“One night. Make love to me for one night and I’ll never bother you again.” Valerie practically begged Rick. “Fuck off, I’m not interested.” he replied, dismissing her with a wave. >>>>>>>>> Valerie Calder, also known as ‘The Duchess,’ never begs. Never pursues. And most importantly, NEVER repeats lovers. As a young wealthy widow with the world at her feet, she’s accustomed to owning every room, and commanding every attention. Men trip over themselves just to gain her attention, all hoping to be her next fling. Ever since she inherited her aged late husband’s wealth, no one has been able to say ‘NO’ to her, except one man. RICK!! He doesn’t just refuse her - he disregards her entirely, dismisses her like she is nothing, and when others see a goddess, he sees an annoying housefly. But what Rick doesn’t know about Valerie Calder is simple: When she can’t have something, she wants it even more. And she’s never wanted anything like she wants him.
View MoreValerie Calder was a young billionaire and a widow at thirty. She had inherited her aging husband's wealth after his death three years ago and had grown the empire tenfold, earning her the nickname 'Duchess.'
She was New York's most sought-after female because of her formidable beauty and her extreme wealth. But she wasn't looking for another husband. She was finally free from the entrapment called marriage, and wanted to enjoy her life as a single wealthy woman.
Valerie had just returned home from work on a Friday evening, with her P.A. Melissa, walking closely behind her. She was exhausted and needed rest. The whole week had been a roller coaster.
"God, I need a drink," Valerie muttered, dropping her designer bag on the counter and kicking off her heels.
Her maid, Clara, appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. "Good evening, Ms. Valerie. Dinner will be ready when you’re done with your... engagement tonight."
She nodded. "Perfect. Make sure it's still warm by midnight."
"Of course, Ms. Valerie. And I've drawn your bath already."
When Valerie had hectic weeks like this, there was only one thing that could make her relax: Sex.
As a norm for her on weekends, she already had a guy to contact. One of Melissa's jobs was making sure a suitable companion was available for her weekend relaxation.
She dragged her exhausted body to her bedroom. Her bubble bath had already been prepared by Clara as usual.
"Is he confirmed for tonight?" Valerie asked Melissa, unbuttoning her blouse.
Melissa nodded, checking her tablet. "Let me confirm again while you're in the bath."
"Perfect. I expect him to be here before I'm done."
Valerie entered her bathroom and sank into the scented bubbly water, closing her eyes as the tension began to melt away. Twenty minutes later, she stepped out of the bathtub, wrapping herself in a towel, only to find Melissa standing in the middle of her room and trembling.
"What's wrong? Where is he?" Valerie demanded.
Melissa swallowed hard. "There's been a... situation."
"What kind of situation?" Valerie's voice turned ice cold.
"He was in a minor accident. Nothing serious, but he can't make it tonight."
Valerie's face darkened. "Find someone else. Now."
"I've been trying," Melissa said, her voice shaking slightly. "What about one of your previous…"
Valerie silenced her with a glare so fierce that Melissa took a step back.
"You know better than that," Valerie said quietly. Everyone knew the Duchess never repeated her companions. After spending time with any guy, she lost interest almost immediately. It had never been heard that the Duchess entertained the same man twice.
"It's too late to arrange someone new," Melissa whispered. "I've tried everyone."
Valerie pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. "Then go home. You're done for the day."
"But I can keep trying…"
"Go. Home." She ordered.
After Melissa left, Valerie paced her bedroom, feeling restless and on edge. The week's stress still clung to her shoulders, and she needed release ASAP. After much thought, she decided to hit the club. Maybe she'd find someone suitable there.
She slipped into a red dress that hugged every curve, applied her makeup, and grabbed her car keys.
"Clara," she called out as she walked toward the door. "I'm going out."
Clara peeked out from the kitchen. "But your dinner will be ready in…"
"Keep it warm. I'll eat when I get back."
********
The moment she stepped into Club Euphoria, the crowd parted like the Red Sea. Whispers rippled through the room: "The Duchess... It's the Duchess..."
Valerie smiled slightly, used to this sort of recognition. The club manager practically sprinted across the floor to greet her.
"Ms. Valerie! What a pleasure!" He bowed slightly, gesturing toward the VIP section. "Your usual area is ready."
The VIP section overlooked the entire club, offering both privacy and a perfect view of everyone below. Valerie settled into the comfy couch.
"Bring me your finest champagne," she ordered, "and your finest men. I want to choose someone for the evening."
The manager nodded eagerly. "Right away, Ms. Valerie."
Twenty minutes later, six men stood before her, each one handsome in his own right. They lined up like soldiers awaiting inspection, eager to be chosen by the Duchess. They'd all heard rumors that she paid handsomely and was incredible company. Who wouldn't want to spend an evening with her?
