365 Days of Pleasure with the CEO

Excerpt: "Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms..." – Ed Sheeran.

The night enveloped New York in its usual mix of glamour and anonymity. At the penthouse of one of the city's most iconic buildings, Matthew Mason, CEO of one of the country's most powerful companies, stood alone, staring at the horizon. The city lights reflected in his eyes, but his mind was elsewhere, trapped in a whirlwind of thoughts he struggled to control.

Matthew had everything he ever wanted—power, money, respect—but tonight, something felt different. There was a nagging sensation in his chest, something he couldn’t name, something that had begun to grow since he met Scarlett Johnson.

The doorbell rang, interrupting his thoughts. He knew who it was before he even opened the door. Scarlett always arrived punctually, as if time were a crucial factor in the chaotic and disordered relationship they were building.

When he opened the door, Scarlett stood there, wrapped in a tight black dress that outlined her curves in a hypnotic way. Her hair, wavy and loos, cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall of temptation. Her eyes, a mix of challenge and curiosity, met Matthew's, and in that instant, the electricity between them was palpable.

"Good evening, Matthew," Scarlett said, her voice low and seductive, as if she knew the effect she had on him.

"Scarlett," he replied, trying to maintain his composure. "Come in."

She walked past him, leaving a trail of sweet, intoxicating perfume. Matthew closed the door and followed her into the living room, where a table was set with two glasses of wine. He wasn’t the type of man to prepare for a night of conversation, but with Scarlett, the rules always seemed different.

"You have an incredible view," Scarlett commented, approaching the floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a panoramic view of the city below. She was so close, yet she seemed inaccessible, as if there was an invisible wall that Matthew couldn’t break through.

"It’s the city that never sleeps," Matthew replied, trying to sound casual but feeling absurdly out of his element.

Scarlett turned to face him, her expression a mixture of curiosity and something deeper, something Matthew couldn’t decipher. "And you, Matthew? Do you sleep well?"

The question caught him off guard. He wasn’t used to being asked something so personal. "I sleep enough," he answered vaguely, not wanting to go into details.

She smiled, a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "I imagine you're the kind of man who doesn’t sleep much. Always working, always planning the next step, the next conquest."

"And you? How does a woman like you face the night?" he countered, trying to shift the focus of the conversation onto her.

"Me? I’m a creature of the night, Matthew. The darkness is where I feel most comfortable," she replied, her voice a whisper that seemed to wrap them both in a cocoon of intimacy.

There was something magnetic about Scarlett, something Matthew couldn’t ignore. He was used to being in control of everything and everyone around him, but with Scarlett, control seemed to slip from his grasp, and it disturbed him more than he cared to admit.

"You're tense," Scarlett observed, taking a step toward him, her hands finding Matthew’s shoulders. "Let me help with that."

Matthew could feel the warmth of her hands through the fabric of his shirt, and for a moment, he almost pulled away. He didn’t like feeling vulnerable, and with Scarlett, vulnerability seemed inevitable. But he also knew he didn’t want her to stop. There was something comforting, almost addictive, in her touch.

"I'm not used to being taken care of," he confessed.

"Then it’s time to get used to it," Scarlett whispered, moving closer, her lips dangerously close to his.

Matthew’s heart raced. He was about to give in, to kiss her and lose himself in the overwhelming sensation he knew would follow, when something in his mind made him pause. It wasn’t just desire he felt—it was something deeper, something he wasn’t ready to face.

"Scarlett," he murmured, placing his hands on hers but not pushing her away. "You know this is complicated."

She looked at him, her eyes searching his for answers. "Matthew, everything in life is complicated. But that doesn’t mean we should run away."

"I'm not running," he replied, feeling a pang of frustration with himself for not being able to say what he was really thinking. "I'm just trying to be... prudent."

Scarlett laughed softly, a sound that was both charming and unsettling. "Prudent? Matthew, you're a powerful man. Prudence has never been part of your vocabulary."

Matthew knew at that moment she was right. He was trying to be cautious, but this caution didn’t fit who he was. He was a man who took what he wanted, when he wanted it. And now, he wanted Scarlett, more than anything else.

He pulled her closer, finally giving in to the temptation that had been tormenting him. His lips met hers in a burning kiss, full of desire and intensity. Scarlett responded with the same passion, as if she had been waiting for this moment just as much as he had.

The room around them seemed to disappear, leaving only the sensation of their bodies entwined, the pressure of their lips, the urgency of their touch. It was a kiss that promised much more, a prelude to something they both knew was inevitable.

When they finally parted, both were breathless, their bodies too close for any words to be necessary. But Matthew knew he had to say something, he had to clarify what was happening inside him.

"Scarlett, I..." he began, but was interrupted by the ringing of his phone.

The tension in the air was broken, and Matthew, reluctantly, stepped away from her to answer the call. It was James Miller, his best friend, and the only person who dared to interrupt him at any time.

