Diary 28- A One Night Stand, It is?
Chapter 130
Mariah Laurent had no business being here.
The low hum of conversation, the clinking of glasses, the scent of expensive perfume-all of it reminded her she didn’t belong. The private rooftop lounge was reserved for New York’s elite, a world she had only ever seen from a distance. Yet, here she was, dressed in a figure-hugging black dress borrowed from her best friend, sipping on a cocktail she couldn’t afford, and pretending she wasn’t completely out of place.
She wasn’t supposed to be here. But after the hellish week she’d had, she deserved one night to forget reality.
One night.
Her fingers traced the rim of her glass as her gaze flickered across the room-until it landed on him.
Zane Calloway.
The name alone sent whispers through the crowd. He sat in the corner, a whiskey glass in hand, exuding an untouchable arrogance. Dark hair, piercing blue eyes, a strong jawline-he was the kind of man women risked everything for. The kind of man who didn’t ask, but took.
And right now, he was looking straight at her.
Mariah’s breath hitched.
She should look away. She should pretend she hadn’t noticed. But she didn’t. She held his gaze, heat prickling down her spine as something dark and dangerous passed between them.
A smirk tugged at his lips.
And then, he moved.
Mariah barely had time to react before he was in front of her, his presence overwhelming. He smelled like expensive cologne and temptation, his voice low and smooth as he said, “You don’t belong here.”
Her heart pounded. “And yet, here I am.”
Zane tilted his head, amusement flickering in his icy gaze. “Brave.”
“Or stupid,” she countered, forcing herself to hold her ground.
He chuckled, dark and knowing. “That depends.”
Mariah swallowed, the tension thick between them. She knew his type-dangerous, powerful, completely unattainable. And yet, when he reached out, tracing his fingers along the inside of her wrist, she didn’t pull away.
“Tell me your name,” he murmured.
She should lie. She should walk away.
Instead, she whispered, “Mariah.”
Zane’s eyes darkened. “Mariah,” he repeated, like he was tasting it. Then, he leaned in, his lips just inches from hers. “Let’s get out of here.”
Her pulse raced.
One night.
That’s all it would be.
Without a second thought, she placed her hand in his-and let him lead her into the unknown.
Zane’s fingers tightened around hers as he pulled her across the rooftop. They were almost to the door when a voice called out, “Zane?”
Mariah froze, her head whipping up to meet the owner of the voice.
A woman with sleek blonde hair and a designer dress glided over. Her eyes narrowed on Mariah, a sneer curling her lips. “I didn’t know you’d found another… friend.”
Zane dropped Mariah’s hand, his body taut and stiff. “Alexa.”
Alexa smiled, sweet and cold. “Is this the new flavor of the month?”
A lump formed in Mariah’s throat. She knew what she’d gotten herself into.
A one-night stand.
And she was perfectly fine with that.
So why did the pain in her chest feel like a betrayal?
She forced herself to speak, “Excuse me?”
Alexa’s gaze flicked down Mariah’s body, lingering on her breasts, her hips, her legs. “You’re cute.” Her eyes met Mariah’s. “But you know what you are.”
Mariah had no idea.
Luckily, she didn’t have to wait to find out. Alexa continued, “You’re just another fuck toy. Another meaningless night for Zane.”
Mariah blinked.
She wasn’t sure what she expected Alexa to say, but that definitely wasn’t it.
Her cheeks warmed as her mind replayed the words over and over again.
Fuck toy. Meaningless.
She shook her head, her voice barely a whisper. “You have no right-”
Alexa laughed. “Honey, I’ve seen it all before.”
Zane stepped forward, his voice firm. “Alexa, that’s enough.”
But she didn’t listen. She stepped forward, her body blocking Mariah’s escape. “Don’t be upset,” Alexa said, her voice dripping with sweetness. “He’ll take you home, fuck you like the whore you are, and then you’ll never hear from him again. That’s just how he works.” She leaned in, her breath warm against Mariah’s ear. “And let’s be real, he won’t even remember your name in the morning.”
Mariah’s heart dropped.
Zane made a sound in the back of his throat, but Alexa was unfazed. She stepped back, a cold smile on her face. “See you around.”
And then, she was gone.
Mariah blinked, her world spinning. She felt like a punch to the gut.
She tried to speak, but no words came out.
Zane’s hand closed around her wrist. “Let me take you home.”
Mariah tried to shake him off, but he held tight. “No. I can’t-”
He pulled her into a dark corner. “You can’t what?” he growled, his fingers digging into her skin. “Get out of here?”
She didn’t know what to say.
She had no idea what was happening or why she felt like her heart had been ripped open. All she knew was that this was a mistake. A huge mistake. And she needed to fix it before she did something she’d regret.
She needed to walk away.
Before it was too late.
So, she did the only thing she could think of.
She looked up, met his eyes-and lied. “I just want to forget tonight.”
Zane frowned, his grip softening. “I’ll take you home and we’ll forget.”
Forget.
Her pulse pounded, her blood hot in her veins. She didn’t want to forget. She wanted to remember. Every second, every breath, every moan.
“Or we can stay,” she whispered, her hands sliding up his chest. “We can forget here.”
A fire blazed in his gaze. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
She stepped closer, her breasts pressing against his hard chest. “I’m sure.”
Zane groaned, his head falling back. “Goddamn, you’re dangerous.”