One Night Mistake, Two-Year Contract

Ava’s POV I didn’t know how the drink ended up tasting so bitter, but everything was spinning so beautifully. The bitterness stuck to my tongue like a warning but I refused to listen. The liquid burned all the way down my throat, and for a second, it almost felt good. God, Ava… what the hell are you doing? Stop, just stop! The voice in my head was faint; the same voice that kept me up at night counting hospital bills I couldn’t pay. The same voice that reminded me I was failing every single day. But tonight… tonight I wanted that voice to shut the f**k up! I giggled at nothing, and tilted my head sideways as I leaned heavily against the bar. The Milan hotel bar was too fancy for someone like me, as soft jazz played in the background, couples laughed like they didn’t have a care in the world and I laughed too, sipping my drink. My phone sat there on the shiny counter, staring at me like it was judging me. My thumb moved before I could think and I pressed call on the last number I’d dialed earlier for work. My heart started pounding so hard it made me feel dizzy. Or maybe that was the alcohol, probably both. “Hello?” A deep, smooth ridiculously sexy voice answered. A warm shiver ran down my spine and I bit my lower lip hard. “Hey… you,” I slurred, my words coming out all tangled and slow. “I think… I think I need you right now, Is that crazy? Yeah, it’s probably super crazy. But I don’t care. I’m so tired of caring about everything anyway.” There was a long pause. I could hear him breathing. “Ava? Is that you?” He knew my name. Of course he did. That voice… I knew that voice but right now it made my stomach flutter in a dangerous way. “I’m at the bar downstairs,” I continued, swaying on the stool. I had to grip the edge of the counter so I wouldn’t fall. “The one with the pretty blurry lights. Everything feels… nice, warm and fuzzy! Can you come down? Please? I promise I’m not usually this messed up. I’m always the good girl, you know?” I trailed off, laughing softly at myself. My free hand twisted a strand of my wavy dark hair so tightly it hurt but I couldn’t stop. “Stay right there,” he said, his voice had changed this time deeper and tighter. “Don’t move. I’m coming down.” “Okay,” I whispered, smiling even though my eyes were stinging. “Hurry… please hurry. Before I remember I shouldn’t be doing this.” I hung up and pressed the cold phone to my burning cheek. My head started spinning faster now. One part of me; the responsible part was screaming at me to go hide in my room. The other part, the tired, lonely and aching part, wanted to let everything explode tonight. Minutes felt like hours, or seconds. I couldn’t tell anymore. Then the air shifted and I felt a heavy, powerful presence appear behind me. The hairs on my arms stood up and my breath hitched. I turned too fast and nearly slid right off the stool. A strong hand grabbed my arm, steadying me. I looked up… and my drunk brain short-circuited. Tall…so tall. Sharp jaw clenched like he was already pissed off. Dark hair slightly messy like he had run his hand through it. And those stormy gray eyes… God! They were looking at me like I was both a problem and something he desperately wanted to solve. Then it hit me. He's Adrian Vale…my boss! The realization floated through my hazy mind but refused to stick properly. “You,” I breathed, my voice cracking into a stupid smirk. “Was it you I called? Oh no… that’s bad, or really good. I can’t decide,” I giggled. Adrian’s jaw tightened even more. His eyes scanned my face, then slowly moved down my body before snapping back up. “Ava,” he said, voice low and strained. “How much have you had to drink tonight?” I laughed and tried to stand straight, but my legs betrayed me and I stumbled forward and pressed my hands against his chest to catch myself. His muscles rock hard under my palms. “Enough,” I mumbled, looking up at him through my lashes. “Enough to stop thinking about all the s**t waiting for me. You smell so good, you always smell good. Do you know that? I noticed it in the office… but I never said anything because I’m supposed to be professional.” His body tensed under my hands and I felt his chest rise. His fingers flexed on my waist as he tried to keep me upright. “You shouldn’t be here alone like this,” he said. His voice was still trying to sound controlled, but I could hear the roughness underneath. “Why not?” I challenged, stepping even closer until my breasts were pressed against him and I could feel his heartbeat. “I’m always alone, Adrian. Always holding everything together. Tonight I just… I want to fall apart just a little.” I tilted my head, my lips parted. My words kept tumbling out, messy and unfiltered. “You’re really handsome, you know that? Like stupidly handsome. It’s unfair and you’re looking at me like you want to kiss me… or scold me,” I pouted. Adrian’s breath hitched and I felt one of his hands slide lower on my back, almost possessively while his other hand tightened on my waist. I could feel him getting hard against my stomach and the realization sent a rush of heat between my legs. “s**t, Ava…” he muttered under his breath, almost like a curse, his eyes had gone dark. I smiled, drunk, bold and terrified all at once. “You’re hard,” I whispered, pressing closer. “I can feel you. Does that mean you want me too?” His jaw clenched so tight I thought it might break. He looked like he was fighting a war with himself. “You’re drunk,” he said roughly. “You’re going to regret this so much tomorrow morning.” I rose on my tiptoes, wobbling, and brushed my lips against his jaw. “Then make it worth regretting, Adrian. Please, I need this. Make me feel something real… even if it’s only for tonight.” Silence stretched between us, heavy, thick and dangerous. I could feel his heart hammering against my palm, then he dug his fingers into my waist like he was barely stopping himself from doing exactly what I wanted. “You have no idea what you’re asking me,” he growled, voice low and strained. “I do,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I’m asking you to ruin me tonight,” he crashed his mouth down on mine. His hands gripped me like he owned me as he pulled me against his hard body. I moaned into his mouth, tasting whiskey, heat and pure masculine need. My fingers twisted desperately in his shirt as the bar spun faster around us. When he finally pulled back, we were both breathing fast. His forehead rested against mine, eyes closed like he was in pain. “Last chance,” he rasped, voice wrecked. “Tell me to walk away, Ava. Tell me right now.” I grabbed his shirt tighter, my entire body trembling with alcohol, fear and overwhelming desire. I pulled him with me toward the elevator, stumbling the whole way. My hands shook so badly I could barely press the button but we made it down the hallway to room 1702. I fumbled with the key card three times. Adrian’s hands never left my body sliding over my waist, and my hips like he couldn’t stop touching me. The moment the door clicked open, I turned around, heart thundering wildly in my chest. I grabbed his perfectly tailored shirt with both hands and yanked him inside and the door slammed shut behind us with a loud final click. “Kiss me,” I whispered drunk, desperate and completely lost. “Before I remember why I shouldn’t.” Adrian looked at me for half a second, eyes burning with conflict and raw lust then he kissed me like a man who had finally stopped fighting. And for the first time in years… I let myself burn.