Chapter 1 It's A Sin

• *Bella*
• "No! Leave me!" I shouted, my voice trembling as the boys cornered me on the sofa, their hands all over me.
• I regretted coming to this house party. At first, it had seemed fun—a chance to loosen up. I’d had my first drink and danced like I didn’t have a care in the world. But then, everything went downhill. My head started spinning, and I felt myself losing control. Before I knew it, some boys dragged me upstairs, locking me in a room with them as they tried to force themselves on me.
• “No!” I yelled, shoving one of them as he leaned in, his face so close it made me panic. My vision blurred, a mix of alcohol, tears, and fear, making it hard to see their faces clearly.
• Suddenly, the door burst open with a loud crash. One by one, the boys were yanked away from me. Through my haze, I saw Ryder’s face, filled with worry, as he called my name in an anxious voice.
• Relief washed over me, and I let myself go, closing my eyes and collapsing into his arms, knowing I was safe now—safe with him.
• ___
• “Bella! Bella!” I heard someone calling my name, their hand gently patting my cheek. I forced my eyes open, but even that felt like a struggle.
• “Thank God you woke up,” Ryder’s deep, familiar voice pierced through the fog in my head.
• I instinctively snuggled closer to him, breathing in his intoxicating scent. God, he smelled so good.
• “And who said you could drink?” he rebuked, his voice taking on that firm, authoritative tone he always used when he was upset. “You’re only eighteen. I’m going to have everyone at this party arrested.”
• The dangerous edge in his words snapped me awake, my eyes flying wide open. “No, please don’t,” I begged, my voice slurred and desperate.
• “My friends are here too,” I added, clutching his shirt as panic set in. “I don’t want them to get into trouble.”
• “Then promise me you won’t go to these kinds of parties,” he demanded, his tone stern, making me swallow hard.
• “Okay!” I whispered before leaning against his chest again. Umm... he felt so good. What was wrong with me? I shouldn’t be feeling like this for Ryder Knight. Yes, he was the Ryder Knight—probably the city’s richest and most eligible bachelor—and I was... nobody.
• Ryder was a very handsome, charming twenty-eight-year-old billionaire and the owner of Knight Enterprises, a company he had propelled to success with his sharp business acumen. But it wasn’t just his genius that drew people in; his undeniable charisma made him utterly magnetic.
• Our dads had been childhood friends, but that’s where the similarities ended. Ryder’s family was wealthy, practically untouchable, while my dad was just a humble serviceman. There was no comparing the grandeur of the Knights to our modest life.
• When I moved to NYC for college, the Knights became my safety net. They were always there for me, especially Ryder. I had known him since my childhood. He’d always seen me as a kid, a little sister, and referred to me as his baby girl. When I moved to his city, he made it his mission to ensure I never felt lonely. Every Friday, no matter how busy he was, he’d pick me up after classes. We’d either go to his place or his family home, share meals, and spend the rest of the weekend together.
• “I want to go home,” I murmured in a sleepy voice.
• “I got you, baby girl,” he whispered in my ear, and his deep, manly voice made my heart flutter with an unknown sensation.
• The next thing I knew, I was swept into his powerful, muscular arms, and he was carrying me toward his Lamborghini. He gently placed me in the passenger seat, leaning over to buckle me in. His minty breath brushed against my face, and for a split second, my breath hitched. I suddenly wanted to kiss him.
• No, no, Bella. Don’t think about him like this. He only sees you as a sister. It’s a sin to want this.
• Even though he was the sexiest man alive, Ryder was out of my league, and I couldn’t afford to mess up our relationship.
• I closed my eyes and leaned back in the car seat. I heard the door of the driver side open and closed and sensed Ryder taking the driver seat. And the next moment the car began moving.
• I didn't realize I slept the whole ride and woke up to find myself scoped in Ryder’s alluring embrace again.
• “Sorry, baby girl. Did I disturb your sleep? Let me take you to the bedroom,” he murmured as he kept walking toward the bedroom. When he placed me on the bed and was about to leave, something inside me snapped. I didn’t want him to go. It felt like if he left, I wouldn’t survive.
• He kissed my forehead and started to pull away, but I couldn’t let him. I threw my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. His eyes were full of confusion, his lips parted to ask something, but before the words left his mouth, I lifted my head and pressed my lips to his.