FALL IN LOVE WITH A BAD BOY

Chapter 1 The First Glimpse The city pulsed with a life of its own—blinding neon lights, laughter spilling from rooftop bars, the constant rhythm of music vibrating through the pavement. Emma Monroe had only been here for three days, and already she felt both lost and invigorated, like she was standing on the edge of something dangerous and thrilling. She didn’t move to escape her past. No, she had nothing dramatic like that—no heartbreak, no scandal. Just a life that had felt too predictable. A career in finance, a meticulous planner by nature, and an unwavering commitment to playing it safe. But tonight, for the first time, she let herself loosen the grip on control. The bar was dimly lit, upscale but reckless. Her friend Sadie had insisted they come here. "You need to live a little," she had said, dragging Emma through the doors and straight to the VIP section. And that’s when she saw him. Jaxon Wilder. His presence was undeniable. Leaning against the bar, whiskey glass in hand, he looked as though he owned the place. The low lighting cast shadows over sharp cheekbones and a chiseled jawline, but it was his eyes that held her captive—dark, smoldering, full of secrets. Tattoos peeked from under the sleeve of his fitted black T-shirt, swirling over strong forearms. He was the kind of man mothers warned their daughters about, the kind Emma had always avoided. But something about the way he watched her—assessing, interested—sent an unexpected thrill through her. Emma wasn’t naïve. She knew exactly what men like Jaxon were capable of. The arrogance. The easy confidence of someone who had women at his beck and call. But still, when he pushed off the bar and walked toward her, she didn’t look away. "New in town?" His voice was smooth, threaded with amusement. Emma arched an eyebrow, her usual self-control slipping just a fraction. "That obvious?" Jaxon smirked. "A woman like you wouldn’t normally be in a place like this." She frowned. "A woman like me?" He took another step closer, just enough for her to catch the faint scent of whiskey and something darkly intoxicating beneath it. "A woman who looks like she makes all the right choices." She should have taken offense. Instead, her pulse spiked. "Maybe I don’t want to make the right choices tonight." The words left her mouth before she could think twice. Jaxon tilted his head slightly, considering her. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. The touch sent fire licking down her spine. "I like the sound of that," he murmured. The club’s music pulsed, drowning out the rest of the world as he stepped even closer. Close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off his body, see the hint of a cocky grin curving his lips. "Come with me," he said, voice low, tempting. Her breath caught. She should have said no. She should have turned away. But she didn't. He took her hand, leading her through the thrumming crowd to a private booth in the VIP lounge, tucked away in the shadows. As soon as they stepped inside, the air between them grew electric. "You don't strike me as the type to take risks," Jaxon said, studying her. Emma met his gaze, something reckless igniting inside her. "Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think." A challenge flickered in his eyes. "Then let’s find out." And then he kissed her. It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t polite. It was raw, unfiltered hunger. His lips claimed hers with a dominance that stole her breath, his hands sliding to her waist and pulling her flush against him. Heat exploded through her, her hands gripping his shoulders as he deepened the kiss, tongue sweeping into her mouth like he was tasting something forbidden. Her heart pounded as his fingers trailed down her spine, igniting nerve endings she hadn’t known existed. When his mouth left hers, traveling to the curve of her jaw and then lower, she gasped, fingers tangling in his hair. "Tell me to stop," he murmured against her throat. She should. God, she should. But instead, she arched against him. "Don't stop." Jaxon groaned softly, his grip tightening as he pushed her against the leather seat, his thigh pressing between her legs. The friction was maddening, sending heat spiraling through her veins. "You’re playing a dangerous game, sweetheart," he warned. But Emma didn’t care. Not tonight. She rolled her hips slightly, drawing a sharp inhale from him. His hands slid up her thighs, teasing, fingers brushing just beneath the hem of her dress. "You’re gorgeous," he whispered before his lips captured hers again, this time slower, deeper, as if he was savoring every second. Her entire body felt like it was on fire. Every touch, every press of his lips sent her further into the abyss. And when his teeth grazed the sensitive spot on her neck, she let out a sound that had him cursing under his breath. He shifted, one hand slipping beneath her dress, sliding up her thigh. "Jaxon," she gasped, caught between pleasure and the sharp realization that she was unraveling too fast. His lips found her ear. "You’re shaking, Emma." Her breath hitched. She was. From want. From need. From the knowledge that she had never felt this alive before. She turned her head slightly, their lips a breath apart. "I don’t usually do this." Jaxon smirked, his fingers tracing slow, tantalizing circles on her skin. "That’s the best part, isn’t it?" And then he kissed her again, stealing away every last thought.