Played By The Billionaire Twins Free Preview

AMY'S POV.

"Please get yourself together, Amy.” Grasping my resume as if it held the answer to my whole life, I muttered under my breath. "You’ve got this."

The tall glass building was glittering under the mid-morning sun, almost taunting me. With trembling fingers, I handed the driver some cash and got out.

My name is Amy Walters. I've been an aspiring model since I graduated from modeling school, but I've been getting rejected by every company and agency. But I'm not giving up on my long-awaited dream as a supermodel, as I still crave a chance to stand on a stage and shine.

My black stiletto heels clicked loudly against the sidewalk.

This is it.

I tugged at my tight crimson body-con dress, the hem near inappropriately low, but that was what I wanted. The deep V neckline dropped enough to grab attention and turn heads, whereas the daring red lipstick on my full lips yelled confidence, though I was a nervous wreck inside.

My long black hair tumbled in free waves down my back, swaying as I moved. Five years of modeling school had gone over my head, and here I was, outside the most powerful fashion empire in New York, hoping this was not just another rejection.

I took a deep breath and strode in.

The lobby was screaming luxury—marble floors, golden accents, and models who basically had careers gliding past me like they belonged here. I tightened the grip on my resume and headed to the reception desk, using every bit of my artificial confidence.

All I said was, "Appointment for Amy Walters," nearly grinning.

The receptionist gave me just a cursory look before gesturing at the elevators. "Twenty-seventh floor. Good luck.”

I really needed it.

The ride to the floor felt like an eternity. From the mirrored walls, I stared back at my reflection—cheekbones shaped to perfection and dark kohl coating green eyes matching neatly but still a little overanxious.

This is your sixth interview this month, Amy. Don't screw this up.

The doors opened onto a big office flooded with floor-to-ceiling window light. A modern desk sat at the farthest end, but it wasn’t the interior that made my heart stop—it was him.

Liam Carter.

CEO of Lords of Fashion.

He was seated behind the glass desk, typing on his laptop. He looked more attractive in person, tall and well-built, with a sharp jawline and just the right amount of stubble to qualify as dangerous. His dark hair was exactly unkempt in that "I don't care but I really do" sort of way. His piercing blue eyes flicked up at me, and I forgot how to breathe for a second.

"Miss Walters," he greeted, his low voice smooth but distant.

I cleared my throat. “Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Carter.”

“Have a seat.”

I obeyed, crossing my legs elegantly, though my heart thumped against my ribs.

He flipped through my resume, a little smirk forming slowly across his lips. "Two years at New York Elite Modeling Institute. Impressive.”

Feeling a bit of hope, I sat a little taller.

"But," he added, "no significant endorsements. Not any promotions. No runway experience.” He glanced up at me. “Five years have passed, Amy. And not a single brand wanted you?"

Ouch.

I felt my throat tighten. "I've been to many auditions..."

"And was rejected," his words sliced right through me. "If no one’s picked you up in five years, that means something’s missing.”

He's just like the rest of them.

"Please, just give me a chance." I blurted out, my hands clenching on my lap. “Every company claims the same thing, but no one is ready to gamble. If I never have the chance, how will anyone know my potential?”

His face was unreadable as he studied me.

"Miss Walters, Lords of Fashion doesn't gamble on potentials. We need results. We want models who will sell a line with a single post."

I felt the burn of tears scratching at my throat, but I wasn't going to cry in front of Liam Carter.

“I'll do anything for this opportunity,” I whispered, my voice cracking under the weight of desperation.

That got his attention.

He leaned forward, elbows propped on the desk, and his blue eyes grew dark. “You’ll do anything?”

I paused, but then I saw it; all my future was resting on this one moment. "Yes!"

His smirk widened. “Stand up.”

I blinked multiple times. "What?"

“You're a model, right? Give me a walk. Show me what those years have gotten you.”

I jumped off the chair and propelled myself back. If this was my last shot, I was going all in. Swaying my hips, I strode across the office, turned on my heel, and let the dress hug every curve as I walked back to him.

I noticed his jaw tightened. “Not bad,” he admitted.

"Then give me a chance," I hissed before I could stop myself.

He stood, and he was fucking tall, now looming over me. "It's not just about your walking appearance. It comes down to your selling. And I believe you lack what it takes."

