Chapter 2

“Do you have any idea who that is?” Naomi sputtered, almost choking for the second time. Her eyes bulged and her hand flew to her chest as she stared across the room. “That’s Anthony Jeffery,” she breathed, stunned as if she had just seen a ghost.

Anna turned to her, brows scrunching together. “Who is he?” she asked, genuinely lost. Her gaze flicked back to him—drawn helplessly to the way his smile curved, lazy and confident, like he owned the air around him. She snapped her attention back to Naomi. “Well? Who is he?”

Naomi inhaled sharply, as if bracing herself. “He is a billionaire tycoon, Anna.”

Anna blinked. “…Okay, and?”

The look Naomi gave her could curdle milk. “You seriously don’t get it?” she whispered, leaning in and lowering her voice as if the walls themselves might snitch. “Not just any billionaire. Anthony Jeffery owns more than half the companies in this city. Real estate, tech, media, security firms—everything. People don’t cross him. They don’t even breathe wrong around him.”

Anna’s throat worked. “Why?”

“Because he’s dangerous,” Naomi murmured. “Powerful. Connected. The kind of man whose name alone can get someone fired… destroyed… or gone. And the scariest part? He doesn’t shout. He ruins people quietly—and with a smile. That man over there…” She tilted her chin toward Anthony, who was casually talking to someone as if the room didn’t hold its breath around him. “…he’s the type of man kings bow to and criminals fear.”

Anna turned back to look at him, and this time her heart stuttered for an entirely different reason. Because he was staring right at her.

Heat shot up her spine. She whipped her gaze away too fast and grabbed the closest glass of whiskey just to have something to do with her hands.

“You should look for someone else,” Naomi said quickly, scanning the crowd. “I’ll help you find someone.”

Anna gave her a faint smile, but her eyes drifted back—drawn like a magnet—to Anthony. This time, his gaze was already waiting for her. He smirked, slow and sinful, and her breath caught. Heat pooled so abruptly between her thighs that she had to clench her legs under the table. She looked away again, pulse skittering.

“What about that guy?” Naomi pointed across the room. Anna let her gaze follow, but nothing happened. He was handsome, sure, but her body didn’t so much as twitch. No spark. No heat. No pull.

Before Naomi could suggest anyone else, a voice interrupted. “Excuse me, miss.”

A waiter stood beside their table, composed but clearly nervous. “You’re needed in the VIP section. He is waiting for you.”

Anna’s brows knit. “Who wants me?”

The waiter turned and gestured toward the lounge. Anthony Jeffery lifted his hand and gave her a small, deliberate wave. It wasn't casual, and it certainly wasn't friendly. It was a wave that said come here.

Anna felt a slow smile tug at her lips before she could stop it.

“I’ll be right there,” Anna said softly. The waiter nodded and disappeared into the crowd, leaving a heavy silence at the table.

Naomi reached out, grabbing her wrist. “Anna… are you sure this isn’t a bad idea?”

“Come on, Naomi.” Anna laughed softly, brushing her friend’s worry away with a wave of her hand. “I just want to have a little fun. Besides… it’s just one night.” Her smile lingered as she rose from her seat, smoothing her dress before walking straight toward the VIP lounge.

Anthony’s gaze lifted the moment she approached—slow and intentional. It drifted from her face, down the line of her neck, to her chest, lingering boldly as if he were sampling her with his eyes. Heat pricked under her skin, a silent question screaming in her mind: Does he like what he sees?

“You want me,” she said before she could stop herself. It was reckless and bold, earning a low chuckle from him that seemed to vibrate straight through her.

She slipped into the seat across from him before he could respond, crossing her legs deliberately. Anthony didn’t hide his stare; he took his time, dragging his eyes over every inch of her. Her cheeks warmed, but she forced her expression to stay cool and controlled, even as her pulse flickered wildly.

“I suppose your husband won’t be mad that you’re here,” he said eventually, his chin nodding toward the gold band on her finger.

Anna glanced down—she hadn’t even realized she still had it on. With a quick, sharp flick of her wrist, the ring was off and disappeared into her clutch. Anthony scoffed, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“He won’t mind,” she said, leaning forward until her voice dipped into something sultry. “We’re in an open marriage.”

