I didn’t usually make time for these types of celebrations. Not because I didn’t want to. It was due to the fact my company demanded my undivided attention. I was the definition of a workaholic. Except it didn’t feel like work, I genuinely found happiness in being the best at what I did.

  I was only there to meet his wife’s executive assistant. When I spoke to Tristian two months ago, I told him how difficult it’d been for me to find one who was worth a damn. I had yet to hire anyone who could fill the demands I required. Since his wife was pregnant, she offered her executive assistant (EA ) EA for the time being, and I was in no position to turn down her offer.

  Belle and Tristian were born into corporate empires. Their families had a generational rivalry for decades until they tied the knot a couple of months ago. Overnight, they became heirs to their families’ legacies, but they also worked their asses off to fill in the roles as CEOs for their respective businesses. I knew if Belle was referring her EA, then she’d be at the top of her game and that was what I desperately needed.

  For the next six months, I wanted someone who worked as hard as I did at my company. I was the CEO of ACE Enterprises, which I established seven years ago. I was the best corporate raider in the industry; buying businesses and selling off their parts was what I excelled at. Hence, the name of my company. After two years, ACE went public and within a year, we were already a Fortune 500 company.

  At the time, we were top ten on that list, and I wouldn’t stop until we were number one.

  However, my thoughts suddenly shifted from work to the woman I couldn’t take my eyes off of as I followed Tristian into his kitchen. She was talking to his wife. It was only then I realized…

  I was there to meet her.

  “Paige,” Belle announced to us, nodding in our direction. “I’d like to introduce you to—”

  As soon as her gaze locked with mine, I was thrown back to another place and time. Instantly, my mind raged war within itself, consumed with the memory of the last time I saw her hazel eyes connecting with mine. Although, the hurt expression on her face back then was much different than how she was furiously glaring at me at this moment. I couldn’t decipher which was worse.

  The past or the present.

  The unexpected rage in Paige’s stare was enough to render Tristian’s wife speechless.

  Within seconds, Paige spewed, “What the fuck are you doing here?”

  Her sharp tone caught them off guard. Belle lightly gasped while

  Tristian immediately asked, “I take it you two know each other?”

  Without taking my intense stare off of her, I responded, “You could say that.”

  “You could say a lot of things,” she added. “Most of them would be lies.”

  “Cherry—”

  “Don’t you dare call me that,” she warned through a clenched jaw.

  The memory of why I gave her the nickname played out between us as if it were happening right then and there and not almost a decade and a half ago. I’d be lying if I said I never thought about her. Especially when I was around my younger brother, who used to be her best friend.

  Paige’s steady composure was solid while she continued to act like she wasn’t once mine. It didn’t matter how pissed off she appeared, I knew what was beneath her blue dress and fuck-me heels.

  Shifting my gaze to Tristian, he read my mind.

  “Belle, let’s give them some privacy.”

  She nodded. “We’ll be in the living room.” They left, leaving us alone in their kitchen.

  Despite Paige’s anger directed at me, I swept a strand of her bright red hair away from her face and placed it behind her ear like I used to. Only reigniting this deep connection that had always been there between us.

  No matter how much we tried to stay away from one another…

  We couldn’t.

  I couldn’t.

  She may have been my brother’s best friend, but she was also the only woman I’d ever loved. It didn’t stop me from breaking her heart though.

  Bottom line, I did what I had to do.

  My fingers lingered against her soft cheek for a second before she abruptly snapped back.

  “Don’t touch me.” Maintaining the hard edge in her tone, she bit out her words. “I won’t ask you again, Adrian. What the fuck are you doing here?”

  Unable to hold back my grin, I baited her. “I don’t remember you having such a dirty mouth, Cherry. What happened to my good girl?”

  She narrowed her vicious gaze at me. “She grew up and realized she was just another conquest for you. Like all the other girls before and after her.”

  “Paige,” I coaxed, remaining in control. “Is this how you’re going to behave?”

  “Don’t talk to me like that.”

  “Like what?”

  “You know exactly what you’re doing. Now answer my question, why the hell are you here?”

  I did the only thing I could do, I replied with the truth…

  “I’m here to see you.”

  Twelve

  Paige

  Now: One Month Later

  By the time I stepped into our penthouse suite at the hotel room we were staying at tonight in Chicago, I was beyond exhausted, having back-to-back meetings for the last four weeks was starting to take its toll on me. If I thought Belle was a workaholic, constantly keeping me busy, she didn’t hold a candle to Adrian’s work ethic.

  The man only had one speed.

  Go.

  He was literally the Energizer Bunny. I couldn’t believe his stamina with the grueling schedule he kept day in and day out. He never tired. Always prepared for whatever was planned.

  He was a machine.

  A freaking robot.Not only was he a workaholic but he also demanded respect; governing any room he entered without having to say a word. Nobody crossed him. I watched firsthand how he had the power tointimidate powerful businessmen whose egos were as big as their bank accounts, with a single glance. Influential men always needed to be knocked down a few pegs and Adrian had no problem bringing the ax.

