Samantha Carter had never been the type to act on impulse. She lived her life by schedules, checklists, and carefully calculated risks. But that Friday night, something inside her was restless—an itch she couldn’t scratch, a longing she couldn’t name.

"Come on, Sam, just one drink," Julia teased, pulling her into an upscale lounge downtown. "You work too much. Live a little."

Samantha sighed but allowed herself to be led inside. The dim lighting cast a warm, golden glow over the bar, and soft jazz hummed in the background. It was the kind of place where the drinks were overpriced, and the people looked like they had stories to tell.

And then she saw him.

At the far end of the bar, a man sat nursing a glass of whiskey. His dark hair was slightly tousled, his white dress shirt unbuttoned at the collar, his tie draped loosely around his neck. He exuded effortless confidence, the kind that made people notice without him trying.

His eyes found hers. For a moment, the world faded.

"Looks like someone caught your attention," Julia whispered, nudging her playfully.

Samantha rolled her eyes. "It’s just a look."

"Go talk to him," Julia urged. "One night. One choice. Who knows? Maybe it changes everything."

Samantha hesitated. She wasn’t the type to flirt with strangers in bars. But something about him—the way he held her gaze, the quiet intensity—made her pulse quicken.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she approached the bar.

"Whiskey neat?" she asked, nodding toward his glass.

He arched a brow, amused. "Good eye. And you?"

She glanced at the menu. "I’ll take an Old Fashioned."

"Classic choice," he said, signaling the bartender. "I’m Alexander, by the way."

"Samantha."

The way he said her name, slow and deliberate, sent a thrill through her. They fell into easy conversation—about their favorite books, the city, the absurdity of networking events.

"Let me guess," Alexander said, studying her. "You work in finance. Or maybe marketing?"

Samantha smirked. "Close. Business development."

"Ah. A dealmaker."

"And you?" she asked, taking a sip of her drink.

He hesitated, a flicker of something unreadable in his expression before he answered, "Let’s just say I run my own company."

"Modest, are we?" she teased.

He chuckled. "Something like that."

The hours slipped away effortlessly. One drink turned into two, then three. Their laughter filled the space between them, the air thick with unspoken tension.

Then, just as the clock neared midnight, Alexander leaned in and murmured, "Come home with me."

Samantha’s heart pounded. She had never been the type to do this—to follow a stranger into the night, to let herself get lost in the moment.

But tonight, she didn’t want to be the woman who always played it safe.

"Yes," she whispered.

His penthouse was everything she expected—modern, sleek, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline. But she barely had time to take it in before his hands were on her, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that stole her breath.

Clothes fell to the floor, skin met skin, and for the first time in a long time, Samantha let herself go. She didn’t think about deadlines or responsibilities—only the way Alexander made her feel. Wanted. Desired. Free.

Hours later, tangled in the sheets, she traced lazy circles on his chest.

"You surprise me," she admitted.

"How so?"

"I don’t usually do this," she confessed.

"Neither do I," he said, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from her face.

She wasn’t sure if she believed him, but she wanted to.

As she drifted off to sleep, she wondered—had Julia been right? Had one night, one choice, really changed everything?

Morning came too soon. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, and Samantha blinked against the brightness.

For a moment, she reveled in the warmth of Alexander’s body beside her. But then reality crept in.

She had a meeting. An important one.

Scrambling out of bed, she searched for her dress. As she reached for her shoes, her gaze landed on a sleek business card on the nightstand.

Her stomach dropped.

Alexander Wolfe. CEO, Wolfe Enterprises.

Her mind raced. No. This can’t be happening.

Wolfe Enterprises. The very company she was set to meet today. The company she was supposed to close a deal with.

She turned, staring at the man still asleep beside her. The man she had spent the night with.

The man who now held the power to make or break her career.

Her pulse thundered. Should she wake him? Tell him the truth? Or should she slip out before he woke, pretend last night never happened?

One night. One choice. And now, everything had changed.

