Xavier tilted his head back, eyes fixed on the sprawling night sky, a smirk tugging at his lips as he swirled the amber liquid in his glass.
Raising his glass, he spoke in a low, gravelly tone, "A toast to that dickhead who finally got what he deserved." His smirk widened, a dangerous edge to his charm as his gaze shifted to Sky, who sat across the bar. Her legs crossed tightly as if she was trying to suppress something, and Xavier's sharp eyes didn't miss the subtle clench of her thighs. That one movement made him lean back in his chair, swirling the whiskey again with an air of predatory confidence. A wicked thought crossed his mind, and he muttered under his breath, "She wants to get laid. She wants to get fucked by me." Sky, catching his gaze, raised her glass in a shaky toast. Her lips parted as a bitter smile crept onto her face, one that couldn't hide the turmoil in her tear-brimmed eyes. "A toast to freedom," she said, her voice cracking before it rose with fiery venom. "I hate them all. I hate you, Andrew. I hate you, Britney!" She shouted the names with such force that her hands trembled, spilling a little whiskey onto the bar. The tears that shimmered in her eyes spilled over as she tilted her glass back, gulping the scorching liquid. It burned all the way down, her face twisting in a grimace, but she relished the pain. Xavier was intrigued. Her outburst wasn't just some drunken confession; it was raw and unfiltered, a hurricane of betrayal and anger. He smirked again, taking another sip from his glass before setting it down with deliberate slowness. His voice was low, yet it carried the weight of curiosity, "What did they do to you?" Sky let out a sharp, bitter laugh, her shoulders shaking as she hit her palm against the counter. The sound was painful to hear, like a shattered melody. " You wouldn’t believe me," she said, her voice heavy with anger and disbelief. She glanced at him sideways, her lips curling into a mocking smile. "I caught my boyfriend fucking my eighteen-year-old sister. On my couch. In my house." Her words hit like a slap, the rawness of her confession lingering in the air between them. Xavier’s expression didn’t change, but something flickered in his eyes. He knew that pain all too well—betrayal had once cut him the same way. Her story lit a slow-burning fire in him, not just because he could relate, but because the vulnerability in her voice stirred something primal. Xavier leaned closer, his smirk returning, more devilish this time. His voice was a husky whisper, teasing and yet darkly comforting. "That’s rough," he muttered, his fingers tracing the rim of his glass. "But why let them ruin you, Angel?" His eyes locked with hers, glinting with mischief. "Why don’t I help you forget? Make you scream my name instead." Sky's breath hitched at his words, her heart racing and her body responding against her better judgment. Xavier leaned forward, his hand gripping the back of her chair and pulling it closer with a fluid motion. The space between them disappeared until their noses almost touched. His scent—whiskey, musk, and something distinctly him—was intoxicating. Her thighs pressed together involuntarily, the ache between them growing unbearable. She cursed herself inwardly. What is it about this guy? she wondered, her eyes betraying her hunger as they darted downward. Her gaze landed on the noticeable bulge straining against his pants, and she smirked, heat pooling in her core. Xavier’s eyes darkened as he caught her gaze, his lips twitching into a smirk that promised nothing but sin. Sky leaned forward, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered, her voice sultry and teasing. Sky leaned closer, her lips brushing just a hair’s breadth away from Xavier's ear, her voice a velvety whisper that dripped with teasing. "You want to fuck me, don’t you?" she murmured, her tone a deliberate challenge. The faintest smirk curved her lips as her fingers trailed down his chest, stopping just shy of his belt. "I can see it in your eyes... and feel it." Her hand grazed his thigh, hovering close enough to make him stiffen, her touch both maddening and electrifying. Xavier's jaw tightened, a low growl rumbling in his chest as he struggled to keep control. He turned his head slightly, catching her gaze, his dark eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath hitch. His lips curled into a wicked grin, his voice a low rasp. "You’re playing with fire, Angel," he warned, though his hand moved to her waist, fingers grazing her skin through the thin fabric of her dress. Sky's smirk widened as she bit her bottom lip, leaning back just enough to study his reaction. "Oh, I know," she said, her voice dripping with defiance and allure. "But the question is… can you handle the heat?" Her hand moved boldly now, pressing firmly against his arousal, and the sharp intake of breath he took told her