"What's up? It looks like you have seen a ghost." Kedwyn stated and placed the roses in a jar of water in front of me. I quickly shoved the pamphlet into my pocket and shrugged.

"The price of jewellery is crazy," I stated, and Kedwyn chuckled. Kiara probably wouldn't appreciate it if I told the people she worked with that she was a CEO of a multimillion company. Plus, she would have told them herself if she wanted them to know.

I wondered if Kiara kept that side of her life a secret. It also made sense how she knew many wealthy people that were members of her club. Maybe she led a double life. I couldn't imagine that many people would be happy if the CEO of Van Kline Jewellers also owned a strip club and danced at that club. Many wealthy women would hate the company since their husbands are secretively part of the club.

"I can imagine. I'm honestly good with buying a fake silver chain and wearing it until the paint wears off." Kedwyn added, and I nodded.

My head was spinning. How was I supposed to try to start a relationship with Kiara if I stole from her? If I told her the truth, she would hate me. To top it off, she slept with me the morning her company was robbed. It was just all messed up.

"Yoh, Jason. Look who just walked in." Kedwyn stated while he stared towards the door entrance. I looked back and saw Kiara move her scarf from around her neck.

She had a single-sleeved long-sleeved white shirt and washed out light blue jeans. The jeans had tears in them, and she wore a pair of black ankle boots. The scarf was grey and knitted together with wool. Her hair was still silver-white, and she had a small denim bag on her arm.

Kiara hugged a few women hello, and then walked towards the bar. She didn't even make eye contact with me as she leaned over the counter and kissed Kedwyn hello.

"Vixen, you look lovely." Kedwyn complimented and made Kiara smile.

"Thanks, babe. I see you are decorating the bar. These white roses look lovely." Kiara stated and picked up a rose from the bouquet to sniff. I watched as she held the rose up to her nose and briefly closed her eyes. I knew the roses had a wonderful fragrance. She looked gorgeous with the rose in her hands and her silver hair tucked behind her ear. My brain couldn't find any words as I was speechless by her beauty.

"Actually, Jason over here bought them," Kedwyn replied and looked at me to say something. Kiara opened her eyes and stared my way with her eyebrow raised.

"I bought them for you," I stated. Kiara's eyes flashed, but she didn't smile or show that she appreciated the roses.

"I hear you've become a regular at my strip club. I see the ladies have captivated your attention." Kiara said and placed the rose back into the bouquet.

"Only one has," I remarked, and Kiara grunted as she pricked her finger on one of the thorns. I noticed there was a small drop of blood on her fingertip, which she stuck into her mouth.

"I just remembered I hate roses," Kiara mumbled, then stormed off. I watched her walk off and looked back at Kedwyn. He just shrugged. I quickly jumped off the barstool and hurried after Kiara.

"You can't come in here," A bouncer stated.

"I'll just be a second," I muttered and slipped past him. I followed Kiara through another door into the changing rooms. Women walked around naked and screamed as they saw me. I quickly turned around and covered my eyes.

"I'll deal with him," Kiara said to the bouncer that followed after me. He nodded, and I felt myself being pushed into a private room. "What the hell is your problem? Don't you have respect for women's privacy?" Kiara hissed and shoved me against the wall.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to talk to you, Kiara." I replied, which made her freeze.

"How do you know my name?"

"From this," I stated and pulled out the pamphlet from my pocket. Kiara snatched it out of my hand and tore it in half before shoving the pieces into her bag.

"Did you tell anyone?" She questioned, and I shook my head. She sunk into the couch in the room and placed her face in her hands. "You can't tell anyone, okay? My father would kill me. I've worked hard to keep this part of my life a secret. If it got out that I'm the Van Kline CEO, it would ruin my father's reputation."

"Do your employees know?"

"Yes. Every member of my club signed a contract to keep the club a secret. We are a tight-knit circle." Kiara responded and looked up at me.

"I know a thing or two about having a secret. After all, I'm a getaway driver for a crew of thieves." I stated, and Kiara smiled.

"Thanks, Jason." She sweetly said, and I sat down next to her.

"There's something I have to confess." I sighed and then quickly told her the truth before I second-guessed it. "The night we slept together is the night my crew stole from your company."

I looked down, ashamed, and I felt guilty that my life was the way it was for the first time.

"Oh, I know. After you left, I finally decided to check my phone and pieced two and two together." Kiara shrugged. She didn't even sound a slight bit upset.

"Don't you hate me?"