  It was definitely a sight to see.

  It was also…

  A hot as fucking hell .

  God help me.

  There was no resisting his charm, his possessiveness, and even his overprotective bullshit he hit me with on the daily. There was no escaping him. Every step I took, he was there. If he couldn’t be there for whatever reason he left me with security he hired to watch my every move.

  However, I put my foot down when he tried to follow me into the bathroom, standing guard outside the door instead. The precautions he had in place were endless, but it wasn’t as if I hadn’t experienced this with him before. Except back then, it was only with guys who wanted to date me. Now, it was everyone I came in contact with. There wasn’t a single aspect of his life he wasn’t in complete control of.

  I kept telling myself I could handle him.

  I was a professional.

  I wouldn’t let him get to me—not his words, not his devastatingly handsome good looks, not even the arguments we’d have for him to stay in control.

  He’d always had an issue with authority, especially when it came down to telling him what he could and couldn’t do. I definitely had my work cut out for me for the next five months and counting.

  “Hmm…” I moaned, sinking into the hot bubble bath in my bathroom.

  This was how I usually ended most of my days. It didn’t matter where we were or what time it was. We were always flying somewhere on his private plane, barely staying in a town for more than a few days.

  Thank goodness tonight he was attending a gala and I’d have the suite all to myself. First, a bubble bath then my plan was to binge-watch The Real Housewives while drinking my favorite blueberry wine I finally found at a liquor shop in the lobby. Taking a sip, I loudly groaned. Loving every second of this.

  I waited for this moment all day. Where I could truly relax and not have to worry about his persistent pursuit of playing hero. I hated being the damsel in distress. It only gave him further authority over me.

  Little by little, I let it all go. Dipping further into the bubbles.

  “Cherry,” he announced, making me roll my eyes.

  “I’m in the bath!”

  Seconds later, the door to my bathroom flew open.

  “Adrian!” I shrieked, covering my breasts. “What the hell? Don’t you knock?”

  He grinned. “Nothing I haven’t seen before.”

  “That was a long time ago. Were you raised in a barn? Shut the damn door.”

  “Well, I’ll be damned, Cherry, you don’t have to ask me twice.” He shut the door, leaning his back against it with his arms crossed over his chest.

  It was only then I noticed he was wearing a tuxedo, looking every bit the dominant and devastatingly handsome man he was.

  “I meant, get out.”

  “But I really want in,” he countered with a predatory regard.

  “You’re vile. What do you want? You’re going to be late to your event if you don’t leave soon.”

  “We’re going to be late to the gala if you don’t get dressed soon.”

  “We?” I scoffed. “I’m not going. The ticket is by plate and I wasn’t even invited.”

  “You’re my plus one.”

  “You can’t be serious.”

  “Would you like me to take someone else?”

  “Yes!” I smiled. “That’d be lovely. Please shut your door on the way out.”

  “Please, huh?”

  I rolled my eyes as he lifted his phone to his ear.

  Was he going to call a date in front of me?

  “Jasmine,” he broadcasted in a sexy tone. “It’s Adrian.”

  Who the fuck is Jasmine?

  “I’m going to need one of your best girls tonight.”

  Oh. My. God.

  “Yeah, I did enjoy Josselyn’s company last time. I’d love to take her for another ride. I guess we can see how the night goes. I’m not much for sleepovers, but I wouldn’t be opposed if she wanted to ride me at the end of the night.”

  My mouth dropped open, sitting straight up.

  Before I knew what I was doing, I blurted, “You’re hiring a hooker?”

  He covered his cell phone. “She prefers to be called an escort.”

  Swiftly, he went back to their conversation as I blatantly glared at him. The anger rose inside of me. I wasn’t dumb. I knew what he was doing. He was baiting me. Adrian always played this card. Conscious that I’d fold.

  I fought against it.

  Truly, I did.

  But in the end, I couldn’t help myself. Thinking of him with another woman had my blood boiling which was exactly why he was talking to her on the phone right in front of me. Every move Adrian made was strategic. It was how he operated. Now that he was a big wig, it only further inflated his ego. He wouldn’t have gone without me. This was just another one of his games.

  That I stupidly played into.

  “The limo will pick her up at—”

  With wide eyes, I added, “I’ll go with you.”

  What did I do?

  He knew he had me.

  “You sure? I wouldn’t want to intrude on your—” he eyed me up and down “—alone time.”

  “Adrian, hang up if you know what’s good for you.”

  He chuckled, “On second thought, I won’t be needing her services after all.”

  I resisted the urge to declare, “Or ever again.”

  He ended the call, nodding to me. “I always loved your tits when they were wet. My favorite was when they were wet with my come all over them.”

  Love?

  I glanced down, realizing the bubbles moved and my breasts were on full display. Ducking back into the water, I gasped.

  “That was an accident.”

  “What a shame. I’d love to fuck those beautiful tits again.”

  “Oh, you mean like you were your whore?”

  “You’re the one who said I should take someone else.”

