Free Sample
Preview from chapter one
The night air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers and a hint of distant music as Yasmine and Chris stumbled their way through the dimly lit park. The moon cast a silver glow on the cobblestone path, their shadows dancing erratically as they swayed back and forth. The party had been a raucous affair, filled with laughter, spilled drinks, and forgotten inhibitions. But the fun had soured somewhere along the way, and now the tension between them was palpable.
Yasmine, a 33-year-old brunette with a killer smile, had been feeling neglected by her boyfriend, Chris, throughout the evening. Her eyes, once bright and mischievous, were now clouded with a mix of anger and sadness. Her full lips, usually curled in a flirty smile, were pursed in a tight line. She could feel the weight of his hand on her waist, but it was more of an anchor than an embrace.
"What the hell, Yasmine?" Chris's voice, usually a warm and comforting baritone, was now laced with frustration as he spun her around to face him. His eyes searched hers, looking for an explanation for her distant behavior. His grip tightened slightly, his knuckles whitening. The alcohol had fueled a fire in him that he hadn't felt in a long time, and it was quickly burning out of control. "You've been flirting with every Tom, Dick, and Harry at that party!" He slurred slightly, the beer from earlier sloshing in his belly. "You know I don't like it when you do that!"
Yasmine's green eyes flashed with a fury that matched the fire in her cheeks. She could feel the heat of his breath, the scent of whiskey heavy on his words as he accused her. Her heart hammered in her chest as she tried to keep the tremble from her voice. "And what, exactly, do you expect me to do?" she spat, her voice thick with sarcasm. "Just sit there like a good little trophy girlfriend?" Her words hung in the air, the accusation cutting through the silence of the night. She could see his fist clench at his side, the muscles in his jaw tensing.
The sudden sound of laughter pierced the tension as three men, all wearing the same navy blazers, stumbled out of the shadows. They were clearly intoxicated, their eyes bloodshot and smiles sloppy. The one in the middle had a red carnation in his lapel, and his blond hair was askew. He took a step closer, swaying slightly. "Looks like someone's having a lover's spat," he slurred, his friends chuckling in agreement.