1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Luna

M y lips trembled as he pulled me close and delicately kissed my neck with his soft lips. His scent drove me into ecstasy. His scent was intoxicating, a blend of smoky leather and rich amber, laced with a hint of something dark and wild—like the deep woods after rain. It wrapped around me, pulling me in, making every breath feel like a sinful indulgence. Beneath the warmth of his skin lingered a tantalizing spice, a whisper of danger that made my pulse quicken and my thoughts blur with desire. Each inhale was a seductive caress, a promise of the raw power and primal hunger that lay just beneath his surface. It was a scent that consumed me, making me crave every inch of him, desperate to lose myself in the allure of his presence.

All I wanted at that moment was to have him inside of me.

His eyes were a piercing, hypnotic shade of blue, like the deepest part of the ocean, where secrets and desire lingered just beneath the surface. They held an intensity that made me feel both vulnerable and desired, as if he could see right through me, past all my defenses, to the raw longing beneath. When he looked at me, his gaze burned with an almost predatory hunger, pulling me into a world where only we existed. His eyes were a seductive invitation, full of unspoken promises that left me breathless, yearning to drown in the depths of his passionate stare.

He passionately kissed my lips till they were numb. It was crazy how he knew exactly how to kiss me. I simply followed his lead, giving him the same pleasure he gave me.

Our world had narrowed to this stolen moment of passion, until the shrill, insistent ringing of his phone sliced through the haze.

Immediately, as he stopped to check his phone, I got a reality check.

What am I doing? I don’t even know him, I thought.

Nine hours earlier…

The doorbell rang, and I opened it to find Miranda practically buzzing with excitement.

“Luna! You won’t believe it! I’m here to drag you out for the day,” she announced, eyes gleaming.

“Uh … why?” I asked, confused.

“My dad’s throwing a huge party for his business associates and friends. That includes you! But first, we’re going shopping!”

“That sounds fun, but you might have to go without me.”

“Absolutely not! We’re going together. Get dressed. Now!”

Knowing Miranda, resistance was pointless. I quickly changed, and we headed out into the crisp afternoon.

“I’ve mapped out all the best boutiques,” she said, grinning. “It’s not every day you get to dress up like this!”

As we drove, Miranda chattered about the party. “It’s going to be huge—Dad loves to show off. A mix of businesspeople and our friends. I need to stand out.”

Despite being best friends, I’d never met her dad. Her mom passed away when she was young, and her dad was always busy with work.

“Any particular look you’re aiming for?” I asked.

“Glamorous. I want to turn heads. And I trust your style!”

We arrived at a chic boutique, and Miranda instantly dove into the racks. The afternoon flew by in a blur of laughter, fashion, and countless outfit changes. By the time we were done, we both had our outfits ready, and were buzzing with excitement for the party.

Back at my house, Miranda handed me a neatly folded piece of paper. “Here is the address—Blackwood Estate. Party starts at seven.”

“You’re not coming in?” I asked.

“Gotta be home early to get everything in order. But don’t look for me at the party—I'll be too busy being a pain in the ass!” she teased.

We both laughed before she hugged me tightly and drove off, leaving me with the invitation to what promised to be a memorable night.

Later that evening, I stood before the mirror, my heart racing. I slipped into a deep midnight blue gown that hugged my curves, the plunging neckline and subtle beadwork adding just the right touch of glamour. My jet-black hair, styled in soft waves, was pinned back on one side, revealing sparkling diamond earrings. A bold red lip and dark blue eye shadow made my green eyes pop, and after a final spritz of perfume, I was ready for the night.

Arriving fashionably late at the Blackwood estate, I took in the opulent mansion, lit with lanterns and festive lights. The lively sounds of the party filled the air, and I felt a rush of excitement as I stepped inside.

I spotted Miranda in the crowd, her eyes lighting up when she saw me. “Luna! Finally! What took you so long? I was starting to worry!”

“Traffic,” I shrugged with a grin. “But wow, this place is incredible—and you look amazing!”

“You look stunning!” she exclaimed, looping her arm through mine and guiding me through the crowd. “Let me introduce you to everyone—you’re just in time for the fun.”

As we moved through the room, Miranda’s enthusiasm made everyone feel approachable. I quickly settled in, ready to enjoy the evening. Then, her eyes widened with excitement.

“Luna, look!” she whispered, nodding towards a tall, handsome guy across the room. “That’s Aaron. I’ve been dying to talk to him.”

I raised an eyebrow, noticing her cheeks flush. “He’s definitely easy on the eyes. You going to make your move?”

She bit her lip, glancing at me nervously. “Yeah, I think I will. You’ll be okay on your own?”

I laughed, giving her a nudge. “Go for it, Miranda. I’ll be just fine. Catch up with me later!”

With a grateful smile, she squeezed my arm. “Thanks, Luna! Enjoy the party—I’ll find you soon.”

The party was buzzing with laughter and chatter as I sipped my drink, searching for Miranda, who had already disappeared into the crowd hours ago. With a slight frown, I decided to find the bathroom before my drink took its toll.

I navigated through the sea of guests, scanning for any sign of a restroom. Spotting a few doors off the main hall, I made my way towards them, hoping one would lead me to some relief. But fate had other plans.

