(Sienna’s POV)
"Tell me your name."
I smirked, swirling the golden liquid in my glass. "Now, where’s the fun in that?"
The man beside me, tall, dark, and dangerously handsome, chuckled. His lips curled at the edges, his silver watch glinting under the dim bar lights. Everything about him screamed power.
He leaned in, whiskey-laced breath tickling my skin. "So, you like mystery?"
I took a slow sip of my drink, eyes locked on his. "I like control."
His expression darkened, amused and intrigued. "Is that right?"
I tilted my head, letting the silence stretch. Letting him wait.
Then, I leaned closer, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Are you going to keep talking, or are you going to do something about it?"
His eyes flashed.
And just like that, I knew I had him….
My back hit the cool glass window of his penthouse, his lips devouring mine like a man starved.
Strong hands gripped my waist, pulling me against his firm body. His touch was possessive, demanding exactly what I needed.
I let him take control this time, let him pin me against the glass, his breath ragged.
No names. No attachments.
Just fire and intense passion.
The first rays of dawn crept through the window as I sat up, brushing my hair out of my face.
He was still asleep, his breathing deep, steady.
I slid out of bed, careful not to make a sound.
Leaving before sunrise was my rule.
It was always easier this way, no awkward goodbyes, no expectations.
I put on my clothes, grabbed my heels and slipped out the door quietly.
************
Days Later
"You’re getting reckless, Sienna."
Harper’s voice barely registered as I took another sip of my cocktail, eyes scanning the room. Hunting.
I leaned back in my chair, my silk dress clinging to my curves. "Reckless is fun."
Harper sighed. "You’re impossible. Your father would…."
"My father thinks I’m in bed, resting like a good little girl who's preparing for her wedding." I smirked, tilting my glass in a mock toast. "So, technically, I’m being obedient."
Harper gave me a look. "You’re unbelievable."
I simply shrugged.
Then, I saw him.
A new stranger.
Dark hair. Sharp jawline. A presence that commanded the room without even trying.
Interesting.
Harper followed my gaze and groaned. "Oh, God. Sienna…."
I was already sliding off my chair. "Don’t wait up."
She cursed under her breath. "You’re insane."
I winked. "I know."
Hours Later…..
This one was different.
He wasn’t just confident—he was dangerous.
His fingers traced the rim of his glass as he watched me approach, his smirk slow, deliberate.
"You don’t waste time, do you?"
I slid onto the stool beside him, ordering a whiskey. "Neither do you."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Most women play hard to get."
"Most women aren’t me."
His gaze darkened. "No, they’re not."
I felt it again. That brief, fleeting moment of hesitation.
A tiny voice whispering, This is getting out of control.
I drowned it with another drink.
My breath hitched as his hands traced my body, rough yet deliberate.
"You're trouble," he murmured against my skin.
I smirked. "And you're irresistible."
His low chuckle sent shivers through me. "You don’t even know my name."
I pressed my lips to his neck, tasting the faint hint of whiskey. "And I don’t need to."
His fingers tightened on my hips, and we both drowned in the fire.
I left before sunrise.
Again.
Three nights. Three strangers.
No names. No regrets.
But something felt... different this time.
A tension curled in my stomach, a strange feeling I couldn't shake.
Like a warning.
But I ignored it.
Because the only thing that mattered was that I was free. At least for now.
I stepped into the estate, slipping through the grand doors like a thief in my own home. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting an eerie glow through the vast hallways.
I was almost to my room when….
"Sienna." I froze.
My father stood at the top of the staircase, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
"Come downstairs," he ordered. "We need to talk."
My stomach dropped.
I followed him into the dining hall, where my mother sat in pristine elegance, a cup of tea in her manicured hands.
She glanced at me but said nothing.
Then, my father spoke. "The wedding date has been finalized."
Silence.
A ringing filled my ears.
He continued, unfazed by the way my fingers clenched into fists.
"In three weeks, you will be married."
Three weeks.
Three weeks.
Harper ’s words from earlier echoed in my mind. "You’re getting reckless, Sienna."
