Prologue
Honestly,Ihavenothad the greatest start to my day. I really should have just played hooky and stayed in bed like I wanted to. I’ve gotten yet another text message from the bank manager, John, asking me out again. You would think blocking him would have stopped him. But not him. I’m just wondering when he’s going to run out of numbers to call me from. There’s just something about the guy that creeps me out to no end, and he doesn’t seem to take rejection well. I’m not sure how much more I can take of this. It seems like I run into him everywhere, as if he is following me. It’s gotten to where I’m actually scared. The only person who knows my fears is Mia, my best friend. I’ve never given him any indication that I like him. Sure, I was friendly to him when he set up my accounts, but that’s it. He just couldn’t stop staring at my chest long enough for him to see I wasn’t interested in him. Sadly, he hasn’t gotten the picture yet.
I’ve been working for Blaine Consulting for the last five years and I love my job as a Marketing Researcher. That’s why I came in at six this morning to get a head start on a new project I’m working on. Clearly, as you can see, I don’t have a life outside of work. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, but I want more out of life than this. Honestly, I’m just lonely as there is no love in my life besides my parents. I’ve been on a few dates, but they just fizzle out and die within an hour of being with them. They take one look at my curvy figure and look at me in disgust. I’ve learned to love who I am and if someone doesn't see me, then that’s their loss. Momma always said when the right person comes along, I will know instantly. Just like she knew when she married Peter. He treats her like a queen and I love she has that with him. So for now I will wait.
I look at the clock and can see that it’s already 8 am and can hear people coming into the office to start their day. Which means it’s time for a coffee break. I get up and stretch my sore back and head for the breakroom. After making my coffee, I close my eyes in bliss as the liquid gold slides down my throat. I swear I don’t know what I would do if I had to give up my coffee. It's the one thing that keeps me going.
I take another sip in quiet bliss, just enjoying these few quiet moments to myself when a voice interrupts me, scaring the shit out of me.
“Excuse me, have you seen Landon this morning? I’m supposed to be meeting him for a meeting.”
His voice is so sinful that it sends shivers racing down my spine, and that’s when I start to choke on my coffee, spewing hot coffee on the front of his suit. I’m also pretty sure some came out my nose. Jesus, I’m such a hot mess sometimes. He comes over and starts hitting my back hard. Making more coffee spew out of my mouth.
“Are you okay? Fuck, please tell me you’re okay, baby.”
I look up and up because he is so freaking tall and all the color drains from my face because standing before me is none other than billionaire playboy Alexander Wade. The man who has starred in every one one of my naughty fantasies since the moment I first knew of him. And I just spewed hot coffee all over his thousand dollar freaking designer suit. Omg I’m so getting fired for this.
Tears gather in my eyes in embarrassment as I quickly grab a towel that’s behind me and start to dry him off. “I’m so sorry Mr. Wade. I didn’t mean to do that. Are you hurt? Of course you're hurt. I just spewed hot coffee all over you. God, I’m so getting fired for this.” I rush out so fast I don’t think he even understands what I’m saying to him.
While trying and failing to dry him off, I accidentally brush the front of his pants and from what I felt, he is huge and hard, making my eyes snap to his, my face blushing in embarrassment more, if that’s even possible. I’m trying so hard not to cry right now with how much I just messed up.
“Jesus Christ.” He mumbles out while taking the towel from my hands before I can cause anymore damage. His eyes are dark and heated, making my body shiver.Get your shit together, Selene. Now is not the time for fantasies.
I look down at the ground, wishing it would open and swallow me. He places his hand on my chin, tilting my head up so I have no place but to look at him. The contact sends shivers racing throughout my body. “Now that’s better. First of all, you're not getting fired. I won’t allow that. Second, I’m okay, no harm no foul, so dry those beautiful eyes, Angel. I won’t have my future wife crying.” He has a massive smile on his face and it’s doing things to me I’ve never felt before.
Then my brain comes back online hearing what he actually said. He sticks his hand out for me to shake. “Alexander Wade, and may I know the name of my future wife?”
It takes me a minute longer than I like before placing my hand in his and mumble out my name. “Selene.”
