NINA'S POV

I told myself I was just looking for shelter, not trouble. But trouble opens the door for me, all six feet of it.

The moment I step inside, I know I've made a mistake. A beautiful, dangerous mistake.

I'm not supposed to be here, but the universe really said, "Congratulations, Nina! Your reward for graduating is heartbreak and a broken car. And the icing on the cake? No service."

The storm had raged harder than ever, so when he took a wrong turn, I didn't stop him. I didn't panic.

Maybe I wanted him to hurt me. To tear me apart so it'll all be Jason's fault.

But when the door clicked shut behind me, sealing me in with him, I wasn't sure I wanted to leave.

His house smells clean, expensive, and dangerous in a way that makes my pulse skip.

I should be home crying over my ex, not standing in a stranger's mansion wondering why his stare feels safer than Jason's touch ever did.

I follow him upstairs but halt at the bedroom door, nerves tingling.

He shrugs off his shirt and I stifle a gasp, cheeks burning.

God forgive me...this man is so fucking hot. I shouldn't stare, but I do. My eyes trail every ripple of his muscles down to his waistline.

Is it hot in here, or am I burning just looking at him? This stranger whose name I do not know.

He turns. My breath stills.

Forget everything I said about his back. This view is way better.

He steps forward. I'm fighting every nerve screaming to press a palm to that hard chest and God help me, I'm losing.

Now he's handing me his robe. Our fingers brush lightly and a shiver runs down my spine. His gaze drops. He felt it too.

"I'll let you get dressed." He mutters, brushing past me.

I stare at my reflection in the mirror, clad in his silk robe.

I should take off my wet panties, but I can't risk going butt naked with him. Not with my ovaries staging a riot.

My phone buzzes with another text from Jason.

A dull ache sparks in my chest. Suddenly I'm back in his apartment, staring down at him moaning into that woman's mouth.

His ring burns hot on my finger, but I don't take it off. I have a better idea.

Downstairs, the handsome stranger serves microwaved pizza on paper plates.

I thought heartbreak would numb me. But sitting across from this stranger, I feel too much.

For a man whose house screams money, serving microwaved pizza feels like a plot twist.

His gaze never leaves my face. I chew slowly, praying he doesn't hear the rumble in my stomach.

His food sits untouched, fingers interlaced.

When my plate is polished and I lean back, he breaks the ice.

"What happened to you?"

Where do I start?

"It's...personal."

"And you're in my personal space, so I need to make sure you're not a fugitive or a serial killer."

Oh...

"You're one to talk. I don't even know your name!"

"But you followed me home."

"You brought me here without even asking..."

"And you didn't stop me." He smirks, leaning back. "Sorry to say, but you have the survival instincts of a fart."

My eyes narrow, heat flaring in my chest. He flashes his palms.

"Before you chop my head off, how about I introduce myself? I might change your mind."

"I'm not counting on it."

He chuckles, a deep rumbling sound that sparks a low hum in my belly.

"I'm Cassian. Cassian Cross."

Of course he'd have a hot name. It's evident in the soft pout of his lips and the heat of his stare.

"So...who's the lucky guy?" His jaw tightens, eyes on my fingers.

I know I should have taken the damn thing off.

"He's...not so lucky anymore."

His eyes glint.

"That'll make me the new lucky guy."

My heart flutters. Is he...flirting with me?

"That's very confident of you."

"At least you didn't call me a liar. We're getting somewhere."

"You can't prove that."

He leans forward, flame dancing in his eyes.

"I know you were checking me out upstairs."

My throat clamps shut.

"I wasn't-"

"Shhh...it's okay. I'd stare if I were you."

Oh this audacious little-

Blood rushes to my face. He just sits there, reveling in my discomfort.

"Don't flatter yourself. You might not be my type, after all."

"Is that a dare, Nina?" His voice lowers, eyes dark.

My mouth goes cotton dry. Don't do it. Don't poke the bear.

"What if it is? Worried you'd give out too early?"

I'm past thinking. I want him to claim me. Every inch, every breath, every beat of my broken heart.

I want him to make me forget. Just one night. What could possibly go wrong?

He towers over me, eyes everywhere but my face.

"I'll be upstairs. Follow me, if you dare."

He halts by the stairs, a dark smile curling his lips.

