Chapter One

Ryan woke up to soft, warm, lazy kisses trailing across his chest.

He didn't open his eyes immediately. He lay still, enjoying the gentle touch of her lips as they moved from his chest to his collarbone and up towards his neck.

Ryan slowly opened his eyes. She was lying beside him, resting on one elbow. The sheet was wrapped around her waist, and her hair fell loosely over one shoulder. She smiled when she noticed he was awake.

For a moment, Ryan simply stared at her, trying to remember her name. Olivia? He wasn't entirely sure.

"Good morning, handsome," she whispered, placing another kiss on his chest.

Her voice brought the events of the previous night back to him.

He had met her at an exclusive bar in Manhattan, where he had gone out with a few friends to celebrate one of them closing a multimillion-dollar business deal. He had been enjoying himself when he spotted her sitting at the bar with another lady.

She was slim and petite, with long blonde hair, delicate features, and a beautiful smile. She was exactly his type. After exchanging a few smiles, he approached her and offered to buy her drinks.

One drink turned into several, and before long, they were flirting and laughing like they had known each other for much longer. They eventually made their way to the dance floor, where the attraction between them became impossible to ignore. They kissed passionately, barely paying attention to the people around them.

By the time they left the bar, neither was ready for the night to end. Somehow, they ended up at his penthouse, their clothes were soon scattered carelessly across the bedroom floor. The rest of the night was passionate and intense, and they eventually fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms.

"Morning." His voice was still rough with sleep. He glanced towards the bedside table. "What time is it?"

She smiled and shook her head. "Does it matter?”

Before he could answer, she kissed him again, lower this time, and his hand found the back of her neck, fingers sliding into her hair. She climbed over him, straddling his waist, and leaned down until her mouth hovered just above his.

"I was thinking we should do this again sometime," she whispered.

Ryan raised an eyebrow, amused. "That so?"

"Mm-hmm." She smiled, brushing her lips against his. "I thought we could pick up where we left off.”

Ryan grinned, pulled her closer, and kissed her. It was a slow, passionate kiss, and she happily kissed him back.

When they finally pulled apart, she rested her hand against his chest and traced a finger along his collarbone.

"So, when are we seeing each other again?"

Ryan rested his hands on her thighs and gave a small shrug. "We'll see."

Her smile disappeared.

"We'll see?" she repeated, looking at him.

"I'm busy with work. You know how it is.”

She stared at him for a moment. The excitement on her face slowly faded, and she looked away.

"Right. Work."

She climbed off him and reached for her clothes on the floor. Ryan sat up, watching as she quickly pulled on her dress and slipped into her heels.

"Hey—" he started, but she cut him off.

"Don't."

She picked up her jacket and purse, then turned to face him at the door.

"You know what, Ryan? 'We'll see' is just a coward's way of saying no.”

Ryan remained on the bed for a moment, staring at the door. Her perfume still lingered in the room, and the sheets were warm where she had been lying.

He rubbed his face and let out a tired sigh before sitting up in bed. He had no intention of chasing after her or explaining himself.

What did she expect? A promise of another date? Flowers? A relationship?

He had no interest in any of that.