Rowan's company was based overseas, and he rarely came back to the country. I had only seen him a handful of times, so I couldn't understand why he had fallen for me.

Just as I was lost in that confusion, his sudden, rough movement made me gasp in discomfort.

Rowan let go the moment he heard me. "Sorry. Did I hurt you?"

Irritated by the abrupt pause, I reached for him again, wanting more.

Seeing that, he let go of all restraint. With a strength that felt almost feral, he pinned me beneath him. The veins in his forehead bulged as he drove into me roughly.

Gradually, I lost myself in the pleasure. Every thrust only made me crave more.

Rowan kissed me as he spoke. His already magnetic voice had grown raspier from how hard he was going.

"Yolanda, do you know who I am?" he asked.

I could barely think straight. In a daze, I murmured Preston's name.

Rowan let out a self-deprecating laugh. "You're completely out of it. I'm guessing you won't remember anything I say tonight."

Then, he lifted me into his lap. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he moved slowly, grinding against my most sensitive spot. The friction made my mind spiral.

"Yolanda, I've liked you for a long time," he whispered, lightly biting my already flushed ear.

My thoughts were a mess, so I didn't stop to wonder why he liked me. All I needed was for him to go faster.

My legs clamped tighter around him. Rowan knew exactly what I wanted, but instead of giving in, he kept teasing me.

"Say my name again," he demanded.

"Preston…" I moaned.

A dangerous grin spread across his face. "Wrong."

He then slammed into me, hitting exactly where I couldn't take it.

A muffled cry escaped me as my body shuddered violently from the impact. Tears I couldn't control streamed down my face, mixing with spit.

"Call me honey," Rowan growled.

His seductive voice was impossible to resist. I couldn't take it anymore.

"I-I'm sorry, honey…" I whimpered.

With each breathless moan, Rowan gave in to the beast inside him. He lifted me higher and drove into me with savage force.

The heat between us didn't fade until well past midnight.

…

By the time I woke the next morning, Rowan was gone. The sheets beside me were cold. Clearly, he had left hours ago.

After that, I slipped into my pajamas. Yet, they couldn't hide the marks he had left the night before.

Blushing, I crept downstairs.

Preston was sitting there, a contract in one hand and a cigarette in the other. The love bites peeking from his open collar said everything about how his night had gone.

A beat later, he turned to Rowan with a smug grin. "Yolanda's not bad, right? Too bad she's a little tame in bed. You should give it a go with Naomi next time. She really knows how to move her hips."

Rowan sat with his legs crossed, calmly reviewing the contract. He looked completely unimpressed and replied flatly, "I'll pass."

Preston assumed he was just putting on a show. He let out a lecherous chuckle before saying, "Come on, it's just a woman. Try a few and you'll see what you've been missing."

After confirming the details, Rowan signed his name. Then, he looked up. His voice was cold as he shot back, "I'd rather not catch anything."

In an instant, Preston's smile faltered, and a look of disdain flickered in its place.

Rowan closed the folder before lighting a cigarette of his own. "You've been managing this project from the start. Are you really just handing it over?"

"My company's too big to waste time on something this small. I heard yours has been strapped for cash. This seems like a good fit for you," Preston answered with a smile.

Rowan acted like he didn't hear the condescension in his tone.

However, I knew the truth. The "small project" Preston handed off would turn out to be a goldmine. It was the very thing that launched Rowan's company into the big leagues.

It was already noon when I finally woke up again.

After getting dressed, I headed downstairs. Preston was in the living room, sipping his coffee.

His disdainful remarks from the night before echoed in my mind. The moment I saw him, my gaze sharpened with resentment.

Preston noticed me staring at him. He instinctively reached up to cover the love bites on his neck, but thought better of it and let his hand drop.

Instead, he grumbled, "Do you know what time it is? Why are you just coming down now?"

Suppressing the discomfort gnawing at me, I forced a smile. With one hand on my lower back, I strolled over and sat across from him.

"It's all your fault," I whined. "You were way too rough last night. I could barely keep up. And now, my back hurts."

As soon as I said it, Preston's grip faltered. His coffee mug tilted, and a few drops splashed onto his shirt.

I grabbed a napkin and dabbed at the stain for him. "What's wrong?" I asked, playing dumb.

His fingers tightened around the mug, his knuckles turning white from the pressure. Still, he kept his tone casual.

"How did you feel last night?"

I quickly covered my face, feigning bashfulness. My voice turned coy as I answered, "Honey, you were amazing. I've never felt so satisfied."

Preston's jaw clenched as his teeth ground audibly. Even so, he managed to keep a composed front. "Never, huh?"

I pulled my hand away from his shirt and slid onto his lap. Lifting his chin with one finger, I teased, "I mean, you've always been great. But last night was something else."

I deliberately looked past Preston's darkening expression and continued reminiscing. "You were completely out of control last night. I lost count of how many times you finished, and you still wouldn't let me go."

His face tensed, the muscles tightening as he fought to keep his expression in check. Even the hand holding his coffee mug trembled uncontrollably.

With a loud clatter, Preston set his mug down. He then stood and straightened his clothes before muttering, "I'm heading out."

I batted my lashes at him sweetly. "Okay. I'll be right here waiting for you."

He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. Without another word, he stormed out and never once looked back.

…

I hadn't even showered yet after everything that had happened the previous night. So, I stepped into the bathroom and turned on the water, letting it wash away the traces still clinging to my body.

Not long after, I realized I had forgotten to bring in a towel.

I heard footsteps outside the door. Assuming it was Preston, I called out, "Preston, can you grab me my towel? It's the pink one on the couch."

There was no response, but I heard the footsteps retreat. I figured he had gone to get it.

Moments later, a hand finally reached into the bathroom, holding the towel. That was when I saw the scar. It was the exact same one I had seen on the back of Rowan's hand the night before.

My heart skipped a beat.

As I took the towel, I didn't notice the bar of soap under my foot, and I slipped.

In a flash, Rowan burst in. He managed to catch me by the waist.

We locked eyes. I was completely naked, frozen in the most painfully awkward position.

"I…" Rowan had just started to speak when a furious voice exploded behind him.

"What the hell are you two doing?" Preston roared.