“Traffic,” I shrugged with a grin. “But wow, this place is incredible—and you look amazing!”
“You look stunning!” she exclaimed, looping her arm through mine and guiding me through the crowd. “Let me introduce you to everyone—you’re just in time for the fun.”
As we moved through the room, Miranda’s enthusiasm made everyone feel approachable. I quickly settled in, ready to enjoy the evening. Then, her eyes widened with excitement.
“Luna, look!” she whispered, nodding towards a tall, handsome guy across the room. “That’s Aaron. I’ve been dying to talk to him.”
I raised an eyebrow, noticing her cheeks flush. “He’s definitely easy on the eyes. You going to make your move?”
She bit her lip, glancing at me nervously. “Yeah, I think I will. You’ll be okay on your own?”
I laughed, giving her a nudge. “Go for it, Miranda. I’ll be just fine. Catch up with me later!”
With a grateful smile, she squeezed my arm. “Thanks, Luna! Enjoy the party—I’ll find you soon.”
The party was buzzing with laughter and chatter as I sipped my drink, searching for Miranda, who had already disappeared into the crowd hours ago. With a slight frown, I decided to find the bathroom before my drink took its toll.
I navigated through the sea of guests, scanning for any sign of a restroom. Spotting a few doors off the main hall, I made my way towards them, hoping one would lead me to some relief. But fate had other plans.
Suddenly, I collided with a solid wall of muscle, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs. His chest was hard as rock, radiating heat that sent a jolt through me. A sharp intake of breath, followed by the unmistakable sound of liquid splashing onto fabric. I froze, staring in horror at the crimson stain spreading across the front of his pristine white shirt.
“I’m so sorry!” I stammered, my voice trembling with guilt. I looked up and froze. His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, sending a shiver down my spine. The noise of the party faded, replaced by the charged energy crackling between us. My heart pounded uncontrollably.
Why does he feel so familiar?I wondered.
My hands fluttered nervously as I saw the mess I’d made on his shirt. “I didn’t mean to—oh no, your shirt …”
“It’s fine,” he said, his voice calm, almost soothing.
But it wasn’t fine. I couldn’t just walk away, not with this strange pull between us. “No, it’s not,” I insisted. “We need to clean it up.”
Before he could protest, I grabbed his wrist, surprising myself with the bold gesture. His warm skin sent sparks through me,and I tugged him down the hallway, determined, craving the connection between us.
I fumbled with doors, feeling his silent gaze on me the whole time, until I finally found the bathroom. “Here,” I said, relieved, holding out a towel. “Let’s clean that up.”
He hesitated, and then unbuttoned his shirt, revealing a plain V-neck undershirt beneath. My breath caught as I glanced at his toned chest, quickly looking away as my cheeks flushed.
Focus, Luna. You’re here to fix this, not to ogle him,I thought.
I moved closer, dabbing at the stain on his undershirt, my hands trembling slightly. His scent overwhelmed me, making it hard to think. Each brush of the towel against his shirt sent a thrill through me that I tried to ignore.
“You really don’t have to do this,” he said softly, his voice low and warm, surprising me with its gentleness.
I glanced up, meeting his intense gaze for a second before looking away. “I know,” I whispered. “But I want to.”
The air between us grew thick with unspoken tension. This wasn’t just about the stain anymore—it was about something deeper, something neither of us could quite name.
“Why are you really doing this?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
I froze, unsure how to respond. How could I explain the pull between us when I didn’t even understand it myself? Slowly, I looked up into his eyes. “I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice shaky. “I just … I couldn’t walk away.”
He stepped closer, closing the space between us. My breath hitched as his warmth surrounded me, his gaze igniting a fire inside. When his hand brushed my cheek, I didn’t pull away. Instead, I leaned into his touch, savoring the intensity of the moment.
And then he kissed me—fierce, passionate, and everything I hadn’t known I needed. The world outside vanished as we lost ourselves in the heat of that kiss.
It was gentle at first, soft and tentative, but it quickly deepened, turning into something more. Something raw and urgent. My hands found their way to his chest, my fingers curling against his skin, as I pulled him closer. I could feel his heartbeat beneath my palm, strong and steady, grounding me in the moment.
The world outside faded away, leaving only the two of us. The kiss consumed me, igniting something deep within, something primal that I couldn’t ignore. I didn’t want to ignore it. I wanted more—more of him, more of this connection that had sparked between us from the moment we met.