Chapter 004

Aneeka’s pov

The hard, defined body I’m plastered against stiffens. My arms tighten instinctively around his neck as I feel his reaction, my eyes squeezing shut in the intense moment. We stand there freezing for what feels like minutes. I’m counting.

I feel his lips–– flat and firm move against mine, slow at first. Then, with a hint of something more, he nibbles on my bottom lip. Before I can fully register it, his tongue pushes past my lips, and the kiss deepens. It’s fierce, almost primal, like he’s taking something from me.

Seconds pass, and the kiss only grows hotter.

I’m still counting.

My body melts against him, the heat rising between us. To my shock, he pulls me close, his hands circling my waist, tugging me tight. His kiss tastes like heaven–– delicious, bold and manly. My inner goddess ignites, fiery and reckless, urging me to lean into him more. I can feel his desire–- hard and unrelenting.

I’ve never felt this desired, this wanted. Not by Damon. Not by anyone.

But wait. What if he is married? What if he has a girlfriend?

The thought hits me like a cold splash of water, snapping me back to reality.

Reluctantly, I pull away. Damon throws his keys at me, breaking the tension in the air. The stranger’s low growl rumbles deep in his chest, sending a shiver through me.

It’s intoxicating. The mix of tension and heat in the room is unbearable, yet I want more.

I pull my hands fro his neck and try to step back, but his grip tightens around me, holding me close. I glance up at him, and his expression is dark, possessive.

“Are you insane?” He growls and I feel my head spin.

The way he speaks, it hits me in places I didn’t know could ache. It’s like he owns me with just that one sentence. Sexy. He’s sexy in a way I’ve never known, and for the first time in years, I feel alive.

The room falls silent, all eyes on us. Damon’s face shifts from shock to anger, jealousy. His eyes narrow as he takes in the scene and I feel a thrill through me.

I look at the sweet thing holding me. He’s stunning. His jawline is sharp enough to cut grass, his steel blue eyes stare at me with intensity. His lips, full and impossibly kissable, are set in a determined line.

I turn to the audience , a smile tugging at my lips. “I’m sorry, we tend to forget ourselves sometimes”, I say, my voice dripping with satisfaction watching Damon’s reaction.

His eyes narrow with recognition. “You’re Derek Simon”, he says, his voice laced with certainty. “CEO of Simon’s Airlines”.

I freeze. The weight of his words crashing down on me. mY mind goes blank.

“Yes”, sexy replies coolly, confirming it. The air in the room feels thick with tension as the reality of what I’ve just done sinks in.

Lily’s voice breaks through the silence. “You can’t be with her”.

Sexy’s grip on me tightens, pulling me closer. His gaze never leaves mine, his eyes dark and full of intent. “Why?” he asks, his voice low and full of desire.

“She’s married”, Lily says, her tone sulking.

“Not for long”, Sexy says, his gaze flicking to the divorce papers on the table.

Damon stands suddenly, his face twisted in rage. “Let’s go home now, Anne. I don’t want a divorce anymore. You’re my wife”.

Anne? My eyes widen. Since when did I become Anne to him? I feel the anger rising inside of me.

“It’s Aneeka to you”, I snap, my voice sharp.

Damon’s face darkens. “I’ll call you whatever I like. You belong to me”.

I meet his gaze head-on. “You don’t own me. Never have. Never will.

The fury on Damon’s face is satisfying to watch.

Sexy leans in, his voice a whisper, his lips brushing my ear. “Kiss me again. Don’t stop till I say you can”.

His command is simple, but it burns through me, leaving me breathless. Without thinking, I reach up to meet his lips again, my body instinctively.

His hands are gentle at first, holding me close as I kiss him back, my own urgency growing. But then, as if something snaps inside him, he deepens the kiss, his hands slipping lower, pressing me against him. I gasp as his hands move down my back, gripping me tightly.

He groans, his lips capturing mine again, devouring me with a hunger I’ve never felt before.

His words come out in a ragged whisper, “Layla, marry me”.

Layla?

The name sends a jolt through me. It’s a name only one person has ever called me, and hearing it now fills me with a mix of shock and fear.

No. This can’t be happening.

I pull away from him, my breath coming in quick gasps. My head spins. My heart races.

Before I can process my thought, or what’s happening, the door swings open, and I freeze.

Charlton.