MEEKA'S POV::
Nathaniel's hand grazes mine as we step out of his car, and I can already feel my heart racing in anticipation as we arrive at the venue for our engagement party.
How I managed to dodge Nora's questions remains one of the remarkable feats I've accomplished this year.
Honestly, what the hell was I supposed to say about last night?
"Oh, nothing. I just casually let one dangerously sexy devil fuck me senseless."
Yeah, right.
But I'm not celebrating just yet because I haven't truly gotten away. Not unless I manage to find a new best friend in the next few hours.
I straighten myself up, trying to maintain my composure.
The hotel stands before us like a palace. Cascading chandeliers are visible through the glass doors, and a red carpet lined with cameras flashes like gunfire.
My breath catches, and I place a hand on my chest.
I can't even explain why I'm feeling so nervous right now.
We walk inside, where the air is rich with the scent of roses and luxury.
The transformation creates a fairy tale in the entire lobby. White silk drapes, golden candelabras, an orchestra tucked away in the corner playing something soft and elegant. Guests sparkle in gowns and tuxedos.
My mouth drops open in disbelief as I turn to Nathaniel.
"God, Nathaniel." I tug at his sleeve, my voice low but firm. "We agreed to keep this simple. Small and elegant. This is... this is a royal wedding reception!"
Nathaniel's lips curl into that familiar careful smile of his, calm as ever. "That wasn't my doing." His gaze sweeps over the crowd before returning to me. "This was all my parents' idea. They wanted... grandeur."
"Grandeur?" I hiss, leaning closer. "This looks like Versailles, Nathaniel. I'm half-expecting Marie Antoinette to pop out of the cake."
That earns me a small chuckle from him, but it doesn't ease the tension knotting in my stomach.
We move through the crowd... well, Nathaniel glides effortlessly while I try not to stumble in my heels as we walk further inside. A waiter passes by with a tray of drinks; Nathaniel takes two glasses for us and hands one to me.
I accept it and take an immediate sip; surprisingly, the bubbles help calm my nerves a little.
Finally, we enter a room where his parents stand like royalty receiving their subjects. Guests gather around them, laughing and bowing their heads and offering congratulations.
"Oh, here comes the lovely couple," Nathaniel's Mother announces, her voice smooth as honey and her smile radiant.
Before I can prepare myself, she pulls me in her arms.
Okay.... I definitely wasn't expecting that.
"It's so wonderful to see you again," she says warmly, her eyes glinting. "You've become even more beautiful since the last time we met."
I manage a smile. "It's great to see you too, Mrs. DeWitt.
"Oh, please." She waves it off lightly. "No need for formality; just call me Vanessa."
I nod, still a bit taken aback as we separate.
The congratulations keep coming as Nathaniel and I take out seats. Guests continue to arrive, laughing and showering us with good wishes. The party is now in full swing. Gradually, my nerves start to settle.
Until they suddenly don't.
Just as I lift my glass again, my breath hangs, and my hand freezes in mid-air.
Across the room, I spot him.
Yes. You probably already know who I'm referring to. But just in case you don't, it's the handsome devil from last night I'm talking.
What on earth is he doing here?
My pulse quickens as he strides closer. Not just any closer but directly toward our table, as if he owns the place.
I blink repeatedly, hoping I'm just imagining this. But no, he's really here.
He is the one.
The rim of my glass shakes against my fingers. Nathaniel notices and raises an eyebrow at me. "Are you okay?"
I nod quickly, but my gaze remains fixed on him.
Nathaniel follows my line of sight and then casually smiles.
"Oh, here he comes. Meeka," he says, placing his hand over mine. "meet my brother....Slade."
As soon as those words leave Nathaniel's mouth, it feels like ice water has been dumped over me.
What?!
My champagne goes down the wrong way, and I cough violently as bubbles sting my nose.
"Meeka!" Nathaniel leans toward me, alarm etched across his face. He grabs a napkin and presses it into my hand while I cough into my fist, feeling heat rise in my cheeks.
"Easy now," Vanessa says as she hurries to my side and gently pats my back.
Every eye in the room is on me now, including his.
The sexy devil whose name I've just learned is Slade.
The name sounds as dangerous as he looks.
His gaze locks on mine, piercing and knowing. Like he remembers every single detail of last night, same as I do.