"Nah, the insurance company paid us out, and we gained more publicity. You wouldn't believe how the sales skyrocketed. Most people thought they would help us out by purchasing some jewellery."

"Oh." I felt a small smile play on my lips as I looked at Kiara. "Do you really hate the roses?"

"Since you were honest with me, I'll be honest with you. I don't hate them. I actually thought it was very sweet of you, but I just like being a bitch." She replied and placed her hand on my leg. "Repeat that, and I will rip your balls off." She threatened, which made me gulp.

"Yes, ma'am." I nodded, which made her smile. "You have a gorgeous smile," I stated and felt drawn in by her smile.

"Stop with this sweet talk, Jason. It's really annoying because I know you are just saying that to make me like you." Kiara rolled her eyes and moved her hand off of my leg. I missed her touch almost instantly.

"It's the truth, Kiara. I swear to always be honest with you from the start." I took her hands in mine, and her eyes flickered to look up at me. "I won't ever lie to you. I promise."

"I take promises seriously. You better not break them." Kiara sternly replied. Her hands felt soft in mine, and this warm feeling flowed through my body. Why did it feel so good to be around her?

"I know you said you don't date, but I would like to get to know you better. Even if it's just as friends," I softly remarked.

"As long as I get to fuck you when I want, then sure." Kiara shrugged.

"Okay. Deal." I nodded.

I knew Kiara probably just saw me as another of her fuckboys, but I was going to show her I was different. I didn't only want to be with her for sex. I just wanted her... all of her. I didn't know why exactly, but I planned to find out. Maybe love at first sight was real.

"Good." Kiara ran her finger over my lips. "Fuck, you have pretty lips." She smiled and squished my cheeks together so that my lips puckered open like a fish. Kiara then leaned in closer to me and placed a kiss on my lips. I wasn't sure how to feel, but I knew I found her utterly adorable.

Kiara moved her hands to my neck and kept her mouth against mine as she continued to kiss me. I slowly moved my body closer to her, and she leaned back against the arm of the couch. Our tongues explored each other's mouths hungrily like we were starved from the other's taste. I gripped onto her inner thigh, and she parted her legs to place them on either side of me.

My body was in between her legs as I leaned over her. I kept my weight on my arms as I didn't want to crush her. Her hands started to explore my body and found their way into my shirt. Her fingers caressed my chest and then made their way down to the button of my jeans. She quickly undid the button and ran her fingers over my dick, which twitched in response and grew harder.

"Wait..." I mumbled and pulled away from her. "Fuck, I can't believe I'm going to say this. I don't think we should continue."

"Why?" Kiara questioned and squeezed my dick. "Your hard boner says otherwise." She mischievously smiled.

"Uh, I badly want to just be inside you right now," I grunted and squeezed onto her right hip. "But, I don't want whatever we are to just be about sex."

Kiara seemed shocked by what I said like no one had told her that before. It made me sad that she had gotten used to having men just use her.

"Let me take you out." I offered and touched the side of her face as she sat up. My heart was racing as I anxiously waited for her response.

"I, uh, haven't figured it out yet." I honestly replied, which made her laugh.

"Fine. Take me to your favourite place in Joburg. I'm willing to get to know you better as well." Kiara stated and stood up. She picked her purse up from the glass table and redid her scarf around her neck. She looked back at me with a flick of her hair and smiled. "You coming?"

"Oh, uh, yeah." I stuttered and quickly jumped to my feet. Kiara walked off, and I followed behind her. I tried to hide the excitement that she wanted to get to know me better and refrained from happily cheering. A voluminous smile spread onto my face as I quickly looked at Kedwyn as we walked past. He gave me a thumbs up and chuckled to himself.

"We'll take my car," Kiara remarked as we walked out of the grocery store. She interlocked her fingers in mine and pulled me towards a blue 1967 Camaro SS Convertible.

This car was a stunning Chevrolet with a rectangular shaped frame. It only had two doors, so the backseat passengers had to climb over the front seats. The car had the original solid white line painted across the front of the bonnet, just above the headlights. The roof could open and close depending on the weather. The interior was covered in white leather and in mint condition.

"This is your car?" I gasped and ran my hand gently over the door.

"Yeah, I have a thing for old cars," Kiara responded and tucked her hair behind her ear. She looked so damn gorgeous when she did that. It made my heart melt.

"This was my childhood dream car. My Dad used to work at a repair shop, and they had this red Camaro that was never claimed. It just sat there and rusted away over the years as I grew up. I loved that car, but the repair shop owner refused to sell it." I smiled as I retold the memory.

