Adam Ross rose to his feet, brushed off nonexistent dust from his shoulder, then strode out of the nightclub.
A gust of wind blew outside, taking some of the alcoholic sting away, but as he looked around the city bathed in lurid lights, he found it drearily dull.
Elsewhere, Justin Battleson was half dragging, half hauling Charlotte Thompson into a car, a thin layer of sweat forming on his skin from the effort.
She had been struggling continuously since he’d dragged her out of the club.
Her movements, whether purposely or unintentionally, brushed against him like a spark to kindling.
Never before had Justin Battleson felt such dryness in his throat, forced as he was to keep the woman still in his embrace.
Had his self-restraint not been so strong, any other man would have crumbled under such provocation.
Stepping out of the car, Justin closed his eyes, taking in the cool night air.
He lit up a cigarette. The taste of tobacco helped to soothe his restlessness.
White smoke, exhaled from Justin’s mouth, melded with the night, dissipating in the wind.
Soon, only the cigarette butt remained.
Turning around, Justin Battleson looked through the rolled-down car window at Charlotte Thompson. Restless, brows knitted, with flushed cheeks, her allure was undeniable.
He knew how much temptation she held for him, but he fought his desires, fearing she’d resent him if he misstepped.
Yet Justin couldn’t understand why he was so drawn to Charlotte Thompson.
Could it really be because she bore the same face as Sophie Allen?
But five years ago, his feelings for Sophie hadn’t exactly been of infatuation...
There was no point in questioning that now.
Only after the smell of his cigarette had disappeared did Justin get back into the car.
The alcohol from Charlotte Thompson’s system seemed to have receded a little. She was asleep, her brow relaxed.
Her slightly parted, cherry red lips murmured in sleep, muttering something incomprehensible.
Justin Battleson didn’t even realize the way his eyes softened as he looked at her.
Raising his hand, he gently brushed away a stray lock of hair from her cheek with his slender, jade-like fingers.
"Sophie Allen, you’re finally back," he whispered, his voice heavy with longing.
Something deep within him was utterly convinced that the woman before him was Sophie Allen.
He wouldn’t usually care this much.
Yet, ever since Sophie Allen had mysteriously disappeared five years ago, his heart had been plagued by this subtle unease, occasionally worrying about her.
What’s worse, he started to dream about her.
He dreamt of this stubborn little woman insisting on repaying him all the money, telling him they’re "even".
Adam Ross would occasionally tease him about his persistent thoughts over the past five years, saying he’d fallen for a young girl.
But only Justin Battleson knew, he was simply unsatisfied.
Justin, who had always looked down on others from atop his high position, had been cleanly cut off by a young girl.
But when he later met Charlotte Thompson, even though she wore Sophie’s face, her glamorous, flamboyant charisma was nothing like Sophie’s, yet just as enthralling. For more chapters visit novel•fire.net
He had to admit, he was attracted to Charlotte.
Once his gaze fell on her, he found it impossible to turn away.
Shaking off his thoughts, Justin Battleson climbed into the car to safely drive her back to her apartment. He then lifted her out horizontally.
Meticulously, he fished out the keys from her purse and opened the front door, carrying her inside.
The warmth of the interior decor bore no resemblance to Charlotte’s flaunting personality, but reminded him more of Sophie, filling his chest with a nameless warmth.
Without lingering in the living room, he felt his way to Charlotte’s bedroom and entered.
Gracefully, he laid her on the bed and meticulously tucked her in, worried that she’d catch a chill.