Abby stood stock still, the glass reflecting the shocked expression on her face. The nervousness she had been feeling only moments before, fluttered out into the night to be lost amongst the billions of glittering lights below. Blinking, she watched her mouth open and close as she scrambled to wrap her brain around the question he had just asked her. No...not asked. Demanded was more like it.

"Are you?" he sharply asked again.

His tone, sounding like a slap, made her wince. Slowly, she turned to face him. Adam's gaze locked onto hers and the scowl marring his brow effectively chased away the stupefied feeling, replacing it with irritation. What the hell kind of question was that to ask?

"Excuse me? I don't see how it is any of your business," she said stiffly, tilting her chin up and returning his furious glare with one of her own.

"I am making it my business. Answer the question, Abigail." His arrogance crystal clear as he spoke to her as if she were an errant child.

Abby's mouth fell open. The face staring at her was set in stone, unmoving, unforgiving and hard. This was a side of him she hadn't seen before. It went beyond his CEO persona. No, she could handle that side of him and even found it rather endearing at times. This was simply a man being a jackass, plain and simple.

Fuck this shit, Abby thought. He may get away with treating people like this in his world, but she would be damned if she was going to allow it in hers. She'd had enough of men dictating her life. Jo Jo wanted her to take her life back? Fine, she was starting right now.

"I most certainly will not, Mr. Steele." Turning on her heel, she headed to the closet to gather her cloak and clutch. Abby had no idea how she would get home, since she fully intended on telling him he could shove his phone up his ass, but anything was better than spending one more second with him and his self-imposed superiority.

This whole dating thing was a bad idea to begin with and she should have stuck with her gut feeling instead of falling for his lines of bullshit. She had put herself through the wringer of emotions tonight for this man. And for what? To be humiliated?

Be careful what you wish for, she thought angrily, remembering how she had wanted to be reckless for one night with him. How she dreamed of abandoning herself and allowing him to chase away all the monsters lurking in the darkness which had become such a constant in her life, she had forgotten what it was really like to live. She snorted. Little did she know, he was just another monster in a fancy suit.

God, she should have known better. She had no idea what to expect when he had showed up at her door, but she was not prepared for this. This was like jumping into the deep end of a pool to join the sharks and not knowing how to swim. The evening was turning out to be not even close to the experience she had imagined in her head. Abby sighed. Daydreams of a silly girl who should have learned long ago fairytales were for books, not reality.

Suddenly, her heart hurt. Not because he was being an asshole, which he was, but because she was disappointed. Deep down, she had really wanted him to be more than the hard-edged businessman he portrayed to everyone else. For a little while, she had believed the warmth he'd shown her, foolishly thinking it meant something. Unshed tears burned her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She would rather have her toenails pulled out one by one with a pair of rusty pliers, than let him see her cry.

"Where are you going?" Adam's voice was mocking, as if he didn't think she had the nerve to leave.

"You used to be an intelligent man, Mr. Steele. I'm confident you can figure it out," she hissed, yanking the closet door open and ripping her cloak off the hanger.

And to think, she'd had phone sex with him. She cringed at her stupidity. Jerking the cloak on, she stabbed the down button on the elevator, ignoring the cussing going on behind her.

"Shit! Abigail...wait."

Shaking her head, Abby stubbornly refused to look at him. Instead, she continued to abuse the elevator button. Shoving the damn thing so hard, she was surprised it didn't break. "Come on, open," she muttered under her breath.

"You are not leaving." He marched up behind her, pulling her shoulders until she was forced to face him. His face was harsh in anger, his jaw jutting out aggressively.

"Try and stop me," she snapped, wrenching out of his grasp. He wasn't the only one pissed off and if he touched her again she wouldn't feel the least bit guilty about kicking him in the balls.

"I already have." He plucked a remote control out of his suit jacket and waggled it in the air. Slipping it back in his pocket, he crossed his arms over his chest and cocked an eyebrow. The dark arch rising up in challenge.

Never had Abby wanted to strangle somebody as much as she did right now. "So, you're resorting to kidnapping again?"

He cursed, running an irritated hand through his hair. "Go sit down, Abigail."

"I'd rather not."

"That wasn't a request," he growled, stalking back over to the bar.

