Chapter 3

JUNE

June winced as she stumbled into the hallway. Her stomach tightened with each step she took. What the hell had she done?

She’d broken the one rule she swore she’d never break. No messing around with VIPs. Most especially this VIP.

Even though the kiss was undeniably electrifying, she regretted it the moment their lips parted. She took pride in her professionalism and never mixed pleasure with work. Especially in her line of work where it was far too easy to mix the two.

But today? She didn't know what had come over her.

This VIP was everything she disliked.

Cocky.

Smug.

The type that only saw her as another plaything and an arrogant confidence she couldn't stand.

So why?

Why the hell had she kissed him? Yeah, sure, he was good looking, but he wasn't her type. Hell, she wasn't his type either.

Knowing all this, and yet... she kissed him.

As she stepped into the dressing room, her fingers unconsciously brushed against her lips, still warm from the kiss. Before she could dwell on the ghost of his lips that had refused to fade, she shook her head and pushed the thoughts out of her mind.

No. She wasn’t going to let that kiss mean anything more than a mistake. A stupid, impulsive mistake. One that was never going to happen again.

Ever.

She rested her forehead against the cool metal of the locker as a long, shaky sigh slipped out. Now, all she needed to do was scrub it off her mind.

“You okay?” Lola's voice broke through her thoughts.

June straightened too fast. “Why wouldn’t I be?” The words rushed out of her mouth sharper than she intended. She winced as soon as she heard herself, knowing she’d just undone any progress she’d made with Lola.

Lola’s expression faltered, a flicker of hurt and confusion crossing her face.

A pang of guilt squeezed at June’s chest. “I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I didn’t mean it like that." Her voice was softer, but it was already too late.

"Someone wants to see you.” Lola replied flatly and didn't acknowledge her apology.

June silently cursed herself. Why did she always do this? Why did she have to ruin the only decent connection she’d managed to make? “Who?”

"How should I know?" Lola shot back, and honestly, June didn't blame her.

Confusion clouded her mind as she walked towards the club's reception. Who could possibly be here to see her? Could it be the twins?

When she walked in, she spotted a man she didn't recognize seated on one of the waiting chairs.

She hesitated before stepping forward, clearing her throat. “I was told you were looking for me?” The words came out, sounding like a question.

The man glanced up from his phone and gave her a quick nod. “Ah. Yes. I’m here to treat your wound.” He tucked his phone into his pocket and stood, reaching for his bag.

“Why?” June's brows furrowed, her guard going up like a reflex.

“Mr. Kane called me. He said you needed urgent treatment.” The man opened his medical kit and looked up at her with a calm smile. “You're June right?”

She let out a breath. “Yeah, that’s me.” Of course it was him. Who else would it be?

Why would he send a doctor for her?

As the man cleaned her wound, June couldn't help but wonder about this VIP's motives. Men like him didn’t do things without expecting something in return.

When the doctor finished, he handed her an ointment to prevent scarring, and his card for a follow-up scan. She nodded and tucked the card into her pocket, already knowing she wasn’t going to use it. She could barely afford to eat, let alone go for a scan.

Hours later at home, her mind wouldn't stop spiraling, replaying every moment, every kiss, every touch, though it was the last thing she wanted to do.

***********************

June was on her way to see Lola at the hospital, though she knew she probably shouldn't. They'd gone back to being strangers, both of them not even acknowledging each other anymore. And she had no one to blame but herself.

But yesterday, June had overheard the girls talking about how Lola had been in the hospital for a head injury, which explained why she hadn't been seeing Lola around. So, here she was, hoping that this visit would undo the mess she'd created.

If she wasn't so defensive, maybe she and Lola would've been casual acquaintances by now, and going to see her in the hospital wouldn't be so out of place. If only.

By the time she stepped into the hospital, her breathing was heavy, and the cool evening air scraped her throat. She’d taken the bus to save money, but it dropped her a few blocks away, so she’d had to jog the rest of the way.

The private hospital buzzed with an air of luxury. The pristine white interior gleamed under the light, causing her to squint.

As she made her way through the corridor of the hospital, her eyes froze on someone she definitely didn't want to see.

Mr. Kane.

