A kiss?

"You're standing on my property." His head cocked to the side. "So I can do whatever the hell I want to do. As well as ask you questions. Now tell me, Ms. Brooks, what are you doing here?"

This lavish club was his?

Why was I so surprised? He freaking ruled the city.

Blinking away the blurriness before my sight, trying to stand straight on my feet, I raised my chin. My gaze clashed with his cold icy blue eyes who were piercing through me, as if… reading my soul.

"I told you, I came here to party. And do you go around and ask every person who comes to this place the reason behind their presence here?" Hiccuping again, I frowned.

The alcohol was reaching my head. But I was getting more intoxicated by this overwhelming man's presence.

Those intense eyes roamed over every inch of my features. A dark unknown emotion flashed across them.

I pressed myself more against the wall as he stepped into my breathing zone.

My heart started racing.

"W-what are you…"

"This big mouth of yours," he whispered. His gaze fixed on my lips, as if in a daze. "It's gonna get you a lot of puni…"

He stopped, a muscle of his sharp angular jaw ticked.

Huh? What was he about to say?

Taking a deep breath, he met my gaze again.

"Go home, Cassandra. You need rest. Did you forget what the doctor said to you?"

The way my name rolled out of his tongue… It sounded divine. His raspy voice mixed with that accent sent a shiver down my spine.

This was the first time we talked for this long. Otherwise, he didn't even say a word while he once agreed to dance with me when I swallowed my pride and approached this mysterious man. That one time. And all he did was, just stare at me. It was like I was dancing there alone. Because he barely moved.

Creep!

This man confused me.

Ignoring the weakness in my knees and the weird feeling in my tummy, I cleared my throat.

"T-thank you for today. For saving me." I managed to stay calm caged in between him and the wall. Because he didn't seem to be in a mood to move away anytime soon. "You didn't need to pay the bills though. Anyways, I will pay you back soon."

"How?" Deep Italian accent.

Damn that accent!

I frowned. "What do you mean by how?"

Trailing down his calloused hand from my arm to my waist, he squeezed lightly.

A gasp left my lips. Tiny sparks of electricity exploded in every pore of my body. His touch seemed to put my blood on fire.

"Because I don't need your money. I didn't do any favor that you want to pay off." His voice was hard. Whilst his features were cold, those eyes strangely turned smoldering.

As his breath mingled with mine, I licked my lips. His gaze followed the action. And my hooded eyes didn't take long to search for his firm and desirable mouth.

"But I want to pay you back," I breathed out, not moving my gaze from his lips.

His hold tightened on my waist, making something tug in my lower region.

What was happening to me? I had never felt this way before.

It must be the alcohol in my system.

The sensation in my tummy worsened.

"How do you plan to pay me back if I'm not gonna take it in cash, Cassandra?" His warm breath fanned my cheek. His body almost pressed against mine.

My breathing came out harsh. Heart thundered.

Before I could think anything, words blurted out of my mouth.

"A kiss?"

I wanted those lips.

His jaw clenched. Taking a sharp breath, he pressed his hard body against me completely. A whimper left me as his other hand wrapped around my hips.

"What did you say?" he asked. His voice came out rough and deep.

I bit my lip.

This time, I held his gaze. They were dark, a darkness that was sucking me in.

"What about a kiss? Can I pay you back with my lips?"

I knew I would regret my words later. But at that moment, I wanted to feel those firm yet soft lips against mine. Let's admit it, I wanted to do it for so long.

His stance went rigid. Letting out a foreign curse under his breath, he wrapped his arm around my waist before pulling me flush against him. I gasped.

Leaning in, he let his lips hover over mine. The fragrance of his aftershave and the unique crisp male scent of his made me shiver. Light-headed.

"I dare you to do that, Sandra." His lips moved just before my eyes. His tone challenged me. But the edge of his voice enchanted me at the same time.

Sandra?

Wait, was he daring me?

I hiccuped again. My stomach rolled.

Well, I loved dares.

Especially when it was related to those sexy lips.

Clutching his collar tightly in my fists, I leaned in. His hold on me tightened, making my nerves race.

Closing my eyes, just as I was about to touch his lips, something churned in my stomach. I moved my head away and then all the content that was stuck in my tummy let themselves out.

"Cazzo!"

A word much like a curse reached my ears. But the sharp pain in my head didn't let me focus on anything.

Just as I thought I would be pushed away for the disgusting thing I just did, the pair of arms just tightened around me before moving me away from the mess I created.

The world around me started to spin. But I did hear the voice that called my name. And it held...concern?

A hand wiped my mouth before I was pulled into a warmth. A hard chest.

"Sandra…"

The name was the last thing I heard before darkness surrounded me. And then there was nothing.

***

The loud noise of the violin was the first thing I heard as I groaned into my pillow. The horrible sound of it triggered a hammering in my head.

That stupid teenager boy next door was practicing his violin again this morning. Even after getting a death threat from me last week, he was here again, disturbing my sleep and others' too.

"Shut the hell up!" I yelled out, even knowing he wouldn't hear me. And winced at the same time as my own voice throbbed my head.

"Cassie? You woke up?"

Beth?

Squinting against the morning light, I peeked at her through my still heavy eyelids.

"You okay?" she asked, approaching my bed. "You were sick last night. Told you not to drink that much. But you never listen!" Shaking her head, she gave me a glass of water and an Advil. "Now, take it."

Letting out a yawn, I sat up. "What are you doing here? You didn't go home last night…"

I stopped in my tracks.

A pinch formed between my brows.

Last night? What happened last night?

And then blurred memories that soon turned crystal clear hit my brain, making my eyes turn into saucers.

Icy blue eyes.

Duncan De Sylvano.

Whispers of last night echoed in my head.

