CHAPTER 004

The man sat with his shoulders slightly hunched, his broad frame caught in the faint glow of a nearby streetlamp. He was large—solid in a way that commanded attention without effort. His face remained half-shadowed, but she caught the sharp line of his jaw, the slow curl of his lips around the cigarette between them.

The scent of tobacco mingled with something else—woodsy, clean, and unexpectedly intoxicating.

Ella hesitated before taking the far end of the bench. If he noticed her, he didn’t react, his gaze fixed somewhere in the dark ahead.

After a moment, his voice broke the silence. Low. Smooth.

“Didn’t expect company.”

She shrugged, pulling a cigarette from her bag, lighting it with fingers that trembled just slightly. “Didn’t expect someone to be in my spot.”

A quiet chuckle escaped him. “Your spot, huh?”

“Needed air,” she said, exhaling smoke. “Or maybe just needed to feel like I’m not completely losing my mind.”

He turned then, his eyes dark and assessing. “Rough night?”

“Rough life,” she corrected. “You?”

A faint smile tugged at his lips, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Life has a way of reminding me that no matter how far I go, I’m still tangled in the same mess.”

Silence settled between them, charged but oddly comfortable.

“What do you want out of life?” she asked suddenly.

He considered it. “Peace,” he said. “Something lasting. Something that doesn’t end in blood or regret.”

Her chest tightened. “Yeah. Peace sounds nice.”

Their eyes held—and something shifted. Not rushed. Not reckless. Just inevitable.

When he leaned in, it was slow and deliberate, giving her space to pull away.

She didn’t.

Their lips met softly, then deepened, the kiss carrying everything they hadn’t said. The city faded. The night narrowed to the warmth between them.

His arms came around her waist, lifting her with effortless ease.

“Hey—” she gasped, laughter mixing with surprise.

“I don’t want eyes on us,” he murmured. “Too many people watching.”

She didn’t argue. She clung to him as he carried her toward a sleek black car nearby.

The door opened. Leather met skin. He lingered for a moment before sliding into the driver’s seat, the air between them thick with heat and restraint.

“You can still say no,” he said quietly.

She knew she should. Knew this wasn’t who she used to be.

But tonight, she wanted this moment—this escape.

Her lips parted, her pulse hammering in her ears. She should have said no. She knew this wasn’t who she was, or at least, who she used to be. But right now, with everything in her life spiraling out of control, she wanted this. Wanted him. This irrestible stranger.

“I’m not saying no,” she whispered. " I want it badly"

That was all the encouragement he needed.

He leaned in, capturing her lips with his once more, his hands finding her waist and pulling her closer. His touch was firm yet gentle, his fingers exploring the curves of her body with a deliberate slowness that made her shiver.

Her hands moved instinctively, sliding up his chest, feeling the hard muscle beneath his shirt. He groaned softly against her lips, the sound sending a thrill down her spine.

The space inside the car seemed to shrink as their movements became more urgent. His lips trailed down her neck, his stubble grazing her skin and leaving a tingling sensation in its wake. Her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as a soft moan escaped her lips.

He shifted, pulling her onto his lap, his large hands gripping her thighs as she straddled him. The leather seat creaked beneath them, the heat between them building to an unbearable intensity.

“You’re driving me crazy,” he murmured against her skin, his voice thick with desire.

She couldn’t reply. Her mind was a blur, her body reacting purely on instinct as their lips met again in a frenzy of passion.

Clothes were discarded piece by piece, the cool air of the car brushing against her soft warm skin before his hands and lips replaced it. Every touch, every kiss, was electrifying, pushing her further into the abyss of raw passion and need.

Time seemed to stand still as they gave in to the moment, their bodies moving together in perfect rhythm. The outside world disappeared, leaving only the heat and intensity of their connection.

He had thought he could evade her earlier when he saw her walked in, go out and have a moment to himself. But it was as if fate had a different plan. Fate always has a different plan.

So they spoke, her words melting the heavy guilt that almost strangled him. He couldn't stop staring at this beautiful woman with her round face and kissable lips, her mesmerizing green eyes, as she spoke. Then he let his gaze fall on her thighs, exposed in the air and waiting for his touch. And her body was driving him crazy. Driving his cock crazy.

He felt a strong urge to slap her ass while fucking her from behind. He was now so hard and filled with desire that he no longer remember what his problems were. He just wanted to kiss her. To fuck her like his life depends on it.

One thing led to another, and soon, they were fucking in his car, the heat between them consuming every rational thought.

During those hours, Chase forgot about everything else except the warmth of her tightness wrapped around his hard length as he fucked her. He just couldn't get enough of this woman, she unleashed the beast within him as she held onto him, the sounds of her moans, those perfect thighs and her gorgeous breasts.

The next morning, Chase stood in the shower, the water scalding as it washed away the remnants of the night before. He braced his hands against the wall, his head bowed. The guilt was back, sharp and inevitable, but so was the memory of her. Her voice as she gasp at every thrusts from him. Her warmth and tightness wrapped around his cock. He never asked her name before she stepped out of his car, he didn't bother to  ask far as he is concerned, they will never meet again. It's just a one night thing.

Mrs. Wendy—the oldest and most trusted of the household staff greeted him at the door, her expression neutral as ever.

“Mr. Connor,” she said calmly. “The nanny is in your office. She said she needs to speak with you privately.”

Chase frowned. He’d never met the nanny. Never needed to. Mrs. Wendy handled everything—hiring, scheduling and staff payments.

Annoyed and curious, he made his way to the office and pushed the door open.

And stopped.

She stood near his desk, hands clasped tightly in front of her.

The woman from the club.

The woman from last night.

His breath hitched despite himself. She looked different—more composed and professional but the recognition struck just as hard. The same mouth. The same eyes that had haunted him since morning.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Blue met green.

He watched the color drain from her face as realization settled in.

Slowly, a smirk curved his lips as he stepped farther into the room.

“Well,” he said coolly, “this is unexpected.”

Her chin lifted, though her fingers trembled slightly. “That comment you’re about to make—don’t.”

Too late.

“Nanny by day,” he murmured, leaning against his desk, eyes dragging over her with deliberate slowness. “And slut by night"

Her eyes flashed, anger sharp and controlled. “That’s uncalled for. And wrong. I am nothing like what you’re implying.”

Something about the steadiness of her voice unsettled him.

“I didn’t think I’d see you again,, talk more of knowing you work under my roof” he said lightly. “So—what do you want?”

She explained. Carefully, not dramatics. Just facts layered with quiet desperation. She needed money. A lot of it. She didn’t say why but she didn’t need to. He could hear it in the pauses between her words.

He tilted his head, studying her. “There’s an easy solution,” he said. “One that worked just fine last night.”

Her jaw tightened—but she didn’t waver.

“That won’t happen again,” she said evenly. “That night was a mistake.”

The words landed harder than he expected.

A mistake.

Chase felt something sharp twist in his chest—quick, unwelcome. He masked it instantly, schooling his expression back into indifference.

“Funny,” he said coolly. “Didn’t feel like one.”

She didn’t rise to it. Just met his gaze, unwavering.

And for the first time since walking into the room, Chase Connor realized something dangerous.

This woman wasn’t here to beg.

She was here to fight.