everything she needed to know. Xavier's control snapped. His hand shot out, gripping her chair and yanking her closer until their noses almost touched. He tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing with amusement. "Handle you?" He chuckled darkly, leaning forward just enough to close the gap. "Sweetheart, I don't think you have any idea what you're asking for." Sky's breath hitched as her pulse quickened. She couldn't stop the heat rushing to her core. Damn him. Damn the way he looked at her, like she was a puzzle he couldn't wait to solve. She was trying to stay in control, trying not to let him break her defenses down, but his presence—his sheer intensity—was making it damn near impossible. She let her fingers trail across the counter, deliberately slow, as she tilted her head, her eyes never leaving his. "You’re full of yourself, aren’t you?" she taunted, the words almost a challenge. "You really think you could fuck me harder than any of my past lovers?" The edge in her voice was electric. Xavier's jaw tightened, his eyes burning with the kind of hunger that made everything inside her pulse with need. His smile was dark, knowing. "Sweetheart. You're playing with fire and trust me you'd get burnt," he said, his voice rough and smooth at the same time, "I don’t think I could. I know I would. Oh angel, You don't know me. Women beg me on their knees to fuck them" His words hung in the air, weighty, daring her to challenge him further. Sky’s breath caught in her throat, her skin tingling with anticipation. She knew she was playing with fire, but there was something exhilarating about it—the way he could make her want to give in, the way he could make her forget herself. She leaned in closer, her voice dripping with challenge. "Oh? You think you're better than them all?" He didn’t flinch. Instead, he leaned in too, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, "I don’t think. I know." He pulled back just enough to catch her gaze, his eyes dark and hungry. “I would fuck you so hard, Angel, that you’d forget your stupid ex ever existed. Every time you close your eyes, it would be me you remember. You’d be begging me to make you forget everything.” Sky’s breath caught in her throat, her pulse thrumming with sudden heat. She should’ve been angry, maybe even disgusted, but instead, all she could think about was how badly she wanted him to prove it. Sky felt the heat pool low in her belly, her breath catching as his words sent shivers racing down her spine. "Is that so?" she whispered, her voice low, challenging, as her hand brushed against the outline of his chest, feeling the hard muscles beneath the fabric. "Show me.” Xavier smirked, his eyes blazing with desire and challenge as he stepped forward grabbing her by the waist, he tilted his head, his mouth coming in contact with her neck as he kissed her softly . "Your place or mine?" he asked, his voice rough and hungry, like he was ready to devour her. Sky bit her bottom lip, her teeth tugging at the soft flesh as she smirked, her hand giving him the lightest squeeze that sent his blood rushing faster. "Your place," she replied breathlessly, her tongue darting out to wet her lips as her eyes flicked to him. The moment the words left her lips, Xavier stood, grabbing her hand and pulling her to her feet with a suddenness that made her gasp. "Good girl," he muttered, his voice dripping with satisfaction as he led her toward the door out of the club. Sky followed, her body humming with anticipation, knowing the night ahead would burn brighter than the fire they’d ignited in each other. The night promised to be unforgettable, the kind of memory that would burn itself into their veins like the whiskey they drank. This wasn’t just lust; it was a collision waiting to happen, a fire they both craved to get burned by.His eyes, hooded and unreadable, were pinned on her like she was something to be studied, dissected, and devoured all at once. Sky could feel it-his gaze-a slow caress over her skin, setting off a shiver that had nothing to do with the cold.She tilted her head back, gripping the stem of her wine glass a little tighter than necessary, as if it was the only thing tethering her to reality. "How did you meet my brother?"Such a simple inquiry. Innocent, even. But it wasn't.Her lips parted slightly, her breath coming in shallow waves as she stared at the words scrawled in the chest. It should have been easy to answer, but the truth held too many jagged edges. She wasn't ready to open up. Not to Elijah. Not to a man she barely knew-a man she had literally spewed her drink on hours ago.But there was something about him. Something that pulled at her in a way she couldn't quite name.Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass.Elijah, meanwhile, had not st
