All Because I Kissed a Stranger

My reason evaporated. All the fears, shyness, and restraints were gone too. The only thing that remained was him, his tongue dancing along with mine, his hands running up and down my back, the warmth and firmness of his body...There was no logical explanation for why my hands slid up his broad shoulders and circled his neck. I didn't think I had ever been more daring, more reckless, more utterly insane. I was vaguely aware that we were in the club, that others were watching, but I couldn't make myself care. Not when his fingertips traced a line down my spine. Not when his tongue precisely stroked all the right nerves. Not when a powerful surge of heat made me realize no one had ever kissed me this way. I might have moaned softly against his lips. He might have responded with a breathy chuckle. My toes curled, despite the uncomfortable stilettos I wore. I didn't want this to end. I wanted more. I needed more—A wave of realization came like an icy wind, coating my skin. This had to s

CATHERINEThe banging on the door forcefully dragged me out of my sweet unawareness. I opened my eyes and regretted it in an instant. My head throbbed like it was about to explode. Or maybe it had already exploded, but I had yet to acknowledge the fact I was dying. It certainly felt like I was about to die from that freaking headache. This was my price for trying to survive the night with Portia. Now someone decided to torture me even more, taking away my much-needed sleep.“Ms. Catherine! Master told us to wake you up immediately!” The maid's voice boomed through the door. “The reporters will be here in less than an hour. We won't go away unless we know you're up!”They had to be fucking kidding me! Cursing under my breath, I crawled out from under the warm duvet and swayed my way to the door. The banging on my door continued, perfectly matching the pounding inside my head. I wouldn't mind swallowing a ton of aspirin for breakfast.“I'm up,” I growled, opening the door and glaring da

My heart fluttered faster than a hummingbird's wings as I stared at the man in front of me. Giulio still groaned in pain, writhing on the ground. Hunter barely spared him a glance before locking his eyes on me.“Thank you,” I rasped, folding my arms over my waist. “If you didn't show up... That man… He—”“He had it coming,” Hunter said simply before snapping his fingers.A heartbeat passed, and two men in black suits materialized beside him. Hunter motioned his chin at Giulio, and the two men grabbed him and started dragging him further away from the main venue.A shudder rushed through me. “Where are they taking him?” I asked, my voice shaking.A cold smirk tugged at his lips. “Don't worry about it.” He slowly scanned me from head to toe. “Are you hurt?”I shook my head, suddenly feeling the cold ground beneath my bare feet. I noticed my stilettos a few feet away and quickly snatched them from the ground. He moved as if to help me put them on, but this whole situation rattled me enou

CATHERINEIt was nearly six o'clock. I walked through the long hall, heading to where the limousine had already been waiting. My wavy hair swayed from side to side as I tried to keep my walk steady. I was dressed in a black fitted dress that ended right above my knees. Not the most conservative look I could pick, but at least it had a shallow neckline and no inappropriate slits.The chauffeur opened the door and helped me inside the car. My father was already there. I slid to sit beside him and gave him a tight smile. He slowly looked me up and down and gave me a curt nod of approval. “Relax, Catherine. Would you like a drink?” He smiled and pointed at the small bar between our seats. “You seem tensed. A few drops of alcohol might help you calm down.”My eyes widened in disbelief. Was that truly my father? Was he actually trying to be nice? I watched him take two glasses and pour a thin layer of whiskey into both. He grabbed one glass and gestured for me to take the other one. God… th

I stared at Ace, having a hard time acknowledging his words. Did he truly suggest I should marry Hunter Thorne?“Are you out of your fucking mind?!” Fifi burst out, glaring at Ace. “That man is practically a Mafia Don! Not to mention that he has a long line of enemies waiting to kill him... and his wife!”Ace gave her a look. “Don't be so dramatic. You're forgetting that he also has the biggest number of soldiers at his disposal. I'd say he's pretty well protected. I'm also certain he'd make protecting his wife a number one priority.”Fifi worked her jaw. “He's doing a lot of illegal… stuff!”“Well, no shit!” Ace snorted. “May I remind you your family deals with all of the Italians, Russians, Chinese Triads, and Yakuza and is quite OK with taking money from them?”Fifi rolled her eyes. “That's… different. We don't get to pick our clients.”“Spare me that bullshit, Fifi.” Ace gave her an unimpressed look. “And may I remind you that Cat can either marry a sadist or... choose someone equ