Suddenly, I collided with a solid wall of muscle, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs. His chest was hard as rock, radiating heat that sent a jolt through me. A sharp intake of breath, followed by the unmistakable sound of liquid splashing onto fabric. I froze, staring in horror at the crimson stain spreading across the front of his pristine white shirt.

“I’m so sorry!” I stammered, my voice trembling with guilt. I looked up and froze. His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, sending a shiver down my spine. The noise of the party faded, replaced by the charged energy crackling between us. My heart pounded uncontrollably.

Why does he feel so familiar? I wondered.

My hands fluttered nervously as I saw the mess I’d made on his shirt. “I didn’t mean to—oh no, your shirt …”

“It’s fine,” he said, his voice calm, almost soothing.

But it wasn’t fine. I couldn’t just walk away, not with this strange pull between us. “No, it’s not,” I insisted. “We need to clean it up.”

Before he could protest, I grabbed his wrist, surprising myself with the bold gesture. His warm skin sent sparks through me, and I tugged him down the hallway, determined, craving the connection between us.

I fumbled with doors, feeling his silent gaze on me the whole time, until I finally found the bathroom. “Here,” I said, relieved, holding out a towel. “Let’s clean that up.”

He hesitated, and then unbuttoned his shirt, revealing a plain V-neck undershirt beneath. My breath caught as I glanced at his toned chest, quickly looking away as my cheeks flushed.

Focus, Luna. You’re here to fix this, not to ogle him, I thought.

I moved closer, dabbing at the stain on his undershirt, my hands trembling slightly. His scent overwhelmed me, making it hard to think. Each brush of the towel against his shirt sent a thrill through me that I tried to ignore.

“You really don’t have to do this,” he said softly, his voice low and warm, surprising me with its gentleness.

I glanced up, meeting his intense gaze for a second before looking away. “I know,” I whispered. “But I want to.”

The air between us grew thick with unspoken tension. This wasn’t just about the stain anymore—it was about something deeper, something neither of us could quite name.

“Why are you really doing this?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

I froze, unsure how to respond. How could I explain the pull between us when I didn’t even understand it myself? Slowly, I looked up into his eyes. “I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice shaky. “I just … I couldn’t walk away.”

He stepped closer, closing the space between us. My breath hitched as his warmth surrounded me, his gaze igniting a fire inside. When his hand brushed my cheek, I didn’t pull away. Instead, I leaned into his touch, savoring the intensity of the moment.

And then he kissed me—fierce, passionate, and everything I hadn’t known I needed. The world outside vanished as we lost ourselves in the heat of that kiss.

It was gentle at first, soft and tentative, but it quickly deepened, turning into something more. Something raw and urgent. My hands found their way to his chest, my fingers curling against his skin, as I pulled him closer. I could feel his heartbeat beneath my palm, strong and steady, grounding me in the moment.

The world outside faded away, leaving only the two of us. The kiss consumed me, igniting something deep within, something primal that I couldn’t ignore. I didn’t want to ignore it. I wanted more—more of him, more of this connection that had sparked between us from the moment we met.

But then, just as suddenly as it had started, it was interrupted.

The sharp trill of his phone cut through the air, shattering the moment. At first, he ignored it, but it rang again and again. With each ring, reality started to creep back in, pulling us out of the world we’d created in that tiny bathroom. I felt him tense slightly in my arms, and I knew the moment was over.

He pulled back, his forehead resting against mine, and I could see the frustration in his eyes, mirrored by the same feeling in my chest. I wanted to stay in that moment, to keep the outside world at bay just a little longer, but the phone didn’t stop.

Reluctantly, he let me go and pulled out his phone. I took a small step back, putting distance between us, even though every fiber of my being was already missing him desperately. The warmth of his touch lingered on my skin, but it was quickly replaced by the cold reality of the interruption.

As he answered the call, I took another step back, glancing toward the door. I knew what was coming. I’d seen it before—duty calling, pulling him away from the moment we’d just shared. It was inevitable. I couldn’t be mad at him for it, but that didn’t make it any easier.

“It’s okay,” I said softly, when he glanced at me, trying to offer a reassuring smile. “Go do what you need to do.”

“Uh … umm …” he started, but I shook my head, cutting him off.

“Really, I get it. You’ve got things to take care of.” I tried to smile, but I knew it didn’t reach my eyes. I turned before he could say anything else.

"At least give me the honor of knowing your name … I would definitely like to continue this after the party," he murmured, his voice low and rough, as his fingers tightened around mine. He stepped closer, so close I could feel the warmth of his breath against my skin. “Luna …” I replied.

He smirked, his blue eyes crinkling with intent, and slowly leaned in. I could feel the heat of his breath just before his lips brushed my cheek, lingering there for a heartbeat longer than expected. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down my spine, and as he pulled back, his gaze locked with mine, leaving me breathless, my heart pounding, as I turned to leave.

As I made my way down the hallway, my heart felt heavy in my chest. The connection we’d shared was still there, humming beneath the surface, but it was overshadowed now by the reality of not knowing who he was.

I can’t believe I made out with a total stranger, someone old enough to be my father. What’s come over me? I thought.