One

Dark. Smoky. Loud. That’s what greeted Kate the moment she stepped into the bar. The disco lights flashed across the dimly lit room. This wasn’t some fancy club—it was a low-end bar. The kind of place regular people went to unwind. And Kate liked it here. Messy. Ordinary. Real.

“Beer, please,” Kate said as she settled onto a stool at the counter.

“Right away, gorgeous.” Briggs, the bartender, winked at her before leaving to get her drink.

Kate rolled her eyes. Briggs and his flirty little smile. She knew almost all the bartenders here—this place had practically become her hideout.

She glanced around. It was only eight, but the place was already packed. People laughing, drinking, flirting—some were already too drunk to care who they were with.

The heavy bass thumped through the floor, rattling inside her chest. The dance floor was crowded, bodies grinding against bodies, sweat mixing with smoke and cheap perfume. The air smelled like sex and cigarettes.

Briggs returned with her drink, throwing in another wink before moving on to another customer.

Kate tipped the bottle back, closing her eyes as the bitter, icy beer slid down her throat.

She was enjoying the buzz when someone slid onto the stool beside her. The first thing she noticed was his scent. Clean. Masculine. Sexy. Her body reacted instantly. That smell was… familiar.

She inhaled deeply, almost greedy for it, the tingling sensation running all over her skin.

Her eyes flicked to his hand resting on the counter. Big. Veiny. Rough. The kind of hand that could bruise—or worship—her body. She shivered at the thought.

Stop it, Kate. Get a grip! she scolded herself. Since when did she get this affected over a damn scent?

The guy didn’t say a word. He just raised his hand to order from Briggs.

Kate found herself leaning slightly, waiting—hoping—to hear his voice. But he stayed quiet, sipping his drink, never even glancing her way.

Weird. Most men who sat next to her would’ve introduced themselves by now. But not him. It was like she wasn’t even there.

Kate downed the rest of her beer and decided she needed movement, sweat, distraction. The dance floor would do.

She pushed her way through, brushing past strangers’ hands—some bold enough to grope her. She didn’t bother protesting. Whatever. She wasn’t some saint, anyway.

She let the music take over, moving her body wildly, eyes closed, lips parted. Each sway of her hips was a release, every beat of the bass drowning out the heaviness in her chest.

Minutes later, she was screaming, laughing, dancing like she didn’t care who touched her.

And then—strong arms slid around her waist. His hands pressed firmly against her hips, sending shivers down her spine.

Kate’s breath hitched. The way his fingers gripped her felt sinful.

He yanked her back against his chest, and she froze for a split second when she felt it—the hard bulge pushing into her backside. Big. Solid. No mistaking what it was.

Her body ground against him, every move of her hips rubbing over his hardness. Heat surged through her veins.

And then it hit her—his scent. That same scent from earlier.

Her eyes snapped open.

It’s him! The guy at the counter!

Her body burned hotter with that realization. Wetness pooled between her thighs. Flashes of his veiny hand skimming her curves made her bite back a moan.

She pushed harder against him, rolling her hips until he groaned into her ear.

And then—finally—he spoke.

“What are you doing here, Kate?” His deep voice brushed against her ear, his wet lips grazing her skin.

Her heart stopped. He knows me?!

Antonius Altamirano.

She’d recognize that voice anywhere.

Kate whipped around—and there he was. Niu.

Her eyes swept over him, from his messy hair to his worn-out jeans. No tailored suits tonight. Just a tight black V-neck clinging to his chest. The glasses still perched on his face only made him look hotter—like a model off-duty, not a CEO worth millions.

“Done checking me out?” His lips curled into a cocky grin.

“Antonius… what the hell are you doing here?”

“Dancing, I guess?” He chuckled.

“I mean, in a place like this?” She frowned.

A CEO in a dingy bar? What the hell?

“Maybe fate brought me here—because you’re here. And by the way… you look gorgeous tonight.” His arm snaked around her waist, pulling her close again.

