CHAPTER 70: MEETING MAYA II

Maya’s gaze lingered on him, searching, as if trying to read the rest of the "beginning" in his eyes. But Rhys didn’t give her the chance—he stepped past her, casually inspecting the suite like a man who already owned the space.

"Lavish," he said, running a hand along the smooth, silk-draped back of a chair. "Almost makes me wonder if you always meet business partners in rooms like this... or if I’m special."

She crossed her arms, leaning against the table. "Special? Hah. You’re not the first man to think he’s one of a kind."

He glanced back at her with that unshakable grin. "Maybe. But I don’t think any of the others ever had you this close to leaning forward instead of back."

Her smirk faltered for a fraction of a second—just enough for him to notice—before she pushed off the table and closed the gap again. "Careful, Mercer. You play this game too well."

"I don’t play," he said quietly. "I negotiate... and I win."

She tilted her head, meeting him halfway, her eyes sharp and daring. "We’ll see."

The sex in game is real as it is in reality, even many women who are reserved in nature act like whores in game as this without any real world consequences. With the 100% sense immersion its like doing it in real so most do it in game and there are even sex parlours now in game. Where many women offer their services like this for the money or even gears and artifacts from the game.

The distance between them vanished once more—only this time, Maya closed it the rest of the way. Her hand caught his collar, pulling him forward into a kiss that was far less cautious than their words had been.

Rhys didn’t hesitate. His hand slid to the small of her back, drawing her in until the rest of the room disappeared. He kissed her back with steady, unhurried intent, the kind that made it clear this wasn’t a stolen moment—it was claimed.

Without breaking the contact, he guided her toward the bed, the soft give of the mattress meeting her legs before she even realized he’d steered her there. She sank down, breath quickened, and he followed—pressing another kiss to her lips, deeper this time, as if sealing some unspoken pact neither of them had bothered to put into words.

Her fingers curled into the fabric at his shoulders, as if making sure he couldn’t simply vanish again. His answer was wordless—just another kiss, slower this time, but heavier, weighted with meaning neither of them dared speak aloud.

Rhys’s hand traced the line of her jaw, then lower, the warmth of his touch leaving unspoken questions in its wake. The air seemed to thicken, the rhythm between them unbroken, like the pull of a tide that refused to let go.

She leaned into him, her breath catching as though the room itself had tilted. Their lips met again—short, lingering brushes between deeper returns—each one a promise, a dare, and a warning all at once.

When he shifted closer, the world narrowed to the faint scent of his cologne, the steady beat beneath his ribs, and the way the light caught in his eyes like something she couldn’t afford to chase but couldn’t resist touching.

Words were forgotten. Time blurred. There was only the give of the mattress beneath them and the quiet, knowing exchange that said far more than any contract could.

****

Maya stirred only when the sun had already climbed high, warm light spilling lazily through the curtains. The room still carried faint traces of last night—warmth in the sheets, the subtle scent of cologne, and the echo of moments she’d never imagined living.

She stretched, the memory of his touch threading itself through the motion, and turned to find Rhys leaning casually against the desk, skimming through a holo-screen. He looked entirely composed, as if the hours between had been nothing more than a calm meeting.

A low, incredulous laugh escaped her before she could stop it.

"Did I... really just do what most would call the boldest thing of their lives?" she murmured.

His eyes lifted, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.

"That depends," he said. "Are you talking about joining my guild... or everything else?"

Her pulse kicked up at the tease. "Both," she admitted, voice softer now. In her wildest dreams, she’d never pictured herself doing this—not just with a man like him, but with the Rhys... the most dangerously charming CEO the century had to offer.

She met his gaze, wondering if she should feel regret... yet all she found was a quiet thrill curling low in her chest.

Rhys set the holo-screen aside and crossed the room, his steps unhurried but deliberate.

"You look like someone debating whether to sneak out or stay for breakfast," he said, stopping just at the edge of the bed.

Maya rolled her eyes, pulling the sheet a little higher—not because she was shy, but because she knew he’d read every micro-expression she gave away.

"That depends. What’s for breakfast?"

"Depends," he echoed, leaning just enough to cast a shadow over her. "Do you want the normal answer... or the one that keeps you here longer?"

She laughed despite herself, shaking her head. "You really don’t stop, do you?"

"Not when it comes to rare finds," he replied easily. His tone was light, but there was that same undertone from last night—something weightier, as if her agreement to join wasn’t just another signature on his roster.

Maya sat up, letting the sheet fall enough to reveal the curve of her shoulder. "Fine. I’ll stay. But if your idea of breakfast is protein bars and coffee, I’m walking out."

He smirked. "Golden Sun City has the best rooftop cafés in the sector. And I happen to own one of them."

"Of course you do," she muttered, sliding out of bed and reaching for her clothes.

Rhys leaned back just enough to watch her reaction, his voice carrying that teasing lilt.

"To be honest, I didn’t think you were a virgin."

Maya’s cheeks flared instantly, and she swatted at him—more embarrassed than offended.

"Well, it’s not every day you end up with the most handsome CEO in the sector on your bed," she shot back, eyes darting away. "And certainly not someone like me."

He tilted his head, studying her like a puzzle he was enjoying putting together. "Someone like you?"

Before she could answer, he reached out, catching her wrist and gently guiding her back down so she lay against the pillows. The movement was smooth, almost unthinking, as if he’d done it a thousand times.

Maya’s breath caught when he leaned over her, eyes lingering on hers for a heartbeat before he kissed her—slow, deliberate, the kind of kiss that left no room for uncertainty.

When he finally pulled back, his head rested lightly against her chest. "So this is your idea of a first date with a CEO?" he murmured.

She stiffened, the heat in her face refusing to fade. "N-no, it’s—th-that’s not—" She stopped herself, realizing she was only digging deeper into his game.

Rhys smirked at her flustered expression, straightened, and with practiced ease began buttoning his shirt—though his eyes never left hers. "Relax. Consider it... a custom kind of breakfast."

Her lips parted to protest, but the faint, knowing curve of his smile told her he was enjoying every second of her reaction.

By the time Maya pulled herself out of bed, the sun was already high—closer to noon than morning. She half-expected Rhys to be gone, but the faint scent of something warm and spiced drifted in from the suite’s terrace.

Curious, she padded out barefoot, only to find him there—leaning casually against the railing with the skyline of the Golden Sun City behind him. A low table was set between them, holding a spread that looked like it belonged in a royal banquet hall: fresh fruit glistening in the light, bread still steaming, and a tall glass pitcher of something chilled and sweet.

He glanced over his shoulder, that faint smirk returning. "I was starting to think you’d sleep the entire day away."

Maya crossed her arms, but the corner of her mouth twitched upward. "In my defense, someone kept me up far later than I planned."

Rhys didn’t miss a beat. "Worth it, though."

She rolled her eyes, but joined him at the table. The food was absurdly good—each bite a reminder that she wasn’t in her own world anymore. He didn’t rush her, didn’t push the conversation, just poured her a drink and let the quiet stretch.

It was only after a while that she spoke again, half under her breath, "Never thought I’d actually... you know... end up like this."

"With the most sought-after man in the city?" he teased.

Her face heated instantly. "That’s not what I meant."

But the way he was watching her told her he already knew—and that he enjoyed keeping her just a little off balance.