“I don’t owe you anything,” Jade blatantly said and moved past him to join the rest back at the dance floor. But that was brief.

A firm, a large hand gripped her forearm, stopping her movements and seeming to brand her skin. She closed her eyes and swallowed, trying to stem the desire that's building inside her.

Was drinking a couple of glass of that can’t-remember-the-name drink had that huge effect on her? Or is it the way how her body reacts on him like a wolf that's in the heat?

Probably the first one...

“What do you think you’re doing?” she tried to pull herself away from him but he just only tightens his grip. Jade throws him a feral look. "Don't start with me, Mister. I don't fucking know you."

“So the Velez heiress knew how to cuss, that’s even more fascinating,” he said amused. She had the words ready to shoot out to the stranger but before he could say them, he suddenly pressed her body against the cold wall and claimed her mouth in a searing kiss, inflaming her senses; tongue seeking, thrusting, and tasting. His warm, big hand clasp around her waist.

He tasted of whiskey, strong and potent. And Jade gave in to the sensation this man had to evoke within her, matching the passion of this man’s kiss. It was so delicious...too good to be true...that she never wanted it to stop.

Then they heard a faint cough coming from nearby and it took all her will power to push herself out of the whirlpool and broke free, breathing harshly. She sucked in a lungful of air controlling her system. Dazed. Eyes unfocused for a second.

Some sliver of sanity intruded and Jade realizes that she was clinging to some stranger she hardly knew in the most intimate way than the others; other than Harry and to whoever she had kissed earlier. What the hell did just happened? It scared Jade how quickly she lost control. She tried to clear her mind and loath herself more how she wanted to pull him back and kiss him again and never stop.

She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.

“To all the places, Really, Greg?” Greg could punch Brandon's face now with that obvious grin. His body grew tight, controlling the clamor in his blood He felt altered after that kiss. Disoriented. "There's a lot of room upstairs. Don't degrade the miss.”

"Fuck off!" he wanted to toss Brandon aside, grab her somewhere else, and kiss her to submission. Kiss her again. Instead, he bit out, irritation was noticeable. “Leave at once because we’re not done talking.”

“As you wish...”

“I think we are,” Jade butt in as she quickly fixed her hair with her trembling hands to put it back. She fought hard not to be affected by the two pairs of eyes now eyeing her especially him. He whom she felt a lurch as she thought of how for a second she'd almost given herself to him. To him with no name! “I’m through. I’m out of this.”

Greg moved so fast she thought he would kiss her but he just grabs her arm and started moving briskly out of the bar. For a second she thought she's having a nightmare but it's happening. He's dragging her out of the bar and to wherever only this impossible man knows. Something hot flashed into Jade’s veins and she told herself it was anger towards this insufferable man. She snapped and tried to pull her arm away. "Let me go!"

He turned around, eyes flashed and that momentarily stopped her breath. Now that they are situated in a much-lighted area, Jade could fairly see how gorgeous of a man he is. He was very tall and broad. His ebony hair was ruffled as if he'd gone out of the bed. His rippled muscles visible under that fine silk shirt. Firm, sculpted masculine mouth. He should have been pretty but Jade's impression was far from it. He is walking hard and uncompromising sexuality. Heat is he. And he knows it damn much.

His pair of cobalt eyes studied her for one long, unhurried moment and then gave a slow smile like someone just found something interesting.

And Jade knew this man had realized that she was staring so she quickly averted her gaze. Damn it! She cursed under her breath.

“I caught you, mi querida,” Her eyes narrowed. When did she become his querida?

"I am not!" Did she not realized how guilty she sounded? He stepped up to her and looked down at her, taking her breath away.

“Yes, you are,” his mouth flickered in the mockery of a smile. “You can do more than gaping at me, mi querida. You can do more than what you've imagined for." The man said in a seductive Spanish accent. She felt her throat dried. A flare of something hot lanced Jade’s belly, still fully aware of big, strong-looking hands holding her arm like iron steel.

Did she just dig her own grave? Jade was aware of some unknown emotion hovering between them, something achingly sweet yet dangerous. Instinct told her she was playing with fire and the fire was Spanish guy with an unusual pair of eyes.

But the lure of this unknown guy was strong, and so was her stronger instinct to kiss him again fully in the mouth.

Blame the alcohol, Fuck! Jade thought hard as he hauled her outside the bar and handed her in the passenger seat of his obvious luxury car. He came around and got in the other side and then just looked at her, and it was so stern she felt uncomfortable under his gaze. She felt clammy. Hot.

"What?" Greg bends his face to brush a light kiss against her lips. A kiss could wipe everything away, even the inhibitions Jade Ann establish with him, he thought, her hands reaching up to his shoulders for support.

“Nice,” he murmured against her lips before he pulled off and started the engine. Jade looked flushed, cheeks as red as those of ripe tomatoes thinking how the hell did she respond to this man's kisses once more. “This will be a long night for us, Ann. A long, long night...”

Of course, she bit her lower lip as she let herself taken by the man far away from the club.

Ann, now Jade think about it. No one has ever used her second name to call her. It was always ’Jade’. And it made this unconventional situation all the more personal to her opinion knowing this man beside her knows her damn well and she didn’t even know his name! How should she address the guy? Mr. Gorgeous? Mr. Handsome? Papi?

Papi? Now, where did it come from? She tucked her slightly disheveled hair behind her ear, biting her bottom lip at the idea. Greg looked at the silent Jade at the rear-view mirror. She looked distracted. By Him.

