Chapter 1

Skylar's POV

I was skeptical about what to do at the winery party’s opening, surrounded by the state’s wealthiest people. I couldn’t believe I’d been allowed at such an event, but as the manager of Zane Hills, who sat beside me, it was my job. I was growing tired of the role, and I’d been planning to leave soon, especially since it made focusing on my relationship nearly impossible. Today was my anniversary, yet here I was, spending it with my boss instead.

“Welcome, everyone, to the auction of the Azure Veil wine recipe,” the hostess announced, snapping me out of my thoughts. I sat up, focusing on the stage.

“We have prominent businessmen with us, so we’ll jump right in before starting the night’s celebration.” She gestured toward the curtains, and applause erupted as they parted, revealing a single blue bottle on a stand.

“The bidding starts now. Ten million, going.”

“Seventy million”

“Eighty million”

“One hundred”

“Child’s play,” Zane muttered beside me, tapping his fingers on the table. “Five hundred million.”

The hall fell silent.

“Going for five hundred million.”

“Six hundred million.” I didn’t need to turn my head to know who had spoken. It was William, smirking as if he could outbid Zane Hills.

The hostess looked in William’s direction. “Six hundred million, going?” The countdown began, and everyone glanced at Zane.

“Eight hundred million,” Zane replied calmly. I could see William burning with rage, knowing that paying that much would put him in debt.

“Eight hundred million, going?” the hostess called out and as the countdown reached zero, confetti burst through the room. “Congratulations, Mr. Hills.”

Zane glanced at me, but I ignored him, staring at the wine bottle on display. I got up to finalize the deal.

“You should have handled that earlier,” Zane said as I returned, eyeing me with mild annoyance. From the corner of my eye, I caught him watching me, as if waiting for me to say something, though I held back and turned my attention to the stage, where other events unfolded.

He seemed uninterested in the wines that followed, which were less intriguing than the first. “Did you receive the recipe?” he asked, his tone cool.

“Yes,” I replied, slightly annoyed, as I reviewed it on the iPad with him.

“What’s this?” He questioned in the same cold tone.

“It’s an alcoholic drink, sir, best consumed slowly,” I replied, though he’d already downed it in one go. It wasn’t too sweet or bitter, but potent enough that he could feel its effects.

“Do you value your job, Miss Miller?” he asked, irritation creeping into his voice.

“Of course I do, Mr. Hills. But since you finished it before I could advise you, it’s technically not my fault.” I managed a small smile.

The wine’s effects weren’t immediate, but I could tell he’d feel it soon. I’d had my fair share, though it’d been a while since I drank that much.

As he took the glass and drank, the warmth of the drink quickly took effect. I finally glanced his way, noticing his flushed face.

“You look like you’ve had too much, sir,” I said.

“I’m fine,” he replied, his voice hoarse, though his expression betrayed him.

“Are you alright, sir?” I asked, touching his forehead, which seemed only to worsen the drink’s effect.

As I leaned towards him, from my tiny strapped dress, he could see the outline of my chest, and it made me more around, making his face burn hotter than it was. “I'm fine.” He replied as calmly as he could. “It's just a slight reaction.” He waved me off and he nodded gently before slowly looking back at the stage where other things were going on. 

If I wasn’t feeling anything unusual, did that mean only the first drink was drugged and not the second? But if the second drink was drugged, they wouldn’t have specifically called me to take it; they’d have called him.

“Do you feel strange after the drink?” Zane asked me, his expression tense. I shook my head.

“I didn’t drink much,” I replied, glancing at the empty glass. He looked away quickly, probably to hide the redness on his face.

“Damn it. Just wait till I find out who’s responsible for this,” he muttered under his breath before glancing at his wrist. “Take me home.”

I raised an eyebrow a bit surprised. “But…”

“Drive me back home, Miss Miller.” Zane said, wiping his hands with a towel, and he started to walk out, staggering, I guess still due to the influence of the alcohol he drank. 

Gotten home, “Take me in.” He commanded as I pulled open the door. I tried hard not to roll my eyes, but it was impossible. I knew his maid would have left the mansion by now, so I had to do everything he asks right now. 

“Yes sir.” I sighed as I took his hands over my shoulders, leading him into the mansion after locking the car and main doors. 

I took him to his room with a slight groan. I pushed him down to his bed. Damn, he was so heavy. “Come here.” His hoarse voice said, pointing to his shirt. 

