Dumped Today Married Tomorrow: My Overnight Wedding to a Tycoon novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2

As Anastasia stormed out of the private room, she collided with someone walking in the opposite direction.

A distinctly masculine scent hit her—sandalwood with hints of amber—sending an unexpected wave of heat through her body.

The man wore a black Tom Ford shirt with the top button undone, revealing a glimpse of his defined collarbone. His tailored black slacks completed the look of understated luxury, his entire presence radiating the confident power of someone who commanded rooms without trying.

The dim hallway lighting carved shadows across his chiseled features—his expression distant, cold, untouchable, yet undeniably magnetic.

As he frowned slightly and prepared to move past her, Anastasia’s slender fingers suddenly gripped his shirt sleeve, the expensive fabric smooth beneath her touch.

Her heart raced as his scent clouded her judgment. With the bitter taste of Jasper’s betrayal still fresh, a rebellious thought crossed her mind-if Jasper could play dirty, why couldn’t she have some fun too?

“Let go,” the man commanded, his voice low and dangerous.

“No,” she replied, deliberately softening her voice to a silky purr, looking up through her lashes.

The man looked down at her, his gaze traveling slowly from her eyes to her lips, a slight curl forming at the edge of his mouth.

“No?” he repeated, leaning in slightly. “You’re playing with fire, sweetheart. Sure you can handle the burn?”

“Would you be interested in marrying me?” Anastasia blurted out, her eyes challenging him despite the pink flush spreading across her cheeks.

Even Anastasia thought she’d lost her damn mind.

Yet she was dead serious about finding someone to marry—anyone who could help her escape Jasper’s shadow.

Her grandmother, Elisabeth Paige, wasn’t getting any younger and desperately wanted to see her settled down. She’d been discussing marriage with Jasper for months, but that ship had clearly sailed—and sunk—now.

Anastasia couldn’t bear to break her grandmother’s heart, and she needed to slam the door shut on any possibility of crawling back to Jasper.

Any man would be better than that cheating bastard.

The stranger wore no ring. Available, then.

Worth a try, wasn’t it?

Plus, he smelled like sin and salvation combined—a scent that made her want to inch closer rather than pull away.

In this moment, despite the alcohol buzzing through her system, her mind felt unusually clear.

The man’s expression shifted as his fingertips tilted her chin upward, his touch electric against her skin. His eyes—dark and assessing—took in her flushed cheeks, parted lips, and defiant gaze. She was trouble wrapped in a Valentino dress.