Power. Control. Absolute dominance. That was William Greyson.

A billionaire at thirty-five, ruthless in business, feared by men, desired by women. He had once believed in love—until she betrayed him. His first. His only. His mistake. Since then, he let no woman get close.

Then he saw her.

It was supposed to be a routine meeting, another deal closed. But then she caught his eye—chubby, confident, laughing too loudly, taking up space like she belonged. She wasn’t trying to impress anyone. Least of all him.

And that infuriated him.

Women always noticed William Greyson. They fawned, blushed, stumbled over their words. But she? She looked right at him—unimpressed—and then turned away.

A smirk on her lips.

He should have ignored it. Instead, he found himself watching her, annoyance curling in his chest. Then, one of her friends—blonde, tipsy, and clearly interested—slid up to him with a sultry smile.

"You're staring," she purred, twirling a strand of hair. "I thought I'd save you the trouble and introduce myself. I’m Emily."

William barely looked at her. "Not interested."

Emily pouted. "Oh, come on. You don’t even know me yet." She leaned in, her perfume cloying. "Unless it’s my friend you’re interested in?"

His jaw tightened. His patience thinned. "I have zero interest in you. Walk away."

Emily huffed, rolling her eyes before storming off.

William exhaled sharply, but the irritation didn’t fade. Because despite his words—despite his own damn logic—his eyes drifted back to the woman who shouldn’t have caught his attention at all.

And yet, somehow, she had.