My heart pounded because what I didn’t realize what I never even considered was that my recklessness had consequences.
And soon…I would come to regret them.
(Sienna's POV)"No. No, no, no... This isn't real."I felt my heartbeat thunder in my ears.The cathedral was packed, every seat filled with Houston's elite.Crystal chandeliers bathed the grand space in golden light, casting a warm glow over the guests, their murmurs like a distant hum. The scent of roses and expensive cologne filled the air, but I barely registered it.I was supposed to be the perfect bride-poised, elegant, glowing with happiness.But as I locked eyes with my groom at the altar, my world came crashing down.Because second the man I had a reckless one-night stand with just weeks ago-was standing there.As my husband-to-be. Julian Castellanos.His shock mirrored mine.His piercing blue eyes, once filled with sinful pleasure, now darkened with disbelief.A muscle in his jaw clenched. His fingers curled into fists.And then... his expression turned cold.Like a switch had flipped.Like I was nothing.I tried to swallow, but my throat was dry.Not only was I marrying a m
(Nathaniel’s POV)"Leave the wedding alone. Let them celebrate while they can."I leaned back in my chair, fingers tapping against the armrest as I studied the man in front of me. Tobias. One of my best men, but also the most impatient. I leaned back in my chair, my fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest, eyes narrowing as I studied the man before me. Tobias. One of my best men, though I often wondered how he made it to this level. He was impatient, always twitching, always ready for action.He stood stiffly, shifting his weight from foot to foot, clearly struggling to hold his tongue."The wedding’s happening right now," he said after a long silence. "We could move in…."I cut him off with a sharp look. "Did I stutter?"He swallowed hard. "No, sir."I exhaled slowly, smirking. "Mr Edward, her father, thinks he’s clever. Let him. Once I’m done with him and his entire household, he won’t live to tell the story."Tobias hesitated, eyes darting to the side. "And the girl?"Th
(Sienna’s POV)"What the hell is Julian doing here?"I walked into my office, barely setting my bag down before my PA, Chloe, rushed toward me."Mrs. Castellanos," she began hesitantly, glancing over her shoulder as if afraid someone might hear.I narrowed my eyes. "What?"She bit her lip. "Your father and… um, your husband are in his office. They’ve been talking for over an hour."I frowned. "Julian?"What the hell was he doing here?I had assumed he’d be at his own company, playing the perfect CEO while I enjoyed a small break from his insufferable presence. Instead, he was here, discussing something with my father behind my back.My gut twisted.I turned on my heels and marched toward my father’s office.Chloe called after me, “Ma’am, should I—”But I didn’t stop.I pushed the door open without knocking, my pulse hammering in my ears.My father sat behind his desk, his hands folded in front of him, looking as composed as ever. Julian, on the other hand, leaned against the desk, arm
(Sienna’s POV)“You’re getting married in two weeks.”The words hit me like a slap. My fingers went numb, and the wine glass slipped from my fingers, shattering against the marble floor.I barely heard the sharp gasp of a maid rushing to clean up the mess. My eyes locked onto my father, Edward Monroe, who sat in his leather chair, completely unfazed.“You can’t be serious,” I whispered, my throat tightening.“I’m always serious when it comes to family matters,” he said, lighting a cigar. He exhaled a slow puff, his sharp blue eyes watching me like I was some unruly child throwing a tantrum. “You will marry Julian Castellanos. This alliance will strengthen both our families.”Julian Castellanos. The name alone made my stomach twist. I have heard the name a dozen times. Cold. Ruthless. A man who never smiled.“I don’t even know him,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.“You’ll get to know him after the wedding,” my father said, as if it was that simple.I clenched my fists. “I have