"You are a real pompous asshole, you know that?" Abby ripped off the cloak and tossed it carelessly over the couch as she followed his retreating back.

The anger coursing through her veins was making her much too warm to keep the stifling thing on. If he wasn't going to let her leave, then he sure as hell was going to get a much deserved earful.

Walking up to the opposite side of the bar, she searched his eyes for some softness, a glimmer she could latch on to. But his dark eyes shut her out, revealing nothing.

"You are just figuring that out now?" he said, taking a sip of his scotch.

"How can you be so crass?" She wondered out loud.

"Christ, Abigail. I asked a question. Granted, it was not the most delicate of deliveries, but it's no reason for you to overreact."

She gaped at him. "Overreact? This is not overreacting. This is being pissed off by an overbearing bully!" She glared at Adam. When he simply continued to regard her with that same blank look, she rolled her eyes and threw up her hands. "Why would you even ask me that?"

He took another sip of his scotch, placing it down with exasperating precision. "It was an educated conclusion. You don't drink, date or drive..."

"So you just assumed I don't fuck." She turned on him, emphasizing her words with sarcasm. "What's the matter, Steele? Afraid you wasted a date on a girl who might not put out?"

Abby took enormous pleasure in watching his jaw drop. Lord knows, he'd done it to her enough times since she had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting him. Normally, she wasn't the confrontational type, but the man sitting across from her currently gaping like a fish...brought out the worst in her. The same man who can bring out the very best in you too, a little voice chirped in the back of her head and Abby slapped it back.

There was a long pause.

"Ah...hell..." he muttered, letting out a breath. Looking down at his glass, he pushed it away with his index finger. "This isn't what I wanted for this evening."

"That makes two of us."

Adam laughed harshly. "I really fucked things up, didn't I?" Looking up at Abby, he gave her a small uncertain grin. "I guess I should stick to what I am good at and stay in the boardroom." He shook his head sadly. "Conquering the business world is much easier than trying to tackle dating."

Underneath all his bravado, pride and hardness...Abby sensed something else lingering. Doubt? No...that couldn't be it. You didn't become the richest man on the planet by doubting yourself. Knowing Adam, it had to be something more. Something easily overlooked by people. She studied him for a moment when it occurred to her. The one thing most people probably missed about him. His self-hatred. She could see it now. It was painted all over his face in harsh, bold strokes and her heart softened.

Leaning forward, Abby reached out and placed her hand on his. If she was smart, which...right now...was completely debatable, she should demand he open the door and allow her to go home. But, seeing his vulnerability somehow pulled her closer. He didn't seem so impossibly untouchable and it was a relief.

"How about you feed me some of whatever that delicious smell is? I'm starving."

Adam jerked his head up. "You want to stay?"

She smiled at his surprise. "Pending you can behave yourself for the rest of the evening," she gave him a stern look, "then...yes."

"Would you like me to work up a contract or will my word do?" His brown eyes danced in amusement. "Keep in mind, Jonathan is my lawyer."

She wrinkled her nose. "I will take your word for it, Mr. Steele."

Abby had to remember to breathe as Adam flashed a wide smile and offered her his arm. Together they walked into the dining room to an elegantly set table. Abby gasped in awe. A huge floral arrangement graced the table with blood red roses, ivory hydrangeas, orchids and baby's breath, surrounded with glowing bowls of lit candles. Gleaming delicate China, silver and crystal goblets, made her feel as if she had actually stepped into one of Jo Jo's fairytales.

"Adam, this is...wonderful."

"I'm glad you approve."

He pulled out her chair and she nervously sat. Her eyes growing wide at how many eating utensils surrounded her place setting. How many forks did a person need? Chewing her lip nervously, Abby leaned back as he placed her napkin in her lap.

Studying the centerpiece for a moment, Adam reached over and plucked a rose bloom. "May I?" he asked, holding it up.

Giving him a little nod, he gently tucked the rose behind her ear, allowing his fingers to brush her cheek. Goosebumps raced up her arms.

"It's a shame," he said softly.

"What is?"

"No matter how lovely the rose, it will never be as beautiful as you." His eyes grew as dark as the finest chocolate.

