All so she could have a chance encounter with Diego.

This was crazy.

She had never been the kind of woman to put herself in danger in the hope of seeing someone else.

“What can I get you?” a guy asked.

“Erm, are you the barman?”

“Yes, sweetheart.”

“Excellent. Can I just get a bottled water? The cap still on? Thank you.”

“Sweetheart, you’re in a bar.”

“I know. I just. Look, my friend is on the dance floor, and I can’t see. Please, can I just have some water?”

She always tried to make sure she never showed how nervous or vulnerable she was, but this was so fucking hard. She wanted to cry, but she kept those tears locked inside.

The barman didn’t put her drink in front of her.

He didn’t come back and speak to her.

Melanie didn’t return, and the bar was only getting busier, more frantic.

Closing her eyes, Belle tried to focus. She could make it out of here.

She had just gotten to her feet when someone pushed her hard. She landed on the floor as someone stood on her hand.

She cried out, but in the next second, she was lifted up. The cologne, she recognized instantly.

“Diego?”

“I take it your friend has left you again?” he asked.

The noise of the club faded, and they weren’t on the street.

“Where are you taking me?” she asked.

“To my office where you’ll be safe and not trampled to death. You didn’t even arrange a private booth.”

“Surprise. Tonight wasn’t exactly planned.”

“I expected more from you.”

She tripped over her own heels again, and she heard him curse. In the next second, she let out a gasp as he lifted her up.

“Man, you’re so strong.” He carried her somewhere. She heard a door open and close, and then she was placed on a hard surface. His desk? “Look, I can take care of myself.”

“You can?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, please. One shove and you were on your ass.”

“Technically, I was on my hands and knees.”

“And you think that’s any better?”

“Well, no, but, oh, please, stop doing this. Stop making this harder than it’s meant to be.”

“I should call your father.”

“Oh, my, you’re not my brother or my keeper.”

“I’m doing a better fucking job of it than your best friend.”

This made Belle pause. “Job? Are you, like, working for my father? Do you even own this nightclub? Has my father hired you to keep an eye on me?”

She wouldn’t put it past him. He always did things like this behind her back. She knew for a fact he was paying Melanie to keep an eye on her, not that her friend was doing a good job of it. Other than when Melanie needed money, she rarely saw her friend. Most of the time, she was gone, doing her own thing.

“I’m not working for your father. This is my club, and I wouldn’t lie to you.”

“How did you know I was here?” she asked.

“I saw you enter on my security cameras. I watched your friend leave you by the bar. Just so you know, she already found someone and they left together. You need to stop hanging around with her.”

Tears filled her eyes, and she heard him curse again.

“I’m sorry. I’m not usually this emotional. I’m not usually this stupid. She promised she wouldn’t leave me again.”

Diego cupped her face. “Fuck, baby, please, do not cry.”

“I can’t seem to stop.”

“I can’t handle it when you cry.”

She sniffled. “I’m trying to stop.”

He didn’t let her go, and she felt his breath across her face. It was so close.

“Diego?”

Just as she finished saying his name, he slammed his lips down on hers, silencing any more sound from her. This was her first real kiss.