The Betrayed VP's Spectacular Corporate Comeback

the last drop of b

as the only thing sharp enough to cut through the pounding behind her eyes. A full

e crushing weight of returning to a life that felt increasingly hollow, to a nine-year re

rately hoping it would numb the quiet, gnawi

t slightly toward the bartender. Her

flicking toward the clock on the w

shot, a large hand clamped do

ugh pads of his fingers brushed against the back of her hand

untary shiver r

alcohol. She turned her head slowly, fully prepared to d

ightly disheveled. He looked like he hadn't slept in days. A worn leather jacket hung off his frame, the edges frayed, a fai

've had enou

ped against her eardrums over the

assumed he was just another b

he said, he

, trying to stand up from the high stool. Her expensive

ost her balance, her body falli

s. He stepped forward, his thick arm

r oil, mixed with cheap tobacco and clean, masculine sweat,

free herself. The sudden movement sent h

d into the collar of his leather jac

es under her eyes, the way her blouse was wrinkled from travel, the tremor in

She mumbled a string of n

and guided her toward the VIP elevators in the lobby. The hotel was silent at this hour, the

confined space instantly magnified

e tilted her head back, her glazed eyes lock

. Her index finger lightly poked

ched. Every muscle i

ght and unforgiving. He pinned he

ire," he warned, h

penthouse floor, revealing a long corridor wi

ent hallway. When they reached her door, he reached into her Birkin bag. His roug

massive king-sized bed. The room was dark except for the

ack, clearly int

reached out and hooked her a

ed with her, his large hands slamming into the matt

. His breath was ho

The alcohol had completely st

and crashed her

ng his face away. But Arianna's fingers tangled in the

posture melting as he took over. His large, calloused hand slid to the back of her head. He parted her li

hrough the gap in the curtains, stab

arp pain spiked t

ilk sheet with her. The c

he looked down. She

cket and jeans were piled on

ing water echoed

chest. The fragmented memories of the elevator and th

stranger. A guy who s

e from the floor, pulling them on with shaking hands. The blouse buttons

her purse. She pulled out fi

money down, placing a glass water bottle on top of

om door cl

e defined ridges of his stomach. A thin scar ran along his ribcage, old and faded. His dark hair wa

aight. She pointed a trembli

r voice dripping with forced arrogan

the money. He lowered the towe

ve smirk spread

p toward her.

ulders hit the wall. The cold s

r right next to her head. He leaned in,

ntil his lips brushed

last night," he whispered, e