Chapter 2

Charlotte’s pov

The race back to the house went in a blur as I could barely stop crying as Lucas’s words kept replaying in my head.

I had opened up to him about my trauma and told him every single thing about me, but he chose to stab me behind my back and treat me like the problem.

By the time I got back to the apartment and saw the effort I had put in to make him happy, I was quickly filled with rage. If he wanted to make me feel like shit while he cheats with my best friend, I was going to show him that two can play the game.

Wiping my tears angrily, I marched over to my closet and pulled out a dress I had bought on a rare whim but never had the courage to wear. It was an emerald slip dress that fell to mid-thigh and also had the low-cut neckline and open back that accentuated every single curve of my slender frame, hugging my hips.

I hurriedly applied light makeup to hide my red eyes, before styling my hair.

Tonight, I was going to have the fun I had been deprived of for months.

An hour later, I had arrived at the well-known club downtown. Usually, a college student like me would get turned away, but the bouncer took one long look at my dress, met my unflinching gaze, and let me pass without a word.

Inside, the air was thick with bass, expensive perfume, and the glow of neon lights. The music vibrated loudly, but I didn’t stop to face anyone, I headed straight for the bar, ordered a glass of whisky, and swallowed it in one gulp.

As I drank continuously, I felt eyes on me. Men watched me, with their eyes tracking the curve of my waist, but none of them moved me.

Then, my eyes drifted toward the VIP section that was secluded.

A man sat in the furthest corner and he was completely alone. Even from a distance, his presence sucked the energy right out of the room. He was older than most, easily in his mid-forties, with broad shoulders that filled out a perfectly tailored charcoal suit jacket. His dark hair was styled with a precise elegance, and his sharp eyes seemed to track everything in the club.

As if sensing my stare, his head lifted and his cold eyes settled directly onto mine.

An electric shock zipped down my spine, making my breath hitch. Everything about him yelled for me to stay away and keep my eyes to myself. Instead of looking away, I held his gaze, lifting my empty glass in a silent challenge.

The man rose from his booth. At six-foot-three, he towered effortlessly over the crowd as he walked toward the bar. The sea of bodies seemed to part for him naturally and when he stopped just inches away from me, his scent wrapped around my senses.

"Whisky?" he asked in a deep tone that made the hairs on my arm stand. "A heavy choice for someone who looks like a sweet angel."

"I am no angel," I said, my voice bolder than it had ever been as I tilted my chin up, matching his intense stare. "And I had a very bad day."

An intrigued smile played on his lips. "A bad day usually drives people to forget. I am Zade." He didn't offer a last name, and I didn't care to ask.

"Charlotte," I replied.

"Well, Charlotte," Zade murmured, leaning a fraction closer. His gaze dropped to my lips, then traced the line of my throat down to the exposed skin of my chest where my cleavage was exposed. "You have a fierce energy inside you and I must say, it is a beautiful distraction."

"Then distract me," I whispered, stepping fully into his space as I met his eyes boldly.

Lucas thought he could hurt me, but I was getting my revenge in the way that I deemed fit.

Zade didn't hesitate. His large hand came up, his long fingers wrapping firmly around the nape of my neck. His thumb brushed against my jawline with a possessive touch that made my knees weak.

"If we leave this club together, Charlotte, I won’t be gentle," he said, like he was expecting me to back out, but I only leaned closer to him as the alcohol in my veins clouded my mind.

"Good," I gasped out.

He didn't speak another word as he grabbed my hand and led me out of the club toward a sleek black car waiting outside.

The drive to the penthouse passed in a blur as we could barely keep our hands off each other. The moment the penthouse door clicked shut behind us, Zade pinned me against the wall and his mouth slammed onto mine in a passionate kiss that stole my breath away.

I groaned, wrapping my arms around his neck while pulling him closer as his hands gripped my hips, lifting me effortlessly. He carried me to the bed and began to devour me immediately.

For the rest of the night, there was no past, no Lucas, and no betrayal. There was only the raw and burning demand of Zade's touch, capturing every inch of my body like no one had ever done, not even Lucas in our three years of being together.

Hours later, sunlight began to filter in from the curtains. I woke up with the heavy weight of Zade’s arm wrapped securely around my waist, while he was deep in sleep.

It took me a moment to gather my thoughts but soon, reality crashed back into my chest as everything clicked.

The reckless night was over, and now, the shock of what I had done hung heavily over my head as guilt filled me.

Unable to remain still, I gently got out of bed to avoid waking up the stranger and then, I put on my dress, before grabbing my shoes.

I looked back at his sleeping form one last time and released a sigh, before slipping out of the room and hoping I never have to cross paths with him ever again.