For years, I’ve sold the illusion of desire—an escort, a fantasy for hire. But with Maximus, everything shifts. His hands don’t just claim me; they strip away the walls I’ve spent years building. Under his gaze, I’m not a woman to be possessed; I’m Ella—raw, exposed, and trembling with vulnerability. His touch memorizes every scar, every ache, unraveling me until there’s nothing left to hide. It’s not just lust with him; it’s surrender. And for the first time, I’m wanted—not for what I can give, but for who I am. With Maximus, I’m alive, burning with a hunger I never knew I could feel. And I ache for more.

Tessa Carter’s eyes shot open, her head pounding as the unfamiliar ceiling came into focus. A wave of heat prickled her skin as she registered the weight beside her. Slowly, she turned her head—and nearly screamed. A man lounged lazily beside her, his bare chest on full display, a sheet slung low over his hips. He had the audacity to look amused, his gray eyes dancing with mischief, and his smirk—a devil’s invitation—only deepened as he caught her stunned expression. “What the hell is this?” she demanded, clutching the sheet to her chest as though it could erase the night. He stretched, entirely too comfortable, and tilted his head in mock thought. “Well, Miss Law, if I recall correctly, this is the aftermath of a very memorable night.” Her glare could’ve incinerated him. “Memorable? I must’ve been out of my mind! Who even are you?” He grinned, unbothered. “You didn’t seem to care about names last night, Miss Lawyer. But for now, you can just call me…” He paused, his gaze flicking over her, “…impressed.” Her jaw dropped, indignation surging. “You’re disgusting. And stop calling me that.” “What should I call you then?” he asked, his tone teasing as he leaned in slightly. “You weren’t exactly shy about calling me ‘handsome’ last night.” Tessa’s face burned with a mix of embarrassment and fury. “Oh, please. If I said anything remotely like that, I was clearly not in my right mind. I must’ve been drugged—or hypnotized—or—” “You were drunk,” he cut in smoothly, his voice softening slightly. “But not that drunk. You knew exactly what you wanted, Miss Law.” She scoffed, throwing him a withering look. “What I wanted was a quiet drink after a hellish week at work, not this.” She gestured sharply to the rumpled sheets. He raised an eyebrow, his smirk never faltering. “Funny, you didn’t say no when you kissed me. Or when you dragged me back here.” “Dragged you here?” she barked, her voice rising. “Don’t flatter yourself, Mr… whoever-you-are. Clearly, I had a momentary lapse in judgment. A mistake I won’t repeat.” His smirk faded just slightly, but his eyes still held that infuriating glint of confidence. “A mistake, huh?” He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a seductive murmur. “Then why did it feel so right?” Tessa held her breath, anger simmering just below the surface. “I don’t know what kind of women you usually pull this with, but trust me—you picked the wrong one this time.” He chuckled, low and infuriatingly smooth. “Oh, I think I picked exactly the right one, Miss Lawyer. You’re… different.” “Get out,” she snapped, cutting him off and pointing toward the door. “Before I show you just how different I can be when I’m angry.” Zaiden—though she didn’t know his name yet—stood, leisurely pulling on his clothes. Before leaving, he turned back, his smirk firmly back in place. “Until next time, Miss Law.” “There won’t be a next time!” she shouted after him, the door clicking shut behind him. Tessa collapsed back against the pillows, mortified and furious, her mind racing with questions she didn’t want answered.