The Billionaire’s One Night Stand

Amara’s POVThe second Selena and I stepped into her apartment, I bee-lined for the bathroom. I didn’t even glance at her—I just needed water, steam, anything to drown myself in.I twisted the shower knob hard to the left. Hot water blasted down, sharp needles against my skin. I leaned my forehead against the cool tile, arms braced, and let it scald. The sting was better than the heaviness clinging to me. Maybe if I burned enough, it would scrub the night off.The steam clouded everything, even my thoughts. But flashes still came in—the weight of a body, a laugh, a voice in the dark.I scrubbed until my skin went pink. Until my hair was a heavy rope plastered to my shoulders. Untill my fingers hurt. And still, it didn’t make me feel any better.By the time I finally dragged myself out, Selena was waiting in the living room. A glass of water in one hand, pills in the other.“Here.” Her voice was soft but steady, the kind of tone that didn’t leave room for arguments.I obeyed. My throat

Amara’s POVI stood in front of the mirror, trying to steady my breathing. The high-waisted jeans hugged my hips, and the blazer made me look presentable, even though I felt like I was unraveling inside. I tucked a stray curl behind my ear, pressed both palms to my stomach, and whispered, "It’ll be fine."Half the night had gone to stalking Draxen & Co. International online. Not because I cared to impress him—God forbid—but because I didn’t want to be laughed out of the building before I even stepped in.“I can do this,” I said to my reflection in the mirror.By the time Selena arrived, I was already in my heels, bag by the door.“You sure about this?” she asked, passing the bag to me. Her tone was soft, but her frown wasn’t.“No,” I admitted. “But I’m sure about why I’m doing it. This isn’t about him. I just want financial stability for my child.”“If anything feels off, you call me. I don’t care if it’s mid-sentence. Got it?”I hugged her tightly. “Got it.”A cab would’ve been kinde

Lucian’s POVHer voice was quiet, but steady.“Yes.”The single word filled the space between us like a hammer striking the final nail.Relief hit me first. I didn’t let it show—not fully—but it was there. Tightening in my chest before I buried it under the steel mask I’d worn for years.For a split second, her lips trembled, like she might take it back. But she didn’t. She stood her ground, fists clenched at her sides, eyes burning with defiance even while fear flickered in them.Good. She’d agreed.“Good,” I said, my voice brief, controlled. I set my glass down on the desk and leaned back in my chair, not breaking eye contact. “You’ll move into my estate tomorrow. My driver will pick you up in the morning. Don’t be late.”Shock widened her eyes. “Tomorrow?”“Yes.” My tone left no room for debate. “The sooner the better.”Her throat worked, but no sound came out. She was fighting to keep herself together—I could see it in the way her chest rose and fell too hard, the way her jaw tigh

~Amara~The sound of my alarm woke me out of sleep.I just stayed on my bed staring up at the ceiling for some seconds. My chest felt heavy—not with exhaustion, but with the knowledge of what today was.My first day working for Lucian Draxen.I quickly got up from bed, went to take my bath, and stood in front of the mirror. I tried to look confident, like someone who was prepared to face whatever was coming my way.I put on a plain white top and black skirt, tied back my hair, and let out a sigh. Not bad. Would have to do.I was stuffing my things into my small bag when I heard Selena’s voice from the doorway.“It’s not too late to change your mind,” she said, leaning against the frame of the door.I met her eyes through the mirror and gave a tiny smile. “I’ll be fine, Sel. I have to do this.”She didn’t look convinced. “I just don’t like that man. Remember the way he treated you the morning after that night.”“I know,” I said, trying to sound steady and not let memories of the night w

~Lucian~Isabella’s soft moans filled the room, her body arching beneath mine as I moved with her. This was a distraction I desperately needed. I had a long and exhausting time at the company today, it was mostly filled with thoughts I didn’t want to entertain. Thoughts about her.Amara.Even when I tried my best to keep Amara out of my head, I couldn't help but think of her — how she looked at me, the enthusiasm in her eyes when she spoke, the vulnerability she tried so hard to hide.I didn't like that she was still in my head. That she made me feel things I’d buried a long time ago.So, I did what I knew best. Isabella's hands wrapped around my arms, her breath coming out in sharp gasps. She loved rough, loved losing control, and I knew exactly how to give that to her. The rhythm picked up between us, hot and rapid.But even then — even with her — Amara’s face flashed through my mind. Her voice. Her trembling lips. The way she had looked at me that night.I cursed under my breath,