Chapter 2

• MYKEL
• She’s fucking hot!
• Stunning. Exquisite.
• Before the situation became awkward, I made my point and left the woman after our quick sex. I was a one-night kind of guy. Most people knew that. I was a busy person; making my own empire and relationship was not my priority for the next ten years or more. Of course, a man still had needs once and a while. I was still a human in need of a woman’s touch.
• Then I saw someone walking out of Knox’s apartment. I was even shocked to discover that the woman I had with was living just next door, but I had no time to back out and change my mind. She made me hard, and she was a willing lay.
• In the next second, I was following the woman. She was short to be my type, even if she wore fuck-me-high-heels, but damn. There was something about her that triggered something inside me. I couldn’t take a good look at her face, but I knew by heart she was stunning, like a million-dollar piece of art. The more it got old, the more the value became pricey.
• My heart began racing as I joined her in the elevator. I was immediately hit with the scent of her. Her smell was like an expensive perfume, and I knew when I smelled one.
• The fascinating woman looked delicate and classy in a red V-neck dress that hugged her curves in the right places. She may not have a body like a model, but for me, she was perfect. I knew a woman’s body pretty well. I had a pretty share of models and celebrities, but this one was different in so many ways, making her more intriguing, sophisticated, and remarkable.
• But my mouth and my brain did not play along pretty well.
• When she started talking, her voice was sexy as I had imagined, and it was too late to play nice. But the good part had yet to come—she didn’t have any idea who I was.
• After she left in the cab, I took a photo of the license plate and sent it to Sax Ryder, my bodyguard.
• My phone vibrated right away after the message was sent.
• “What do you want me to do with this, boss?” he asked as a greeting.
• “Ask for the last passenger’s address. A woman. Tell them you have to return something she left in your apartment.”
• “Do I need to pick you up?”
• “No. Find out who the woman is and report it to me as soon as you find something.” Because somehow, I felt like I knew her.
• “Got it. Do you want me to return what she left?”
• “No. She didn’t leave anything.”
• There was a few seconds of silence before he replied, “I see. I’ll call you soon, boss.”
• “Good. Thanks.”
• As soon as I arrived at my penthouse, I received the info I was asking for. I didn’t know how Sax found out about her quickly. Needless to say, I was impressed with his resourcefulness.
• “Adley Xael Kross.” Her name was as sweet as a vintage wine. “Kross, huh? What a small world.” A smirk spread across my lips.
• I quickly searched her name on social media, where you could easily find everyone you wanted to look for. I found her right away. Her personal account was not yet verified, but her business account was.
• I felt like I had just found the golden pot at the rainbow’s end.
• I dialed my assistant. I didn’t usually barge her at this hour, but I needed a huge favor, and it couldn’t wait. It had been long overdue, and now it was a perfect time.
• “Elise, I know I’m so sorry.” I made sure there was a lace of guilt in my voice.
• “Do you want me to drive you home?” She sounded like she had just woken up, and I felt guilty even more. Elise was one of the first people I hired into my wing. She was like a sister I never had with whom I could share my secrets and heartaches, and she wouldn’t judge.
• “No. I’m already home. But I want you to hire someone to design the office here in my loft.”
• “I thought you don’t want an office and bring your work home.”
• “I changed my mind. I know I mostly worked on my laptop when I was home, but I realize an office comes in handy, and it’s not such a bad idea, is it?” I didn’t know why I had to explain, maybe because I had something up on my sleeves.
• “You came up with this idea just right now, at this time?” She groaned.
• “I know we had an agreement. No late-night calls, but you can do this in the morning.”
• “Then why can’t it wait until morning?”
• “I’m sorry, Elise.”
• “Save the guilt trip. It’s fine. Anyway, I know good interior designers. I’d been following them on their IG business account. Just tell me if you have any specific instructions, ideas, or price margin?”
• “I’d be there to suggest.”
• “Why? Since when do you have time, I’m-a-busy-capitalist-no-time-for-bs?”
• I chucked. “It’s personal to me.”
• “Whatever. Call you in the morning.”
• “Don’t hire interior designers. I got it covered. Sending you the link.” I sent it to her email.
• “Got it.”
• Seconds later, she sounded surprised. “What the hell?”
• “What’s wrong?”
• “How did you find K&B Designs?”
• “You know it?”
• “Seriously, Creed. They’re the one I was talking about,” she said gleefully. “They work magic. And you’d love your new home office. Trust me.”
• Well, what a coincidence, right? I might believe in destiny bullshit after all. “I guess we have the same taste then. See you later.”
• “I’m getting paid on the weekend, Creed.”
• “Fine, little bully.”
• ***
• I had just received a message from Elise that she was on her way, and I couldn’t wait to see the reaction on Adley’s face upon seeing me after calling me names last night.
• If I was being honest, I deserved it. I just thought Knox didn’t deserve her. So did I. And I was the last person she should think about sleeping with, but I was a greedy and selfish bastard. So either she had me, or she would remain single for the rest of her life. And this was just the beginning.
• My doorbell just went off.