No Rush, We Have Time - Chapter 1

When I first opened my eyes, I wanted to die a little.

Last night’s memories came flooding back. Every ache in my body reminded me of just how ridiculous things had gotten.

I fumbled for my phone and checked it.

A friend had sent me a message last night.

“Did you know Qi Yan’s back?”

I closed my eyes.

Oh, I knew. All too well.

A voice sounded behind me without warning.

“Finally awake?”

My heart lurched.

I composed my face and turned to look.

Qi Yan had a bath towel wrapped around his waist. Bite marks and scratches stood out on his bare upper body.

I hadn’t seen him in years. He’d gotten taller, his build lean and muscular, his features more sharply defined.

He lounged there with the view from the window behind him, light and shadow accentuating his profile.

Like he was posing for a vacation shoot.

I frowned, pretending to be calm.

“Why are you still here?”

Leaning against the wall, Qi Yan lifted the corner of his mouth, all careless swagger.

“Last night, you kept crying that you were dying, then passed out.”

“I was worried you’d actually died of pleasure. Imagine how that would sound if word got out.”

My face went hot.

Someone had hit on me at the bar last night.

He was about my age and reasonably good-looking.

I wasn’t interested. I made polite conversation, had a few sips of my drink, and got ready to leave.

Then something went wrong. My whole body grew hot, and an inexplicable urge surged through me.

Something wasn’t right. I quickened my steps.

The man called after me.

I’d barely stepped out of the bar when I walked straight into someone else.

Mumbling an apology, I tried to get around him while pulling out my phone to make a call.

My head was growing foggier by the second.

Suddenly, someone caught my wrist. I turned and saw a face both familiar and strange.

The man frowned slightly as he looked over my flushed, feverish face.

“Lin Yu? What’s going on with you?”

…

When my senses returned, I was sitting back on my heels on a huge hotel bed.

Someone lay beneath me, his lips pressed together, his brow furrowed in faint disbelief.

He had a very handsome face.

Deep-set eyes, a straight nose, beautifully shaped lips.

Under his torn shirt, his exposed muscles were firm and strong.

That kind of physique was hard to come by.

He just looked a little familiar.

Like that sworn enemy of mine who’d been abroad for years.

I narrowed my eyes.

Those nicely shaped lips parted, and he said my name.

“Lin Yu, how are you so…”

Fuck! It really was him!

The shock jolted me clearheaded.

I kicked my legs, scrambling to get off the bed.

But he gripped my thigh.

Qi Yan let out a strained breath and laughed.

“We’ve come this far. Is there any point in stopping?”

The rest of the night was a blur of chaos.

…

The more outrageous last night had been, the more I regretted it now.

“I had too much to drink last night. You can go.”

Qi Yan paused, then clicked his tongue.

“Haven’t even pulled your pants up, and you’re already pretending you don’t know me? Cold.”

I swore inwardly and pressed my throbbing temples.

“Enough. This was an accident. Let’s pretend it never happened.”

Qi Yan’s smile vanished. He came to the bedside and lifted my chin.

His thumb pressed against the broken skin at the corner of my mouth.

“How did I never know you liked men? And you’re pretty skilled. Lots of experience?”

I tugged up the corner of my mouth.

“You’re not bad yourself.”

His thumb suddenly pressed harder.

I hissed in pain and knocked his hand away.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?”

Qi Yan raked a hand through his short hair in irritation, then dropped onto the edge of the bed.

“It was my first time.”

I raised an eyebrow, surprised.

No wonder he thought I was skilled.

He was a virgin. Nothing to compare it to.

“And?”

Qi Yan stared at me, then settled back into his usual lazy manner. Bracing a hand on the bed, he leaned forward shamelessly.

“So take responsibility for me?”

I stared at him in disbelief.

“Are you a dog? Sleep with someone once and decide they’re your owner?”

Qi Yan watched me for two seconds.

Without warning, he grabbed my cheeks, bent down, and licked my lips.

I went rigid, then grabbed his hair and yanked him away.

“Fuck! What’s your problem?”

His head jerked back. He hissed, took out his phone, swiped a few times, and turned the screen toward me.

There I was, asleep against his shoulder.

The photo showed us only from the shoulders up, but it was obvious neither of us had clothes on.

Between the intimate pose and the red marks on my neck, anyone could have figured out what had happened.

I was still gripping his hair. With his head tilted back, Qi Yan looked down at me, grinning.

He barked once.

“I’ve got something on you now, Master.”