CHAPTER THREE

Just who did he think he was? I pondered, finding it increasingly difficult to swallow the realization that I was on the verge of falling for him. All I needed now was to locate Kate and make a hasty exit. I had had enough.

Navigating through the crowd, I eventually spotted Kate. She giggled at something her admirer had whispered, tucking a few strands of hair behind her ears. As much as I longed to leave, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

I didn’t want to spoil her evening. A vibration from my phone broke my concentration. Retrieving it from my purse, I noticed a missed call with my boss’s name displayed on the caller ID. I knew he would likely try calling again, but I also understood that I wouldn’t be able to answer it.

“Hi, gorgeous,” a deep voice purred from behind me. When I turned to face the source of the voice, I felt a wave of disgust wash over me as his eyes roamed over my body, accompanied by a lecherous smirk on his lips.

“Let go of me!” I demanded, forcefully pulling my hand from his grip.

He appeared taken aback, and I could sense the collective gaze of the other partygoers on both of us. His fists clenched, and it was evident that my rejection had humiliated him, but I remained unfazed.

“You have no idea who you’re dealing with,” he growled as we locked eyes.

“Whatever,” I retorted, walking away.

At last, I found my way to the restroom. As I approached one of the nearby sinks, I turned on the faucet, then reached into my purse to retrieve my phone. An incoming call from my boss appeared on the screen, as I had expected, and I reluctantly accepted it.

“Mr. Wright?” I nervously called, my heart racing.

Although I often portrayed indifference, the truth was I cared deeply about my job and dreaded the thought of being fired by my boss. Losing my job would mean I couldn’t cover my mother’s expenses. This made me aware that, by the end of the party, I needed to form a valuable connection or capture the attention of a wealthy individual.

“You’re fired!” his voice broke through the phone, and my heart sank as soon as I heard those words.

“Please, sir, grant me another chance. My mother…” I pleaded, but my words were abruptly cut off.”

Shit! My phone died just as I was pleading for my job. I knew I needed a place to charge it and a lot of convincing if I wanted to secure my position. Outside, the sounds of music and laughter still filled the air, but I couldn't bear the thought of returning to the party.

I decided to stay where I was, avoiding the risk of running into the blue-eyed man I had noticed earlier. He was undeniably handsome, but I didn't want to take any chances. My initial assumption that he was interested in me had been wrong.

Audibly sighing, I tucked my hair behind my ears just as the doorknob turned, grabbing my attention. My heart skipped a beat as I stared at the person entering through the mirror's reflection. It was the same man who had issued a threat. His eyes seized me up and down with a disturbing hunger, and he smirked, which filled me with disgust.

His cold, black eyes locked onto mine, and he started to approach, unfastening his belt, causing his pants to fall loosely to the floor. Dread washed over me as I realized the dangerous situation I was now in.

"What are you doing?" I asked in a panic as I instinctively moved backward until my back met the sink.

I knew all too well what he intended, and the horrifying realization that he was attempting to assault me right there and then left my legs trembling. There was no way I would allow him to touch me or violate my virginity. I had made the choice to remain chaste until marriage.

"Not so feisty now, are you?" he taunted as he advanced toward me, his gaze filled with lust, fixating on my chest.

His eyes radiated desire as he tried to grab my breasts, but I forcefully pushed his hands away. His gaze locked onto mine, and while I trembled with fear, he appeared to relish in it. Before I could comprehend his actions, he seized my chin and kissed me forcefully, his tongue invading my mouth. I retaliated by biting him.

"You...!" he cursed and slapped me so hard across the face that the taste of iron filled my mouth.

He seized my neck, causing me to struggle for breath, while planting unwelcome kisses along my neck. Tears welled up in my eyes as he started to tear my dress and pinned my hands against the wall. I attempted to push him away, but he quickly noticed and another sharp slap landed on my cheek. He was far stronger than I was, and I knew I couldn’t prevent him from having his way with me.

“Please, stop,” I managed to whisper, but he hardly glanced at me before grabbing my chin forcefully.

“I will fuck you so hard that you cum every last drop.” He swore as his lustful eyes rested on my lips.

"You heard the young lady, let her go."

Both of us turned toward the source of the voice, and a sigh of relief escaped my lips when my eyes met the blue-eyed man from earlier. I had never felt happier or more relieved in my life. Even though he stood mostly in the shadows, his eyes were unmistakable, and I knew it was him.

"Hey, why don't you go back to the party and forget about what happened here?" he suggested.

The blue-eyed man didn't respond but instead stepped forward with a serious expression. "Do you know who I am?" he asked, and the man who had been holding me immediately released his grip.

"Mr. Alistair, I'm so sorry," he pleaded, much to my surprise.

I attempted to speak, but no words would come out. The name Alistair rang a bell. I knew I had heard it or read it somewhere, and he did indeed seem familiar. I racked my brain in an attempt to recall where I had encountered that name before but came up empty.

"What is your name?" Mr. Alistair asked as he approached the man who had nearly attempted to assault me.

"Please, forgive me," the man pleaded.

"Your name!!!" Mr. Alistair demanded, clearly growing impatient and annoyed.

The assaulter finally replied, "My name is Ryker," but my focus remained fixed on Mr. Alistair.

"Your family owns Evans Corp, right?" Mr. Alistair asked, and Ryker hesitantly nodded. "Good, now leave... I shall deal with you later," Mr. Alistair ordered, and Ryker hastily made his exit.

"I had it under control," I said to him, wearing a frown on my face.

His eyes studied me for a moment before he glanced around. "Clearly," he remarked and took a step closer. "Remind me, was it when he grabbed your chin so hard or when he slapped you?" he inquired.

"If you hadn't come in here, I might have taken action," I asserted, even though deep down, I knew there wasn't much I could have done.

"Hmm," he mumbled. "So you didn't need my help?"

"Yes."

"And yet you called for help," he remarked.

"I didn't call for help."

"So you moaned for help then?" he asked, much to my annoyance.

"You know what, I'm leaving," I said as I reached for my purse and attempted to move. My legs wobbled, and I stumbled, falling into his embrace, colliding against his chiseled chest.

He gazed down at me, a smirk playing on his lips. "Is it just me, or are you becoming rather desperate for my attention?"

"Desperate?" I muttered, glaring at him while he kept his arms wrapped around me. I made an effort to push him away and walk off, but his grip only tightened.

"Stop moving," he suggested as he looked into my eyes. He leaned in closer, and I could feel my heart racing and my throat tightening. "You're as naked as a new born," he whispered softly.

I suddenly realized I was without my clothes, which had escaped my notice in my curiosity about his identity. An overwhelming sense of embarrassment washed over me as he held me close, his warmth and a pleasant scent enveloping me. He kindly removed his jacket and draped it around me, while our eyes locked with one another.