Chapter 1

EMMA

"This is a bad idea, Em."

Sienna’s voice barely registered over the thumping bass of the club. Neon lights flickered across her worried face as she clutched my wrist.

I tugged my arm free, exhaling sharply. “I need one night, Si. One night to forget everything.”

She sighed, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Drinking your problems away won’t change anything.”

“I’m not looking for change.” I lifted my chin. “I just want to feel something other than stress.”

“You haven't even been to the club before, you don't know how to hold your alcohol, what if you do anything beyond your limit” Sienna said.

“I will be fine, do not worry about me.” I said with a smile.

Her hesitation wavered, but she finally relented. “Fine. Just… be careful.”

I nodded, grabbed my drink, and let the burn of tequila settle my nerves. For the first time in months, I wasn’t thinking about unpaid bills, my mom’s declining health, or the suffocating pressure of my new job.

Tonight, I just wanted to be Emma. Not the struggling daughter. Not the responsible woman who never took risks.

Just… me.

And that’s when I saw him.

He was sitting at the VIP booth, drink in hand, exuding an effortless power that made the air around him thick. His presence commanded attention without trying. The sharp cut of his jawline, the way his crisp white shirt clung to his broad shoulders—it was almost unfair how good he looked.

Our eyes met.

Something dark flickered in his gaze. Interest. Curiosity. A challenge.

My pulse stuttered.

I should look away. I should absolutely not walk over there.

But I did.

I weaved through the crowd, my heart hammering against my ribs. When I reached his table, I hesitated.

He smirked. “You’re either very brave or very reckless.”

His voice was deep. Smooth. Dangerous.

“Maybe both,” I murmured, lifting my chin.

He leaned forward, elbows resting on the table. “What are you looking for tonight?”

I swallowed hard. “A distraction.”

His blue eyes darkened. “Lucky me.”

I didn’t ask for his name. He didn’t ask for mine.

Somewhere between tequila shots and stolen glances, we ended up in the backseat of his sleek black car. His lips were demanding, his hands leaving a trail of fire against my skin.

By the time we stumbled into his hotel suite, I was already lost in him.

Lost in the way his touch made me forget everything.

I let him consume me.

The next morning

The alarm clock buzzed, slicing through the comfortable haze of sleep.

I blinked, my body tangled in expensive silk sheets. For a second, I didn’t remember where I was. Then, last night came crashing back.

Oh, God.

Carefully, I turned my head. He was still asleep beside me, the soft morning light casting sharp angles over his perfect face.

A stranger.

A one-night stand.

Panic settled in my chest.

I needed to leave.

Quietly, I slipped out of bed, searching for my dress. Every move felt like a crime scene clean-up—erasing the evidence of a night I wasn’t supposed to have.

His deep, even breaths filled the room as I found my purse and tiptoed to the door.

No goodbyes. No awkward morning-after conversation.

Just an exit.

I slipped out, my heart pounding.

Last night didn’t happen.

Except… it did.

And I had no idea how much it was about to change my life.

I pulled out my phone in my bag and dialed Sienna's number.

“Oh my God, Sienna. I think I just ruined my life.”

I gripped my steering wheel, my pulse still racing as I replayed the night before. The smell of expensive cologne clung to my skin, a constant reminder of what I’d done.

“I slept with a random guy at the club.” I said my voice barely above a whisper.

“You slept with a random guy,” Sienna repeated, her tone laced with disbelief. “Tell me you at least got his name.”

I swallowed hard. “No. We didn’t talk much.”

“Emma!”

“I know! I know it was stupid,” I groaned, pressing my forehead against the wheel. “I don’t even know if he’s dangerous or married or a serial killer! I just—I just wanted to forget everything for one night.”

Sienna sighed heavily. “Okay. Fine. What’s done is done. Just get home, shower, and pretend last night never happened.”

“Yeah. Right.”

I checked the time on my phone. Shit. I was already running late for work.

“Gotta go, Si. I’ll call you later.”

I hung up, threw my car into drive, and sped home.

By the time I stepped into my tiny apartment, I was already stripping out of last night’s dress. The moment I turned on the shower, hot water rushed over me, washing away the lingering traces of alcohol and regret.

Focus. I had work. I had bills to pay. And I couldn’t afford to get distracted by a one-night stand—no matter how mind-blowingly good he was.

I pulled on my blouse and pencil skirt, hurriedly applied some mascara, and rushed out the door.

Thirty minutes later, outside K&W Headquarters.

I adjusted my blazer, took a deep breath, and stepped onto the sidewalk leading to the company’s towering glass building. Valcorp wasn’t just any company. It was one of the biggest investment firms in the country, and I was lucky to even have a job here.

“Emma, you’re late,” my colleague, Lisa, whispered as I passed through security.

“I know,” I muttered, shoving my phone into my bag.

Just as I made it to the entrance, I heard a commotion.

I turned my head—and froze.

There, walking straight toward me, was him.

The man from last night.

Surrounded by security guards, exuding the same effortless dominance as he did in the club. Except this time, he wasn’t just a stranger.

He was walking toward the executive elevator.

Which meant—

No. No. No.

He works here?

Panic slammed into me. I quickly ducked my head, hoping—praying—he wouldn’t notice me.

I turned away, rushing inside before he could look in my direction. My heart was still pounding when I stepped into the elevator, fumbling for my phone as I pressed the button for the 25th floor.

The doors closed. I exhaled.

Then I called Sienna.

“Hey, did you get to work okay?” she asked.

“Si,” I hissed. “I think I just slept with one of my co-workers.”

Silence.

Then—

“WHAT?!”

“I just saw him outside,” I whispered frantically. “He’s not just some guy, Sienna. He’s here. He’s walking around with guards. He’s important.”

Sienna sucked in a breath. “Holy. Shit.”

“I don’t know what to do,” I groaned. “If he sees me—”

The elevator dinged.

I looked up.

And my stomach dropped.

Because standing right in front of me, staring me down with a piercing gaze, was him.

The man I slept with, my gaze flickered to his suit.

He is the CEO of K&W fashion house.

Kian Wilson.

My boss.