It wasn't vanity, it unleashed the goddess within her that he knew she possessed.

He just gave her the right tools to play with the devil - in him.


"We can order room service when we get there," Charles said as he kept his eyes on the road, driving his Mercedes all morning.

The sun hadn't risen yet, but they'd been out for about an hour, Rosabella sitting beside him in the passenger seat as she sipped her iced americano through a straw.

"Let me guess. You've booked a room in some luxury hotel that will probably only serve foie gras or something gross like that."


"I guess that's your way of telling me you don't like French food?"

"Is anyone really, Charles? Seriously now. My parents ate this crap or caviar not because it was good. Because it was expensive."


Charles had to hold back his laughter, though amusement was still evident on his face.

Yes, his little flame is there again.

"So what would you like to eat?"

"A cheese sandwich."

"A cheese sandwich?" He shot her a skeptical look.

"That's right."

Changing lanes and doing his best to keep his eyes on the road, Charles couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"We haven't even had breakfast properly and you're craving a cheeseburger?"

"Okay, listen. This is something you don't seem to get." Rosabella started gesturing with deft fingers, which she always does when she's passionate about something.

Charles bit his lip to suppress his smirk.

"A good cheeseburger can be devoured at any time. In fact, if you drag all night, which we did, that's the rule. We have to have fast food."

"Uh, because that's the rule." He said sarcastically.

This time Rosabella laughed along and slapped him on the arm as he quickly joined her, giggling at the most pointless conversation they seemed to be having.

---

'Uhm, I have to say…" Charles put down the burger and licked his index finger and thumb.

"This is the best burger I've ever eaten. I wanted to add a 'no offense' word at the end of that sentence but I feel like insulting someone."

Rosabella raised her head and laughed, unable to control herself.

When they arrived at the hotel, they, to their surprise, discovered that the room service menu also included cheeseburgers and fries, so Rosabella convinced them they would give it a try.

Of course, the food came out on a silver tray and came with an array of spices too fancy for a burger.

"God, what is this?" She giggled as she put her burger down, wiping her mouth.

Shaking his head, Charles pushed his chair back to stand, reaching out his hand to her.

"Let's go."

Rosabella glanced at his hand before meeting his eyes.

"Where do we go?"

"To get what you really want."

Grinning, she took his hand and followed him out of the hotel room, past the concierge at the entrance.

They strolled around, passing dozens of restaurants, some bearing the names of famous chefs, before Charles ushered her into a busy 24-hour sports bar.

This place is a world different from the others, just like night and day. The bar is mostly unrestricted, noisy, and bright, with people in jeans and ball caps, drinking beer and shouting at the TV.

The smell of greasy food wafted through the air, making Rosabella's stomach growl. Charles grabbed a table in the middle of the room, where a waiter appeared with a menu.

Rosabella immediately ordered a coke, practically bouncing in her seat, when Charles handed the menu back immediately.

"A coffee and two double cheese sandwiches, please."

The woman scribbled it down and left with a smile.

The food came out quickly - two juicy burgers on fresh rolls, the grease literally dripping as soon as Rosabella bit into it.

It was so good that she let out a satisfied groan, rolling her eyes at the back of her neck.

"Now that's a cheeseburger."

Charles laughs and dives into his own food as the conversation continues to be playful and light.

Before they knew it, they had ordered more food and drinks, noticing that even though it had become noon, they continued to lounge on the couch, enjoying the distance between them and the Black Roses mansion.

Somehow, in comfortable silence, Rosabella watched him, wondering if it was her lack of sleep that made her wonder how one being surrounded by an air of danger can make her feel very safe.

---

When they got back to the hotel, a little tired and full, they went straight to bed, wearily sliding under the sheets because sleep almost immediately took them away.

Even though they were only going to take a nap, the next time Rosabella woke up, it was already dark, hearing a distant voice talking.

Slowly sitting up, she saw it was Charles, standing naked in a dark room, not bothering to turn on any lights because he probably didn't want to bother her.

He was on the phone, talking to someone, his voice completely different from earlier that day.

It's all work now, without any warmth or familiarity.

"No, distribute the stock over three trucks and send them in on different days and times. Yes, I'll need to see those receipts. When? As always, as soon as this is sorted out. I don't want any delay. Okay." He hung up and checked a few more messages on this phone before he looked over at her and saw her looking at him.

"I woke you up?"

Rosabella shook her head.

Charles walked up to her and took a bottle of water and glasses provided by the hotel, pouring her one.

"Here." He gave it to her.

Holding it in her hand, she set the glass down, wondering how he could tell that she was thirsty.

She was about to ask him that when suddenly something caught her eye.

She was surprised because she hadn't noticed it before with all the times she'd seen him topless.