Samantha’s heart pounded as she stared at the business card in her trembling hand. Alexander Wolfe. CEO of Wolfe Enterprises. The man she had spent the night with was the very person she was supposed to impress in today’s meeting.

Her mind spun, searching for a way out of this disaster. Should she slip away before he woke up? Would he even remember her once they were sitting across from each other in a boardroom?

But as she turned toward the door, a deep, sleep-roughened voice stopped her.

"Running away already?"

She froze, gripping her dress tightly. Slowly, she turned to see Alexander sitting up, the sheets pooling around his waist, exposing his sculpted chest. His dark eyes, now fully awake, locked onto hers.

"I—uh—I have a meeting," she stammered, trying to keep her voice steady.

A slow smirk spread across his face. "Me too. Pretty important one, actually."

Her stomach twisted. Did he already know?

He ran a hand through his tousled hair, studying her. "You look like you’ve seen a ghost."

She hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward and holding up the business card. "You’re Alexander Wolfe. CEO of Wolfe Enterprises."

He blinked, his expression unreadable. Then, as if the realization clicked, his smirk disappeared.

"And you," he said slowly, "are Samantha Carter. Business development manager for Harper & Co."

She swallowed hard. "Yes."

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The air was thick with tension—not the kind that had existed between them last night, but something else. Something heavier.

Samantha let out a nervous laugh. "So, I guess this makes things…complicated."

Alexander exhaled, rubbing his jaw. "You could say that."

She crossed her arms. "Are you going to use this against me? To get an upper hand in the deal?"

His brows furrowed. "Is that what you think of me?"

"I don’t know," she admitted. "I don’t know you at all."

His expression softened slightly. "Last night wasn’t about business, Samantha. It wasn’t some setup or strategy." He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. "I didn’t know who you were. And I sure as hell didn’t plan for this."

Neither had she.

She took a shaky breath. "So what happens now?"

A flicker of something unreadable passed over his face. "That depends."

"On what?"

He stood, walking toward her, his presence commanding even in his disheveled state. "On whether you’re going to pretend last night didn’t happen."

She shivered as he stopped just inches away. "I—"

Her phone buzzed in her clutch, making her jump. Grateful for the distraction, she grabbed it and saw Julia’s name flashing on the screen.

Where are you?? The meeting starts in an hour!

Panic surged through her. "I have to go," she blurted out.

Alexander nodded but didn’t move. "We’ll see each other again soon."

She didn’t know if it was a warning or a promise.

With one last lingering glance, she slipped out the door, leaving behind the most unforgettable night of her life.

---

An Hour Later – Harper & Co. Headquarters

Samantha walked into the glass conference room, her pulse erratic. She had spent the cab ride rehearsing how to handle the situation. She would remain professional. Focus on the deal. Ignore the way her skin still tingled from Alexander’s touch.

But the moment he walked into the room, looking effortlessly composed in a dark navy suit, her breath caught.

Their eyes met. A silent acknowledgment. A secret no one else in the room knew.

"Mr. Wolfe," her boss, Richard Harper, greeted, extending a hand. "It’s an honor to finally meet you."

Alexander shook his hand firmly. "Likewise."

Samantha kept her face neutral as he turned to her. "Miss Carter," he said smoothly, offering his hand. "A pleasure to meet you."

Her stomach flipped as she took his hand, his grip warm and firm. "You as well, Mr. Wolfe."

Not even a flicker of recognition crossed his face. He was playing the part perfectly.

The meeting began, discussions unfolding about partnerships, contract terms, and long-term goals. Samantha forced herself to stay focused, but every time Alexander spoke, her mind betrayed her, flashing back to whispered conversations in bed, the way his hands had felt on her body.

She barely noticed when Richard addressed her.

"Samantha, what’s your take on this proposal?"

She straightened, clearing her throat. "I believe the terms are strong, but we should negotiate for a longer trial period before committing to a full contract."

Alexander tilted his head, his lips twitching slightly. "I agree. Flexibility is key."

For the next hour, they exchanged ideas and counterpoints—both sharp, both relentless. It was like a game of chess, but beneath it all, there was an undercurrent neither of them acknowledged.

