Chapter 2 ~ I Was

• Leah
• Climbing out of my car, I closed the door with one hand while pressing my phone to my ear with the other, listening to Sam rant about her one-night stand.
• "...I woke up the next morning, and he was GONE," she emphasised. "And do you know what else was gone? My car key, purse, and my fucking dress!"
• I laughed, "No fucking way."
• Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a man too imposing to ignore. His dark eyes caught mine for a heartbeat before I tore my gaze away, my heart racing.
• What the hell was that?
• Sam went on, oblivious. "I mean, why take my dress too? Is he planning on wearing it?"
• I laughed again, distracted now.
• There was something dark and dangerous about the man that sent a cold shiver down my spine. It was brief but I could tell those eyes were trying to devour me.
• "Don't tell me you walked home naked?"
• Definitely feels like something she would do.
• "Fuck no. My dad would have me killed," she giggled. "He still hasn't forgiven me for the last scandal."
• Sam was my best friend and we've known each other since diapers. She was wild, reckless, a complete opposite of me.
• "Hey, I'll come over during your break," she said. "I got something for you," she sang.
• I could imagine the mischievous glint in her eyes as she said that. And I swear if it's another sex toy, I'll end our friendship.
• I didn't notice the uneven patch of pavement until I stumbled, nearly hitting the ground when a strong arm wrapped around my waist, steadying me before I fell.
• "Oh my God," I gasped, my phone slipping from my fingers.
• My thoughts scrambled when a low rough voice murmured against my ear, the only words I caught were kissing and Doll.
• My breath caught in my throat as I stammered, "Th-thank you."
• He chuckled darkly, the sound vibrating through me.
• Heat seeped through the thin fabric of my dress as his musky scent wrapped around me mixed with tobacco and something darker I couldn't name... something I probably shouldn't have wanted to.
• I shifted, suddenly too aware of him. "I-I'm fine now."
• He didn't let go. Instead, his nose brushed against the shell of my ear, making me jerk.
• "You smell nice," he murmured. "Like lavender."
• "Thank you... it's uh, my shampoo," I replied l, instantly hating how stupid I sounded.
• What the fuck, Leah?
• "Get your hands off me!" I demanded in a firmer voice as I tried to pull away."You are being rude."
• "Am I?" He chuckled again, amused with my discomfort.
• "Let go."
• This time, he did.
• I turned around to face him, nose flaring, eyes promising hell, only for my breath to catch again.
• Damn. He was tall... and fucking hot.
• Black hair tied back in a loose man bun, strands framing a face carved sharp and a scar cutting from his brow down across his cheek. You would think a scar like that would look ugly on any man, but it only made him hotter than he had any right to be. And I hated myself for noticing.
• My gaze flickered up to his piercing dark eyes that promised nothing but trouble, and I felt like a fucking prey.
• He stepped closer, and my heart stuttered then hammered harder.
• My brain screamed at me to run, but I couldn't bring my legs to move.
• He reached for my face. "You have a mole here," he said, tracing the corner of my eye. "It's beautiful."
• I slapped his hand away, irritated, not just at him for his blatant disregard of boundaries, but at myself for letting him touch me so easily.
• "Keep your damn hands to yourself."
• He smirked. "Sorry, doll. I get a little handsy when I see something I want to keep."
• "Something?" I glared.
• He only chuckled.
• "What's your name?"
• "I don't think I need to tell you."
• Not when you have been nothing but an asshole.
• He leaned in, so close I could feel his breath. "Your name, doll."
• I tried to step back, but his hand caught my jaw, tilting my face up to his.
• His voice then dropped to a command. "Your name."
• "Leah," I whispered.
• "Leah," he repeated.
• The way he said it intimately made my knees weak.
• There were so many things wrong with this situation. The fact that I was reacting this strongly to him being on top of the list.
• "That's a beautiful name... just like your eyes." His eyes fell on my lips, lingering there a beat too long. "Beautiful," he whispered, his eyes returning to mine, then, "Aiden."
• "I don't give a damn about your name."
• "Say it."
• "Go to..." His grip tightened, cutting me off and I exhaled, "Aiden."
• He sucked in a sharp breath, closing his eyes. "Fuck," he muttered, as if my voice saying his name undid him.
• "Boss!" Someone called from behind.
• He didn't look away from me as he demanded, "What is it?"
• "We have to go. Something happened to the warehouse," the man informed.
• He scowled, staring hard as if contemplating what to do next with me. Then, his lips curled into a dark smile as he stepped back.
• "I'll see you around, doll."
• And just like that, he walked away.
• I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding as I struggled to keep standing
• I had no idea then how much that bastard was planning on breaking me.
• And the worst part... I'd let him.
• ***********************************
• "...we dominated the market not only in this city but several others, surpassing last year's sales over the past quarter," I concluded.
• The room erupted into applause, the board members nodding in approval.
• I stood at the head of the table, a proud smile on my face.
• The loudest claps came from the chairman who winked at me, and my smile grew wider.
• When the meeting ended and people began leaving in groups, I crossed over to him just as he was rising from his chair.
• "A fifty per cent increase in revenue compared to last year this same period is wild, Leah," he said, patting my shoulder. "I am proud of you."
• "I think I am taking too much credit. Everyone contributed," I replied even though my head was about to burst from the praises.
• He chuckled. "You are right." He paused, then added, "Lunch is on me."
• "I'd love to, Mr. Chairman, but I made plans for lunch with a friend today."
• He feigned hurt, placing his hand over his chest. "Do I need to make an appointment to have lunch with my daughter?"