Kate’s face hardened, but he just smirked, unfazed.

“Does Claire know you’re here? What are you really doing in this place?” she snapped.

He only shrugged, grinding lazily with her to the beat.

“This place is for people who need alcohol and sweat just to survive another day without going insane,” he said quietly. “And tonight? That’s me.”

His eyes slid down her body, lingering shamelessly on her breasts peeking from her top, then lower, to her skirt. He smirked. “Damn, babe. Gorgeous tits.”

Kate clenched her jaw, forcing back the heat rising inside her. He’s married. To her best friend.

She shoved him off and stormed back to the counter, ordering another drink.

“Sex on the beach,” she muttered to Briggs.

Of course, Niu followed and sat right next to her.

“Leave me alone, Niu. I’m not into married men,” she hissed.

He only whistled, unfazed by the insult.

Kate thought about his scandal—the affair with that actress. Sure, his marriage with Claire was just for business, but still. He had no shame.

“Feisty,” he laughed, downing his shot.

He turned to her fully this time, one arm resting casually on the counter. “Why are you acting like this? Did I piss you off somehow? You’re my wife’s best friend. You should be nice to me.”

Kate rolled her eyes. “Nice? You’re flirting with me—in public! With your wife’s best friend! Don’t you have any shame, Mr. Altamirano?”

The grin dropped from his face. He went quiet, downing another gulp of beer before speaking again.

“Being trapped in a loveless marriage is one thing. But being in love with someone you can’t have… that’s hell. I can play the good husband all my life, I don’t care. But every time she sees me with another woman… and I see the hurt in her eyes… it kills me.”

Kate’s lips parted in shock. His voice was raw. Broken.

She knew his marriage with Claire was arranged. But she had no idea he was carrying this kind of pain.

“And you?” he asked suddenly, turning his gaze back on her. “You can’t be here just because you like it. What’s your story, Kate?”

Her throat went dry.

“C’mon, Kate. Let it out. Or it’ll eat you alive.” His eyes locked onto hers, even through the glasses, like he was peeling her open.

And for some reason, she wanted to tell him. Something about his presence made her feel… safe. Seen.

“You know what? Forget it, I—”

Kate grabbed a tissue and wiped her shoulder. The concealer smudged away, revealing bruises and scars beneath.

Niu’s eyes widened. His expression shifted—fury blazing across his face.

He grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to meet his gaze.

“Who the fuck did this to you, Kate?” His voice was dangerous.

No, don’t tell him! her mind screamed.

Kate shook her head. Even that small reveal felt like a weight lifted.

“Damn it.” His jaw clenched as he inspected the marks, fingers trembling as he touched her gently, like she was fragile glass.

Kate’s heart softened.

Then he grabbed her hand, pulling her off the stool.

“Let’s go. We need to talk.”

“Wait—what? Where are we going?”

He didn’t answer, just dragged her out of the bar. She tried to yank free, but his grip was strong. Finally, she gave up and let him lead her.

He shoved her into his car.

“Hold on, what the hell? Where are you taking me? We’re not even that close for me to just go with you like this!” she snapped, struggling.

He released her wrist and opened the passenger door, waiting.

“Get in, Kate. Don’t be stubborn. And relax—I’m not into you, if that’s what you’re worried about,” he said flatly.

“You’re such an ass!”

He just smirked as he drove off. Midnight streets were nearly empty, the streetlights glowing against the pavement.

“We’re going somewhere quiet. That bar’s chaos.”

“And why would I go with you? Why do we need some quiet place?” she asked, crossing her arms.

“Because, sweetheart…” his lips quirked up, playful again. “You don’t really have a choice.”

Antonius Altamirano. Carefree, unpredictable, dangerous.

He turned up the car stereo, humming along as the music filled the silence.

Kate’s brows arched. Only then did she notice…

For a CEO of a multi-million company, he was driving an old, beat-up car.

Unexpected. Strangely charming.