His hands were still in the steering wheel and instantly Greg had her hand in his and saying soothingly, “Okay, I’m sorry if I scared you the way I work things out, Ann. I don't beat around the bush." Jade snorted and hastily pulled her hand from his, trying to will down the heat in her body that mocked her with the realization that she’d become the fleeting interest.

She’d bet women come and go on the palm of his hands. And she refused to be added on the list but she wouldn't be able to live with herself if she gave herself to this one nightstand. Of course, he meant the One Night Stand that is pretty much popular to all the eligible bachelors in town who wants to bed all the female population that comes with the saying No Strings attached.

She felt deep in the pit of her belly. She was born a responsible and cautious person, not easily given to some spontaneous acts like this. And that freaked her out.

But he would not tell her how strongly this man affected her.

Jade’s chin lifted. “Ann is not my name.”

"Then the second name it is," Greg smiled. "Your full name is Jade Ann Del Rio Velez. A rising Fashion Designer that creates mainly casual to summer collections. Your works are highly appraised by many and to add that you’re Giorgio Velez’ only daughter.” She looked at this dapper man, shocked.

“Now I’m afraid,” she swallowed and told herself he's just some psycho who got interested in some chic that happens to be her. A psycho! O my God! “And here I am, totally clueless of who you are and yet you knew my background! I want you to stop this car this instant! Stop this car!” when there is no sign he’ll stop, Jade decided to jump off the car and was about to open the car's door when he grabs his arm. She looked back at him, defenses are all up.

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Greg chuckled. “Stay put, woman, or we gonna end up in accident!

"I don't fucking care!" she felt nervous, eyes widen when he parked the car beside the street and face her. It was so sudden she turned her head to him and her heart stopped. His face was inches away. He was...beautiful. He looked vaguely familiar she can't pinpoint where did she see such a striking face.

A famous model? Matinee Idol? Singer?

“Is the face of Gregory de Jesus that easy to forget?” humor dance in his eyes again. Jade scowled. She didn't believe him for a second but remembers that recent commercial of Orsini's new label wine that is out of the market. They looked the same...

“No way...” Jade muttered under her breath. A wicked sexy smile tipped up Greg’s mouth.

"It's yes way, baby," Greg continued their road trip, heading back home.

Greg's apartment was not Jade has been expecting. She'd expected some sleek penthouse on one of the tallest towers of BGC that mostly bachelors like him spend their night but his loft-style apartment gives the comfortable vibe despite masculine touch. The exterior had huge windows and exposed brick walls. The sleek and modern furnishings coupled well with the old-fashioned building. A painting of a naked woman’s back and other abstract art hung on the walls.

She moved around the living room, fully aware of Greg’s eyes on her, and yet still a little terrified. She wasn’t sure what made her decide to come here with him knowing his well-known reputation? Eventually, she settled scanning the various literacy books on his shelf. She finds it intriguing how come such Casanova reads Shakespeare.

“Reading doesn’t suit you,” she honestly said, getting the nearest book and scanning its pages.

“So they say,” Greg moved to the bar, disappeared behind the counter to re-emerge holding a bottle of champagne and two glasses. “Champagne?”

“Nope, I had enough alcohol in the system,” Her heart lurched when he reached out a hand and brushed her hair aside from the back. She tensed. When did he got so close to her? She abruptly closed the book and turned to him. Wrong move.

She shivered, her pulse leaped.

If the princess doesn’t want to, then move forward... He put down the bottle and the glasses back at the counter and walked over her. He dropped his eyes to take the view of her beautiful back; that wonderful hourglass shape, the waist that much smaller than he thought, her hips soft and round beneath his palms and that surprising lush derriere behind that sexy dress.

He could feel the air in the room shift and when she turned around, looking flushed then Greg’s libido had been suddenly ravenous.

He tugged some loose strands from his fingers then draw it near to his nose and closed his eyes. The scent of his lavender shampoo was tantalizing all the more combined to her natural perfume. Intoxicating, he inhaled once more. And when he opens it, his eyes flared.

"No champagne then," He pulled her into him and slanted his mouth over hers. She fell hard against his chest and Greg hauled her even closer to him, coaxing her to open up for him... “There’s no other way, Ann. No other way...” tightly he said. It was as if fire ignited between them.

The clock struck midnight, and both sank into dark yet sweet oblivion.

Jade couldn’t resist any longer. She made the attempt to ignore the voice of temptation but Greg was right, there’s no other way.

Greg picked her up and sat on one of the high stools of his mini bar, then came to stand between her spread legs. He cupped her face and his jaw in his hands and did what he’d been dying to do all night; he kissed her again. And then again, only deeper this time and more intently until she groaned and reached for him to complete surrender.

“Greg!” she gasped. He smelled of sandalwood cologne and another discernible scent that was intensely male and caused Jade’s stomach to tighten.

"Touch me," he urged, his mouth against her ear, his nostrils inhaling that distinct light, feminine musk with a touch of flowery scent and feeling her soft, long, wavy hair next to his skin. "Touch me where ever you want, mi querida.”

"Okay..." Their tongues met and dueled ardently, stroking, sucking. Where would she begin when her mind went blank already? Yet Jade’s hands simply knew what to do, let her fingers caress the defined contours from his cheeks, jaw, his chest down to...

Taking her hand, he guided it down between his legs and Jade felt the rush of blood run to her cheeks as she felt the unbelievable hardness of him stretching his denim pants. Greg tipped her chin up, averting her gaze from his mouth to his eyes. His hands slipping around her waist, pushing her back seeking more contact with the hot vixen.

“I want you, Ann,” he said unevenly. “Badly. I want you,” he scooped her up in his arms and carried her upstairs where his bedroom sited.