" and will myself to turn it.

"Come on Cheryl, you deserve this" I say to myself, hoping the guilt goes away, yet I stay rooted at my spot in front of the bar, Fingers wrapped around the doorknob. The ringing in my ear getting louder.

I look at my phone, no new messages.

I take in a deep breath and open the door. The bar is quite busy for a Tuesday night, nothing has changed since I last came here two years ago, maroon paint on the walls, tables that need to be changed and Vip section that's not actually Vip.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and walk to the bar, my palms not as sweaty, confidence rising in me.

I take a seat and order a martini, my favorite drink, I haven't had one since mum died.

Maybe another drink, I deserve it, I work really hard.

A third glass won't hurt, who knows when I'd go drinking again.

By my third glass I'm a bit tipsy, and that's when I feel it.

I glanced up from my drink, feeling a magnetic pull, and caught his gaze across the bar. He is striking, confidence radiating from him like heat.

My heart races as he smiles, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes. I pretend to focus on my glass, swirling the glass.

The thrill of being watched makes me feel alive. Each stolen glance between us ignites a spark, making the noise of the bar fade into a distant hum. For the first time in ages, I felt seen and desired, and I couldn't help but wonder what might unfold if he crossed the room.

It's very well-lit in the bar, and I can see him raise an eyebrow as if to ask a question; I hold his gaze For a few seconds, and then he looks away, Suddenly interested in the glass in front of him. I look away too, my interests has waned.

After this glass of martini, I will be sure to go home. This is the last glass I'll have.

I take a sip of my martini and close my eyes, I can feel an headache forming.

"It looks like you have an headache" a husky masculine voice says behind me.

I turn so fast I almost give myself whiplash and I spill a bit of my martini on the stranger.

It's the guy that was watching me.

I take in his expensive suit and almost facepalm myself.

"I'm so sorry, please send the dry cleaning bill to me, you startled me and I'm so sorry" I apologise profusely, attempting to use my hands to dry the area.

He chuckles. "It's fine, it's my fault, I didn't realise I'd startle you that much"

I suddenly realise how close we are, I'm looking up at him, my hands still on the wet spot on his stomach.

I gulp, I feel the hair on my arm stand.

He takes a seat beside me, ordering a whisky and another glass of martini for me, I want to tell him i don't want another glass, but I don't. I let him get me the drink. He has brown eyes, very dark brown eyes. As opposed to my blue eyes. My mother often said my eyes looked like skies themselves.

"You have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen" He's staring into my eyes as he says this, as if to read my soul.

I feel heat creep onto my cheeks and I know I'm the color of a tomato, great Cheryl, one compliment from a man you don't know and you turn red in the face.

I will myself to say "thank you" with a smile on my face, although this stranger is devilishly handsome I still don't know what to feel about him.

He looks satisfied with my reply and takes a sip of his whiskey.

"What is your name?" He asks me, I take note of his voice, husky, velvety, it makes my mouth dry.

I think of whether to use a fake name, but then the chances are ever seeing him again are very slim. So I decide to use my real name.

"My name is Cheryl" I say to him.

"Cheryl" He says back, as if testing my name on his tongue. I like how he says my name. I like how the letters seem to glide off his tongue. I like his husky voice and I imagine his voice whispering into my ear.

Bad thoughts, Cheryl. Quit those bad thoughts, I am not an overly sexual person.

I havent even had sex since mum passed away and before that I can count the number of times I have had sex, but there's something so captivating, enthralling, about the man in front of me. I look at his fingers, long and slender, no ring too. I imagine how they'd feel In me, I swallow, shake my head in an attempt to rid myself of the bad thoughts.

"Is there a problem Cheryl?" he asks me,his tone indicating amusement.

My mouth feels too dry to speak so I shake my head again.

"You didn't ask me my name" He cocks his head to one side and smiles slightly.

"Pardon me" my voice comes out as little above a squeak. "what's your name ?"

"Xavier" He extends his hand towards me and I take it. "Would you like to come with me to my hotel room enchanting Cheryl?"