"I need to take this," Matthew said, still feeling the heat of their kiss on his lips.

Scarlett nodded, stepping back. "Of course. I’ll pour the wine while you do that."

Matthew walked away, answering the call as Scarlett headed to the table. James’s voice on the phone was urgent, concerned.

"Matthew, we need to talk," James said bluntly.

"What happened?" Matthew asked, his voice still carrying the intensity of the previous moment.

"It’s about this woman... Scarlett," James began hesitantly. "I don’t know what you’re getting into, but I need to warn you. This might not end well."

Matthew felt frustration rise within him. He knew James was only trying to protect him, but the timing was terrible. "James, I know what I’m doing."

"Do you?" James countered. "Matthew, you’re a man used to controlling everything, but I can see this woman is affecting you in a way no one ever has. You need to be careful."

Matthew took a deep breath, feeling the truth in his friend’s words, but also the resistance to accept that he might be losing control. "I understand your concern, James, but I need to handle this my way."

James sighed on the other end of the line. "Just... think carefully, Matthew. Don’t let this destroy everything you’ve worked for."

Matthew ended the call, feeling torn. He knew James was right, but he also knew he was about to cross a line from which there was no return.

He returned to the living room, where Scarlett was waiting with two glasses of wine. She watched him with a questioning look but said nothing. She simply handed him the glass, keeping her gaze firmly on Matthew’s eyes.

"Everything okay?" she asked.

Matthew looked at her, seeing more than just desire in Scarlett’s eyes. There was something deeper there, something that drew him in and scared him at the same time.

"Yes, everything's fine," he replied, taking the glass. "Let’s toast to that."

They clinked glasses, and as the wine slid down their throats, Matthew knew he was about to make a decision that would change everything. He was about to surrender to something he couldn’t control, to someone he couldn’t predict.

And for the first time in his life, he wasn’t sure that was a bad thing.

Excerpt: "Isn't it lovely, all alone..." – Billie Eilish

Matthew couldn’t stop thinking about Scarlett. Ever since she left his penthouse the night before, her image lingered in his mind like a burning tattoo. He wasn’t the kind of man to get distracted easily, but something about Scarlett pulled him into a place he didn’t know how to handle.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Scarlett was also lost in thought. She had spent the morning with Lily Davis, her best friend and confidante, but not even Lily’s company could erase the memories of the previous night.

The small café where they sat had the cozy feel of an urban hideaway, with exposed brick walls and soft amber lighting that created an intimate atmosphere. Seated at a table near the window, Scarlett and Lily shared a slice of cake while the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air.

"So, how was it with him?" Lily asked, watching Scarlett closely as she took a bite of the cake.

Scarlett looked away, out the window, where the rain began to fall in fine drops. She felt torn between the desire to share everything and the fear of admitting how much Matthew was affecting her. "It was... different," she finally replied, turning her gaze back to Lily.

Lily raised an eyebrow. "Different how? He wasn’t rude, was he?"

"No, not at all," Scarlett said quickly, shaking her head. "In fact, he was surprisingly... gentle. I mean, he still has that arrogant posture, but I sensed something more, something he tries to hide."

"Scarlett, you know men like him don’t show their true intentions so easily," Lily warned, her voice filled with skepticism. "You need to be careful. He may seem different, but deep down, he’s like all the others. He’ll use you and then toss you aside."

Scarlett knew Lily was right, but there was something about Matthew that made her want to believe he was different. Maybe it was naivety, or maybe it was something more. Either way, she wasn’t ready to give up just yet.

"I know, Lily," Scarlett said, her voice soft but firm. "I’m not a fool. But there’s something about him... I can’t explain it."

Lily sighed, reaching out to touch Scarlett’s hand. "I just don’t want you to get hurt, girl. We’ve seen this before. Don’t let him fool you."

Scarlett squeezed Lily’s hand, feeling the genuine concern of her friend. "I promise I’ll be careful."

But as the words left her mouth, Scarlett knew she was already in too deep. The way Matthew looked at her, as if she were the only thing in the world he desired in that moment, made her feel special in a way few men ever had.

Matthew, on the other hand, was at his office, trying to focus on an important meeting with Rick Harper, his business partner. But every time he tried to concentrate on the numbers and strategies Rick was presenting, his mind drifted back to Scarlett—back to the way her lips moved, to the warmth of her body close to his.

"Matthew, are you listening to me?" Rick asked, his firm voice cutting through the fog of Matthew’s thoughts.

Matthew blinked, bringing himself back to the present. "Yes, of course. Sorry, I was thinking about something else."

Rick frowned. "Something else or someone else? You’ve been distracted lately, and that’s not like you."

Matthew straightened in his chair, trying to regain control. "Everything’s under control, Rick. Just a few personal issues. Nothing that will interfere with business."