“Damn,” he murmured. The word left his lips low and rough—dangerous. Something about the way he said it slid straight through her, lighting a slow, aching heat deep in her core. She watched him lift a glass to his mouth and take a deliberate sip, his throat moving with each swallow. Her thighs pressed together instinctively. God.

He set the drink down and pinned her with a look sharp enough to steal her breath. “You want this?” he asked, his voice almost too quiet to hear.

Her heart stumbled. “Yes.” The answer slipped out before she could catch it.

His mouth curved, slow and knowing, his teeth grazing his bottom lip. “Are you sure?” His voice was barely a whisper now, the tension curling around her like smoke. “Tell me.”

The air between them thickened—hot, hungry, and dangerous. If letting an impossibly attractive tycoon take her for one night was what she needed to remind herself she was desirable, then this was exactly the kind of fire she wanted to walk into.

He leaned in a fraction closer, his voice dropping into a dark command. “So tell me what you want from me.”

“I want you,” she whispered, every word trembling with a need she hadn’t felt in years. “I want all of you.”

Everything blurred after that—a haze of heat, adrenaline, and whiskey, with a dark magnetic pull between them tightening until it snapped. Suddenly, they were in the quiet sanctuary of a dimly lit room. Her dress was already pushed up to her knees, and though he hadn’t even touched her yet, her body was humming, alive and painfully aware of his proximity. Maybe it was the liquor, or maybe it was just him, but she was burning.

“Are you going to touch me now?” she asked, her voice shaking with want.

His smirk deepened—confident, wicked, and absolutely sure of the effect he had on her. “Come here.”

He extended a hand, steady and commanding. Anna placed her palm in his and stepped out of her dress, leaving her in barely anything. Her heart pounded loud enough to drown out the silence as he guided her to the bed. He didn't move; he just looked at her. That stare alone sent sparks racing under her skin, but she forced herself to hold his gaze, refusing to be the first to look away.

He bent down until his face was inches from hers, their breaths mingling in the small space between them. Their eyes locked—hot and sharp enough to melt the remaining distance. When he straightened to pull his shirt over his head, Anna’s breath caught. He was built with a rugged, powerful grace that made her sink her teeth into her lip without realizing it.

“Stand,” he commanded.

She rose before she could even think—her body already knew who it wanted to obey. He stepped in close and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss started slow, almost teasing, but she responded instantly, pulling him deeper into it. Heat crashed through her as the taste of alcohol and mint mixed on their tongues. A soft, helpless sound slipped out of her, but he pulled away too soon.

Anna let out a small, frustrated whimper, making him smile at her swollen, parted lips. “You’re starving,” he murmured, though his own eyes were dark and undone.

He kissed her again, harder this time, his hand sliding into her hair to angle her head and guide the kiss deeper. When she finally pulled back for air, her pulse was wild and uncontrollable. Something about this felt different—perhaps because she hadn’t let herself want anyone but her husband in six long years, and now the electricity was overwhelming.

“Get on your knees,” he murmured.

Her breath hitched, but she obeyed instantly. Her fingers moved to unbutton his pants, pushing the fabric down slowly. When he sprang free, her lips parted in surprise, her eyes darting up to meet his.

His smirk was wicked. “You look like you’re wondering if you can handle me.”

“I can,” she swallowed hard, the answer making something dark flicker in his gaze.

His hand slid into her hair, slow and deliberate, as he drew her in. She leaned forward, her tongue teasing him lightly until his breath stuttered and a low, rough groan broke from his chest. Suddenly, he cursed under his breath and pulled back sharply.

“That’s enough,” he said, his voice strained and tight.

She blinked up at him, confused. “You didn’t like it?”

“I liked it,” he said softly, cupping her jaw and brushing his thumb over her wet lips. “Too much. Another second and I would’ve lost control.”

A shy, triumphant smile curved her lips. He lifted her with ease, kissing her deeply as he backed her toward the bed. The room spun with heat and adrenaline as her back hit the mattress. His body hovered over hers like a storm ready to break, his gaze dropping to the damp outline of her silk panties.

“Take these off,” he murmured, his voice low and hungry. “Let me see you.”