I watch in rapt fascination as he lifts my hand, placing his soft, warm lips on the back of my hand. It takes everything in me not to moan. “Selene. A beautiful name for a beautiful woman. Have dinner with me tonight.”
Alexander Wade thinks I’m beautiful. Is this some kind of joke? I must be still sleeping and this isn’t actually happening. That’s all this is a figment of my imagination. Yup, that’s it, nothing more. But just then Mr. Blaine walks in, breaking that notion.
He’s not looking at us but down at his phone, so he doesn’t see me standing there. I mean, not that he really can with how big Alexander is. “There you are Alex. Sorry I’m late. Traffic was a bitch.” He finally looks up and spots me standing there. “Oh.” His eyes are bouncing from me back to Alexander, looking down at our joined hands.
I realize my hand is still in his and I quickly pull back, but by the growl coming from Alex, he doesn't seem to like that too much. “I umm.”
Alex blocks my path as I go to make my escape, looking down at me with a predatory look in his eyes. “You still haven’t answered me, Selene.”
OMG Selene, hurry and think of something so you can leave and forget any of this happened. “I umm. Can’t. I have to wash my plants. Yup, they need a good washing.” Jesus, I could slap myself for that one.Wash my plants, really Selene.I can hear Mr. Blaine trying not to laugh and I appreciate the effort.
I scoot around Alexander, not looking at either of them, heading for the door. Before I’m able to make a run for it, his words stop me in my tracks. “I’ll give you this one, Selene, but then I’m coming for you and I won’t stop until I make you mine.” His growled out words send a flood between my legs.
I don’t stop as I continue out the door. Okay, more like make a run for it. There’s no way I can let him catch me. Alexander Wade has heart breaker written all over him. He isn’t named billionaire playboy for a reason, so I will do what I’ve been doing since I heard his name. Avoid him at all costs. I hear Alaska is a great place to hide.
Chapter 1
Themusicispumpingwhile people are dancing all around. Club Envy just opened this month, and it is definitely the spot to be in. The decor is tasteful, and it houses one of the best DJs in town. We’ve been here for over two hours and my feet are absolutely killing me in these three-inch heels, but I’m having the time of my life. My hair is flowing down my back in waves, my makeup is light with a bold red lip and I tug down my short black dress that Mia insisted I needed to wear yet again. I don’t normally wear something this short in fear that it’s going to flash everyone my ass, but I have to admit it makes me feel sexy.
I down another shot, which probably isn’t a good idea since I really can’t hold my liquor well, but whatever, I deserve this. I will just deal with the hangover in the morning. When the girls invited me out for a night out on the town, I jumped at the chance. Needing to just get away from the ever persistent bank manager. It’s gotten so bad I may have to just go to the police station to put in a restraining order. I know I probably should have done this sooner, but I thought I could handle this on my own. How wrong I am. I find gifts on my front porch with notes. Last week I even went into the bank to talk to someone about him, only to find out he no longer works there. My mind wanders back to the conversation earlier in the car when Mia said I should just let Alexander come to my rescue. As if that would ever happen. I’ve been avoiding that man at all costs since that moment in the breakroom so long ago. And trust me, it hasn't been easy, but it’s better this way. At least that’s what I keep telling myself.
After we grab another drink, the girls decide we’ve had enough dancing and we head for a table so we can sit down. My feet are crying in relief. I know my ass is going to be crawling tomorrow. It's a good thing I have zero plans but to park my ass on my couch, eat junk food all day and watch movies. We are all talking about what our plans are for tomorrow when an icy chill runs up and down my spine and not in a good way. I look around the club to see what brought this on and my lungs freeze in my chest at who is looking at me from across the club with an evil smile on his face. As soon as he sees me looking, he takes that as an invitation and makes his way over to me. I suck in a sharp breath that he has yet again followed me.
Everleigh places her hand on mine. “Selene, are you okay? It looks like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Before I can say anything, John walks up to the table with an evil smile on his face. His eyes almost look black, making him look like the devil himself.
He steps up to the table, looking directly at me, totally ignoring who I’m with. “My beautiful Selene. You’ve been hiding from me.”
