Chapter one: Ahlia

I had only been sitting at the bar for a few minutes when a guy approached me. Predictable. 

But I won't complain because my reason for coming here alone was to find a stranger who would bang my brains out, no strings attached.

“The name's Jax,” he smirked, oozing the confidence of a man who was sure he was getting some tonight. “What's your name?”

“Lila,” I purred, choosing to lie. I would prefer it if he didn't know my real name. I wasn't sure if there was any point in lying to Jax because I couldn't yet tell if he was my hookup for the night. He was objectively attractive, but his smirk was just a bit too smarmy for my tastes. He looks like an a-hole, and not the hot kind.

“Lila...” he drawled, his eyes roaming over me greedily. “You are sexy as hell.”

I was. I have always been conventionally attractive, but tonight I had put in extra effort to look mouthwatering.

For my prowling tonight, I chose a black halter mini dress. It fit me like a second skin, and it was completely backless, exposing my shoulders and lower back. I wore black strappy heels with red soles to match, and I put my hair up in an effortlessly messy bun then let my locks of hair frame my face in a soft cascade of curls.

I looked breathtaking tonight because I wanted to feel that way. I needed to remind myself that his actions did not define how I felt about myself.

I needed a man to make me feel wanted just for tonight, and Jax here might be the right person for the job.

“Are you with someone?”

“No,” I giggled, laying it on thick. “Just looking.”

“What are you drinking tonight?” he asked, lifting his drink to his lips. “Let me buy you a drink.”

Nothing would be my answer. I did not drink, something I was grateful for because I wanted to keep my wits about me for what I was about to embark on tonight.

“Oh, I-” 

“I believe I was supposed to be meeting the lady?” a deep voice cut in from behind me before I could refuse Jax's offer of a drink.

My eyes widened slightly in recognition as I turned my head to see Dominic Prescott standing way too close, those unnerving grey eyes of his. For a moment, my face was a mixture of surprise and confusion as I wondered what reason Dominic would have to want to speak to me, but I quickly masked it, not wanting to make things awkward.

“I thought you said you were here alone?” Jax grumbled, his hands tightening around his glass a bit, shooting me a look that was a mix of accusation and suspicion. 

I turned my gaze to Dominic, who was still staring intensely at me, refusing to acknowledge Jax as if he wasn't worthy of being acknowledged by the almighty Dominic Prescott. 

Arrogant as usual. But I knew my time with Jax had come to an end. I had no intention of conversing with Dominic, but I wasn't stupid enough to make Jax a target of a man as rich and powerful as Dominic Prescott, because that’s what he would become if I ignored or humiliated Dominic for his sake.

 Jax hadn't done anything wrong by wanting to get laid. Although, for the life of me, I couldn't understand why Dominic Prescott was standing in front of me. 

“Sorry, Jax,” I apologised, making sure I plastered my most apologetic smile on my face. “I guess I had way too much to drink, so I forgot…” 

He glanced at Dominic briefly, looking like he wanted to argue. But I guess he thought better of it because all he said was, “My bad then…” with a defeated sigh. 

“See you around, Lila,” he mumbled before walking away. 

“Lila?” Dominic laughed softly the moment Hax walked away 

“Is there a reason for this interruption, Mr Prescott?” I asked the moment he took Jax's spot beside me, choosing to ignore his question. 

“So you do remember me,” he replied, his words sounding more like an observation than an answer.

He turned his face away from me as he signalled to the bartender, who was on the other end of the bar, doing his job of charming a group of women. 

With his head turned, waiting for the bartender to approach us, I couldn’t help but trail my eyes over his face. He truly was beautiful. His face was chiselled to perfection, looking as if carved out of marble. His wavy black hair curled softly around his ears and the collar of his suit jacket. 

His hair was the only soft thing about him.

My eyes moved to his hands, locking on those long fingers tapping idly on the bar table.

 “The Yamazaki 55,” he said as the waiter stopped in front of us, making me snap my gaze up guilty. “Room temperature. And the lady will have something non-alcoholic.”

 “Surprise us,” he added. 

Odd… How did he know I didn't drink?

“It'll be a minute, sir,” the bartender nodded before turning away to get our drinks.

“Of course I remember you, Mr Prescott,” I said when he turned back to me. “What I don't understand is why you interrupted us.”

“Please call me Dominic,” he smiled. “Mr Prescott makes me feel like my father. Even my employees call me Dominic.”

“Why does that matter?” I said with a slight sneer, his antics starting to get to me.

“It matters,” he said with a smirk that only further grated on my nerves, “because I want you screaming my first name when we're in bed tonight ”

What... Oh, the audacity of this man. I wanted to tell him off, but I couldn't deny that a part of me felt stirred by the boldness of his words.

It felt as if a part of my brain went foggy at the thought of being properly taken by a man.Taken hard enough to scream his name.

Dylan never made me excited enough for that.

My excuse for not immediately feeling attraction for Jax was because he looked arrogant, but here I was being reeled in by that same arrogance. By Dominic Prescott no less…

The bartender brought our drinks, stalling my reply. Dominic got his whiskey, and I ordered a mocktail. It was delicious. It was both acidic and sweet.

“That statement was a bit presumptuous,” I began, setting my glass down. “Don't you think?”

“Maybe,” he considered, those intense grey eyes studying me over the rim of his glass.

“But you are on the prowl, Ahlia,” he added after a few seconds.

“Oh?” I chuckled, giving an exaggerated eye-bat that made his lips curl in amusement. “Are you saying I look good?”

“I'm saying you look beautiful,” he replied quietly, his gaze suddenly more intense than ever. A feat when it comes to Dominic and those eyes of his.

“Ok,” I said, breathlessly, “Let's go.”

His smile widened wolfishly, his gaze seeming heated.

He looked as if he was ready to devour me.

“I booked a room,” I murmured.