"When you chicken out, just let me know. I'll take the couch."

Then he's gone.

Outside, the storm rages harder. Wind billows through parted curtains. A cold breeze snakes up my skin.

My fingers grip the counter, heart hammering in my chest.

This is spiraling out of control. No.

I won't get under one man to get over another.

Fuck this. I'm single, I'm graduating, and I deserve a night of reckless passion.

***********

I scale up the stairs, convincing myself that this is right. One night stands are totally normal.

I'm not a stuck up bitch. I want this.

I turn-

And run smack into his hard chest. My feet kiss the air, body reeling backwards.

For a second my life flashes before my eyes, then I'm in his arms, pressed up against his frame.

"Whoa! That was close. You should be more careful next time, angel. I'm not going anywhere."

A loose strand of hair falls into his face. A faint stubble dots his chin. I ache to brush my fingers against that rough patch.

His arms wrap around me, pulling me closer. My breasts press against his chest, and for a second I swear our heartbeats sync.

"You were coming back for me." My voice trembles.

"To make sure you don't chicken out."

He leans in until our foreheads touch, and I'm five seconds away from melting into a puddle.

His breath fans hot against my face, and I smell him-sandalwood and cinnamon-the perfect recipe for disaster.

"Kiss me." He whispers.

My eyes flutter shut. I can't breathe. Can't think. I only feel him. Only smell him.

So I rise on my tiptoes, arms snaking around his neck.

His lips crush mine, and I feel myself melting.

Just like that, I'm kissing the hot stranger.

He saved me. Now he's ruining me.

And I can't decide which feels better.

NINA'S POV

Somewhere between his breath and my heartbeat, the storm outside stills.

Rain drums gently against the window, muffling my moans as I completely melt in his arms.

I cling to him like he's oxygen, breath ragged as he pulls me closer into him.

He tastes like whiskey and rain.

It's intoxicating - reckless enough to feel like freedom.

His tongue grazes my lips, hot and seeking. I let him in. Let him taste me.

His fingers snake around my throat. He breaks our kiss, eyes glazed with heat.

For a second I can catch my breath. Then he leans in, lips grazing my chin.

"Last chance, Nina. Leave while you still can."

He says it like he can ruin me. Maybe he can. This man, with his heated gaze and whiskey breath and strong hands around my waist.

"You don't want me to leave," I whisper, and maybe I don't want to either.

Fucked if I run from this. My fingers graze his shirt, trailing down his chest.

I feel him stiffen, muscles rippling under his shirt.

"And what do you want?"

I don't hesitate.

"You. I want you to make me forget."

Knots form in my throat. Tomorrow I'll go back to my apartment. To the mess that is my life.

But tonight? Tonight I'm his to claim. To own.

He hooks a thumb under my chin, forcing me to meet his fiery gaze.

"Careful what you wish for." He leans in, voice low "I'm very hard to erase."

"Oh yeah? How hard?" I whisper.

His hand covers mine, guiding it below his belt.

A gasp escapes me as my palm grazes his hardness.

"How hard do you think?" His voice rumbles low, like a threat.

My belly sings in anticipation - he's going to fill me, completely.

Soon I won't feel this ache anymore. Soon I'll forget my name and moan his.

His lips claim mine again. Fireworks explode in my belly as he lowers me into the silk sheets.

The air smells of rain and dust and him. I'm intoxicated. I'm alive.

But we're just getting started. I thought I had felt it all - experienced everything with Jason. But when he plants a kiss on my belly, I come undone.

His lips torture me all the way to my inner thighs, and I forget how to breathe.

"Oh...I don't..."

"Easy, my darling. I've got you." His breath fans hot against my panties.

The words should calm me, but they only make me fall faster.

My heartbeat races. I've never done this before.

I lean up on my elbows. I want to watch him take me.

His eyes gleam up at me.

"Giving up already?" He purrs, thumb grazing my clit.

"I don't -"

A shiver ripples through me. He lifts my legs gently, pressing kisses from my knees to my feet.

Then my legs are on his shoulder, and my panties are coming off.

His eyes never leave mine, like a predator circling its prey. I know he's going to ruin me. The eyes never lie.

My legs part for him. My back arches off the bed when his lips graze my clit.

"Don't you run from me now." His hands circle my waist, pinning me under his lips.