Skye's heart pounded against her ribcage, her breath coming in fast, uneven gasps as she clutched Elijah's hand, her fingers squeezing him like a lifeline. The thrill of their escape still coursed through her veins, adrenaline pumping wildly, making her skin feel electric."I can't believe we escaped the guards!" she burst out, her voice breathless yet laced with excitement, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she struggled to catch her breath. Elijah, on the other hand, stood beside her, a slow, knowing smirk curling his lips as he observed her reaction. He was calm-too calm, like this was just another night for him. His dark, hooded eyes studied her intently, flickering with amusement as he leaned against the nearest wall, hands tucked casually into his pockets. The contrast between them was stark-Skye, wild with exhilaration, and Elijah, exuding an almost predatory ease."Did you see my face when I thought the guards would catch us?" she stammered between her laughter, wiping
Xavier paced like a caged beast, his movements restless, agitated. His fingers repeatedly tangled in his dark hair, first smoothing it back, then gripping at the strands as though the act would steady his rage. His jaw was clenched so tightly it ached, his tongue pressing against the roof of his mouth in an effort to contain the storm brewing within him. His entire body was taut with tension, muscles coiled like a predator ready to pounce.His sharp blue eyes-cold and calculating-remained locked on the restroom door. What the fuck was taking her so long? His gut twisted with unease, an unfamiliar and unwelcome sensation that only served to further stoke his fury. She wouldn't dare try anything stupid... would she? The thought made his chest tighten.He wanted to storm in there, to slam the door open and drag her out if necessary. But Xavier knew better. That wouldn't be the smart move. He needed to keep his composure-or at least what was left of it. He ran a hand down his face, exhal
Skye reached the restroom, shoving the door open with trembling hands. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she stumbled toward the sink, clutching its edge for support. She met her reflection in the mirror, her face pale, her mascara smudged from the tears she hadn't even realized were falling. Her carefully arranged hair now hung in disarray, framing her tear-streaked cheeks.The quiet sobs she had been holding back finally broke free, shaking her body as she leaned over the sink. "This was supposed to be my day," she whispered bitterly to herself, her voice breaking. "My wedding day."Skye leaned against the restroom sink, her body trembling as her sobs quieted. She wiped at her face, smearing the tears that had already ruined her carefully applied makeup. All she wanted was to leave this nightmare behind, to slip out of her wedding gown and crawl into bed, where the weight of Xavier's fury and the humiliating scene from the ballroom couldn't reach her. Her exhaustion pressed down
She took a deep breath, her nails biting into her palms as she tried to center herself. Not here. Not now. If they wanted her to break, they would have to try harder. Skye was no stranger to being underestimated, and she wasn't about to let them win-not tonight, not ever.Her gaze wandered back to Xavier, who was watching her from across the room. His expression was unreadable, but his piercing blue eyes bore into her like a storm waiting to be unleashed. Had he heard any of it? Did he even care? She doubted it.Straightening her shoulders, she grabbed another glass of champagne from a passing waiter and downed it in one fluid motion. She welcomed the burn as the liquid slid down her throat, using it as fuel to fortify her crumbling walls. If this was her new reality, then so be it.But one thing was certain: she wasn't going to be a passive pawn in their cruel games. They wanted a fight? She'd give them a fight. She tilted her head back, the fifth glass of champagne slipping past her
"She's stunning," one woman admitted begrudgingly, but her compliment was overshadowed by venom. "But can you believe she's marrying Xavier Colleen? "What could she possibly see in him?""Oh, come on," another chimed in, leaning closer to her gossip partner. "You haven't heard the real story? She left her fiancé-someone just as rich, if not richer-for him. I mean, Xavier is a catch, sure, but everyone knows how he treats his women. Rumor has it, she couldn't resist his... well, you know." She giggled, her tone dripping with malice. "Bet she's addicted to him already."The words stabbed at Skye like needles, but she didn't falter. Her jaw clenched imperceptibly, and she kept her gaze locked forward, refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing her react. Let them talk. Let them have their pathetic little gossip. She was no stranger to it-her life had been a spectacle ever since she agreed to this arrangement. But the raw, personal nature of their whispers still burned. How the he