Anger boiled up inside me. "I will do anything, Mr. Carter. Please don’t discard me.

His eyes darkened, and he stared into my eyes like he was looking for something. "Anything, you say?”

I gulped down hard. “Yes,” I sounded desperate, but hell, I was.

His next move caught me completely off guard. He closed the distance between us and pinned me between the wall and himself. His hand brushed my cheek before running down to my jaw.

“What if I asked for you?” He whispered against my ear.

I was too stunned to move.

"What if your body is the price for this opportunity, Amy?"

AMY'S POV

I felt the heat radiating from within me. “Are you kidding me?”

His breath was warming against my skin. "Of course not. You said you’d do anything.”

I shoved at his chest and pushed him, but he didn't move an inch.

"You are disgusting." I hissed.

He chuckled. “I’m a businessman, sweetie. I see opportunities, and I take them.”

"You believe I would actually sleep with you for a damn job? "

He smirked again. “You would be amazed at what desperation does to people. I bet you would look better as a model, naked on my bed. We can start there.”

I glared at him. “I could take legal actions against you for sexual harassment.”

"What's stopping you?" he drawled, completely unbothered. “But who do you think the courts will believe? A no-name model desperate for recognition—or the CEO of Lords of Fashion?”

My hands clenched at my side as my body was shaking.

He turned away and leisurely walked back to his desk. "I will give you until midnight. Come find me when you change your mind.”

He slid a business card onto my resume and pushed it across the desk.

My jaw tightened as I snatched it up.

He spoke without sparing me another glance, "Enjoy the rest of your day, Miss Walters.”

I stormed out of the office, my heels clicking on the marble, my chest heaving with anger and something else I couldn't identify.

Outside, I looked at the shiny card in my hand.

Midnight?

"Asshole," I hissed.

I didn't throw away the card, not that I was ever going to need it.

**************

LIAM'S POV

I’m Liam Carter, the CEO of Lords of Fashion. I drove into ‘The Lords’ mansion; a symbol of the accomplishment my twin brother and I had made after we lost both our parents at a very young age. We are both Co-CEOs of Lords of Fashion and we've worked our butts off to make it what it is today. Five years after we graduated from business school with the trust fund that was left for us, We built an empire and Lords of Fashion became one of the top fashion companies in New York city.

“What a fucked up day," I grumbled to myself, stepping into the mansion and closing the door behind me.

The mansion was quiet, with only the muffled hum of the TV blasting on in the living room. I removed my jacket and tossed it over the couch as I walked in.

Leon, my twin brother, sprawled back on his hands, knees bent under him like a child, over a pile of sample portfolios lying out on the glass coffee table. He didn't look at me at all, gazed past the TV at the photographs.

The public doesn't know about Leon Carter, but that was how my brother wanted it. He developed social anxiety since he was the only survivor of the accident that killed our parents; the incident traumatized him and he stayed locked up in the house till it became a habit for him and he seldomly leaves the house, except when he needs to. So he runs the company from home while I do all the physical work.

Even when Leon steps out, the world sees him as Liam Carter, but he didn’t care, he always played along with it.

I made it a habit to share everything with Leon, so he would never feel left out. I never got into a decent relationship with any woman, because I enjoyed sharing them with Leon. To us, women were like toys—adult toys, to be exact. Since he doesn't leave the house, I always get the toys, and I think—I just got us another toy to play with.

"You're home early," he complained, still digging through a pile of photos. His flat tone was as thoughtless as ever, not caring about how my day went.

I settled down next to him on the couch, laughing. "It's like you prefer having the house to yourself all day and don't mind if I don't come home.”

Leon growled. "Well, I like my peace and quiet time, and you are always noisy.”

I smiled, scooting over to pick up a glass of whiskey on the coffee table and took a sip of it. "Peace and quiet are underrated."

Leon growled, finally turning to face me and scowling. "So? Did you sign the new model today?"

I twirled the whiskey in the glass before answering. "Depends."

His furrowed brow. "Depends on what?"

I leaned my head out, elbows on my knee, and a sour smile growing on my face. "On if she's showing up tonight."

Leon's expression altered, and he narrowed his eyes on me with a raised brow. "And why does she have to show up here? Can't whatever needs to be done be done in the office?"