A gray-tailored suit clung to his lean muscles, highlighting his height. His symmetric face was cold and completely emotionless. making him seem like a different person than the one she knew. He stood there like a man who’d never smiled a day in his life, the type that made others tremble.

As if he could feel her gaze, he tilted his head in her direction. Damn. Too late. Their eyes locked.

She quickly ducked her head and moved in the opposite direction, but he caught up with her eventually.

“Hey there.” His voice was a smooth as velvet as he matched her stride.

“Hey,” she muttered, mentally kicking herself for stopping in the first place.

"I figured you’d want to thank me instead of trying to avoid me,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “But then again, it's you, and showing gratitude is beneath you."

June shot him a sharp look. "What is that supposed to mean?"

“Exactly what it sounds like.” His eyes flickered over her, sweeping from her ripped jeans to her baggy shirt, and lingering long enough to make her cheeks burn.

She cleared her throat, bringing his gaze back to her face. "Thanks."

"And?"

“I didn't ask for it, though." She bit her lip too late to stop the words from spilling out.

"Damn." He dragged his teeth over lip. "That attitude of yours." His eyes lowered to his neck. "How's your wound?"

"Good—." She pulled back. "What are you doing?"

“Checking your bruises.”

She hesitated, but finally let his fingers to graze her skin. His touch was gentle as he tilted her chin up to get a better look.

It felt... she couldn't describe it, but at least it didn't make her skin crawl like everyone else.

“It’s healing pretty well," his said, his voice quieter, closer. His breath warmed her skin in a way that had her holding her breath.

It didn’t hurt as much as she’d expected, probably because of the prescription and ointment, but she kept that to herself.

He glanced around. “What are you doing here?”

“To grab a bite at the cafeteria," she quipped with a voice heavy with sarcasm.

A ghost of a smile appeared briefly before disappearing. Just like that, memories of the other night flooded her mind. His lips against hers, his touch setting her ablaze—

She blinked hard, forcing the unwanted thoughts away. What the hell was wrong with her? The kiss was supposed to be a mistake she shouldn't even spare a thought.

“Are you on the menu?” His eyes swept over her again, slower this time, making her skin tinge, but strangely in a good way.

“I’m here to see someone, obviously.“ She kept a flat tone as she replied not wanting to play his game. “If you will excuse me.” She sidestepped and, walked past him.

She half expected him to grab her and demand something in return for helping her, but he didn't. And that made her feel uneasy. Certainly, he couldn’t have helped her out of the goodness of his heart.

Frustration swelled in her until she couldn't take it anymore. She turned back and hurried toward him, hating the idea of owing him anything, or him seeing her as a charity case.

"Mr. Kane," she called out when she could see him ahead.

His head whipped around at her first call with a raised eyebrow.

“This. I should pay you back for calling a doctor for me.” She pulled out her credit card and held it out.

He looked between the card in her hand and her face.

“How much did it cost?” she asked.

He studied her face with an amused glint before saying, “six thousand.”

June’s mouth went dry, but she kept her hand steady as she pushed the card toward him. “Charge it. I’ll pay you back the rest as soon as I can.”

“You don’t have to.”

“Then what do you want?” Her eyes narrowed.

“Why do you assume I want something?” he countered.

“I don't know. You tell me."

The skeptical look on her face must have given her away because he replied with his usual low effort, nonchalant voice. “What is it, June?"

She shrugged. "Dunno. Maybe helped me because you want something..." Her voice trailed off, leaving him to fill the rest.

"Or maybe I can get what I want without being cunning." His usual arrogance bled into his voice and it suddenly dawned on her why she didn't like him in the first place.

Damn, his ego and cockiness were out of this world.

“Besides, shouldn't we be on first name basis since we already kissed?" he added with a smirk, emphasis on the 'kissed.'

June opened her mouth and then closed it. She didn’t know his name.

A look of amusement spread on his face when realization hit her. “You don’t know my name,” he deadpanned.

“The kiss was an honest mistake,” she said as heat rose in her neck at the flash of the memory she desperately wanted to forget.

“Honest mistake," he repeated.

“I don’t know any VIPs names either.” They were just her clients and nothing more.

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

"It should?"

A beat passed before he leaned in just slightly. “Ollie Kane.” His voice was rich and slow, like honey dripping into her ears

Ollie Kane.