I can't. I'm writhing, shivering as his tongue moves hot inside me.

I met this man five hours ago and he's eating me out like he's known me forever.

And I'm loving every second of it.

His tongue circles my clit, making it harder to stay calm. My chest heaves, nipples tightening.

Every lap of his tongue, every kiss of his lips draws me closer to the edge.

I'm squealing, damn near tipping over the edge when I say it.

One word. One name.

"Jason..."

My face blooms red. How stupid.

For a moment Cassian's eyes hold no emotion, and I steel myself, ready to leave when he asks me to.

"Who's Jason?"

My mouth goes cotton dry. I should bail out of here. But I don't.

"He's...my ex. I'm sorry. It just -"

"Just what?" His voice darkens.

He's mad at me. He's -

Unzipping his fly. I blink, brain fogging.

He's so big. So thick and veiny.

My body pulses, thighs clenching.

"Tell me something, Nina, does Jason feel like this?" He growls as his dick rubs my clit.

I suck in a breath, heat swirling in my stomach.

"Um..."

"That's a no?" He chuckles darkly, teasing my wet slit.

"Please..." my voice trembles, breaking between gasps.

He's drawing out my ache, and loving every second of it.

"Use your words, angel. Cat got your tongue?"

My words form in my throat just as he pushes inside me, hard and deep.

I cry out, insides quaking.

He's so hard. So hot.

I can't think.

"Fuck...Cassian -"

"Yes, princess, that is my name." His fingers snake around my throat, forcing me to look at him. To watch him destroy me.

Every stroke feels like sin, and yet every thrust convinces me it's the only thing that's ever felt right.

My legs circle his waist, pulling him deeper into me.

He leans down to kiss me, lips covering mine as his thrusts get faster.

My moans spill free, and he swallows them all, claiming every gasp like his oxygen.

My body quivers as my orgasm builds up. I'm pulsing hard around him, tears blurring my vision when he slows.

"You're in my gut..." I whimper, toes curling. My nails dig into his back, desperate for balance as I tip over the edge.

"Please don't stop. I'm..."

Coming. Hard.

"Did I give you permission?" He seethes, wrapping both hands around my throat and pounding harder.

I'm begging, pleading, cumming even more. He doesn't stop. He grinds up against my g-spot and it takes everything not to scream.

His cocky smile fades into heated desire when I tighten around him. He's pulsing inside me, breath ragged.

"Nina..."

"Do it. You know you want to." I tease, brushing my lips against his.

My fingers comb through his hair as his body tenses. I feel him - every inch of him - throbbing inside me, hot as he cums.

He plants kisses to my neck as I purr in satisfaction.

Tomorrow, I'll regret this. But tonight, regret can wait.

I just had sex with this hot stranger to get over my fiancé. That's the best decision I've made this year.

And when Jason sees me again, I'll make sure he knows I'm not the woman he can just break.

Tomorrow, I'll hate myself for this. But tonight, I learned something Jason never taught me - how it feels to be wanted.

CASSIAN'S POV

I tell myself it's just another morning, but my body knows better.

The sheets are cold, but I smell her everywhere -soft notes of jasmine and vanilla sitting sweet on my tongue.

I had my night all planned out. When I saw her leaning over that hood drenched in the rain, I couldn't help it.

So I brought her home. Now I have a head full of headache and regret.

I knew I was hooked from the moment she got in my car. I just didn't realise how hellbound I was.

Now I'm sitting up in bed and staring at the bathroom door, every nerve itching to join her.

The shower runs steady. Soft sunlight streaks through the window, and I'm sitting there confused.

What should I do now? Should I make her breakfast? Who am I kidding? I can't even cook.

I'm halfway to convincing myself last night didn't happen when a dull thud breaks the quiet.

It echoes again. Downstairs. My eyes dart to the bathroom door as I cross to the door.

If Nina is in there, who is downstairs?

My father.

Alexander Cross. My heart drops when I see him standing in the foyer, muttering to himself.

My gut twists, but I steel myself and hurry down to meet him.

"Dad...What a pleasant surprise."

"Do you know what time it is?" He whispers harshly.

"Time to get my ass up out of here?"

"Exactly. You're late. I'm done covering for you. Get to the meeting. Now."

My mind fogs. What meeting?

My pulse hammers. His eyes rake over me, jaw ticking.

