One night of sin

Leah’s POV

I was returning from the restroom when I decided to step outside for some fresh air.

The music inside was getting louder, and although I was having a good time with Erica, my head felt a little light from all the cocktails we’d had.

I pushed the door open and stepped into the cool night air.

That was when I noticed him.

A man was leaning against the wall a few feet away, his head slightly bowed as he smoked a cigarette. He wore a dark jacket and a black cap pulled low over his face.

I didn’t know why I stopped to look at him.

Maybe it was the way he stood so casually, or perhaps it was the strange sense of mystery surrounding him.

He took one last drag before throwing the cigarette to the ground and crushing it beneath his shoe.

Then he straightened and started walking towards the entrance.

“I don’t think you should be out here alone.”

His voice made me turn.

I blinked at him. “I don’t think so either.”

A faint smile touched his lips, though I couldn’t properly see his face beneath the cap.

He opened the door, allowing me to walk in ahead of him.

“Are you here alone?” he asked as we entered.

“No. I’m here with my friend.”

I glanced at him. “What about you?”

“Alone.”

For some reason, that answer made me smile.

When we reached the section where Erica and I had been sitting, I pointed towards our table.

“That’s my friend over there.”

He followed my gaze.

Erica looked up, and her eyes immediately moved between the stranger and me. Before I could say anything, she smiled.

“Well, hello.”

“Hi, baby girl.”I replied, suddenly feeling a little shy.

The man gave her a polite nod.

Erica’s phone rang a moment later. She glanced at the screen before standing.

“Excuse me. I need to take this.”

Then she looked at me and gave me a very deliberate wink.

I narrowed my eyes at her. She only giggled before walking away.

I shook my head and turned back to the stranger, he was looking at my hand.

More specifically, my wedding ring. I quickly slipped my hand beneath the table.

“You’re beautiful,” he said.

I looked up, caught off guard. “Thank you.”

He pulled out the chair beside me and sat down.

“You don’t strike me as someone who should be out here dressed like this.”

I frowned. “And what exactly am I supposed to look like?”

He chuckled.

“Well, your innocence is written all over you.”

I scoffed. “I’m not innocent.”

“Didn’t conclude you were.”

“And you don’t even know me.”

“That’s true.”

I took another sip of my drink, trying to hide my smile.

He was annoyingly calm, and there was something about his voice that made me want to keep listening.

His gaze briefly dropped to my hand again.

“Wedding ring?”

I followed his eyes and sighed.

“Yeah. Wedding ring.”

He let out a quiet laugh.

I frowned at him. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. Go on.”

I leaned back against my chair.

“I got married to a man I’ve never even seen properly. Can you imagine that? A complete stranger.”

“A marriage of convenience?”

I turned towards him. “Exactly!”

He laughed again, and I found myself laughing too.

“Do you hate him?” he asked.

“I don’t hate anybody.”

I paused, thinking about it.

“Well, except my uncle. He sold me away to save his stupid company.”

The stranger went quiet for a moment.

“Sounds like you’ve had a difficult time.”

“You have no idea.” I shook my head. “And my husband? Don’t even get me started.”

“That bad?”

“He’s rude. Arrogant. Cruel. He treats people like they mean nothing to him. Honestly, I don’t know how anyone can live with someone like that.”

He tilted his head, seemingly amused.

“Wonderful husband you’ve got there.”

“Don’t remind me.”

I took another sip, completely unaware of how much I had already revealed to a man whose name I didn’t even know.

We talked for what felt like forever. I couldn’t tell how much time had passed, but I found myself laughing more than I had in weeks.

When Erica eventually returned, she caught me smiling at the stranger.

She waited until he turned away before grabbing my arm and pulling me a little aside.

“Oh my God, Leah.”

“What?”

“Look at you!”

I giggled, glancing over my shoulder at him.

“I think I like him.”

Erica stared at me. “Baby girl, you’re married.”

“I know.”

“And I’ve been sitting over there watching you giggle at that man for the past twenty minutes.”

I burst into another fit of laughter.

“Well, it’s not my fault. He’s handsome.”

“Leah!”

“What?”

She shook her head, but there was a mischievous smile on her face.

“So, what are you going to do?”

I hesitated. “He asked me if I was going home tonight.”

Erica’s eyes widened. “And what did you say?”

“That I was supposed to.”

“Supposed to?”

I shrugged.

“What do you mean? You’re fucking married to Damien Vale. The masked billionaire. You’re wearing his ring, Leah.”

“I know that.”

“Then what are you thinking?”

I looked towards the stranger again.

“I don’t know. Maybe I just want to do something for myself for once. Something that doesn’t involve being Mrs. Vale.”

Erica studied my face.

“Are you seriously thinking about going home with him?”

I lowered my voice.

“Maybe it could just be a one-night thing. Something I’ll never have to think about again.”

“Oh my God.” She covered her mouth. “This is like one of those romance books we read online. You’re actually considering giving your virginity to a stranger?”

“Keep your voice down!”

“Leah, this is crazy.”

“I know.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

I glanced at the stranger again.

“Maybe it’s better to give that part of myself to someone I’ll never see again than to a man who doesn’t even want to show me his face.”

Erica stared at me for a few seconds before sighing.

“Okay. Maybe we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Just listen to what he has to say, and follow your heart. But please, Leah, be sure about whatever you decide.”

I nodded.

When I returned to the table, the stranger was waiting with his drink in hand.

I stood beside him for a moment before asking, “Can I really see your face?”

He looked up at me.

Then, without saying a word, he reached for the brim of his cap and slowly lifted it.

And just like that, I forgot what I had wanted to say. He was handsome.

His dark hair was slightly tousled, his features sharp and masculine, and his eyes held an intensity that made it difficult to look away.

There was a tiny scar just beneath his right eye. It was barely noticeable, but somehow, it only made him more attractive.

I stared a little longer than I should have.

“Better?” he asked.

I swallowed. “Much better.”

A faint smile appeared on his face.

He studied me for a moment before asking, “Would you like to come back to my hotel with me?”

My heart skipped. I glanced towards Erica, who was watching us from across the room.

Then I looked back at him, and I knew I should say no.

I was married. I had a husband, even if he was a man I barely knew. And this stranger sitting beside me could be anyone.

But perhaps that was exactly what made the idea so tempting.

I leaned closer, meeting his gaze. “Just one night,” I whispered.

His smile widened slightly, and I knew I was about to do something I might regret.

One night of sin.

How bad could it possibly be?

[Hi!! Author here, thank you for flipping to this point! Please stay with me, as we go through the journey of Leah and Damien…. Love you all!!!]