I would never say "yes" to such a request. I have a good head on my shoulder, I know how dangerous, foolish and stupid saying "yes" is, I have never made a stupid decision in my life.

I open my mouth to say "no" but a "Yes" squeaks out instead.

What is he doing to me?

Cheryl's pov

His hotel room turns out to be a suite, I've never felt so uncomfortable in my life.

I keep touching the necklace I have on, something I do when I'm nervous.

"You seem uncomfortable, Cheryl",He says to me, handing me a glass of what I assume to be wine.

"I don't usually do this" I inform him.

He sits down opposite me and takes a sip of his drink. I take a sip of mine.

"Do what?" he asks.

"Follow strangers to their hotel room" I answer quickly, feeling the heat rise to my face.

"So, what made me so special?" he asks.

I shrug; Idon't have an answer for him; I don't even have an answer for myself.

"would you like to sit on the bed instead?" He asks.

I know where this is heading; I know what he wants; I can leave right now and laugh about how stupid I am, but instead, I take my glass to my mouth and drink it all; I was right; it is wine.

I set the glass on the little table between us and I nod my head.

He offers me his hand and I take it gracefully, he walks me to his king-size bed and I try not to stare at it in awe.

"You're so beautiful Cheryl" He's in front of me, lust shining through his eyes.

He looks at my eyes, then my lips and back to my eyes again.

I gulp, my throat dry.

He turns me to face the bed, and gently pushes me until I lie face down on the bed.

I panic a little as I can't see him, but I'm reassured when he starts to take my shoes off.

He removes my ballet flats slowly, as if wanting to savour every moment.

I close my eye wanting to savour every moment too, gone were my worries, gone were my morals and in their place sheer lust had taken over.

He moves up, his fingers massaging my toes, my ankles, moving all the way to my thighs.

I hold back a moan, God, what is he doing to me ?

My eyes are closed and I'm biting hard into my lower lip, enjoying his fingers on my body.

His hands are on my waist, he slips his fingers into my waistband and takes off my skirt slowly, Leaving me in my pink grandma's underwear.

Dammit, I should've worn something sexier, but how was I to know my sensible day at work will turn into a night of debauchery and sex.

He doesn't say anything about my underwear, thank God.

He raises my legs up and slides my underwear off my body, leaving me naked from the waist down.

"Turn around Cheryl" He says, his voice throaty and filled with lust.

I turn around and face him, I don't know when but at some time in all of these he had taken off his shirt.

His chest is well sculpted, he probably goes to the gym.

"Can I taste you Cheryl? Please?"

I nod, my heart beating too fast in my chest, my mind racing, too active to make real words.

He takes my legs and put them on his shoulder and then bends down.

I can feel his breath against me, I know he can see how wet I am, I'm sure he can hear how loud my heart is-

An unexpected moan comes out of my mouth as he kisses my clitoris.

He looks up at me and smiles, and then plunges his tongue in me.

I felt his warm breath on my skin, sending shivers down my spine. Strangers in every sense, yet our bodies seemed to know each other.

His touch ignited a fire within me, melting my inhibitions. I lost myself in the moment, our connection intense and all-consuming. His eyes locked onto mine as he looked up at me, i will myself to leave my eyes open and for an instant, I saw a glimmer of familiarity.

The world outside receded, leaving only the two of us, lost in this fleeting, sensual dance. My heart pounded, and I surrendered to the unknown, letting go of everything but the sensation of his hands on my body, his tongue in me.

I doubt I'd have woken up so early if I didn't hear my phone ring.

I begrudgingly open my eyes and start on the task of locating my phone.

I find it in my bag.

"Hello?" I take the call without looking at the caller ID.

"Jesus, Cheryl we thought you were dead" My brothers voice fills my ear.

I rub at the temple of my head, willing the pounding I feel in my head to go away.

"I'm fine Jacob"

"Thank Christ for that, when are you coming home ? Where did you even sleep? Where-"

"I'm fine Jake, I'll be home really soon" I cut him off, in no mood to answer his million questions.

I hear him sigh. "Pick up some peanut butter on your way back"

"Okay, I will, bye." I end the call.

