Chapter 001 - Birthday Party

The second Icen Clayton Blackstone stepped into the room, Ember Heart knew he was trouble spelled in thick capital letters.

His name had always been associated with scandal, and he had a lengthy history of affairs known to last for a month or less, thus earning him the name ‘Heartless Prince,’ and even worse, ‘Heart Ripper’. Yet, none of the articles she read had ever cautioned her about his magnetic sexual allure.

Ember had seen drop-dead gorgeous men at the party, but there was something about Icen that compelled her to give him a second look even though he wore a masquerade mask.

With the stately grace of a king, he walked through the hotel's grand entrance, towering over every male in the room. His magnificent black tuxedo, which he carried well in a dignified stance, made him stand out as he strode toward the waiting crowd.

The music abruptly stopped, and the din of conversation subsided in his presence.

Men looked up to him with envy and respect. Women stared at him with heart on their sleeves.

As soon as his polished shoes traversed the plush red carpet, mothers pushed their unmarried daughters to greet him. Straight forward ladies sprinted to get to him first, thrusting their bosom to flaunt their curves.

Whether Icen Clayton Blackstone was too stupid to notice or too uninterested to care, he walked past the sea of beautiful ladies all vying for his attention. Ember heard as a dozen hearts cracked as it fell to the floor, adding to the long number of rejected women in his list.

“Happy Birthday Mr. Blackstone!”

Cheerful greetings poured from all directions and he acknowledged them with a brief nod. He lifted his hand slightly in the air, a gesture which Ember found sexy. As if on cue, the orchestra picked up where they left off, filling the room with music in a dramatic fashion to liven up the evening.

Every fiber in her body had been abruptly awakened by the sight of him. She was so shaken by his impact on her system that she hastily averted her gaze.

Even as she looked away, her heart still raced in her ribcage as though she ran a mile.

Her gaze dropped to the bar counter with a sigh. She peered down on the glass in her hand. Surprised to find the glass empty, she asks the bartender for a refill.

She lifted the crystal to her lips. As she savored the expensive vintage wine Ember thought how the taste was a perfect contrast from the bitterness she held in her doomed heart.

It's been a week since she picked up the broken pieces of her life after she discovered her Maid Of Honor and fiance entangled in bed but until now she could still feel the blow.

Given how close she was to Chloe, the cousin she caught having sex with her fiancé, the betrayal hit her especially hard. The fact that Chloe admitted the affair had been going on for two years—on and off, while she and Thunder were still together—was far worse.

“Check yourself out in the reflection, Ember. Would Thunder really settle for a lady like you? You were just a pawn to make him appear good in the eyes of the public. Wake up! You're not special.” Those were her cousin's exact remarks.

Tears attempted to fall down her smooth cheeks at the memory. She looked up to the upscale ceiling to stop them. When she finally pulled herself together she lowered her gaze.

“I will trade my soul for a dance with Mr. Blackstone tonight.” An elegantly dressed young lady seated on the bar stool next to Ember told her friend. She kept her voice high above a whisper and yet Ember still heard the words loud and clear despite the music.

“And so would I.” The blonde lady next to her agreed, biting her crimson lips while her eyes remained fixated on the man who’d been the talk of the town before he even arrived. “Look at that yummy ass! Damn! Just watching them makes me wet!” She added which almost caused Ember to choke on her drink.

Ember quickly covers her mouth with a table napkin before scarlet liquid stains her pristine white dress as she continues to listen.

“His ass wasn't his best asset, though,” The young lady winked.

“Certainly not,” the pretty blonde friend gave a meaningful smile. “What he had between his pants is much better than his ass.”

“He sure can drive a woman crazy with that armor.”

The women giggled as they eyed him lustfully.

“At first, men will give you butterflies, then leave you with a broken heart to pick up alone.” Ember mumbled under her breath.

“Let’s come and meet him,” The blonde rose from the bar stool, tugging at the bottom of her plunging neckline to dramatically enhance her cleavage. Before her friend could react, the blonde caught her by the arm and ushered her to where Blackstone stood with now a crystal glass in his hand. Ember's curious gaze followed the two. The blonde spoke to him.

Icen Clayton Blackstone temples scrunched into a frown and although he wasn’t talking to Ember, she found herself uneasily biting her lower lip. She couldn't hear him, but the words were loud and clear. Get lost.

The blonde dashed to the door in humiliation. Her friend ran after her.

Icen Blackstone Clayton really lived up to her expectations. He was cold and heartless, as rumors say.

She had only one wish, which was for her own benefit: that they never interact.

'Stay clear from men like Icen Blackstone. He and your ex were the same species,’ she reminded herself.

As he realized someone was staring at him, his frown deepened as his eyes shifted to her.

Their gazes met. Breath caught her throat she almost dropped the expensive wine glass to the floor. She cautiously averted her gaze with a deep swallow.

Damn! That was close. Ember thought with her pulse jittering.