(Sienna’s POV)"What the hell is Julian doing here?"I walked into my office, barely setting my bag down before my PA, Chloe, rushed toward me."Mrs. Castellanos," she began hesitantly, glancing over her shoulder as if afraid someone might hear.I narrowed my eyes. "What?"She bit her lip. "Your father and… um, your husband are in his office. They’ve been talking for over an hour."I frowned. "Julian?"What the hell was he doing here?I had assumed he’d be at his own company, playing the perfect CEO while I enjoyed a small break from his insufferable presence. Instead, he was here, discussing something with my father behind my back.My gut twisted.I turned on my heels and marched toward my father’s office.Chloe called after me, “Ma’am, should I—”But I didn’t stop.I pushed the door open without knocking, my pulse hammering in my ears.My father sat behind his desk, his hands folded in front of him, looking as composed as ever. Julian, on the other hand, leaned against the desk, arm
(Nathaniel’s POV)"Leave the wedding alone. Let them celebrate while they can."I leaned back in my chair, fingers tapping against the armrest as I studied the man in front of me. Tobias. One of my best men, but also the most impatient. I leaned back in my chair, my fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest, eyes narrowing as I studied the man before me. Tobias. One of my best men, though I often wondered how he made it to this level. He was impatient, always twitching, always ready for action.He stood stiffly, shifting his weight from foot to foot, clearly struggling to hold his tongue."The wedding’s happening right now," he said after a long silence. "We could move in…."I cut him off with a sharp look. "Did I stutter?"He swallowed hard. "No, sir."I exhaled slowly, smirking. "Mr Edward, her father, thinks he’s clever. Let him. Once I’m done with him and his entire household, he won’t live to tell the story."Tobias hesitated, eyes darting to the side. "And the girl?"Th
(Sienna's POV)"No. No, no, no... This isn't real."I felt my heartbeat thunder in my ears.The cathedral was packed, every seat filled with Houston's elite.Crystal chandeliers bathed the grand space in golden light, casting a warm glow over the guests, their murmurs like a distant hum. The scent of roses and expensive cologne filled the air, but I barely registered it.I was supposed to be the perfect bride-poised, elegant, glowing with happiness.But as I locked eyes with my groom at the altar, my world came crashing down.Because second the man I had a reckless one-night stand with just weeks ago-was standing there.As my husband-to-be. Julian Castellanos.His shock mirrored mine.His piercing blue eyes, once filled with sinful pleasure, now darkened with disbelief.A muscle in his jaw clenched. His fingers curled into fists.And then... his expression turned cold.Like a switch had flipped.Like I was nothing.I tried to swallow, but my throat was dry.Not only was I marrying a m
(Sienna’s POV)"Tell me your name."I smirked, swirling the golden liquid in my glass. "Now, where’s the fun in that?"The man beside me, tall, dark, and dangerously handsome, chuckled. His lips curled at the edges, his silver watch glinting under the dim bar lights. Everything about him screamed power.He leaned in, whiskey-laced breath tickling my skin. "So, you like mystery?"I took a slow sip of my drink, eyes locked on his. "I like control."His expression darkened, amused and intrigued. "Is that right?"I tilted my head, letting the silence stretch. Letting him wait.Then, I leaned closer, my voice barely above a whisper."Are you going to keep talking, or are you going to do something about it?"His eyes flashed.And just like that, I knew I had him….My back hit the cool glass window of his penthouse, his lips devouring mine like a man starved.Strong hands gripped my waist, pulling me against his firm body. His touch was possessive, demanding exactly what I needed.I let him
(Sienna’s POV)“You’re getting married in two weeks.”The words hit me like a slap. My fingers went numb, and the wine glass slipped from my fingers, shattering against the marble floor.I barely heard the sharp gasp of a maid rushing to clean up the mess. My eyes locked onto my father, Edward Monroe, who sat in his leather chair, completely unfazed.“You can’t be serious,” I whispered, my throat tightening.“I’m always serious when it comes to family matters,” he said, lighting a cigar. He exhaled a slow puff, his sharp blue eyes watching me like I was some unruly child throwing a tantrum. “You will marry Julian Castellanos. This alliance will strengthen both our families.”Julian Castellanos. The name alone made my stomach twist. I have heard the name a dozen times. Cold. Ruthless. A man who never smiled.“I don’t even know him,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.“You’ll get to know him after the wedding,” my father said, as if it was that simple.I clenched my fists. “I have