"I guess you would like to drive then?" Kiara offered and threw the keys at me. I caught them and beamed at her like a child that just opened his Christmas gifts.

"You serious?" I gasped, and she nodded with a giggle. I quickly opened her door, and she climbed into the passenger's seat. I excitedly jumped in next to her, and the engine roared to life as I started the ignition. The sound was music to my ears.

The roof was open as I dropped the clutch and spun the tires before speeding off.

As I drove, the cold wind blew into my face. I loved speed. I joined in races and accelerated my way past vehicles on the roads every chance I got. I always loved to go fast. When I was younger, I learned how to drive a motorbike before a bicycle. My Dad would often take the vehicles he was working on in the repair shop for a spin. JB and I loved it when he clamped down the accelerate and shot forward.

As I got older, my passion moved more toward cars. My high school memories were mostly of how I stole cars and took them for joy rides. That and many overnights spent in jail and being at the hospital from an accident. The broken bones didn't stop me for long; as soon as I could, I was back in a car and speeding down the street. I honestly have no idea how I passed the grades. I never studied, and bearly was at school to attend the classes.

Kiara's laugh made me smile. She seemed excited by the speed I was going. Her silver hair and scarf blew in the wind behind her. I skid the tires as I drifted around a corner, and she held onto my leg with her hand.

"Jason!" Kiara yelled and seemed a bit scared, so I slowed down.

"Don't worry. I won't let you get hurt." I reassured her.

"I don't trust you enough to believe that." She shook her head. Her nose and ears were red from the cold. She looked super cute, besides the frown placed on her lips.

"Hey, don't frown, love. I'm sorry for scaring you." I stated and touched her leg. I tried to show Kiara some attention while I drove. I had to focus on the roads, especially since I lived in South Africa. The people here don't know how to drive.

"Just don't do it again. Where are you taking me in any case?"

"My favourite spot," I replied sarcastically with a laugh. "It's an old cabin that my brother and I found when we were younger. I'm pretty sure that it's abandoned, but we always used to come here and pretend we lived alone." I added with a smile.

"Let me guess, you bought all your girlfriends here as well." Kiara raised her eyebrow. I shook my head and drove passed the sign for Emmarentia Dam.

"Well, my brother JB did. It was his hookup spot. I didn't date much. I was too interested in racing. After my Dad died, we didn't come here much. So, you're actually the first."

"You never bought another girl here?"

"I did. Just not one I liked." I replied and winked at her.

"You're sad." Kiara laughed and looked away from me. I could see her cheeks were a slight pink as she looked away. It was probably another one of her acts to make people think she was a bitch. I shrugged, and a few minutes later, I took a turn down a dirt road.

We went through a woodsy area and past a bunch of barren trees. The road had a few bumps and the overcast sky shined light through the dry branches. In the distance, I could hear the flowing water as it crashed against the river banks. We stopped by our destination, just outside the old cabin.

I hopped out and walked around to open Kiara's door, but she beat me to it and opened it herself.

"I can help myself, thanks." She stated and looked around.

The cabin was well hidden, and not many people would be able to find it unless they knew which turns to take. Kiara's ankle boots pressed against the hard ground as she stood up.

The cabin itself was made of wood and looked like it wasn't taken care of. The glass of the windows was thankfully not broken, and moss grew on the wood in patches. It had gotten worse since I last saw it.

"It's uhm... cute. If you like that Forrest type of vibe." Kiara remarked as we walked towards the front door.

"She just needs some TLC." I smiled and turned the door handle. The door didn't open due to the wood swelling at the bottom from the water, so I had to use force to get in. It flew open and broke away from the hinges as I pushed the door. With a loud crash, the door fell against the wooden floor.

"Fuck." I muttered, and Kiara burst into laughter.

"Maybe you shouldn't have pushed so hard." She stated and walked in. Her boots clicked against the wood as she walked over the door. I walked into the cabin behind her and picked up the door to lean against the wall. The hinges were completely rusted and brittle, which is why the door broke off its frame.

I should probably come to fix this place up a bit.

"Sorry, I know this isn't like the fancy places you usually spend your time in." I apologized and ran my hand through my hair.

"I don't mind." Kiara sweetly said and held up her hand. "Want to give me a tour?" She asked as I took her hand in mine.

"Sure." I happily smiled. Kiara seemed to like the old cabin as I showed her around. It warmed my heart as this was a place dear to me.

