pte
ing
y's
life had always been dictated by responsibilities. While other girls my age dreamt about romance
ther. It was his legacy, his life's
d crushing our sales. The pressure to save my father's empire was suffocating
ightly it nearly snapped. My mind raced through po
n my ph
el
we have to go!" Her voice was filled with excitement
, I don't have time for parties. I ne
o an early grave. Just one night, Mary!
t time I had done something for myself. Everything revo
elented. "But
"I'll send you the ad
er was in his study. I k
ng his arms for a hug. "You l
e weary. "It's bad, Dad. No matt
've done all you can. Sometimes, you need to step back and br
saying, "I'm going
t up. "Well, tha
protection, and if you can, find yourself
stormed out of the room, hi
-
leek fabric shimmered under the light, accentuating every line of my body. My long b
in the mirror, suddenly
ld change, m
about backing ou
hed.
high-end bar on the far side of the city, the
f the car, a chill
have I gotten
low bass thrumming through the walls, and expensive per
e! Every guy in here is g
t want to be the c
said, dragging m
oon, the stress of the past weeks began to melt aw
ce, I
called to me,
ing effortlessly. I didn't care w
I fel
eyes searing into me
urn
here
uldered. Devast
im. His dark hair was tousled, his tailored black shirt rolled at the sleeves, revealing
as he lifted his glass to his mouth, taki
raced. Wh
k away, he started
ence. Like he
t, the harder it
f his cologne, rich cedarwood and s
his head,
e wit
low, smooth, a
d to. His hand slipped around
ed. It was ju
firm but not forceful, his fingers pressing i
y neck as he leaned in
ng with fire,
ran down
hink, before I could s
ips b
sp
an in
hungry, possessive. My knees buckled, but his arm
thing I'd ever known, r
hand gripping my waist, pulling me close
e, an unfamiliar but e
d us, people danced, bu
y h
ly
led away. I shoul
I di
t time in a long tim
didn't care if it