Alice had known Chloe and Max had drugged her. With any other man, she would have rather died. She gripped his cor.“Do you have a girlfriend?”


    "No, I haven''t." Jack felt her heavy breathing. He wiped away her tears."You''re young. Don''t give. yourself away so easily."


    "But I like you!" She kissed him, clumsy and tentative.


    Jack''s palms were sweating. He sighed, knowing she was vulnerable and influenced by the drugs. He cupped the back of her head, deepening the kiss. He was forceful, dominant, taking control.


    Soon, shey limp in his arms, flushed. He wiped her lips, admiring their fullness. She met his gaze, all reason gone.


    She pushed him down, her hands trembling on his chest. He held her waist, his touch lingering. His eyes burned. “Alice, are you sure you won''t regret this?"


    "I won''t regret it!”


    He flipped her over, his breath hot against her ear.“Little Alice, I can''t say no to you.”


    She was speechless, all her courage spent. His touch was mesmerizing. He covered her eyes, whispering, There are other ways."


    She wondered what he meant. He lifted her, carrying her into the bathroom and cing her in the tub. Cold water washed over her.


    Her teeth chattered."Jack!”


    "I''m here.” He knelt beside her, his voice gentle.''T''ll always be here.”


    She held his hand, enduring the cold,forted by his presence.


    The night was long. She''d summoned the courage to be with the man she liked, but he''d stopped short of going all the way.


    The next morning, she remembered everything. She pulled the covers over her face, mortified. How embarrassing!


    She felt drained, as if she''d been through a major illness. But her mind was clear. She''d kissed him. He''d kissed her back.


    She touched her lips, recalling the sensation. It had been..... amazing. They hadn''t gone all the way, but they''de pretty close. She''d passed out in the tub, but she was clean and dressed.


    She was too shy to face him. She reached for her phone, but touched something warm and hard. It was Jack''s abs!


    She quickly withdrew her hand. Should she slip away while he was still asleep? It would be less


    awkward.


    "Awake?"


    His voice from above shattered her escape n. She held her breath. How should she respond?


    Seeing her silence, he worried something was wrong and pulled back the covers. She held them tight. She wasn''t ready.


    He tugged again, unsessfully. A yful glint entered his eyes. “Shy now?” Last night''s boldness.


    38.7%


    had vanished.


    Hearing his teasing, she wanted to disappear..


    He rose. I''m going to shower."


    She saw him grab a robe, noticing his physique. Mmm, not bad.


    Once the shower started, she emerged from under the covers, almost naked. She blushed, seeing her dress discarded on the floor. It was stained with wine and that strange perfume. She couldn''t wear it. What was she going to do?


    The bathroom door opened. Jack, in his robe, saw her picking up her dress.


    "Don''t wear that. New clothes will be here soon."


    She blushed crimson, hiding under the covers.


    He approached. “How are you feeling? Any pain? Should I call the doctor?” “No!” She sat up, meeting his gaze, embarrassed. "I''m fine. The drug had worn off. He touched her forehead. The fever''s gone." She instinctively moved away. "I said I''m fine.”


    He flicked her forehead. “Didn''t I tell you not to drink at bars? You never learn!" He couldn''t imagine what might have happened if he hadn''t been there.


    She shuddered, remembering the ordeal.


    Jack''s tone turned cold. How do you want to punish them?"


    "It won''t be easy. They''re from the business school, and their families are powerful." But she wouldn''t let it go. She knew Chloe had used Max.


    He looked at her, his eyes filled with tenderness. Just say the word." He would take care of it himself.


    “No, I don''t want you to get involved.” She didn''t want him to get entangled with those influential families. her thoughtfulness."Don''t


    He saw her


    about it. worry


    1. it. It''s


    not


    your concern. your


    “Jack, I know you want to help, but I have a n." She looked up at him earnestly. "I''m d it was youst night.” She had other things to do now. And she remembered his responsest night.


    He avoided her gaze.


    A knock came at the door. He turned. Let''s eat something first."


    He opened the door to a woman.


    “Jack, I need to talk to you. It''s about my sister. Julia Garcia stood there, nervously ncing into the room, but Jack blocked her view.