I need water, I head to the bathroom, trying to remember carefully where it was, seeing as I used it last night after....

I make my way to the bathroom and splash water on my face. The face I see in the mirror is very unappealing but there's not much I can do about it now.

I should head back to bed, one more act of sin before I go back to my normal life.

The thought makes me giggle.

I return to the bed, only to meet it empty.

He's gone, his part of the bed even looks like it wasn't slept in.

I don't understand, I fell asleep in his arms, he was here.

I make my way around the bed and that's when I notice a piece of paper on the pillow.

I pick it up and read what's written on it.

'you were amazing, you can stay in the suite for the rest of the day if that's what you want – Xavier

That's all it said, no number, no explanation, nothing. He was gone.

Three years later.

Cheryl's pov

"You have to ace your interview Cherry" My sister, Alice says as I spoon feed her cornflakes.

"Yes I know that Lovie" I say, fighting desperately with my need to check the time.

"if you do, I'll ace my exams too I promise" she says.

Alice doesn't have any exams coming up, but I nod anyway, ignoring the anxiety that's bubbling in me.

A crash from the living room has me looking in that direction.

"Jacob!" I yell, guessing he's the main culprit.

"Nobody's hurt sis!" he yells back.

I turn my attention back to Alice.

"Open up Lovie"

She shakes her head. "I no longer want to eat"

I look at the barely touched bowl of cornflakes and then I look at Alice's skinny arms and decide she'd have to eat, even if she doesn't want to.

it'd help.

She looks thoughtful for a few seconds before opening her mouth.

"There you go, so tasty isn't it?"

Another crash from the living room.

"I swear to God Jake, if you make me come there you'll regret it!" I yell.

Deep breathes Cheryl, calming deep breathes.

"it wasn't me this time! It was Marcus" Jacob yells back.

I decide to ignore him and focus on the task at hand, feeding my very picky eater.

I should be used to the crashes by now, I should even expect them, I should know how my brothers are especially Jacob, but there's just something about noise when I'm feeling anxious that annoys me.

I can't expect Jacob to be all responsible like me, he is just 17, a child and I want him to enjoy his young years, that's why I work so hard, what I do expect though is for him to keep his brothers in line.

Marcus is 14 years old and Jerome is 13 years old, hardly babies, they should no longer be ripping the house apart.

"I'm tired Cherry" Alice tells me pouting.

I look at the clock on the wall, I have 30 minutes more.

"Alright Lovie, come on let's get you dressed okay?"

I take Alice to the bathroom to bathe her quickly.

"Can Carly and I play dress up today?" She asks me as I wash her hair.

"Of course you can, I won't be long, and If everything goes well I'll buy everyone a treat on my way back" I squirt more shampoo onto her hair.

She nods her head, happy with my response and I continue to wash her hair.

"Sis!" I hear Marcus yell. "Jerome woke Marcy up!"

I curse under my breathe, Marcy always cries and screams whenever she sees me leaving the house, I was hoping to get away before she wakes up.

Dammit.

I rinse my hands. "I'll be back Lovie"

I leave Alice in the bathroom and head to Marcy's room.

Inside, I see my brothers making funny faces at Marcy, causing her to giggle.

She looks over at me and smiles widely.

"Mama!" she yells, arms in the air, wanting me to pick her up.

I feel myself smile automatically, I could be having the worse day and I'd feel a thousand times better just because she calls me "Mama"

I move to her, picking her up.

"Hey baby" I kiss the top of her head"

"How'd you sleep?" I ask.

"I sleep good Mama!" she responds enthusiastically. For a 2 year old my Marcy speaks very well. Something I am very proud of.

"I didn't mean to wake her up" Jerome says, the kindest of all my brothers. I believe him when he says this.

"it's fine, Just keep her busy while I finish with Alice and up until I leave" I instruct him. "Jacob will give her breakfast"

"Okay Cherry" Jerome says reaching for Marcy.

I mutter a thanks under my breathe and go back to the bathroom to finish with Alice.

I have to ace this interview.