"Oh, under normal circumstances, sure," I filled the silence. "But things are not normal here."

Leon's down-turned mouth told a great deal about the fact that he'd had some kind of intuition about what was going on. "Liam, what have you done?"

I chuckled. "Easy, bro. I may have gotten us a new play thing.”

Leon's forehead creased but his smooth voice didn't miss by an inch. "You mean a model, for the company, right?”

I swirled my drink slowly, watching him with a smile. "Yes, that too. Two in one."

He rubbed his eyes and sighed. "Liam, we've discussed this. We don't mix business with pleasure.”

"Who says we can't?" I said, lounging on the couch.

Leon shrugged and gave me patent contempt. "You're impossible."

I pushed one of the model portfolios on the coffee table, flipping through it idly and carelessly, until I found her photo among the others. I pulled it out and examined it.

"Amy Walters," I breathed, embracing myself with a grin.

Leon looked at me suspiciously. "That's her?"

I nodded, flipping the photo over for him to examine. "She's hot, isn't she?" But I'll share a little secret with you: she's far more sexy in person."

Leon didn't even hesitate long enough to glance at the picture before he snapped at me. "Did you tell her about me too, that you have a twin brother?”

I frowned. "Of course not. Do I look that stupid to you?”

Leon took a deep breath. "Liam, we don’t want what happened last time to repeat itself.”

I shrugged my shoulders. "Don't worry, She won't even notice. And if she does, she won't be able to back out then, I'll make sure of it.”

Leon’s expression shows that he was feeling uneasy. "And why on earth do you think she is going to accept your offer, anyway?"

I smiled, covering up the photograph on the table. "Desperation, man. She's desperate for the deal. She has never been signed by a company and I'm giving her that on a silver platter. Do you think she would give up on a life-changing opportunity like a deal from Lords of fashion? I doubt that.” My confidence was oozing at this point.

Leon scowled, his lip curling into a snarl. "So what? You recruited her as a decoy for us first, for a potential modeling contract?"

I shrugged. "Something like that."

Leon smoothed his hair back behind his ears in protest but he didn't. "You're absolutely unbelievable.”

I grinned. "That's what life is worth."

Leon shook his head again. "You're playing a dangerous game, Liam."

"That's the best of it."

Leon stood up out of his chair, and headed into the kitchen. "I'm cooking supper. Do as you please, but when this blows up in our faces, I told you so, remember that.”

I laughed at him as he made his way to the kitchen. Leon is so laid-back and serene, he wanted this, we've always done it and he knows I'm doing this for him but he's scared of the stunts I'm pulling this time because he doesn't want any guilty conscience on him, he always avoids getting his hands dirty.

The rest of the night dragged on. Leon and I dined together, the conversation remained light, but while he ate in peace, my eyes couldn't help but still reach out towards the clock.

9 PM.

She didn't show up

I leaned back in my chair, fingers tapping against the table with my mind racing.

Maybe it was never supposed to happen.

Maybe I should have known better than to have expected anything from some desperate model. Maybe she was more ethical than I had supposed. Maybe she was one of the rare ones who would not sell herself out for a job.

It made me envious.

It also made me somewhat angry and disappointed.

Leon noticed me gazing at the clock and let out a huge sigh. "Forget it, Liam. Just go to the office tomorrow and sign a good model. Not every woman is going to throw themselves at you because you are Liam Carter, and to be honest, I gotta respect her for that."

I grinned. "You think she's any better?"

Leon glared at me. "If she wasn't, she'd be on my front porch right now."

I was about to say something to protest when—

Ding-dong.

The doorbell at the mansion rang.

Leon and I froze and stared at each other.

A small smile crept up my face. “Spoke too soon brother.” He rolled his eyes.

Satisfied tension eased my face as I rocked back again in the chair and stood up. "Guess I was right about our little Amy after all “

Leon's scowl twisted on his face. "Liam—"

I wheeled around him and ran for the door. He was at my back, but I could feel the hesitation in his gait.

I looked at the monitor beside the door.

There she was.

Amy Walters, pacing back and forth across our porch, arms crossed, fingers drumming against her dress as if counting the cost.

Leon breathed beside my ear. "She actually came."

I smiled. "Of course she did."

Leon wasn't smiling. "She might come for another reason, don't get excited yet.