Abby swallowed hard. Her heart pounded and her thoughts stuttered to a halt. For several beats, she was lost to his magnetic pull, the world around them ceased to exist. The only thing she was aware of was him and the dam of desire he was releasing inside her. She shivered slightly.

"Are you cold, Abigail?" His concerned voice broke through the lusty trance as she noticed he had started to remove his jacket.

"No...thank you," she stuttered. "I'm fine." Right now, the last thing she needed was to be surrounded by his heady cologne. "I think I'm just hungry," she said in a breathy whisper. Embarrassed by the huskiness of her voice, she could feel her cheeks warm.

His face split into a wide grin as his eyes raked over her. "Then I shall feed you."

Turning, he disappeared into the kitchen. Taking a deep breath to calm her frayed nerves, Abby reached for a water glass and took a gulp, dribbling a little in her lap. Rolling her eyes, she dabbed at the droplets. "Get it together, Abby," she muttered under her breath.

"What was that?" Adam reappeared carrying two plates.

"Um...nothing." She forced a smile. "That looks really good."

He sat a plate of fresh spring greens, tomatoes, cucumbers and croutons tossed in a light dressing in front of her.

"Bon appetite," he said, sliding gracefully into his seat beside her.

Abby watched under her lashes as he selected a fork and she followed suit. Spearing a bit of the salad, she carefully brought it up to her mouth, praying she wouldn't dump any of it down her cleavage.

"Do you like it?"

Abby looked up from her plate. Truthfully, she was so damn nervous, she could have been chewing on a mouthful of woodchips and wouldn't have noticed. "It's delicious, Adam."

Pride replaced the worry and he blessed her with one of his crooked grins making her heart do several somersaults.

The rest of meal passed in an easy going conversation. The light teasing and bantering back and forth between them, kept things lively as they enjoyed the rest of their meal.

"Would you care for dessert?" Adam asked and then frowned. "I was planning on serving strawberries and champagne."

She giggled at his perplexed expression. "It's fine, really. I couldn't eat another bite."

"I must say, it is a delight to see a woman who enjoys her food," he teased softly, giving her a little wink.

Abby looked down at her cleaned plated and grinned. "Jo Jo does all the cooking at home, so it was nice to eat something that didn't contain tofu for a change."

Chuckling, he placed his napkin on his empty plate as he stood, offering Abby his hand. "Would you like to adjourn to the living room?"

His hand fell to the small of her back as he guided her to the couch. His thumb running down her bare back before spreading out. The feel of his touch caused a decadent current to run through her and she stiffened slightly as the tingle settled firmly between her legs.

"I've been dying to touch you all through dinner," he rumbled into her ear. His breath dancing along her neck as he leaned in to whisper.

The gesture was so intimate, she couldn't help but lean closer. Her pulse pounded in her ears, as he pulled her against him, back to chest. Slowly, they began swaying to the music playing in the background. His lips skimming the column of her throat.

"Abigail...you are so beautiful," he breathed, passing his lips up and over the curve of her jaw.

Warmth flooded her body and settled in a tight throb between her legs. The effect he was having on her consumed her with every kiss and with every touch. The more time she spent with him, the more her resolve crumbled and the deeper she fell under his spell. Her body was in crazy torment between wanting the pleasure he promised and knowing it was going to hurt like hell when it was time to walk away.

It was one of those now or never moments. Give in to one night of undeniable pleasure or go home and wonder for the rest of her life about the "what if's".

Making her decision, Abby turned to him slightly. "Adam?" Her voice came out a low moan as his lips nipped the edge of her earlobe.

"Yes?"

Gathering her courage before she lost all common sense, Abby pulled herself out of his arms and backed away a few steps. "I'm taking my life back," she whispered under her breath. With a trembling hand, she reached up and undid the hidden catch at her shoulder, letting the dress drop in a silky puddle at her feet.

"I'm no virgin."

Hello everyone! Thank you so much for all your support and patience during the writing of this story. I wanted to inform you that I now have a FaceBook page where I will posting occasional sneak peeks, random thoughts and just allowing you to share a bit of my general mayhem.

So, if you wish, come on by and give it a like and we'll have some fun! You can find me at K. M. Halandras. Thanks again for all your support and as usual, if you liked this chapter...go ahead and give it a vote. I also love hearing from you in the comments.