Valerie sipped her champagne slowly, studying each man. One was too muscular. Another had eyes that reminded her of her late husband. A third kept glancing at his watch, none of them suited her taste.
"No," she said finally. "Take them back."
The manager looked stricken. "But these are our finest…"
"I said no." Valerie stood up abruptly. "I'm leaving."
She downed the rest of her champagne in one gulp. Maybe she'd book an appointment with a masseuse instead. Then she remembered - Melissa had already retired for the night.
"What an unlucky day," she muttered, making her way down the stairs. The crowd parted again, but this time Valerie barely noticed. She was too caught up in her frustration.
She stepped outside the club, reaching into her purse for her keys, as she walked towards her car.
And that's when it happened.
Two men appeared seemingly from nowhere, knife in hand. The taller one grabbed her arm while the shorter one yanked her purse away.
"Hey!" Valerie shouted, more surprised than scared.
But the men were already running down the street, disappearing into the shadows with her purse.
At first, Valerie didn't move. She was wealthy enough that losing a purse meant nothing. But then reality hit - her car keys were inside, along with her phone. She was literally stranded.
"Help!" she called out, looking around frantically. "Someone help me!"
The street was eerily empty. The club's bouncer had gone inside. No taxis cruised by. And for the first time in years, Valerie felt helpless.
Then she spotted him - a man at the corner, sitting on a motorcycle, and pressing his phone. Had he been there the whole time?
Anger surged through Valerie as she stormed toward him.
"You!" she snapped, pointing an accusing finger. "Did you see what just happened?"
The man didn't look up from his phone.
"Hey!" Valerie stepped closer. "I'm talking to you!"
Still nothing.
She nudged his shoulder hard. "Hey!"
That got his attention. He looked up, and for a split second, Valerie was caught off guard by the intensity of his green eyes.
"What the fuck is your problem, lady?" he growled.
Valerie flinched. No one had spoken to her like that in years - not since she became the Duchess.
"My problem?" she sputtered. "I just got robbed at knifepoint right in front of you, and you did nothing!”
"What exactly did you expect me to do?" he asked, turning back to his phone. "Chase down two armed men? I'm not Batman."
Valerie's mouth fell open in shock. "You could have called the police! You could have done something!"
He said nothing.
"I need help," Valerie said, trying to control her anger. "My car keys were in that purse. My phone too. I'm stranded."
"Not my problem," he muttered, not looking up.
"Look, I'll pay you," Valerie said desperately. "I need a ride home, or at least to use your phone."
Now he looked at her, a mocking smile on his face. "Do you know who I am?"
"No, and I don't care," she snapped. "Do you know who I am?" Valerie countered, drawing herself up to her full height.
“Someone who just got robbed?"
"I'm Valerie Calder. The Duchess." She said it like it should mean something to him.
His expression didn't change. He acted like he didn't give a fuck, like he truly had no idea who she was.
"Never heard of you," he said flatly.
Valerie was stunned. Everyone in New York knew who she was.
She ran a hand through her hair, suddenly aware of how absurd she must look - a woman in a designer dress and five-inch heels, stranded on a street corner, demanding respect from a stranger who clearly had no interest in giving it. "I... I can pay you. A lot. Just let me use your phone, or give me a ride home."
"Not interested," he said, tucking his phone into his jacket pocket.
"Please," Valerie said, hating the sound of begging in her voice. "I just need to call my assistant."
He looked at her for a long moment, then sighed heavily. "Fine. You can use my phone. One call. Make it quick."
He handed her his phone, and she dialed Melissa's number immediately.
"Melissa? It's me. I've been robbed outside Club Euphoria. My purse, my keys, everything. I need you to come get me. Now."
She listened for a moment, then added, "Yes, right now. I don't care if you were sleeping. Twenty minutes."
She handed the phone back to the man. "Thank you," she said stiffly.
He took it, already swinging his leg over his motorcycle. "Your ride coming?"
"Yes. My assistant will be here in twenty minutes."
"Great." He started the engine. "Good luck with that."
"Wait," Valerie said, suddenly nervous about being alone on the dark street. "You're just going to leave me here?"
"That was the deal. You got to make your call." He revved the engine. "Maybe next time bring a bodyguard, Duchess."
And with that, he drove off, leaving her standing alone on the sidewalk.
Valerie had never been more infuriated in her life. Not only had she been robbed, but she'd been dismissed and abandoned by some nobody on a motorcycle who didn't even recognize her name.
