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One night. No names. No promises. Valerie wanted to forget her ex, the betrayal, the heartbreak. So she let herself have one reckless night with a stranger who made her feel wanted again. She never imagined the man would turn out to be her boss. Tate Holt is untouchable, commanding, all ice and control until he offers her something outrageous; a fake engagement to sidestep a powerful arranged marriage. His rules are simple. No feelings. No distractions. Just the perfect illusion. But nothing about Tate is simple. As Valerie slips deeper into his ruthless world of lavish dinners, whispered lies, and heated glances, she begins to wonder if she's still pretending. Because the longer the act goes on, the harder it is to remember where the performance ends and something dangerously real begins.

Chapter 1 A Bold Encounter

Valerie wiped the smudge stain on her chin, feeling cheap in the too-tight dress clinging to her skin. What she wanted to do was shut the world away and hide under her bed. But Ellie would hear nothing of it. Her best friend since high school, Ellie had forced Valerie to attend a nightclub against her wish. Valerie sighed, looking around the spacious room furnished to an exquisite taste, it didn't seem like a regular club by any shot. Valerie didn't know what to make of the sophisticated guests gracing the event.

This was nothing like the frat parties she and Ellie had attended in college. It was so much more. She was starting to feel ridiculous sitting there. Adding to her problem was the splitting ache ringing in her head. "Ellie!" She whispered forcefully, trying to catch her best friend's eye. Ellie, pretending like she hadn't heard, took her face away. "Ellie!" Valerie called out again, undeterred.

Sparing Valerie a glance, Ellie raised her eyebrows. "What?" "Can we leave now?" Valerie snapped, glaring hard at her. "Calm down, Val," Ellie said, winking at Valerie. "You'll get relaxed soon, I promise, loosen up, Val. Come on, have a drink." Valerie didn't think taking any more drinks was sensible. Her head was pounding and she didn't have a decent meal before she arrived. Against her better thought, she took a drink from the waiter walking about with a tray.

Valerie grimaced. The liquor was strong. "Hell yeah!" Ellie whooped, patting Valerie on the back. "I told you, it's better than locking yourself in that room and crying your eyes out for that piece of shit that didn't deserve your love." Valerie could feel the alcohol numbing her senses. Yet, the pain washing over her felt real.

She had devoted her time and money to her boyfriend of five years, only to catch him cheating with some random girl she didn't know. Valerie had taken it hard. Crying her eyes out till they were red, she also lost her appetite and barely came out of her room. Ellie had tried everything to cheer her up, including threatening to beat up Luke. But Valerie, knowing it was something Ellie could do, asked her not to.

Valerie began to feel someone's eyes on her. It was coming from the VIP section in front. There was a man in the booth staring intently at her. Valerie couldn't have taken away her face if life depended on it. She felt bound to his stare. There was a sheer commanding force binding her. Leashing her to this man with the onyx eyes.

"Valerie!" "Yes!" She jerked, nearly spilling her drink on her dress. "What's gotten into you?" Ellie asked, watching Valerie closely. "You look like you've seen a ghost." Valerie shook her head as if to clear her thoughts. "Nothing." She said too quickly, causing Ellie to look suspicious. "Okay, Val, listen yeah? I'll be back soon." Suddenly, Valerie didn't want to be alone. "Where are you going to?" She questioned Ellie, sounding scared. "Chill Val," Ellie giggled. "I'm just going over there real quick, I'll be back shortly, I swear." Valerie knew when Ellie didn't want to tell it all. Always the wild one, Valerie took to the side of caution.

Ellie was gone before Valerie could delay her further. Valerie turned and saw the waiter walking toward her. "Hello, ma'am," he said, coming to stand beside her. "Hi," Valerie said. Feeling anything but calm. "Someone's asking for you over there." He said, nudging his head toward the VIP booth. Valerie felt her heart begin to race. She knew it was him. Sure enough, the man stared right at Valerie, taking her breath with him.

Valerie knew she wasn't supposed to go. She should sit right there and wait for Ellie. But there was a rebellious feeling stirring her. She wanted to do something wild, something to take the edge off and make her forget her troubles. If only for a moment. Tonight, she could be anyone.

She found herself walking towards the VIP booth. Valerie knew she was playing a dangerous game. She wasn't fully drunk but she couldn't trust herself to make good decisions. There was an empty chair beside the man and before she could change her mind, she sat on it.

The man kept his head forward, saying nothing to her. Tempted, Valerie wanted to start a conversation, but on second thought, sensed it wouldn't please the man. He seemed like the sort who gave orders. Telling what to do and what not. And Mr powerful here wouldn't want her to speak first. The realisation sent a feeling of lust coursing through Valerie. She wanted this man to fuck her till she couldn't think. The intensity of her feelings scared Valerie.

As if the man could read her mind, he turned his face toward her. Robbing Valerie of speech and thought. He was larger than life. All sharp angles and edges. His jaw was defined, lightly covered with stumbles. Valerie imagined it brushing against her inner thighs. She trembled visibly.

He stretched his hand, offering to shake Valerie's. Tentative, she shyly gave him her hand. His palm was callused, and his grip was firm. He held on for much longer than necessary, making Valerie's inside melt. Her hand looked tiny in it. Like he could devour her whole.

"What's your name?" He asked, studying every bit of Valerie. Like his hands his voice too was coarse. Seductive in every sense. Commanding Valerie to share her secrets. "Valerie." She said softly. She would have told him anything he wanted. Without thinking, she blurted out, "What's yours?" There was a flash of warning in his eyes. He didn't like Valerie talking back. Then it was gone in a flash. "Tate." He said dismissively, sipping from his drink.

She rolled the word in her mouth. Feeling brazen with every second ticking by. "Well, Tate," she purred, talking in her most seductive voice. "Will you fuck me?"

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