Midnight Desires: A Taboo Collection

Diana’s POV

I stood in front of the mirror in my tiny apartment, tugging at the hem of my simple black dress. It wasn’t anything fancy, just something I had sewn myself last year with leftover fabric from my fashion projects, but it hugged my curves enough to look decent. Tonight wasn’t about me anyway. It was about Dad.

After fifteen years of showing up early, staying late, and taking every extra shift Mr. Hudson’s company threw at him, Dad finally got the promotion he deserved as the regional Manager. I was so proud I could burst into tears of joy, but the thought of going to this fancy dinner at the CEO’s mansion made my stomach twist.

“Mom’s with Grandma, so you have to come, sweetheart,” Dad had begged over the phone earlier. “Just one night. Please.” I couldn’t say no to him. Not when he sounded so happy.

The drive to the mansion took us through the richest part of the city. Tall gates opened slowly as our old Toyota pulled up, and I stared at the massive house glowing under soft lights. Marble steps, huge windows, and enough luxury cars parked outside to buy my entire neighborhood.

“Wow!” I whispered.

Dad adjusted his tie, smiling nervously. “Just smile and be polite, Diana. Mr. Hudson is… uhm… intense but fair.”

We stepped inside, and the place was even more overwhelming. Crystal chandeliers, soft classical music, and people in designer clothes laughing as if they belonged here. A waiter offered me a glass of champagne. I took it, mostly just so as to have something to hold onto.

I wasn’t paying attention happened to what happened next . One second I was turning to follow Dad toward the main hall, the next I had crashed straight into a solid wall of a man. Cold liquid splashed across his crisp white shirt and dark suit jacket.

“Oh, my God!” I gasped, horrified. “I’m so sorry!”

Champagne dripped down his expensive looking suit. My heart pounded as I looked up at the man I’d just ruined his outfit. He was tall, broad shouldered, with sharp features that looked like they’d been carved from stone. Dark hair, perfectly styled and eyes like steel that pinned me in place. Luke Hudson. I recognized him immediately from the few company photos Dad had shown me. He looked even more intimidating in real life.

I waited for the yelling or for the cold dismissal. Instead, he just stared.

His gaze moved slowly over my face, down to my neck, across the curve of my dress and then back up again. Something flickered in those cold eyes, something dark and hungry that made heat to rush to my cheeks.

“I didn’t mean to,” I stammered, grabbing a napkin from a nearby tray. My hands shook as I dabbed uselessly at his chest. “This is probably worth more than my rent for a year. I’m really sorry sir!”

He caught my wrist gently but firmly, stopping my frantic cleaning. His touch burned. “It’s fine,” he said, voice low and rough but he didn’t sound angry. He sounded deeply distracted. I pulled my hand back quickly, but I could still feel the heat of his fingers. My pulse raced. Why was he looking at me like that? As if he wanted to devour me right there in front of everyone.

Before I could say anything else, Dad appeared beside me, looking pale. “Mr. Hudson! I’m so sorry about my daughter. Diana, this is…”

“Michael,” Luke interrupted smoothly, still looking deeply into my eyes. “Who’s the beautiful woman with you?”

Dad blinked, surprised. “This is my daughter, Diana. She just graduated from university. Diana, this is Mr. Luke Hudson, my boss!” Luke’s lips curved into the smallest smile. But I noticed how it didn’t reach his eyes. Those eyes stayed locked into mine.

“Diana,” he repeated, like he was tasting my name. “Nice to meet you.”

A shiver ran down my spine. The way he said it made my skin feel too tight, my breath a little shorter. I’d heard stories about Luke Hudson, cold, ruthless, married to his work. How women threw themselves at him, but he never kept any of them. Yet right now, he was looking at me like I was the only person in the entire mansion he has seen.

“Dinner will be served soon,” he said, finally glancing at Dad. “Enjoy yourselves. And Michael… congratulations on the promotion, you’ve really earned it.” Dad beamed. “Thank you, sir.”

Luke gave me one last long look before he turned and walked away, the wet champagne stain barely seeming to bother him. I watched the broad line of his back disappear into the crowd, my heart still hammering. “What just happened?” I whispered.

Dad chuckled nervously. “You caught the boss’s attention, that’s what it is. Just… be careful sweetheart. He’s not like other men.” I swallowed hard, trying to shake off the strange heat pooling low in my belly. I was here for Dad. Not for whatever that intense deep stare from Luke Hudson meant.

But as we moved toward the dining room, I could still feel his eyes on me from across the room. Watching and yearning. Deep down, some stubborn, curious part of me wondered what would happen if I looked back.