1. The Reunion

Returning to that place was like reigniting one of the most intense nights of my life. I never imagined that visiting somewhere so far removed from my social circle, in such a small town, would turn my life upside down.

I remember that the moment I walked in, I felt out of place. The people around me didn’t seem to notice my presence, and that unsettled me at first. With time, I realized they didn’t care about my background or my story. They were there simply to escape the complexities of the world.

I chose a seat near the bar and asked the waiter for any strong drink that could push away thoughts of Lionel. After six years together, he had suddenly decided he wasn’t ready for a more serious commitment.

That breakup shattered me. My plans of building a family had been reduced to ashes. At thirty-six, I had imagined myself in a stable relationship with children around me, but all that remained was an inexplicable ending to what we had.

The loud music filled the space, masking the turmoil inside me. The bar lights shimmered, creating an atmosphere that could hide my tears, if they dared to fall. I just wanted a refuge, a brief escape from my seemingly perfect life that had collapsed.

The waiter set down my drink, and I took a sip, feeling the warmth of the alcohol spread through my body. I looked around, observing unfamiliar faces who, in some way, shared my search for relief. In that moment, I felt strangely connected to them, all of us seeking an escape from our own torments.

As I drank my loneliness and heartbreak, I thought about my shattered expectations. Six years of dedication, plans for a future together, and everything had crumbled with a simple goodbye sent in a text message. I wanted to understand why, to find something that justified the ending, but there were no explanations, only the emptiness and confusion now living inside my heart.

I had no expectations for that night, until my eyes met those of a man at the back of the bar. His gaze was captivating, sparking desire in my direction. His wicked smile lit a spark in my chest, and for the first time in a long while, I felt wanted.

I turned back toward the counter, trying to clear my mind. The alcohol was probably doing an excellent job. I took a few deep breaths until I managed to place another order with the waiter.

“Bottle of water, please.” He nodded, and I looked back down at the message on my phone.

I wanted to throw that damn device as far as I could, but I knew I would regret it immediately. My clients weren’t to blame for my personal problems.

“May I sit?” That voice made my entire body shiver and my throat go dry. It was powerful, rough, and deep.

I slowly turned, looking at the man who had been watching me just minutes ago.

The air around him seemed charged, his presence radiating power. He was strong, his muscles defined, beautiful tribal tattoos climbing up his arms. His face was masculine, with a square jaw and a trimmed beard, and his large golden eyes examined every inch of me without hesitation.

“Of course,” I replied, finding my voice again.

“First time here?” He looked at me, then turned toward the waiter who was approaching with my bottle of water. He gestured to him, and the man promptly complied.

“I’m here on business,” I said with a shy smile.

It had been a long time since someone had affected me the way he did in that moment.

The waiter handed him his beer, and his eyes settled on my lips, where the bottle touched. I watched his sinful smile widen, and I adjusted myself in the seat, shamelessly highlighting my curves for him.

“I know this region well. If you want, I can introduce you to some local business owners you could work with.” I crossed my legs, letting my skirt rise just a little higher.

“Construction seems to be growing in this area. Maybe I’ll take you up on that.” I barely recognized myself. My body seemed to crave his attention.

“Just tell me what you need.” He leaned in slightly, inhaling my scent without restraint. “And I can introduce you to anything you want… tonight.” My skin prickled again, and I bit my lip, tempted to do something reckless, something I had never done before.

“Another tempting offer, but can I trust you, Mr…?” I ran a hand through my blonde hair.

“Jordan Reynolds. And you are?” He extended his hand, and I took it instantly.

“Celine Jones.” I smiled at the firm grip he gave me.

“What do you say we get out of here?” I felt his finger trail possessively along my arm, and I liked the sensation far more than I should have.

“I think that’s an excellent idea.” Jordan pulled me closer, lifting my face toward his. I heard his chest vibrate at my response, a low growl slipping from his lips.

His scrutiny over my face was thorough, searching for any sign that I wasn’t certain about this, but I was. I knew exactly how I wanted that night to end, even if I might regret it the next day.

“Come.” He laced our fingers together and led the way, parting through the crowd as people now watched us with interest. Jordan nodded toward another man at the back of the bar, and he signaled to the others, who immediately stopped staring.

I smiled at the dominance he held over them and wondered what it would be like to command that kind of power myself one day.

Jordan stopped beside a silver car and turned to me. His hands pulled me closer with ease, and he buried his nose in my neck, heightening my senses.

“I’ve never felt anything like this scent,” he whispered, his voice rough with desire. His fingers slipped into my hair, tugging it back so my face tilted up toward him. “Are you sure about what you want?” he asked, leaving me no room to deny it.

“I want to see what you can teach me.” I challenged him, and the gleam in his eyes deepened.

Our lips met in the next second, and a moan broke from my chest. It was a deep, carnal need, unlike anything I had ever felt before. Jordan pressed me against the car, grinding against me, showing just how ready his body was. I lifted one leg to close the distance between us, and he gripped it firmly, growling again in approval.

“So delicious.” His lips moved along my neck, and I felt an urgent need to rid myself of those clothes. I needed more. I needed the feel of him worshiping my body.

“Take me somewhere I can get out of this.” I pointed to my blouse, already unbuttoned at the top. He pulled back and opened the car door, motioning for me to get in with his eyes.

“I don’t think we’ll make it very far.” I smiled, letting out a soft breath as my fingers slid over the buttons of my blouse, revealing my red bra.

“Look who finally decided to show up.”

A familiar voice snapped me out of the trance I was in. When I lifted my eyes, there he was, two years later, with the same enigmatic posture and the same commanding presence.

“Jordan, we need to talk,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper as I searched for the right words to explain why I was there again.