I gave a harsh, loud snorting. "Be positive, don't jinx it.

Leon scowled at me. "Liam, think. Be reasonable."

I spun around to face him, my smile widening. "Go to your room, Now.”

Leon's jaw went slack in shock. "What?"

I pushed him towards the stairs. "Leave, she can't find out about you yet, she'll freak out if she finds out what she's getting into.”

"Liam—

"Shh. It's time to test our new merchandise.” I said, licking my lips.

Leon wanted to say something, but the lust in his eyes betrayed him.

I winked and grinned. "I'll call you when it's your turn.”

He smiled and walked up the stairs towards his room.

For the third time, I hung at the door hesitating for a second and took a deep breath before pulling the door open.

Amy scrunched up her shoulders.

Her snarling green eyes flashed into mine, with shock and uncertainty.

I grinned in the doorway, never once giving it up.

"Hey, well," I savored. "Look who finally showed up for the party.”

Her cheeks turned pink and the embarrassment was written all over her face.

I took a step forward in front of her, eyes locked on hers.

"Changed your mind, sweetheart?"

AMY'S POV

"This is a bad idea. A really, really bad idea."

I stood paralyzed on Liam Carter's porch, gripping the address card in my hand so hard that the nails pierced into the palm flesh. My heart and chest burned, my belly constricting with fear. Everything within me yearned to turn around and run, never having thought to do something like this. But my legs didn't obey.

I breathed in deeply, looking up at the enormous door. It was formidable, as was the man who stood behind it.

“You need this, Amy. You need this more than anything.” These were Britney's words that continued to echo in my mind.

“You think those supermodels got to the top where they are by playing innocent? They have probably done worse things for the spotlight. If you wanna make it in this industry, you need to do what it takes. Nobody cares about your morals, Amy. They care about results.”

I swallowed hard. I hated the fact that she was right. I'd worked so hard and for so long, trying to have every single thing perfectly in place, and gotten nowhere. My parents had worked so hard for me, they struggled to support my dream, and what did I have to show for it?

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

I squeezed my eyes shut. This was my moment. My gold opportunity. Lords of Fashion was a giant company, and Liam Carter could destroy me or mold me in a finger snap.

I wasn't even a virgin anymore, for crying out loud. A drunken one night stand—one careless, regretful night when I'd had too many glasses of wine—had taken whatever innocence I had left.

So why was it so hard?

"Because this time you're in control and making a choice. This time you know exactly what you're doing."

I had taken as much breath as I could into my body and had reached out my hand to the bell.

The doorbell rang into emptiness, and second thoughts struck me with the force of a body blow.

I stepped back and started pacing like a maniac "Oh God, I'm crazy! I have to get out before—"

The door swung open and I stood still.

“Hey well, look who finally showed up for the party.”

Liam Carter stood in the doorway, he looked different from the man I saw at the office with his shirt and sweatpants on, arrogant, tall, and cocky. The knowing smug crept over the edge of his mouth like he has been expecting me to show up all along.

I could feel the blush spread over my cheeks, shame crawling up my spine. I'd walked out of his office like I had some moral high grounds, and now I was on his doorstep like a desperate fool.

I was actually desperate.

He stood in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest and looked at me with a spark in his eyes. "Changed your mind, sweetheart?"

I swallowed hard, trying to suppress my pride. "Are you going to let me in or are we going to stand here all night?”

Liam's grin grew wider, and stepped aside without a word, holding the door open wide enough for me to enter.

I hesitated momentarily before I entered.

As soon as I walked in, I could not believe that I was on this earth anymore. The building was enormous and modern, complete with luxurious design and everything placed neatly. Designer fragrance perfume saturated the air with the faint smell of leather that clung to me.

I clenched my teeth and attempted to focus. I needed to remain calm. Regardless of how intimidating Liam Carter was, I couldn't let him see how much he was affecting me.

He walked over and strutted past me, flopping down onto a massive black couch with ease like someone that owns the world. He folded his arms at the back of his head and relaxed into it, watching me with an amusing expression.

I remained standing.

He raised an eyebrow. “I'm sure you didn't come here to stand and stare. If you have something to say, just go ahead.”

I inhaled deeply, twisting my fingers in front of me. "I came here to apologize for what happened earlier today at the office.”

