chapter 6
1154 Words
Kara had decided to treat herself after another successful week at work. She chose a cozy upscale restaurant she loved, eager to unwind. As she sat at her table, sipping her sparkling water, she noticed Max entering the restaurant from the corner of her eye. Her stomach tightened, but she quickly composed herself.
What she didn’t know was that Max had been watching her for weeks, scheming to ruin her reputation. Tonight, he’d put his plan into motion.
The waiter approached her table with a new glass of water. “Compliments of the house,” he said, setting it down with a rehearsed smile. Kara smiled politely, unaware of the danger lurking in her drink.
She took a few sips, not noticing the subtle bitterness. But soon, her head began to swim, and her vision blurred. Kara stood, gripping the table for support, but her legs felt like jelly. Panic set in as the room spun around her.
“Are you okay?” a deep, concerned voice asked.
Kara turned her head and saw a tall, broad shouldered man with piercing green eyes. His hand reached out to steady her as she swayed.
“I… I don’t feel…” Her words slurred as her legs gave out.
The man caught her before she hit the ground, his arms firm and steady.
“She’s my wife,” Max’s voice cut in sharply. He stepped forward, his face a mask of concern, but the stranger didn’t let go.
“Is that true?” the man asked Kara, his brow furrowed.
Even in her dazed state, Kara recognized Max’s voice. She tried to push him away, her movements weak but determined. “No… no… don’t… let him…”
The man hesitated, his eyes narrowing at Max. “She doesn’t seem to want to go with you.”
“She’s drunk,” Max insisted. “I’ll take her home. It’s not your business.”
But the stranger didn’t budge. “And yet, here I am making it my business,” he said coolly. “I’m taking her somewhere safe.”
Max tried to argue, but the stranger had already lifted Kara into his arms, cradling her protectively. Kara rested her head against his chest, her body too weak to protest.
Kara woke slowly, her head pounding like a drum. She blinked against the sunlight streaming through unfamiliar curtains, her heart racing as she realized she wasn’t in her bedroom.
Sitting up quickly, she winced at the dizziness that followed. She looked down at herself, relieved to find she was still fully dressed. “Thank God,” she whispered, exhaling shakily.
The door opened, and the man from the restaurant walked in, carrying a tray with coffee and toast. Kara’s breath caught in her throat. He was even more gorgeous than she remembered messy dark hair, sharp jawline, and a body that looked like it belonged on the cover of a fitness magazine.
“Good morning,” he said, his voice smooth and warm. “You had a rough night.”
“Where am I?” Kara asked cautiously, her cheeks flushing as she tugged the blanket around herself.
“My apartment,” he said, setting the tray on the bedside table. “You were drugged. I didn’t think it was safe to leave you alone, so I brought you here.”
Her eyes widened. “Drugged? Are you sure?”
He nodded, sitting on the edge of the bed. “I’m sure. I saw the guy claiming to be your husband, and something about him didn’t sit right with me. Then you started fighting him off, so I stepped in. Do you remember any of that?”
Bits and pieces came back to her Max!, the drink, the stranger holding her. She pressed her fingers to her temples, trying to piece it all together.
“Thank you,” she said softly, looking up at him. “You might have saved my life.”
“It’s nothing,” he said with a shrug, though his eyes held genuine concern. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
Kara sighed. “Max isn’t my husband. He’s my ex, and he’s been trying to ruin me ever since I took over my father’s company.”
The man’s brows lifted. “You’re Kara Prescott?”
She nodded, bracing for the usual reaction, but instead, he smiled.
“Well, I guess that makes you my boss,” he said. “I’m Luke Reid. I work in Sparkle’s legal department.”
Kara’s jaw dropped. “You work for me?”
He chuckled. “Don’t worry—I won’t tell HR about this.”
She couldn’t help but laugh, the sound easing some of the tension in the room. “Well, Luke, I owe you one.”
After finishing her coffee, Kara decided to take a quick shower before heading home. Luke pointed her to the bathroom, handing her a fresh towel.
As she stepped out of the shower, her hair damp and her body wrapped in the soft towel, she walked back into the bedroom only to find Luke standing shirtless by the window.
She froze, her heart skipping a beat as her eyes traced the lines of his toned back. He turned when he heard her, their gazes locking.
For a moment, the air between them thickened, charged with an unspoken tension. Kara’s breath hitched, and she clutched the towel tighter around her.
“Sorry,” he said, his voice lower than before. “Didn’t mean to startle you.”
“It’s fine,” she murmured, her cheeks flushing.
Neither of them moved, the silence stretching until it was almost unbearable. Finally, Luke took a step toward her, his eyes searching hers.
“Last night, I didn’t think much beyond keeping you safe,” he said quietly. “But now…”
Kara swallowed hard, her pulse racing. “Now what?”
“Now, I’m wondering if this is something more.”
Her lips parted, but no words came out. She felt the pull between them, magnetic and undeniable. Before she could overthink it, Luke closed the distance, his hands gently brushing her arms.
“Tell me to stop and I'll stop,” he whispered.
“it's okay,” she replied, her voice barely audible.
Their lips met in a kiss that started soft and tentative but quickly deepened, their mutual longing igniting like a flame. Kara dropped the towel, her hands tangling in Luke’s hair as they lost themselves in each other.
The connection between them was electric, a perfect blend of passion.
The next morning, Kara and Luke lay tangled in the sheets, their laughter filling the room as they talked about everything and nothing. Kara felt hopeful about her love life.
Luke’s hand brushed a strand of hair from her face. “So… what happens now boss?” he asked.
Kara smiled. “Now, we take it one day at a time.''
- Writer
