Chapter 4 : No More Good Girls

Kaia

The private elevator was silent. I stood against the back glass wall, watching the numbers climb. Sixty. Sixty-one. Sixty-two.

My heart hammered. The tequila still buzzed in my veins, but the cold reality was settling in. I was in an elevator with a complete stranger.

I glanced at him from under my lashes. He leaned against the opposite wall, hands in his pockets, watching me.

Ding.

The doors opened, revealing an ultra-modern penthouse. Large glass windows wrapped around the entire living room, offering a breathtaking view of the glowing city lights below. The kind of place you see in architecture magazines.

"You must be rich-rich," I said, trying to sound cool. My voice came out small.

He laughed quietly and walked past me toward the bar. "Want a drink?"

"No." I wrapped my arms around myself. The red dress felt tighter than before. "I think I've had enough for one night."

He set the bottle down, picked up his own glass, and turned. He noticed the way I stood, feet glued to the rug, arms crossed, eyes darting toward the door. The bold girl from the bar was gone, replaced by the terrified girl who had never done anything reckless in her life.

He set his glass down with a quiet clink.

Slowly, he began walking toward me. Each step was unhurried, like a predator who knew his prey wasn't actually going to run.

I held my breath as he stopped in front of me. He reached out, his fingers gently catching a stray lock of hair near my cheek and tucking it behind my ear. His knuckles brushed against my skin, sending a shiver straight down my spine.

He leaned down. I thought he was going to press his lips to mine, and my eyes instinctively fluttered shut. But his mouth passed my lips and moved directly to my ear.

“You can leave if you want to,” he whispered. His deep voice vibrated against my skin, making my knees go weak. “I won’t stop you. It’s not too late to turn around and walk right back into that elevator.”

I opened my eyes. He pulled back just an inch, his gaze dropping to my lips.

"But," he added softly, a faint smirk touching his mouth, "you'd be missing out on the best night of your life."

The arrogance should have annoyed me. It should have made me turn around and leave.

Instead, I thought, * Liam is getting engaged right now. Who is probably kissing Isabella right now. He doesn't care about me.

"Shut up," I muttered.

Then I grabbed the front of his shirt and yanked his mouth down to mine.

The kiss was hungry and desperate, taking away what was left of my breath. Before I could think, he lifted me effortlessly into his arms and carried me down the dark hallway toward the bedroom.

He set me down gently on the edge of the large bed. His hands found the zipper of my dress, dragging it down in one smooth motion, letting the fabric slide to the floor.

He stepped back for a second, his gaze dark and intense in the dim city light. My hands shook as I reached out and unbuttoned his shirt, pushing the heavy fabric off his shoulders.

His hand closed around my wrist, stopping me. "Slow down, kitten."

I jerked my arm free. “Don’t call me that.”

“What should I call you, then?”

“Kaia.”

“Kaia.” He tasted the name, rolling it across his tongue. “I still like kitten better.”

He leaned down, hovering over me on the bed. His mouth moved along my collarbone, leaving hot kisses against my skin that made my chest heave.

Then, unexpectedly, he stopped.

He pulled back, his grey eyes locked onto mine. The playful smirk was completely gone.

“Wait.”

I froze, heart pounding. “What?”

“Are you doing this because you want to?” he asked softly. “Or because you’re trying to punish someone who isn’t here?”

The question hit me like a slap.

I opened my mouth, then closed it. I wanted to forget Liam. I wanted to feel something other than the dull ache in my chest. But looking up at him, I also wanted this. I wanted to know what it felt like to be wanted by someone who wasn't already taken.

“Both,” I admitted, my voice barely a whisper. “Is that a problem?”

He studied my face for a long moment. Then his expression softened.

“No,” he said quietly. “But I’m not going to be a punishment. If we do this, you’re going to remember my name tomorrow. Even if I have to remind you.”

“I don’t know your name.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to make sure you ask.”

He pulled me back against him, his hands sliding around my waist as his mouth covered mine once more. The room dissolved into a blur of heat, tangled sheets, and heavy breathing. I lost myself in the rhythm of his hands and the dark warmth of the night, letting every memory of Liam wash completely away.

Silence settled over the room, broken only by the quiet sound of our breathing.

He pulled the duvet over both of us and reached an arm across the mattress.

I shifted away, leaving a few inches of space between our bodies. I turned onto my side, facing the glass window and the glowing city skyline beyond.

I wasn’t here to snuggle. I was here to forget.

I lay in the dark, my body spent and heavy. For the first time in ten years, my mind was entirely quiet.

I wasn’t thinking about Liam.

I closed my eyes and slept beside a stranger.