He raised an eyebrow. "For threatening me and storming out of my office like a drama queen?"

I closed my eyes to control the anger and annoyance that was brewing inside me. "Yes, for that.” I put a fake smile on. “And uhm… I want to know if the offer still stands?”

His smile never wavered. "Which offer? You were so certain you were declining it, you must have forgotten about that.”

I clamped my jaws together. He was having the time of his life. Playing with me like this and making me beg for it.

"If I agree to do it—" I forced out, "will you sign me your model?"

Liam's cheeks flushed and he leaned forward, elbows on knees. "Depends."

I stiffened. "On what?"

He got up from the couch and headed towards me.

I did not step back, even as he circled round me slowly, staring like a predator inspecting his prey.

He was standing behind me, his face against mine so that the air breathed down my ear. "On how well you please me tonight."

Rage coursed through me. My fingers curled up in a controlled fist. "Excuse me?"

Liam stepped back and grinned. "You heard me."

I turned on him, tense muscles. "So you want to fuck me first and if I'm not to your taste, you won't sign me? That's ridiculous.”

His smile irked me. "Would you buy a car without taking it for a test drive?”

I clenched my jaw hard. "I am not a bloody car." I snapped.

He raised an eyebrow. "No, but you want me to invest in you. And I don't make poor investments."

My blood would be boiling at this point. He was so smug and infuriating. I wanted to punch the smug off his face so badly, but he had all the cards in this game and I was at the losing end.

Liam glared at me for a second, and shrugged. "You can see yourself through the door if you don't want to.”

I had my mouth open to tell him to go to hell with his offer, but I couldn’t bring myself to say the words.

Because sitting on the glass coffee table behind him was a stack of model portfolios.

Women. Dozens of them. Lovely, poised, maybe as hungry for a deal as I was.

At that moment, I realized that I wasn't special.

Liam Carter could have any woman he wanted. He could pick any girl from that pile tomorrow and sign her, and she'd do anything to retain it.

I was replaceable and disposable.

I gulped hard in my throat. Am I willing to sacrifice myself for this?

Liam shrugged away from me, as if he'd already lost interest. As if I was wasting his time.

I was frightened.

My arm had grabbed his wrist before I'd ever taken the time to think about my action.

He tensed at my touch.

He turned to me slowly again, one eyebrow raised in curiosity.

I glared at him, my heart pounding so hard like it was going to burst out of my chest. "Wait."

A glimmer of amusement danced in his eyes. "You've changed your mind again?"

I did not respond.

Instead, I sprang up onto my tiptoes and kissed him.

Liam froze for half a second. And then he curled his lip in a smile over mine as he kissed me back, deepening it instantly.

Heat radiated through my body as his arms came around my waist and pulled me close.

I squeezed my eyes shut, my mind reeling in worst-case scenarios to myself, but my body letting go of all remaining pieces of self-respect I had left.

I knew what this was.

A transaction.

A kiss that spoke volumes.

And when Liam tightened his grip on me and kissed me with an intensity that made my knees weak. I realised that I had just sold my soul to the devil.

AMY'S POV

I don't know if it was work of adrenaline, fear, or the desperation in my bones that made me kiss him with so much hunger. I guess it was all three.

But when he responded and kissed me back with the same force and I knew there was no turning back.

His arms were still around my waist, fists clenched but unyielding. He was letting me take the lead–for now . But I could feel it in the rigid tension of his muscles, the way his body resisted, that he wasn’t the type of man who enjoyed being controlled.

If this was going to be a game of control, then I was playing to win.

I grabbed at his shirt with my own shaking hands, struggling with the buttons. My mind was yelling at me to snap out of it, to think about what I was doing first, but my body refused to listen. I needed this. I needed to prove my worth to him–and to myself.

I attempted to pull his shirt over his shoulders, but he held my wrist to stop me. His smirk was infuriating. "Eager, are you?"

My throat constricted on a strangling swallow. "Want me to stop?"

His eyes darkened, and, for a second, I could have sworn I saw something there. Amusement? challenge? Desire? Maybe all three.

He just sat down on the couch, arms resting on the back rest, his eyes staring deep into mine like he was challenging me.