As the meeting concluded, Richard clapped Alexander on the back. "Let’s finalize the details over dinner next week."

"Sounds good," Alexander replied. Then he glanced at Samantha. "Miss Carter, I’d like to continue our discussion privately. If you have time."

Her breath caught.

Richard nodded approvingly. "Samantha, handle that, will you?"

"Of course," she managed, her voice steady.

Alexander led her to a quiet hallway just outside the conference room. The moment they were alone, he smirked.

"You held your own in there," he said.

She crossed her arms. "I do my job well."

"That you do." He leaned against the wall, his gaze burning into hers. "So… about last night."

She braced herself. "It won’t happen again."

He arched a brow. "You sure about that?"

She hesitated, just for a second.

He took a step closer, his voice low. "Because I think you’re lying."

Her pulse jumped. "This is business."

"Business," he repeated. "And yet, you can’t stop looking at my lips."

Her breath hitched. "You’re impossible."

He chuckled. "I prefer determined."

Silence stretched between them, thick with tension.

Finally, he leaned in just enough for his breath to warm her skin. "One night, Samantha. One choice."

She swallowed hard.

"Let me know when you’re ready for another."

And with that, he walked away, leaving her heart racing and her world utterly, completely changed.

Samantha stood frozen in the quiet hallway, her heart hammering against her ribs as she watched Alexander disappear down the corridor. His parting words echoed in her mind, unsettling her resolve.

"One night, Samantha. One choice. Let me know when you’re ready for another."

She exhaled sharply, straightening her shoulders. No. This couldn’t happen again. It had been a mistake—one she couldn’t afford to repeat.

Smoothing her blazer, she forced herself to walk back to her office. Julia was waiting for her, perched on the edge of Samantha’s desk with an eager grin.

"Spill," Julia demanded the second Samantha shut the door behind her. "You were in a meeting with Alexander freaking Wolfe! And he asked to speak to you alone? Girl, what happened?"

Samantha hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "It was strictly business."

Julia narrowed her eyes. "Liar."

Samantha sighed, rubbing her temples. "I can’t do this, Jules."

"Do what?"

"Whatever this is," Samantha said, gesturing vaguely. "He’s my client. My company’s future depends on this deal. If anyone finds out about last night—"

Julia’s expression softened. "Sam, you’re overthinking. He doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who’d use it against you."

Samantha bit her lip, unsure. He had played it cool in the meeting, but the way he had looked at her just now—like he knew exactly how to unravel her—made her feel anything but safe.

"I need to focus on work," she muttered. "That’s all."

Julia held up her hands. "Fine. But if you need to talk—or, I don’t know, scream into a pillow—I’m here."

Samantha gave her a weak smile. "Thanks, Jules."

But as she turned back to her laptop, one thought lingered in her mind.

Could she really ignore Alexander Wolfe?

Later That Evening – Wolfe Enterprises Headquarters

Alexander leaned back in his leather chair, staring at the city skyline through his office window. He should have been reviewing the contract, preparing for the next round of negotiations. Instead, his mind was stuck on her.

Samantha Carter.

Smart. Fierce. Beautiful.

He hadn’t expected to see her again after that night. Hell, he hadn’t planned for any of it. But the moment he walked into that conference room and saw her sitting there—lips pressed together, hands folded neatly on the table, pretending like she hadn’t been in his bed hours before—he knew he was in trouble.

She was trying to play it safe. He could see it in her eyes.

But he also saw something else.

She wasn’t unaffected.

A knock at his door pulled him from his thoughts. His assistant, Lucas, stepped inside.

"Sir, your dinner reservation is confirmed for next week with Harper & Co.," Lucas reported. "And there’s a matter regarding the contract terms—"

"Reschedule the dinner," Alexander interrupted.

Lucas frowned. "Sir?"

Alexander tapped a pen against his desk. "Move it up. Tomorrow night."

Lucas hesitated. "Are you sure? It’s short notice."

"I’m sure," Alexander said.

Because waiting a whole week to see Samantha again?

Not an option.