I smiled again, this time I noticed Nick looking across the table in my direction. His gaze was intense, there was something about it. It was intense, intimidating, sensual, but charming all at the same time. Stop it Tessa. Said my subconscious. You two couldn't even bare to be in the same room with one another a few weeks ago. Stop you do not find him attractive. I kept thinking that telling myself this would help me...but it didn't. He moved his index finger along the rim of his glass, I every so often would catch his bright green- gray eyes look in my direction. I looked down at my hands which were cupped together in my lap. Stop it Tess! "I'll help you clear the plates." His mother said to his father, after we ate. They both stood up and took the plates into the kitchen. Leaving me alone with him. Crap. Tessa Erickson is a beautiful, single, twenty-six year old woman who works for a big named company in New York City. All was great in her life, until she got partnered with a tall, well dressed, exceedingly handsome, arrogant, flirtatious playboy named Nicolai Piercy. Who also happens to be the son of the man who owns the company Tessa works for. As they deal with their own personal problems inside the office and outside, will they begin to see eye to eye, will the way they feel towards each other ever change and will Tessa end up falling for The Billionaires Son? So read along as Nick and Tessa deal with the struggles of life and love. Cover created by: kikiceleste_ Rated PG-13: (Strong language, sexual situations)

DISCLAIMER: This story was written in late 2012. I wrote Strings Attached as an adolescent with no idea how a healthy, adult relationship should function. This story is dark and twisted in a way that my teen mind couldn't comprehend at the time. There are more than a few scenes in this book with sensitive content. I--in no way--support rape culture and I do not condone my character's actions. However, as I said, this story was written in an ignorant state of mind. I will not remove this story from Wattpad. It is part of my past and though I am disappointed with the content, it shows how far I've come not just as an author but as a free-thinking adult. Thank you for reading. **Excerpt** "Say... it," She gasped, throwing her head back, cupping my face in her hands so that I was forced to meet her gaze. "You're mine." She held my gaze for a second more, before crushing her lips against my own, arms wrapping tight around my neck, pulling me down to her level. Arms sliding easily around her, she wrapped her legs around me as I lifted her up, lips traveling over her chest and collarbone. She moaned as my hands dug into her tender flesh, pulling on it, their violence a stark contrast to the gentle kisses teasing their way up her neck. Bright lines marked the paths that my nails had etched into her skin, marking her, beautiful red tattoos, spreading out over her entire body. Her small hands knotted in my hair, pulling harder and harder as she fought the urge to cry out...