Valerie returned home from the office, practically bouncing into her penthouse. The day had been productive - three successful meetings, two promising deals, and a confidence that seemed to radiate from her very core. She couldn't deny that last night with Rick had left her feeling more alive than she had in months.As she entered her living room, she immediately noticed the designer handbag sitting on her sofa. Karen or Sophia, she assumed, though she hoped it was Sophia. After their argument at the gentlemen's club, she wasn't exactly in the mood for another confrontation with Karen."Hello?" she called out, dropping her own bag on the entrance table.No response.She made her way toward her bedroom, loosening her blazer as she walked. The day's stress was finally leaving her shoulders, and all she wanted was a hot shower and maybe a glass of wine.She pushed open her bedroom door and found Karen sitting on the edge of her bed."Well, this is a surprise," Valerie said, not bothering
Valerie stared at him, completely dumbfounded. She hadn't expected that question at all - not after the perfect morning they'd shared, not after the way he'd held her through the night.The question hung in the air, and she didn't think she was ready to provide an answer.Rick was waiting patiently, studying her face with an unnerving intensity that always made her feel like he could see straight through her soul.But instead of replying, she reached for another pancake, forcing a smile she didn't feel."I don't have to answer that question," she said lightly. Because she couldn't. She couldn't very well confess to the fact that she enjoyed the way he touched her more than anyone ever had. That she'd never felt that way with other men - like her skin was on fire, like every nerve ending was alive and singing. That his hands were electric, that his mouth could make her forget her own name.She couldn't tell him that from the very first day they'd crossed paths, he had ruined her for an
Immediately Valerie drew Rick in for a kiss, he grabbed her, lifting her up the floor and started walking towards the bedroom.She held on to him, her hands coming round to encircle his neck, her legs hooked around his waist tightly.He carried her blindly to his bed, kissing her ferociously and she kissed him right back.Immediately her back hit his bed, she went to work with removing his pants. Rick quickly pulled off the his pants and flung it across the room. Then he busied himself with removing her outfit.When they were completely naked, he slid his dick inside her immediately. The feeling emitted a deep groan from his throat, while Valerie moaned aloud, her back coming off the bed.He went deeper, burying himself deep inside her, then he remained there, not moving, or saying a word. Valerie stared up at him, too lost for word. Even now, she still couldn't tell what was going through his mind anytime he looked at her that way. He was very complicated - she'll give him that - do
The Jessica lady was smoothing down her hair, adjusting her clothes in a way that left no doubt about what she'd been doing inside.Valerie felt something cold and vicious unleash in her chest. Jealousy. Pure, burning jealousy that took her completely by surprise with its intensity.She watched Jessica get into a small red car and drive away, her taillights disappearing into the night. Only then did she allow herself to breathe.Her hands were shaking as she got out of her car and walked up the stairs towards Rick's front door. She didn't knock - she pounded, her fist releasing some of the fury building inside her.Rick opened the door, wearing nothing but jeans, his hair disheveled, his lips slightly swollen. The sight of him - obviously fresh from Jessica's bed - made Valerie's vision blur with rage."Valerie?" He looked genuinely surprised to see her. "What are you doing here?""What am I doing here?" she repeated, her voice dangerously quiet. "What do you think I'm doing here?"Ri
Three days later, Valerie sat in the office of her private physician, Dr. Liliana, feeling oddly nervous despite knowing exactly what the results would show."Everything looks perfect, as expected," Dr. Liliana said, sliding the sealed envelope across the desk. "Your test results are completely clean. No concerns whatsoever."Valerie nodded, picking up the envelope with hands that trembled slightly. She'd known this would be the outcome - her conquests always submitted their medical records to Melissa before anything happened. But having the official documentation in her hands made everything feel more real."Thank you, Dr. Liliana," she said, shoving the envelope into her bag."Of course. And Valerie?" The older woman called "If you ever need to talk about anything - relationships, intimacy, whatever - I'm here. Sometimes physical health and emotional health are more connected than we realize."Valerie forced a smile. "I'm fine. Really."But as she left the medical building, her mind
Valerie opened her mouth, but no words came out. She was drowning in his eyes, lost in the intensity of his gaze, and for a moment she forgot what she wanted to say. The air between them crackled with tension, and she felt her mouth going dry with lack of words. Rick had to clear his throat before she caught herself, blinking rapidly as reality crashed back in."How... how are you doing?" she asked weakly, immediately cringing at how pathetic she sounded."I'm fine," he replied curtly, his voice giving nothing away.She nodded, fidgeting with her hands. "And work? How's work going?"Rick's jaw tightened, and something dangerous flashed in his green eyes. "Is that why you came here, Valerie? To make small talk about my job?"His voice was sharp enough to cut glass, and she flinched. He wasn't going to make this easier for her, she realized. Not even a little bit."No," she said quickly, taking a shaky breath. "I came to apologize. About that morning, I mean. I shouldn't have spoken to
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