I knew this game. He was trying to make me hesitate and second-guess myself, maybe I couldn't handle it. But I wasn't going to give him that satisfaction.

I moved closer and got on his lap, straddling him.

Liam's eyebrow twitched up, clearly amused. "You’re a feisty little thing, huh?"

I didn't respond. My hands had found the hem of my shirt, and I'd taken it off over my head before I'd even realized what I'd done.

The second I took it off, a face-melting tidal wave of self-consciousness slammed into me like a second skin.

He was just staring, he wasn't moved or touching me. I felt like I just made a fool of myself.

His eyes wandered over my face, and down to my boobs that were barely covered by the half bra. My arms twitched in an urge to cover myself but I made them stay at my side to maintain my confidence.

Didn't he like what he saw? Was I not his type?

I'd never felt so small like this, I was confident in my body.

And then, just when the terror was only just beginning to rip its way into my chest, he leaned in close and in a single smooth movement unhooked my bra.

My breath caught in my throat.

Before I got the chance to react Liam's arms went around my waist pulled me back hard against him again. His mouth trailed the curve of my collarbone, down to my chest and lower…

A soft gasp escaped my mouth as he buried his face in my breasts, his arms wrapping around me like a life-line.

There was heat radiating from within my body as he sucked hard on my nipples and I couldn't help but moan out loud.

My own insecurity went flying out the window like a snapped rubber band.

He wanted me. That was all it took to regain my confidence.

I plunged my fingers into his hair, twisting his head toward mine. His expression has changed from the challenging smug, and I could see the lust and hunger in his eyes.

I smiled. "Still don't think I'm worth the investment?"

His laugh was hoarse. "You've got my attention. Let's see if you can keep it.”

Challenge accepted.

************

LIAM'S POV

She thought she was in control and it was almost adorable.

Amy was a fierce one with lots of energy, no doubt. The way she moved and did what she wanted without fear and hesitation, it was obvious that she was determined and wanted it.

She was trying to prove something to me, or herself. Maybe both.

But what mattered right now was the fact that she was making it difficult to keep my head straight, and I might have lost control from the moment her perfectly plumped breast laid bare in front of me and I feasted on them like a hungry beast.

She took off my shirt impatiently and ran her fingers on my abs while trailing wet kisses on my skin. Her mouth was fire, and her touch was electric. She knew what she was doing and she was doing a damn good job.

But I never enjoyed losing control.

I never did. And I was not about to start now.

I tightened my grip on her waist before she could go any further and flipped us over in a swift motion.

Her eyes widened and she let out a startled gasp as her back hit the couch.

I leaned in close to her cheeks and whispered in her ear. "I'm in charge here, sweetheart.”

She shuddered.

I smirked.

She opened her mouth—maybe to protest, but I silenced her with a kiss. I went in slow this time, enjoying the way she melted beneath me, the way her body responded even when her mind withdrew.

I wanted to break her composure, to see how much of herself she would yield.

And by the way she clung to me, I could tell that I was succeeding.

Without breaking the kiss, I put my arms around her, lifting her up effortlessly and she automatically wrapped her legs around my waist.

Amy tensed and broke the kiss as I began to walk. "Where are you taking me?"

I smiled at her. "Somewhere comfortable.”

She didn’t protest.

I sucked on her neck as I moved blindly into my bedroom, slamming the door behind us.

I laid her on the bed and whispered something in her ear that made her shiver under my touch.

“By the time we're done, you won’t be able to walk out of here tomorrow morning, sweetheart.”

She had no idea what I meant by “We”.

AMY'S POV

I stood in front of the Lords of Fashion building, gazing at the glass tower skyscraper building design that holds my fate within their hands. Today was the day. My lifelong dream was finally here. Since I was little, I've always browsed pages of fashion magazines and wished that I was one of the models on it.

I ought to be filled with excitement, yet all I felt was this overwhelming fear.

For that dream cost me something. A price that I begged and bargained for, last night.

Liam's touch and kisses branded my skin, and I hated that my body still wanted him. Hated that he'd managed to flip everything on me, that I'd entered that room thinking that I was in charge—only to have exited that room knowing that he'd manipulated me effortlessly.

And here I was returning to his world, not as an aspiring model, chasing her dream but as a woman who sold herself to a man who saw her as a means of entertainment.