What was wrong with him? I knew he was the crazy type but the length of his craziness was exchanging words with me in scenes like earlier during the attacks. 

“Pull it off.” He said, and I hummed before stretching out my hands and pulling off his shirt. I gulped gently as my fingertips grazed his skin as I pulled off the shirt. 

The sight of his chest was tempting, and I wanted to start thinking to the dirty side, but I hurriedly shook my head back in place. “What is wrong with you, Skylar? You have a boyfriend...” 

“Oh my goodness, boyfriend.” Something snapped in my head as I thought that. I had a date with him tonight, and I had skipped it because of this boss of mine. 

As I tried getting out of bed, I felt him grab my hands and pull me to himself, making me fall on his chest. “W-what are you doing?” I asked him as he rolled me over, pinning me between the bed and himself as he gazed down at me, his face flushed and an emotion I couldn't tell what was in his expression. 

“Have I ever told you how beautiful you look?” His voice came out in a hoarse and sexy tone and it strangely made my heart flutter. “I've been looking at you for a while now and I can't hide it anymore, Skylar.” 

His face came close to mine slowly before burying his face in my neck, sucking on it gently as he bit my skin teasingly. “S-sir…” 

“Shhh…” His voice came softly. “Call my name.” 

“Uh?” I asked, and he bit me teasingly again and I tried to cover my mouth to prevent the moan from escaping but he grabbed my hands, pinning them above my head. 

“Don't stop the moans, Skylar.” He whispered, his lips gently traveling up my neck. “I want to hear your sexy moans, and I also want to hear you call my name. Out loud.” 

I didn't know what to do. This wasn't the right thing to do, but at the same time, I felt warm and fuzzy inside, not wanting the feeling to end at all. “Skylar.” He called, his free hand suddenly grabbing one of my breasts, folding it gently, and a moan escaped my lips. 

“Zane.” I gasped, arching my back. 

“That's it, baby.” He whispered, his lips slowly capturing mine in a slow kiss and like that, I felt everything around me disappear, and all I could focus on was the warmth of the kiss. 

I couldn't concentrate on anything around me again, and slowly, I felt his hand on my shoulder, slowly pulling down the straps of my dress. 

I was so lost in the kiss I didn't realize when the straps got off. “You don't know how much I want you now, Skylar.” He whispered, completely pulling off his shirt, and I gazed up at him, acting out of inner desires. 

I had thousands of fantasies about him even though I tried denying it, knowing he was just an annoying boss, but it didn't seem like that anymore. I just wanted more of him right here. 

“I don't think we should be doing this, Zane.” I said, stopping him before his hands could reach my zipper. The feeling of wanting him was burning more than the little tugging feeling telling me to back down from this immediately. 

“Why?” He asked, pushing away the strands of my hair from my face, looking down at me with his captivating eyes. “You don't want me, Skylar?”

“I do. I do want you… it's just…” Before I could finish my sentence, his lips covered mine, devouring my lips as gently as he could. 

“Then let the only word in your head and the only word coming from your mouth be my name and your moans.”

***********

I was awoken by the sound of a familiar ringtone blaring beside me. Slowly, I sat up on the bed, trying to get what was going on around me before it hit me that it was my phone. “Oh shit…” I quickly grabbed the phone, thinking it was Zane. 

I didn't even look at the caller's ID before speaking up. “Yes sir?” 

“So you weren't even expecting my call.” A familiar voice came from the other side of the phone, which instantly awakened me. 

“Oh my goodness, Ray.” I gasped, looking around the room I was in. I wasn't in my room, and I knew so well that I didn't remember reaching home last night. “I am so sorry. I was at a business event…”

“Business, business, business. It's all about business and never about both of us, Skylar. Do you know how many years we've been together and last night, which was supposed to be the perfect anniversary date, was ruined because of that stupid boss of yours and you who thinks work is so much more important than your own  man?"  I could sense the anger in his tone, and it shattered my heart. What had I done? 

“I am sincerely sorry, Ray.”

“You say you're sorry all the time, but you never change. Not even once, and it irritates me. I won't lie to you. You disgust me.” He yelled angrily.  

“Please, just listen to me, Ray. I had an important event to attend to. You know how my work is…” 

"Yeah, I do.” He cut me off gently. “And that's why I never regretted cheating on you.”