When He Came Back

In the dim glow of a modestly lit hotel room...

Catherine Bates found herself passionately kissing a strikingly handsome stranger.

Earlier that same evening, her ex-boyfriend, Ryan Howard, had shattered her heart by publicly announcing his engagement—to another woman.

Overcome with heartbreak, Catherine had sought solace in a bar, drowning her sorrows in drink. Under the hazy influence of alcohol and the undeniable magnetism of a stranger, she'd somehow ended up here, in this room, with him.

If Ryan could toss aside their four years together to marry a wealthy woman, why couldn't she let loose for one reckless moment?

Just as the stranger began to unbutton her clothes, Catherine, her emotions fully unleashed, leaned against his shoulder and whispered the one name she couldn't suppress: "Ryan."

The man froze. The electric chemistry that had filled the room just moments before vanished instantly.

A second later, the room was flooded with light as the man turned on the lamp beside the bed.

The sudden brightness made Catherine squint, but as her vision adjusted, she finally got a clear look at the man's face.

It was Shawn Reed.

Yes, *that* Shawn Reed—the highly acclaimed lawyer whose name was known across the country. He was a towering figure in legal circles, a man whose wealth and influence were legendary.

But what truly sent a chill through Catherine was that Shawn Reed was none other than Ryan's future brother-in-law.

It hit her like a splash of cold water. Her head spun as sobriety came rushing back.

Shawn, too, had pulled away.

Leaning casually against the wall, he pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. After taking a slow drag, he exhaled the smoke and studied her intently, his lips curling into an amused smirk. "Well, this is interesting, Miss Bates."

Flicking a bit of ash from his cigarette, he asked with a faint grin, "Tell me, what was running through your mind just now? Were you hoping to sleep with me as some sort of revenge stunt to make Ryan jealous?"

It was clear—Shawn had recognized her too.

There was no use pretending otherwise. After all, Shawn Reed wasn't just famous; he was practically a household name. Knowing how powerful and influential this man was, Catherine immediately dropped her gaze and offered a quiet, sincere apology. "I'm sorry, Mr. Reed. I had too much to drink."

To her relief, Shawn didn't seem interested in dragging out her embarrassment. After taking the final drag of his cigarette, he flicked it into the ashtray, straightened up, and tossed his coat in her direction. "Put this on. I'll drive you home," he said coolly.

Catherine murmured a soft thank-you.

The ride in Shawn's sleek Bentley was quiet, the atmosphere heavy with unspoken tension. Neither of them spoke, yet Catherine found herself stealing occasional glances at him.

The man was impossibly attractive—his angular features and sharp jawline were like something out of a magazine. Even though she couldn't identify the brand of his tailored shirt, it was obvious that it cost more than most people's monthly rent.

As she sat beside him, Catherine couldn't help but wonder just how many women had thrown themselves at Shawn Reed.