Unplanned Desires

ed leather chair. Her phone buzzed on the side table, but she didn't glance at it. She stared straight ahead, her mind swirling with the memor

betr

carefully guarded, had been thrown back in her face when she found him tangled in the sheets with her

breath, brushing a tear from the corner of her eye before it could fall. She had cried

ached for it, her fingers tightening around t

a

a mix of anger and disbelie

e answered the call, her voice

y his smooth, familiar tone. "Sofia, I j

iving room. "Explain what? That you've been cheating on me for mo

, but it only ignited more rage inside her. "I made a

white. "A mistake? This wasn't a mistake, Mark. This was a cho

building. He wasn't used to being denied. Mark always had a way of convincing her to forgive him, of m

he started, but

I don't ever want to

s the adrenaline surged through her. Her hands shook as she

own ragged breathing. Then, in a burst of impulsive energy, she grabbed her purs

around her. Her heels clicked against the pavement as she made her way down the block, her mind still spi

place frequented by businessmen, socialites, and those looking to forget, even for just a night. Withou

She needed a drink. Something strong, some

e caught the bartender's at

a glass of amber liquid was placed in front of her. Sofia downed it in one swi

e could feel a slight buzz settling over her, dulling the edges

round her. Laughter and conversation filled the space, but i

hen she

h an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. His sharp jawline, tousled black hair, and piercing e

dangerous even, but in that moment, she didn't care. She needed something to distract her from

she knew it, he was walking toward her, his steps slow

eep, smooth like velvet, as he

rt, bitter laugh. "

yes never leaving hers. "Min

hat was the harm? One more drink wouldn't kill her,

r, the man raised his own glass, his eyes gleaming wit

mth spread through her body, loosening the tension in her shoulders, and

tudying her, as if he could see ri

r voice slightly slur

ps curving into a slow smil

way he looked at her. It made her feel alive in a way she hadn't felt in years. Maybe it was the alcoho

brushed against hers, sending a

es that made her heart race. Before she knew it, she was leaning into him,

ome," Ethan said, hi

rowned by the alcohol. "No. I don't wan

behind them-hesitation, maybe, or something more primal. Bu

face. Sofia giggled, feeling lightheaded and free for the first time in what felt like

ayal or the pain of her broken heart. All she could focus on was the m

indow as Ethan gave the driver directions. She leaned her head against his sho

nside, his movements careful, as if he knew she was on the verge of collapse. The ne

few hours, she forgot about everything-Mark, Jenna, the betrayal, the pain. All that ex

haze of the night before was gone, replac

ked around the unfamiliar room. Panic surged through her as the