I manage to swallow, forcing down both champagne and panic.
"I.... I'm fine," I croak, waving Nathaniel and his mother off with a shaky smile. "The champagne just went down the wrong pipe.
Liar.
My eyes flick back to Slade, and my heart harmers when I catch the faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Did he just smirk?
When Slade finally speaks, I'm begging the ground to open and swallow me.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Little Rebel...." he pauses deliberately, his smirk widening. "I mean, sister-in-law."
My spine goes completely rigid.
He did not just call me that in front of everyone!
Is he crazy?
As if that isn't bad enough already, he reaches for my hand before I can react, his fingers brushing mine, rough and warm. Then, like this is some damn Victorian ball, he lifts my hand and presses a lazy kiss to the back of it, eyes never leaving mine.
The room goes quiet for a beat too long, and I'm sweating. I'm literally sweating despite the cold air-conditioning in the room.
I snatch my hand back, heat flooding my face.
"Uh.... I think I need to use the restroom," I stammer, still coughing lightly.
Before anyone can stop me, I slip from my seat and hurry across the room, the sound of my heels following behind me as they pound fast on the tiled floor.
The second I get inside the restroom, I slam the door shut behind me and press my back against it.
"Jesus," I whisper, dragging in a ragged breath.
What is going on?
Slade isn't just here, he's Nathaniel's brother?
Wait. Slade DeWitt. The DeWitt's other son.
I've heard about him, the black sheep, the reckless one, whom people talk about, but he never comes to family events. But I'd never actually met him. Not until last night....unknowingly.
And God help me, the memories come rushing back before I can stop them.
His hand fisting the back of my hair, tilting my head back as he growled against my ear. 'Don't play with fire, unless you want to be burned.'
The way his tongue licked my throat sinfully, stealing the air straight from my lungs.
The heat of his body pressing me against the wall, the reckless rhythm of his laugh when I whispered back, 'What if I say I want to be burned?'
I squeeze my eyes shut, but the images won't stop. The scrape of his stubble against my skin. How he looked at me, like he wanted to devour me whole. The way I.... let him.
My stomach flips. My heart pounds like it's trying to break free of my chest.
I'm in trouble.
**
SLADE'S POV:
I can't believe what just happened right in front of me as I walk into my brother's oh-so-perfect engagement party.
I thought this night was going to be torture with endless champagne and fake smiles, Nathaniel flaunting his spotless reputation.
I didn't even want to come to this party. Hell, I almost didn't. But something kept nudging me, an itch in my chest I couldn't shake. And now I know why.
Fate.
Because seating beside him dressed like every man's fantasy, is her.
The girl from last night.
The sharp-tongued, reckless little firecracker who drove me to the edge with her shots, who laughed when I told her not to play with fire, and then she leaned in close to whisper, "I want to be burned."
Yeah. That girl. The Little Rebel who wrecked my wall last night.
Meeka.
The name really suits her. Sharp and daring.
From the moment I set my eyes on her last night, I knew she was trouble. There was just something about her that drew me in.
I usually find it irritating, hell, I sometimes throw up when women touch or try to flirt with me, but it was totally different with Meeka. Her sharp tongue, her daring character, everything about her just pulled me in. And I'm not ready to let her go. Not when I've tasted her. Especially not now that I just found out she's my brother's little fiancée.
She choked on her champagne when she learned I'm her fiance's brother, and it was glorious.
Her eyes widened, her hand trembled, and for one wild second, I swear she forgot how to breathe.
Good. Let her squirm. That proves last night wasn't a blur to her either.
God, she's radiant. That same mouth that cursed me out now painted red, that same body that twisted under my hands now wraps in silk like a gift begging to be unwrapped.
And now? She's my brother's fiancée.
Nathaniel's perfect little prize.
I almost laugh. What are the odds? The universe must really like me. Because I don't see a problem here. No. All I see is a challenge.
She thinks last night was a mistake. I can see it in the way she avoids my gaze now, her lips pressing tight, as if she can erase me with sheer willpower.
But I don't make mistakes.
And damn, the way her lips part, how her throat works as she swallows, the way color blooms across her cheeks... she's just as dangerous now as she was last night.
The only difference?
Now she's a forbidden fruit.
And I've never wanted anything more.