Chapter Three — Just One Night

Anna stumbled into the garden at the back of the hotel, where the after-party was taking place. She shoved a hand through her hair and then clenched it at her side.

“Stupid. Stupid. Stupid,” she muttered repeatedly under her breath. “You knew what he was doing but still fell for it. Stupid.”

The image of that smirk after he ran his hand dangerously high on her thigh, and asked her to stop him.

But she hadn't.

Had done nothing but clung to him like a weak little fool. That smirk. That smirk mocked her.

Anna walked further into the garden, a new wave of shame swirling inside her.

She took a chug too quickly from the bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon she had swiped off a table, and coughed as the liquid rushed down her throat, a few getting into the wrong track. She swore under her breath.

She moved to stand behind a pillar in the garden, hoping it obscured her from anyone passing the hallway or getting air in the balconies. Hoping no one saw her like this.

She looked anything but perfect. She definitely didn't feel like it.

She could feel a tingle down her back, over her thigh and it infuriated her to think she was still reacting to him.

Anna tipped the bottle back, speaking around the mouthful of wine. “‘Sjust the wind.”

After a few more gulps, Anna placed the bottle of Cabernet by her feet, muttering about how she really shouldn't get drunk at her sister's wedding. Laughter from inside followed her thoughts.

“I still have to help her with that wedding night get-up,” she muttered to herself.

Her arms came up around her, teeth chattering slightly from the night's chill.

A sudden warmth draped over her shoulders. She startled, turning, only to see Jason standing behind her, his jacket hanging loose around her.

Jason tilted his head, a teasing smile tugging his lips. “Careful, Princess. You’ll catch a cold before you catch your breath.”

Anna tensed, her spine going ramrod straight. Her fight-or-flight mode, which she was constantly in around him, kicked in.

She couldn't leave.

That would look like running off with a tail tucked between her legs and she was no loser. She turned away from him to hide the war on her face.

Maybe she should shrug his jacket off, throw it back at him. But that would be stupid. she was cold and if she was going to stand her ground, she wasn't doing it shivering.

“Who knew chivalry wasn't dead,” she bit out, pulling the jacket tighter around her.

Jason chuckled and came to stand beside her, fishing out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his pocket. Anna fought the urge to edge away, put more distance between them, frowning as he lit a cigarette.

He took a puff, then offered it to her. “It'll warm you up.”

Her nose wrinkled. “I don't smoke.”

“Your loss.” He shrugged.

He took a drag. Smoke filtered from his lips as his hand lowered.

“You should stop,” Anna interjected, snatching the cigarette as he raised it to his lips again. She flicked it to the ground like it burned and crushed it under her heels. “Your lungs would thank you.”

Jason stared, hand hanging, and then, scoffed. “What are you? A doctor?”

“Actually, yes. I'm a resident.”

“Right. Forgot that.” Jason took a step toward her, his gaze darkening. Anna took one back without thinking. “Well, Doc, how else do you suggest I get warm?”

His gaze dragged to her mouth, dark red, a shade deeper than her dress, and lingered. His fingers flexed at his side and his throat worked once. When his eyes lifted to hers again, the corner of his mouth tugged, like he’d caught the hitch in her breath.

His voice dropped a notch. “We could finish that kiss, huh?”

Anna blinked. It took a beat for her to realize he was talking about that moment on the dance floor. She cleared her throat quietly. “Wh—what kiss? You drunk or something?”

Music and laughter echoed in the background, but it felt far off, like they were in their own world.

He stepped closer, and trying to keep some semblance of distance between them, Anna placed a hand on his chest, pushed.

“Weren't you taught to respect other's space?”

Jason's gaze dropped to the hand pushing against his chest, and when it came back up, it was hooded. There was a fire there, like she had just hit a nerve.

“You always acted like I wasn’t good enough.” He grabbed the hand on his chest, pulled her flush against him, knocking the jacket off her shoulder. “But tell me you don’t feel this right now?”

She pushed against his chest, desperate to create some space between them. “Stop projecting your—mmph.”

Jason’s mouth covered hers—hot, heavy—his arms around her waist keeping her locked in. His lips moving over hers was anything but sweet. It was heated, pent-up, a tug-of-war. One she was losing.

They stumbled back, her back pressed against the pillar she'd been hiding behind, rough against her naked back. She gasped and snatching the opportunity, Jason deepened the kiss. He sucked on her lower lip and Anna's knees buckled, grateful for his arms around her.

He bit her lip and with a low moan she brought her arms around his neck, surrendering to the desire surging through her. She moved her lips against his, eyes shut tight and she felt it, that stretch of lips on hers, satisfaction at her giving in. But she didn't care.

Not anymore.

What mattered was the hand trailing up her thigh through the slit in her gown. The hand pressed to the side of her breast. The way his touch sent sizzles down her spine.

His lips left hers, finding its way down her neck—open-mouthed, hot kisses—and she shivered against him. She brushed up against him, asking for more as her nipples tightened painfully against the friction.

His lips went to her ear, nibbling and then he murmured, “This wasn’t supposed to happen.” He pulled her closer anyway, grazed his teeth over her lobe, and smirked when she jerked against him. “If you want me to stop, tell me now.”

He pulled away slightly and ran his fingers over her cheeks, down to her neck, lower and grazed over a hardened nipple. Anna's back arched, pushing her breast into his palm. He palmed it, moving his hand around in circles. Anna bit her lower lip, her breath faltering.

Jason pulled his hand away and she whimpered.

“Open your eyes.”

Her eyes fluttered open, met his and her breath caught at the look on his face. His usually lighter, silvery grey eyes had darkened to a charcoal, storm-cloud, almost black.

His forehead furrowed, jaw tight, and it dawned on her just how much he was holding himself back. His hand at her waist tightened, and he jerked her against him, asking in a voice so deep it sent jolts through Anna's body to the area in between her legs, “Tell me to stop.”

And then he pressed against her, pushing her into the pillar, his hard budge heavy on her stomach.

How could she? He got her wound so tight she would snap any second from now. Her hands tightened around his neck, her fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck

“One night,” she whispered. “Just one night.”

His head lowered, their faces inches apart. “You won't forget tonight for a long time, Anna de la Vegas.”

Anna's stomach flipped and she knew: She just made a deal with the devil.

And it was going to get her in trouble.