Rick watched him for a moment, his eyes narrowing as if he were trying to read Matthew’s thoughts. "I hope that’s true. We’re at a crucial point, Matthew. We can’t afford distractions."

Matthew nodded, trying to push Scarlett from his mind. He knew Rick was right, but he also knew that his words wouldn’t be enough to suppress the desire he felt for Scarlett. It was as if she were rooted in his soul, and every thought he tried to divert ended up back at her.

After the meeting, Matthew locked himself in his office, staring out at the city through the large windows. He couldn’t let a woman—no matter how intriguing she was—derail his focus. He needed to stay in control.

But before he could fully convince himself of that, his phone buzzed. It was a message from Scarlett.

“I’m thinking about you.”

The simple words, yet loaded with meaning, disarmed him. Matthew picked up the phone, hesitating for a moment before responding.

“I can’t stop thinking about you either.”

He chastised himself for replying so quickly, but he couldn’t resist. There was something about Scarlett that pulled him in, and the more he tried to pull away, the stronger the attraction became.

Meanwhile, in her small apartment, Scarlett felt a wave of warmth wash over her as she read Matthew’s response. She knew she was playing a dangerous game, but she also knew she was willing to take the risk.

Lily, who was sitting on the couch beside her, noticed the change in Scarlett’s expression. "It was him, wasn’t it?"

Scarlett simply nodded, unable to hide the smile that was forming on her lips. "Yes, it was him."

Lily sighed, shaking her head. "Scarlett, do you know what you’re doing?"

"I do," Scarlett replied, though her voice carried an uncertainty she didn’t want to admit.

"You need to be sure," Lily insisted. "This man... he’s not like the others. He could hurt you in ways you can’t even imagine."

Scarlett knew Lily was right. But the truth was, even knowing the risks, she was already too invested to walk away.

"I’ll be careful, Lily. I promise," she repeated, but deep down, a part of her knew she was already lost.

Matthew spent the rest of the day trying to focus on work, but the messages exchanged with Scarlett continued to disturb him. He couldn’t deny what was happening—he was falling for her, and it terrified him.

As the night approached, he finally decided he needed to see her again. He needed to feel her presence, her touch, her taste. And so, with a mix of determination and fear, Matthew picked up the phone and sent another message.

“I want to see you. Tonight.”

Scarlett read the message, and her heart raced. She knew this meant more than just a casual encounter. Matthew was starting to give in, and that meant things were about to get much more complicated.

But instead of responding right away, she left the message hanging, wanting him to feel the uncertainty, the wait. Scarlett knew she was playing with fire, but part of her wanted to see how far Matthew was willing to go.

Night fell, and Matthew was restless in his penthouse, checking his phone every few minutes, waiting for Scarlett’s response. When his phone finally buzzed, he picked it up with a mix of anticipation and nervousness.

“I’ll be there in an hour,” was all she said, but for Matthew, those words were enough to make his blood run faster.

He spent the next few minutes trying to prepare the atmosphere, but he realized that nothing he did would calm him. He wanted everything to be perfect, but he knew it was Scarlett who would set the tone for the night.

When the doorbell finally rang, Matthew forced himself to stay calm. He opened the door, and there she was, as stunning as he remembered, wearing a red dress that looked like it had been tailor-made to tempt him.

"Matthew," Scarlett said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She was clearly in control, and it made him even more anxious.

"Come in," he said, stepping aside to let her pass.

She entered, taking in the room now lit only by the soft, warm glow of the candles Matthew had lit. The atmosphere was intimate, almost romantic, and Scarlett felt a shiver run down her spine.

"You outdid yourself," she commented, picking up a glass of wine he had left on the table.

"I wanted it to be special," Matthew replied.

Scarlett raised the glass to her lips, her eyes never leaving Matthew’s. "And it is."

But as she took a sip, Matthew stepped closer, taking her hand and pulling her near. His touch was firm, but there was a softness that surprised her.

"Scarlett," he began, his voice low, "I don’t know what’s happening here, but I know I can’t stop thinking about you. And this... this is something that’s never happened to me before."

She looked at him, surprised by his honesty. For a moment, she thought about pulling away, about keeping the distance she always maintained with her clients. But with Matthew, something was different. Something made her want to take the risk.

"Matthew," she whispered, her words almost a sigh. "Maybe... maybe it’s not so wrong."

He pulled her closer, and this time, when their lips met, there was no hesitation. There was only desire, mixed with a curiosity they were both desperate to explore.

And as the night enveloped them, as their clothes fell to the floor and their bodies united in uncontrollable desire, they both knew they were venturing into uncharted territory—a place where nothing was safe, but everything was possible.

And that night, as Matthew and Scarlett gave in to the heat of their passion, they were both aware that they were on a journey that could change everything. A journey that, deep down, they both knew they couldn’t avoid.