Bryan's POV
I sat on the couch, one hand around a glass of whiskey, pretending to listen to whatever my colleagues were saying.
The club was new. It was built just beneath the hotel I owned. The idea came from a business partner who said people spent more money on alcohol and music than on a good night's sleep. He was right because every night, this place was full. And even tonight, when I wasn't in the mood for noise, I'd agreed to join them because it looked bad when the boss stayed hidden too long.
Across, James leaned forward, already tipsy. "You've been too quiet, boss," he teased. "Come on, drink up. This deal is worth celebrating."
I gave a faint smile, lifting the glass to my lips. The whiskey burned, but I didn't care. I only wanted the night to end.
While the others joked and talked about women, I stared at the door. I remembered the girl from earlier. She was the last person I expected to cross paths with again. And yet, when she stumbled into that private lounge earlier, I had frozen.
I didn't know what to think when she opened that door. She looked lost and drunk. Her eyes were glassy, her hair was messy, and her lips were trembling.
At first, my men thought she was one of the escorts who worked around the club.
James had leaned toward me, grinning.
"Well, look what the night brought in," he said. "Seems the boss's luck just changed."
The others laughed. I almost told them to shut up, but then she mumbled an apology, and I realized who she was.
She was Alice Morgan, the woman from the car accident, the one from the plane, and the one whose name was on the Sterling & Cross files.
The woman who might have the evidence I needed to destroy my enemies.
Before anyone could say another word, I spoke. "Out. Everyone. Leave the girl with me."
The room went silent. They thought I was joking until they saw my face. Then, one by one, they left.
James, the last to move, smirked as he stood. "Didn't know you had a type, Bryan. Thought you liked your women less… lost."
I gave him a cold stare. "Get out."
When the door shut, I turned back to her. She stood awkwardly near the door, her hand still on the knob like she wanted to run.
"I'm sorry," she muttered. "I thought it was the restroom."
I didn't move for a moment. I just watched her. The way she tried to steady herself. The faint blush on her cheeks. The small tremble in her fingers.
This was the woman Sterling & Cross had tried to destroy. This was the woman who had worked in their finance department for three years. This was the woman who might hold the key to everything I'd been searching for.
I took a step closer. "So," I said quietly, my voice low. "This is what you want now?"
She looked up, confused. "What are you saying? I just came to drink, not to…"
Her words trailed off.
I leaned in slightly, close enough to feel her unsteady breath. "You don't even remember, do you?"
"Remember what?" she asked.
I smirked. "Nothing. You'll find out soon enough."
She frowned, blinking as if trying to clear her thoughts.
"Go back to your room," I said finally, opening the door for her.
She hesitated, then nodded and walked out.
I stood there for a while, staring at the empty doorway. My chest felt strange again. That same pull I couldn't explain.
But this time, I knew it wasn't just attraction. It was an opportunity.
Alice Morgan had something Sterling & Cross wanted badly enough to destroy her life, and I needed to know what it was.
After a few minutes, I told myself to think clearly. She was probably in one of the hotel rooms now, drunk and vulnerable.
I could let her sleep it off and disappear in the morning. Or I could take this chance to get closer to her. To start building the connection I would need if I wanted her to trust me with whatever secrets she was hiding.
I finished the drink in one gulp and went upstairs.
My suite was on the top floor. It was also the best in the hotel, though I rarely stayed long enough to enjoy it.
I inserted the keycard and pushed the door open. The first thing I noticed was the sound of clinking, like a spoon against a plate.
When I looked at the bed, it was her again, Alice. Eating something on my bed.
For a moment, I froze. She was cross-legged, with her hair loose, her dress slightly wrinkled, and a small plate of food in front of her, and she looked completely at home.
She looked up at me mid-bite, her eyes wide, and then she swallowed quickly.
"Oh… I thought..." She blinked, confused.
"This is my room."
I closed the door behind me slowly.
"No," I said, my voice calm but deep.
"This is my room," I added.
She frowned and glanced around like she was just realizing it.
"Wait… what?"
I took a step closer.
"Seems you made a mistake again tonight," I said slowly.
Her cheeks flushed.
"Oh my God, I... I didn't mean to..."
I raised a hand slightly.
"Relax. You're drunk, and mistakes happen." I said, but she didn't relax. Her chest rose and fell fast. I could see the way her fingers gripped the edge of the blanket and the way her lips parted like she wanted to explain.
This was it. This was the moment. I could kick her out and lose this chance. Or use her vulnerability, loneliness, and her obvious need to forget whatever pain she was running from.
It wasn't honorable. But I stopped caring about honor five years ago when Sterling & Cross destroyed everything I had built.
I didn't know what came over me, but I stepped closer, and she didn't move away.
"So, this is what you want, huh?" I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
"You came to my hotel, walked into my private room, and now… you're in my bed."
Her lips trembled. "I swear I didn't..."
I stopped in front of her, and she looked up, her eyes glassy and uncertain.
"Please, let me go," she whispered.
I tilted my head. "Go?" I repeated quietly.
"You came here for something… so maybe you should get it before you leave."
Her breath hitched as I leaned closer, my face inches from hers. Her eyes darted to my lips, then back up, and for a long second, neither of us moved.
Then I reached out slowly, my fingers brushing against her arm. She shivered, and I could feel it.
She whispered, "Bryan…"
I didn't know how she knew my name. Maybe she'd heard it downstairs, or maybe she'd looked me up, but it didn't matter.
And before I could stop myself, I kissed her. She gasped, but she didn't pull away. Her hands found my chest, pushing once, then stopping. My hand moved to the back of her neck, holding her there.
Her lips parted again, and I deepened the kiss. The room went quiet, except for the sound of our breathing, and when I finally pulled back, both of us were breathing hard.
Her eyes were wide.
"I shouldn't..." she started.
"Then don't," I said, with my voice low, and I kissed her again, slower this time. She didn't resist; her fingers curled against my shirt, gripping it tightly.
Part of me knew this was wrong, but a louder part of me said this was necessary. It was the only way to get close to her and earn her trust.
And eventually, this was how I would get the evidence I needed to destroy Sterling & Cross.
Her body leaned into mine, and my hand slipped to her waist, drawing her closer until there was no space left between us.
Her dress had slipped slightly off her shoulder, revealing her smooth skin. I brushed my thumb over it, and she sucked in a breath. My hands roamed around her waist and traced up to her neckline.
The dress was falling off her shoulders slowly and giving way for her curves. My hands roamed around freely, and just when I was about to slide under her dress, she pushed me back.
"Stop," she said softly, her voice trembling.
I froze, staring at her.
"I can't," she whispered.
For a moment, I thought she was done and wanted to leave. "Fuck, I lost my chance."
I stepped back slowly, with my heartbeat still heavy in my chest.
"It's okay," I said quietly.
And for a moment, we just looked at each other.