'How do you plan to pay me back if I'm not gonna take it in cash, Cassandra?'

'A kiss?'

A gasp slipped through my lips.

"Shit!" I didn't say it to him. Did I?

I definitely did.

Oh God!

Another groan slipped me. My cheeks burned with embarrassment.

How could I do that? Especially when that man clearly hurt my ego by ignoring me for months!

"Is everything alright? You're blushing," commented Beth. A teasing smile tugged at her lips. "Anything memorable you want to share from last night?"

I shot her a glare. "I'm not blushing. I'm mad!"

Taking the glass from her, I took the pill.

How could I be so stupid? I didn't even want to imagine what he must have thought of me.

Well, he looked interested too…

Shaking my head, I shut off my inner thoughts.

"Mad at what?" she queried. "I saw how he went bulldog on that poor man and then took you somewhere. And then I found you unconscious while he was carrying you to his car. And don't forget the mess you created."

I cringed at the recollection. I didn't ever feel that much embarrassed before.

Then something clicked in my head. My eyes snapped to her. "What did you say? He carried me to his car?"

An enthusiastic nod. "Yes. He even dropped us here. Mason said he would handle us, but of course, who can deny Mr. De Sylvano. And before I forget let me tell you, he didn't let you off his arms for a single second and even carried you up in your bedroom before tucking you in."

I gaped.

"H-he did it?"

Another nod. A slow bright smile lit her face.

And then it hit me hard.

Duncan De Sylvano was in my house, in my own bedroom? He tucked me in?

Was I hearing right? What made the king of the city finally notice me?

My eyes took a glance around my tiny disorganized bedroom. I shunned the shame before it could hit me. So what if he was a freaking billionaire. Not everyone lived in a castle like him.

He was here…

My heart whispered.

Something fluttered in my chest.

Ok stop it, Cassie! For all you know he did it just out of humanity.

The man who destroyed someone's career depending on his mood had humanity?

I still remember Chad's words clearly from that night years ago.

"It was so kind of him! The way he took care of you, even when you almost puked on him. I don't know why everyone calls him a ruthless man but I definitely like him!"

I rolled my eyes. Maybe because he had links with mafia dons around the world? Or maybe because people didn't see him with any girl for years because he was immune to love and affection?

Alright, I admit it. I did some research on him after that night years ago. Those icy blue eyes just didn't slip my mind. And my secret crush turned into a secret obsession when I came face to face with him at Em's sister's wedding.

Getting out of my bed, I walked into my kitchen. I needed a coffee.

"Shouldn't you ask if he had done anything wrong to me? You saw him dragging me somewhere from the dance floor and then you found me unconscious for God's sake! And here you are, admiring him! Are you really my best friend?"

She shrugged, tossing her shoulder length dark hair over her shoulder. "Well, he is Em's family friend and business partner. So no matter what the world says about him, I trust him."

Betrayer!

Glaring, I almost slammed the pot on the stove.

"Aren't you getting late for your office?"

She let out a chuckle. "Okay, so you're kicking me out now. Won't you even offer me coffee?"

"You love coffee more than your job?"

A sigh left her. Shaking her head, she grabbed her purse and jacket before giving me a quick hug.

"I will check on you later. You will be okay, right?"

I nodded absentmindedly.

"Alright. Love ya! And our conversation isn't finished yet!" Yelling over her shoulder, she then walked out of the door.

A sigh left me.

"Love you too," I murmured before turning to Romeo as it wiggled its tail sitting on the countertop. "You saw him last night?"

A meow.

I smiled. "I hope you didn't like him and left my team just like Beth. You won't get your favorite food then, understand? You know how he ignored me."

Another meow, a loud one this time.

"Good boy!"

Petting his head, I turned to my coffee.

Beth and Em didn't know about my secret crush hate relationship with Duncan De Sylvano. I didn't tell them anything.

And what would I say? That the first man who ever could capture my attention in a way that I couldn't move my eyes off him whenever he was close, ignored me like I didn't even exist?

Okay, not like that. He did answer my greetings and once agreed to dance with me. But that brute didn't say a word to me!

Because he was too busy staring!

Though I liked that.

I pinched the bridge of my nose.

I was again obsessing over a man who was clearly out of my reach. When I should think about the money I had to give to those bastards.

***

The blaring of my pulled my eyes off my laptop.

Chad.

Without wasting any second, I picked it up.

"Hey! It's good that you called. I was about to call you."

"I'm good, thanks," he said, his tone sarcastic. "Since you didn't bother to call or text me in the last two weeks, I took it to me and thought to check if you're alive?"

I shut off the laptop. After my agency kicked me out of their company due to the case I filed against Todd, I had applied to some other modeling agencies. But no one was ready to go against the mayor's brother even if he proved guilty.

That's what I have been doing for an hour. Checking the emails filled with rejections.

"Sorry, I was stuck in some stuff."

A sigh resonated through the line. "I'm sorry too. I knew about the case and couldn't find any time to catch up with you. I'm glad that you finally put that motherfucker behind the bars."

I nodded even if he couldn't see me.

"Anyways, I called to give you some good news!"

"What news?"

"Consider today is our lucky day. Both of our fates are gonna take a U-turn!" Excitement dripped from his tone.

Before I could ask him to elaborate, he cut me off.

"I will message you the location. Get here at seven sharp."

"But why? I don't understand." I sat straight.

A groan. "You need a job, right?"

So everyone knew about my condition?

"Yes?" My tone was low in anticipation.

"Then don't ask anything and be there on time. Don't be late. The boss doesn't tolerate tardiness."

And with that, the line went off.

Our fates will take a U-turn? What did he mean by that?

And the boss?

He sounded like a man with strict rules.

I better reach there on time.