I straightened my back, jutting out my chin so that I would look assertive and took a deep breath before I entered.

The receptionist greeted me this time with a welcoming smile. "Miss Walters. The CEO has been waiting for you."

Of course, he had.

I smiled and walked towards the elevator. My legs were heavy, as if it carried the weight of my regret, but I didn't let it get to me.

Last night, was a dangerous line. A line that had been crossed.

I stood in the doorway of Liam's office, my damp hand grasping the doorknob. "Snap out of it, Amy. This is a business transaction. You can handle it." I attempted to rev myself up, all too aware this wasn't 'just' a business transaction.

I opened the door and the moment our eyes clashed, a torrent of anger tore through my throat.

Damn him.

He sat behind the desk, his expression impassive, as if he hadn't spent the entire night stripping me bare and feasting on my body like his life depends on it.

"You're late," he growled, his tone bitter and raspy.

I raised one eyebrow. "Three minutes."

His eyes narrowed to mine, cold and corrosive. "Three minutes is a slice of precious time, Miss Walters. There's a strict rule of punctuality here."

So, now we are playing professional, huh?

I took one of the chairs in front of his desk without waiting for his invitation. He laid two contracts on the desk in front of me without wasting any time.

"Let's get this over with," he began, "this one," he placed his hand on one of them, "is a non-disclosure. You agree to the terms and condition of our relationship, keep it private—which means you can’t tell anyone about this. There will be no feelings attached, no invasion of each other's privacy, and you will receive periodical contraceptive shots from my personal doctor during the duration of the contract, to avoid unnecessary issues.”

The way that he had said the words, very cold and unbothered, gave me chills.

"And what happens if I breach any part of the contract?" I asked.

His lip curled into a sneer. "A lawsuit. And you will be blacklisted in the modelling agency if that happens. You don’t want to get into a court case with me, trust me.”

Oh sure, I wouldn't want to.

I gulped hard and kept a poker face while he went on and on talking about the second contract.

"This is your modeling contract. You will be the new face of Lords of Fashion. This contract lasts for two years, which is enough to get you to the top post in New York city.”

My eyes lit up and I allowed myself to feel the excitement for a while, only for it to be killed by what he said next.

"For the span of these two years, you’ll prioritize this company above all opportunities you’ll be getting and your schedules and agreements will be managed by us. All the deals and endorsements that will be coming your way will be because of me and this company, and not because you are worthy—remember this."

There it was. The offer and the leash that came with it.

I seethed at the contracts in silence, my hands shaking as I picked up the pen.

Is this what you really want, Amy? I questioned myself.

No.

But I had gone too far to turn back now.

I breathed deeply and signed the two contracts.

Liam didn't wait for another minute to put his signature on those papers next to mine, sealing my fate in them. He extended his hand. "Welcome to Lords of Fashion."

I took it. His handshake was firm.

"It's official now," he said with a self-satisfied grin.

"Sure," I growled, standing up to make a hasty exit.

But I'd barely made it halfway around the room before his voice caught me.

"Didn't you forget something, Miss Walters?"

I turned back to face him and frowned. "I don't think so."

He grinned. "Come over here." he motioned me over to his side of the desk.

There had been sneering arrogance in the way he'd spoken that made my heart stumble, but I acted like it didn’t. "Why?" I asked.

Liam tilted his head to the side, "Don't make me say it twice, Miss Walters."

I waited, then finally moved reluctantly and went over to him. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me to sit on his lap in a flash.

"Liam—" I gasped.

He pinned me down with his arms, leaning forward to my ears. His burning breath against my skin and making shivers track along my nerve endings. "You woke something in me last night, sweetheart. And now, you are going to take responsibility.”

His mouth crashed into mine before I was able to say anything.

There was flame coursing through me from the inside out. My hands laid flat on his chest, debating whether to push him back or draw him in. But I never got the chance. His hand located the zipper of my dress and he ripped it open in a swift movement.

I shoved him away, breaking the kiss. "We shouldn't…"

He pressed a finger to my lip, "Shh—"

He breathed into my ear, pulling my dress all the way down to my waist, leaving me wearing only my black lace see-through bra.

I hadn't even gotten the chance to protest when the door creaked open.

I jumped up and slid under his desk subconsciously.

"Shit!"