CHAPTER 3: A BAD GIRL TONIGHT

Mirabelle

Could he feel it too?

Instant attraction.

That's what I felt.

I didn't understand the mathematics or why, but my body wanted him. I desired him in a way I'd never felt for any man, even Sam.

He looked older than me, but I didn't care.

I was too focused on why I felt an instant connection to this ruggedly good looking stranger.

I couldn't look away.

And he didn't look away either.

Our gazes held, like he was trying to read every part of me from across the room.

God, why was it so hard to breathe?

"Wait a damn minute," Jenna whispered beside me, turning her head toward my line of sight. "Oh my God! Who is that man? He's so hot."

I shook my head, pretending not to care. "I don't know."

But it was too late. Jenna had her investigative journalist cap on. "He's sitting at the head of the most important area of the bar, reserved only for the elites in the city, looking like wealth with those bodyguards behind him. He's definitely a billionaire. I hand it to you, girl, your taste is spectacular. Belle, you were checking him out."

"What? No." I yanked my eyes away too fast. "I wasn't. Billionaire or not, after what Sam did to me, I swear I'd rather die a nun than trust any other man. No offense, Jason."

"None taken, Belle," Jason chuckled.

"It's just… I don't care anymore. Men are my least favorite people in the world right now. I loathe them."

Jenna laughed. "Right. And yet your eyes were stuck to that hot billionaire like glue."

"They weren't."

"They were."

Before I could argue again, Jenna grabbed a napkin, scribbled something fast, and waved at a waiter.

"What are you doing?" I reached for her hand.

"Getting your groove back," she winked with a mischievous smile.

The waiter moved across the VIP section and handed a drink to him, the hot billionaire I couldn't stop staring at.

My heart jumped into my throat.

He looked down at the drink, unfolded Jenna's note, and read it.

He smiled. Then he lifted his head and looked straight at me.

Heat rushed into my face. I jerked my eyes away, my heart pounding.

"Oh my God, Jenna…" I whispered. "What have you done?"

"He's looking right at you," she giggled, trying to hide her excitement.

"I'm going to kill you," I muttered, grabbing my face.

A few seconds later, maybe a minute, I couldn't tell, one of the bodyguards I'd noticed earlier walked up to our table.

The hot billionaire stayed behind, watching.

"My boss wants to see you."

I felt my whole body tense.

Jenna's eyes went wide, like her prayer had just been granted. "The plan is in motion. You're going to get laid tonight after all."

I swallowed hard, shaking my head.

"I'd rather stay right here," I mumbled, even though it felt like the hot billionaire's presence was already right beside me.

"My boss got your note," the bodyguard added. "He thanks you for the drink. And I have strict instructions not to come back without you, Miss."

"But I didn't buy him any drink."

"The note says otherwise." He lifted the paper.

I shot Jenna a glare.

"I wrote it on your behalf. So he thinks it's you." Jenna burst out. "Belle, this is your shot. You have to take it."

"No. I can't just… leave. I don't even know who he is."

"Isn't that the whole point of a one-night stand?" She exhaled. "Look, if you really want to screw Sam and Tania for what they did, then you need to go. This is your chance. Are you going to take it or not?"

I looked up again and met his eyes.

"Miss," the bodyguard insisted, stepping closer. "You need to come with me. Now."

His gaze was intense and terrifying all at once. His eyes held mine so strongly, I couldn't think straight. My heart pounded in my chest.

Jenna was right. Sam and Tania would think I was off crying myself to death. But they weren't worth it, at least not tonight. So now, I had to prove them wrong. Losing my virginity to the hottest billionaire in the city would definitely bruise Sam's ego. It'd be the perfect payback. And Tania, it'd drive her crazy that she couldn't control this or even get her claws into him.

He was hot. My body wanted him. Nothing was holding me back now.

I finally turned to his bodyguard. "Okay. Take me to him."

"Yes," Jenna squealed as I smiled at her and walked away. "Have fun," she yelled as I left.

My eyes scanned the space. He was the only one here. And of course his bodyguards too.

My pulse spiked as we drew closer to him. His hands were in his pockets watching me as I approached him, standing right in front of him.

He signaled his men with a nod and they left.

I didn't know if it was fear or if I was afraid of what was going to happen being alone with him.

His lips curled in a smile. "You are even more beautiful up close," his eyes ran through me in appreciation.

"Thank you," I flushed, my heart beating too fast.

He moved closer to me and cupped my chin. "Now tell me, why did you buy that drink?"

"I didn't b…" I almost confessed before catching myself. I cleared my throat. "You've been watching me."

"That's because I caught you looking at me." His thumb moved to my bottom lip, caressing it, and my lips parted, enjoying the sensation. "What's your name, baby girl?"

"Belle," I breathed.

"Belle." I loved the way he called my name as his thumb moved to my upper lip, caressing my entire mouth, and I felt it again.

Desire.

A shiver ran down my center.

He smiled darkly like he knew exactly what his touch was doing to me. "How old are you, Belle?"

"Twenty-two."

"So young," his thumb kept teasing me. "Let's try this again, Belle. Why did you write that note?"

"I saw what I wanted," I murmured against his touch, "and I went for it."

He inched even closer, closing every space between us as his other hand grabbed me to his hard body. "And what exactly do you want?"

He was so close, I could feel the hardness of his length against my body. "You."

"Why?" His hand stretched my neck and his lips planted a kiss on my neck. "I'm almost twice your age. You're too damn gorgeous. You could have any man your age drooling over you."

"My cheating boyfriend would beg to differ," my hands rose from his chest and wrapped around his neck.

He paused, staring at me. "Who's the bloody bastard that'd dare cheat on a woman like you?" He chuckled darkly. "His loss. You are a gem."

I flushed again. He was saying all the right words. And doing all the right things to make my body vulnerable to his touch.

"Although, I must add, I'm not the rebound type of man. I never share my woman. I'm all-consuming like that. If you were mine, I'd have you body and soul."

"Then what are you waiting for? Take me."

His hand gripped my throat almost immediately.

I gasped but not in fear. In pleasure.

"Do you know who I am, Belle?"

"I'm guessing you're about to tell me," I choked.

"Danger," he growled, his eyes hot on mine. "I'm a stellar judge of character. And you, my Belle, you seem like a good girl."

He was right. I wasn't the type of girl to come on to a man, let alone a billionaire. I'd kept my virginity for the right man, and here I was, offering myself to him just like that. I couldn't explain it, but I felt different with him.

"Well tonight, I want to be a bad, bad girl."

Maybe it was the alcohol. Or the desire he was stirring in me. But I was ready to go all the way.