"You look a mess. What the hell happened here?" he brushes past me.

My chest tightens. He can't be in here, strutting around like he owns the place.

He holds up a glass with a lipstick stain on it.

Nina...

"You have company?"

I move quickly, snatching the glass from his grip.

"None of your business. You can leave now. I'll be there in ten."

His eyes narrow to slits. Something glints on the counter. A ring.

I palm it before he notices, shoving it in my pocket.

His brows furrow.

"That better be Sloane's ring or I swear to God..."

I feel the colour draining from my face. Sloane. My betrothed.

"I'm not discussing my personal life with you." My voice hardens.

He advances on me, eyes flashing.

"You better count your words, boy. And get your act together. I'm not losing my company because you can't keep it in your pants."

"That's rich-coming from you, of all people." My jaw grits.

"Are you itching for a beating? You must be, talking all smart."

"I bet your new whore would pay to watch that." I spit, fists clenched hard.

His eyes widen. The air stills, tension stretching thin.

In a flash, his hand whips through the air. I catch it midair. The hairs on my neck stand on end. My nails sink into his wrist as I tighten my grip.

He wrestles free, wincing.

"Someone thinks he's all grown up now." He glares at me.

"You can't hit me. Not anymore." Rage boils in my chest, lacing every word.

"You're still that little boy I put in the trash can. You're nothing without me. Remember that when you're living in this mansion and spending my money!"

"Your money?" My voice cracks. "I worked hard to get where I am today. You never gave me shit!"

"But it's my company, isn't it? You've got such a smart mouth, but your memory gets selective when it comes to how your freaking bills were paid!" He chuckles, rubbing his wrist.

"Sometimes I think it was a mistake. I mean...look at you! You can't do anything right. I made you CEO and you cannot be bothered to show up early for one goddamn meeting. I drive all the way here to see you entertaining some..."

"Don't. Leave her out of this." My jaw grits. I hate that his words still get to me, but I won't let him drag Nina into my mess.

My eyes dart to the staircase. Big mistake.

"She can hear us, can't she?" His voice lowers.

He moves before I can react.

"Dad, stop!" I move to block him.

"Get out of the way, boy." He seethes.

"It's Cassian to you. And I'm not letting you spread your poison in MY HOUSE!" If he's asking for a fight, I just might be in the mood.

Something dark crosses his face, but he steps back with a smile.

"Okay then." He flashes his palms. "It's your life. Ruin it how you see fit. But I won't let you sink my company. Be there in five minutes, or you're out. Don't you dare test me."

Relief washes over me when his back turns. My shoulders sag at my sides.

I trail behind him to the door. He halts and whirls around.

"Lest I forget, my wedding is this weekend. You will show up with a fat smile on your face and Sloane by your side. If you disobey me, let's just say you'll hate me even more." A smile tugs at his lips, making my skin crawl.

Then he's gone. I press my forehead to the door, waiting until the hum of his car disappears down the driveway.

Of course he's getting remarried. Anything but actually fixing what he broke with mom. Anything but actually being a good father.

How did he even get in? I need to change my damn locks. Again.

I straighten up, but the yawning hole in my chest spreads even wider. Conversations with that bastard always leave me so drained. So damn hollow.

I can't think about that now. I can't think about Sloane or her father's dubious deal.

I've got...five minutes. Five minutes to get Nina out the house. Maybe I should leave her here...

I bound up the stairs, hoping she didn't overhear my pretty exchange with my dad.

But as I near the bedroom door, something doesn't feel right. I peek inside. It's still empty.

The shower still runs steadily, but when I knock, there's no answer.

Sweat mats my forehead. I push the door open.

She's not here.

My pulse rises. Where could she possibly be?

I call out her name. Silence echoes back to me.

Then I see something.

A note stuck to the bedside table.

I rip it off, reading the words with mounting dread.

"I'm sorry. I'll give it back. Xoxo."

My brows furrow. Give what back? Where the hell is she?

It better not be what I'm thinking.

I race downstairs, heart pounding. The front door swings open. Gravel digs into my bare feet. Cold air snakes up my spine.

I stumble into the driveway, eyes raking over my cars. The gaping space beside my Ferrari confirms it.

My Range Rover is gone. She fucking stole it.

That little thief. And I still want her?