CHAPTER 3

It wasn’t love. Not yet. But the start of something I knew could ruin me if I let it.

“It's a pleasure to have you, Mr. Rivera,” I whispered, and hung the garland around his neck.

His phone rang. His eyes still locked with mine, he answered.

“Hello? Can we talk later, please? I’m in the middle of something… yes, thank you.”

Then he slipped his phone into his pocket and smiled. “Hi.”

“Hi,” I whispered.

It was as though all the oxygen in the world had vanished into thin air, leaving me breathless under his gaze.

A faint smile curved his lips, and without saying another word, he continued into the ballroom.

A symphony played as guests exchanged greetings and laughter. The air smelled of expensive perfume beneath the sparkles of the chandeliers.

After welcome guests, my colleagues and I proceeded to the ballroom to serve drinks.

I carried on, tray in hand and spotted him talking with a group of ladies.

Bitterness slid down my throat. What was that? Jealousy?

“Is that a champagne?” a couple asked.

“Yes,” I replied and presented the tray to them. They each picked up a glass and moved on.

I tried to focus on my job, but my eyes had a will of their own. They found him dancing with one of the ladies.

At last, the music ended, and they bowed to each other.

Alec Rivera walked to a corner and picked up a glass of wine from a server. Just as he was about to drink, his gaze met mine.

Heat pooled in my belly.

I couldn't look away. No—something in his gaze burned through me from across the room.

Reluctantly, he lifted his glass to his lips and took a sip, only to frown and glance at the drink. Then he clutched his stomach.

What was that?

A wave of curiosity washed through me as I watched him stagger out of the room.

I made to follow but bumped into a woman in her mid-fifties.

“I-I’m so sorry,” I stuttered.

“Oh, it's fine,” she drawled with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. “Hi.”

“Hi,” I mumbled, and hid my unease under the veil of professionalism. “Would you care for a drink?”

“No, no. But a friend of mine does need a little drink.”

Without warning, she grabbed my hand and headed for the door.

Part of me wanted to pull away, but remembered how much I needed this job. I couldn't afford to screw it up, hence I followed the strange lady down the exquisite hallway of Blue Ribbon Hotel until she stopped at a mahogany door.

“You won’t be needing this,” the woman said, and collected my tray.

“But, ma’am...”

She hushed and signaled me to go in.

My heart pounded.

With a deep breath, I stepped into the room and my eyes widened. Alec Rivera was sprawled on the floor, his back propped against the bed frame.

“Mr. Rivera!”

I darted to his side and dropped to my knees. His pupils were unfocused, his body burning from the inside out.

He gave a dazed grin and kissed my neck. “Thank goodness you’re here.”

I froze. “You need help. Let me call—”

His hand shot up, and caught mine. “Don't go.”

Our eyes locked, silence stretching between us.

Then he broke into tears.

It dawned on me...the rich do cry too. Beneath all the luxury and power, there was something that made us human. A moment of vulnerability.

Maybe this was it for Mr. Rivera.

I reached forward with a shaky hand and patted his back.

The tension in his shoulders eased as I rubbed slow circles on his back.

None of us moved.

Then slowly he pulled back and looked into my eyes. I should’ve looked away, or stood and left.

Instead, I stayed. His cologne wrapped around me, the heat of his body melting every trace of reason.

The world faded as he kissed me.

“Alec?” I panted.

“Please. Stay,” he whispered.

This should be the moment I turned on my heels and ran without looking back. But I didn’t.

Maybe because I wanted to feel cherished. Just once. Without consequence.

So I kissed him back.

Our lips dueled like two lovers separated by time.

He lifted me effortlessly and lowered me on the bed.

Our lips met again that night.

I moaned as he trailed kisses to my neck and caressed my breasts. My back arched off the bed, and I raked my fingers through his hair.

I didn’t know what this was — only that it felt like something I’d been starving for.

Was this it? My chance to finally feel something real… or the biggest mistake of my life?