The cabin had a single bedroom with a metal frame bed but no mattress. There was an old painting of what the cabin originally looked like when it was first built. The room also had an ancient chest of drawers which had a hole on the side and was missing the drawers handles.

The bathroom was a metal bath with a toilet. A cracked mirror hung against the wall, and I remembered JB broke my accident when he shot me with his slingshot. The cabin used to have running water, but now the pipes were dry.

The lounge/dining area and kitchen were all one room. There was a small wooden table with a broken chair. Then another painting of a car that I hung up. JB also painted a tree on the wall, which was pretty well done. The kitchen had a few cabinets with an odd plate or cup in them. There wasn't much, but the cabin was like a dream home for two young boys.

While we were in the lounge area, I removed a loose floorboard. This was our secret stash spot in case someone broke into the cabin. There were blankets, candles and stuff to start a fire in the fireplace. I just had to collect some wood from outside. Luckily, I stuck a machete under the floorboard as well.

"I can see why this is your favourite place," Kiara stated. "You can go collect some wood while I make the place a bit more comfortable."

"Okay. I'll be back soon." I nodded and was about to walk off when I looked back at her.

"What?" She asked and tucked her hair behind her ear. She was so gorgeous. It was like my mind refused to accept that I was here with her. I, Jason, a nobody that disobeys the law like I deserve a free pass for growing up poor.

Kiara... she was intelligent, exotic and hard working. She was... perfect. How was I this lucky to be alone with her right now?

"You take my breath away," I said and walked over to her. With one hand wrapped around her waist, I pulled her closer to me. Our lips found their way to each other, and I gave her a passionate kiss.

She felt so warm pressed against my body. I wanted to stay inside and cuddle, but the cold breeze that blew in from the open door reminded me to get wood. Kiara giggled as I pulled away and lightly tapped her ass. With a wink, I quickly walked off and collected some wood.

Kiara had laid out some blankets on the floor and lit candles as the sky started to grow dark. She smiled at me as I walked back inside and showed off her efforts. Her eyes lit up, and I smiled at her. It was like she was happy that I accepted the way she made the place comfortable.

"Brrr, it's chilly." I laughed and started the fire. I placed the door back in its frame to block out the cold air, and soon the old cabin warmed up.

Kiara placed a blanket over both of us as I sat down next to her. For weeks, all I wanted to do was speak to her. But now... it seemed like my mind hit a blank.

"I'm sorry about your Dad. When did he pass?" Kiara asked innocently and placed her hand on my leg to comfort me in case it was a sensitive topic.

"It's okay. He passed in my last year of high school. He was diagnosed with cancer about 2 years earlier, so it didn't come as a shock. JB and I tried to prepare ourselves, but it still hurt when he did pass." I shrugged. I wanted to be open and honest with Kiara from the start. So, I pushed past the pain from that memory and felt safe enough to share it with her.

"He was your Dad. It's normal to have hurt. What about your mommy?" Kiara said.

I smiled at the way she said, mommy.

"You're so cute when you say that. Mommy." I laughed. "I never knew my mom; she passed away before I was born," I added to answer her question. "What about your parents?"

"My mom and Dad divorced when I started primary school. So, I was constantly travelling between homes. My mom eventually remarried and moved overseas. She left my Dad alone to take care of me. He didn't find another woman and grew into a bitter old man. I swear I'm the only one who can make him smile." Kiara responded.

"Are you and your mom still in contact?"

"Nope. I haven't spoken to her for years. She doesn't even try to reach out to me, so I'm not even bothered."

"I'm sorry. What about siblings? Do you have any?"

"I'm an only child. Is it just you and your brother or...?"

"Yeah, just JB and I." I nodded. "When we first, er, met... you said something about an ex. Did the 'no dating' rule happen because of him?"

I instantly rejected asking the question as Kiara frowned. It was perhaps a bit too personal. She crossed her arms across her chest and glared at me.

"Why do all men assume that the way I live my life is because of them?" She snapped. "Can't I just be happy on my own? Why do I need a reason to stay single?"

"I'm sorry, Kiara. I didn't mean to offend you."

"Yeah, well, you did. Being with someone else is just so much unnecessary stress. At any second, that person could do something to hurt me. I don't want to live my life like that. I'm happy by myself, okay. Now let's just drop the subject." She muttered, and we fell into an awkward silence. The fire cracked as it burned in the fireplace.

I could hear the soft running water of the river in the distance and an owl that flew past the trees outside of the cabin. My brain was debating on what I should say or how to make Kiara feel better. After a few minutes, I opened my mouth.