  “I know what you’re doing. You act like I don’t know who you are. You were just provoking me to go with you by using her.”

  He smiled. “I love it when you get jealous.”

  Ignoring his statement I simply asked,“Why are you paying anyway? Women still throw themselves at you. The girls at your offices practically shove their boobs in your face.”

  “You mean like you’re doing right now?”

  “Ugh! You wish!” I moved the water around, pitifully trying to cover them. “These stupid bubbles.”

  “But to answer your question, I don’t have time to play games. It’s easier to have a professional accompany me to events such as tonight.”

  “I see.”

  “ Care to test that theory?” He arched an eyebrow. “You wouldn’t be jealous if you didn’t still love me.”

  “Not true.”

  “No?”

  Ignoring his remark, I countered asking, “How many times have you used Jasmine’s services?”

  “Too many to count.”

  I glared at him.

  “Truth hurts, doesn’t it?”

  “You’re such an ass—”

  He pushed off the wall, purposely striding over to me. Only exuding confidence and sex appeal.

  I swallowed hard, watching as he sat on the edge of the tub. Never taking his intense gaze off mine, he reached into my bath and my eyes went wide. As soon as I felt his fingers sliding down my leg, I swear I stopped breathing.

  “Adrian, what—”

  The instant his fingers came in contact with my inner thigh, I was rendered speechless.

  “For someone who says they don’t have time for games, you sure—”

  His hand skimmed my pussy and I gasped. His touch didn’t last very long before he yanked the cord from the bathtub. Water immediately began draining.

  Taking me in one last time, he ordered, “Go get dressed, Cherry.”

  With that he stood, leaving me breathless and aroused.

  “I have nothing to wear to a Gala.”

  Not looking back at me while he walked to the door, he stated, “It’s on your bed. Hair and makeup are waiting for you in the living room.”

  I scoffed out a chuckle. “Thanks for proving my point about your little show. Was Jasmine really on the phone?”

  He winked at me. “I’ll never tell.”

  I shook my head, watching him leave. After he was gone, I stepped out of the bath on wobbly legs and reached for the towel. Wrapping the towel around my body, I made my way toward the mattress. There in front of my eyes was a bright, red gown with matching stiletto heels on the floor. However, that wasn’t what caught my attention the most. It was the Tiffany, turquoise jewelry box placed beside it.

  Unable to hold back, I opened it.

  “Wow,” I breathed out, peering at the diamond necklace, earrings, and bracelet.

  This must have cost him a fortune. I deeply sighed, falling onto the bed to look at the ceiling for a minute. Tossing my arm over my eyes, I didn’t move until I felt the bed dip next to me.

  “This isn’t fair.”

  I moved my arm and pulled back my hair, glancing at him sideways.

  “To whom?”

  “You’re making it really hard to hate you.”

  “You don’t hate me, Paige.”

  “Don’t tell me how I feel, Adrian.”

  “I’m just stating the facts.”

  “You can’t buy my affection. You know that, right?”

  “I don’t have to. I’ll always be a part of you like you’ll always be a part of me.”

  “How do you keep saying all the right things?”

  He smiled, speaking with conviction…

  “Because it’s the truth.”

  Thirteen

  Adrian

  Icouldn’t help but stare at the vision in front of me. Her hazel eyes still had the power to bring me to my knees with a simple look or smile. Paige was always naturally breathtaking. The women I had slept with didn’t come close to her. Her body was better than what I remembered, and I hated the fact that I missed so many years with her.

  There was something in her gaze that told me she wanted to express so many things. I’d sit there for the rest of my life if that’s what it took for her to open up to me again.

  The past was still lurking right around the corner like a goddamn shadow I couldn’t get away from. All I wanted were a few moments in time when it didn’t haunt us anymore.

  “Mr. Drake. We’re almost there,” the driver announced, pulling me away from my inner musings.

  Paige was sitting in the seat on the other end of the limo, looking like a fucking goddess, wearing a fitted strapless gown that was low cut in the front. Further accentuating each and every delicious curve of her irresistible body. The high slit came up on her right thigh.

  I made a mental note to thank my personal stylist for buying this dress for her. Paige’s hair flowed loosely in large curls, framing her face. I couldn’t help but notice every feature, especially, her pouty fuck-me lips.

  She looked good enough to eat and I craved her sweet essence on my tongue.

  I threw the files on the seat next to me, unable to concentrate on them right now, exhausted from my lack of sleep I’d been dealt lately. I couldn’t stop thinking about her stalker, worrying about her now more often than ever. Over the last month, there were no leads. They hadn’t contacted her, but I knew it was only a matter of time before they made themselves known again. They were just waiting for the right time.

  While she sat there staring out the window lost in her own thoughts, I openly desired her.

  Her smell.

  Her touch.

  Her taste.

  She had me fisting my cock almost every night at the mere memory of her almost every night.

  Craving her.

  Needing her.

  Wanting her in every possible way.

  The attendant opened my door, once again breaking me from my torturous thoughts. I stepped out onto the red carpet, reaching inside to grab her hand and help her out of the limo.