The club doors opened like the gates to another world.


    The moment we stepped in, the bass mmed into my chest. Deep, pulsing, alive. Everything glittered. From the walls textured in gold to the crystal–beaded chandeliers hanging low and moody over the crowd. VIP booths lined the elevated edges, roped off with sleek velvet.


    Tables shimmered under soft spotlights, and dancers moved on elevated stages with practiced, hypnotic confidence, every movement sharp, fluid and impossible to look away.


    In this space, status faded. What mattered was rhythm, confidence, and how well keep up with the beat.


    you


    could


    Everyone here was someone


    And no one cared.


    Sophia shed the bouncer a smile and led me up to the VIP section like she owned it.


    I hadn’t even settled into the luxe seating and or taken in the glowing tray of champagne when I heard my name.


    “Emily!”


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    08:25


    288 Vouchers


    Jay threw his arms open in exaggerated excitement, as if I’d just returned from a decade-long disappearance.


    “Look at you,” he said, spinning me once. “You look absolutely stunning.”


    “She said she’d spank you,” Sophia added, smirking over the rim of her drink as she took a slow sip.


    “Oh right,” I grinned. “Come here.”


    I smacked his butt lightly, and he jumped in mock offense.


    “You’ve been hanging out with Sophia too long. Bad influence,” he teased.


    “And you,” I said, squinting at him with a grin. “Who says you’re a good influence?”


    “Gossiping about me, were you?” he asked, sliding back into his seat.


    “Of course,” I replied with a smirk. “You’re not the only one with a mouth, you know.”


    Sophia snorted and wandered off to request something from the DJ.


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    08:25


    Jay leaned forward, lowering his voice. “Seriously though. Are you good? The other day, your vibe was way off.”


    I hesitated. “It was nothing, really.”


    He raised a brow.


    I countered, “Why did you call Mason?”


    His grin turned wolfish. “Trust me. I’ve got my reasons.‘


    <i>” </i>


    “You’re impossible.”


    “And you’re avoiding the question.” He pointed at me. “But I’m not done.”


    I sighed. “Fine. Why did you give Liam my address?”


    He winced, dramatically. “What could I do? He threatened, bribed, practically drafted a contract. I was cornered.”


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    08:25


    Iughed. “Cut the act. We both know it was the bribe that sold you.”


    “Oh, I can neither confirm nor deny,” he said, shing a grin before taking a slow sip.


    288 Vouchers


    I shook my head. “You’re ridiculous.”


    He leaned closer, practically buzzing with curiosity. “So… what happened? Give me the full story. No skipping details.”


    I took a long sip of champagne. “You’ll die of curiosity, then.”


    “Ouch. Harsh. And here I thought we were friends.”


    Sophia returned just in time for the music to switch. A bold, high–energy beat dropped and the crowd responded instantly.


    “Let’s go,” she said, grabbing my hand and dragging me toward the dance floor.


    I didn’t fight it.


    The lights pulsed, the energy soared, and the air crackled with life. We moved with the music, letting everything else fall away. I didn’t overanalyze. I just danced.


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    08:25


    Until I felt it.


    That prickle on the back of my neck.


    Someone was watching me.


    I turned slowly and there he was.


    Liam.


    Standing by the bar, mid–conversation with Jay, but his gaze was on me.


    Piercing.


    Steady.


    Undeniably intense.


    What the hell was he doing here?


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    Sophia and I pulled off the dance floor a whileter to rehydrate. The servers brought over chilled sses, but I barely tasted mine. I couldn’t ignore the way Liam’s eyes followed me. Even as he sipped his drink, even while Jay spoke to him, his attention kept drifting back.


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    08:25 <fn5b07> Find the newest release on Find~Novel</fn5b07>


    :


    Sophia caught it too. Her eyes met Jay’s. They shared a mischievous nce.


    I took another sip. Or two.


    By the time we returned to the dance floor, I was more than tipsy.


    And I needed to escape Liam ck’s scorching stare before I did something stupid.


    So I dragged Sophia with me.


    This time, I let go.


    Truly let go.


    288 Vouchers


    The music pulsed through me, and I moved with it. Wild. Loose. Free. The alcohol hummed


    in my veins, blurring caution and turning up the volume on confidence.


    Sophia eventually excused herself to grab water, leaving me dancing alone.


    That was when some random guy slid up behind me, clearly drunk and very bold.


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    08:25


    “Hey gorgeous,” he said, cing a hand on my waist.


    I turned sharply. “Back off.”


    He didn’t listen. “Come on, don’t be like that.”


    “I said no.”


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    He leaned in anyway, and I was two seconds from walking off when a voice cut through the noise.


    “She’s with me.”


    Liam.


    The guy took one look at him and disappeared into the crowd.


    I stared at him, still catching my breath. “You didn’t have to…but thanks anyway.”


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    08.25


    He didn’t respond right away. Just extended his hand, eyes locked on mine.


    “Dance with me.”


    Before I could think, the DJ shifted tracks and Rihanna’s “Work” exploded through the speakers.


    Oh no, that’s my jam!


    The music hit, the alcohol kicked in and my body knew exactly what to do.


    And I started dancing.


    Like, really dancing.


    My back against him.


    Twerking. Moving in ways I’d normally never dare.


    Liam wentpletely still.


    Then I heard him swear under his breath


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    288 Vouchers


    08:25


    “Fuck.”


    His hands hovered at my waist, not quite touching.


    1288 Vouchers


    “This dress,” he murmured, his voice raw in my ear. “is driving me insane. Every man in here has eyes on you. Do you have any idea what you do to people?”


    I didn’t reply. I couldn’t.


    I noticed Jay and Sophia watching us from across the VIP section, Sophia fanning herself, both of themughing and clearly very entertained.


    I panicked.


    “I need to use the restroom,” I blurted, breaking free and weaving through the crowd.


    The cool air in the hallway calmed me. I sshed water on my face, trying to sober up just a little.


    The moment I stepped out, I stopped in my tracks.


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    08:25


    Liam was right there.


    Leaning against the wall, arms crossed, watching me like I was the dessert he didn’t know he wanted.


    “You don’t start something like that,” he said, gaze locked on mine, “and walk away halfway through.”


    My pulse skipped.


    “What are you…”


    He pushed off the wall and closed the space between us in two slow, deliberate steps.


    Then he kissed me.


    There was nothing polite about it.


    It was intense. Demanding. Devouring.


    And I kissed him back.


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    08:25


    Hard.


    I was kissing Liam ck.


    My boss.


    A man I was supposed to avoid.


    :.


    But in the moment, with my heart racing and his hands in my hair, I didn’t care.


    Because I wanted this.


    It shouldn’t have felt this good. But it did.


    God, it did and that was the problem.


    288 Vouchers


    95.78%