Elena's POV)
They say one drink can change your whole night.
I've had three.
"Come on, Elena. Don't be a party pooper," Charlotte purrs, dragging me into the crowded club. "It's a celebration. You survived your first cyber heist."
I shift in my too-tight black dress and try not to look like I'm plotting my escape.
Charlotte loops her arm through mine. "You're pouting."
"I'm not."
She laughs and drags me deeper into the chaos. Velvet Noir, the club of the moment, We're here celebrating a major milestone at the firm. Everyone else went to a trendy rooftop. But not Charlotte. No, she wanted glam and loud music.
"I'm just saying," she purrs, shoving a drink in my hand, "you deserve to let loose. New contract. Promotion pending. Live a little, Miss. Hayes."
"I am living." I sip. "Just… not loudly."
I finish my drink and then, suddenly, I feel it.
His eyes. From somewhere across the bar.
I follow the heat crawling up my neck and lock eyes with... him.
He's leaning against the VIP rail like he owns the building. Dark suit, black shirt, no tie. One hand in his pocket, the other wrapped around a tumbler of something that looks expensive enough to pay rent with. Tousled hair, Jaw carved from stone and those eyes…
He's watching me. No, devouring me with his eyes.
I blink and look away.
Charlotte sees my reaction. "Who is he?"
"I don't know," I say too quickly. "And I don't care."
"You so care."
"Shut up."
Charlotte nudges me, squealing. "He's been looking at you for like five minutes!"
I snap my gaze away. "He's probably looking at the bottle service girls."
"Girl. He's eye-fucking you and your little dress." She downs her tequila. "Okay, new game. Dare."
"Absolutely not."
"I dare you to flirt with him."
I nearly choke. "What?"
"Go up there. Hit him with a line. Something bold. Make me proud."
"I don't flirt."
"Exactly. That's why this'll be iconic." Her grin goes feral. "Come on, Elena. Just one line."
"No"
"Do it, or I post that video of you singing Taylor Swift in a unicorn onesie."
I narrow my eyes. "You wouldn't."
"Watch me."
I groan. "You're evil."
"And you're about to be legend. Go."
The alcohol warms my chest and suddenly my legs have a mind of their own. Before I can change my mind, I cross the room, knowing I have absolutely no business walking up to a man like him.
He watches me come. And damn, it's like he's dragging his gaze over every inch of me. Not crude, not lazily, but Like a lion studying prey.
He doesn't speak, doesn't even blink.
With my heart beating fast, I stop in front of him, tilt my head, and say,
"Are you always this obvious when you undress women with your eyes, or am I just special?"
Silence. Then a slow dangerous smile.
"Depends. Are you always this bold with strangers?"
I let out a soft laugh, amused.
"Only handsome, dangerous looking ones, I guess"
"A compliment?" he smirks "well I stare when something's worth looking at."
I laugh softly, folding my arms as I study him. "That line usually works?"
"I don't usually need one," he says smoothly. "But you looked like someone who'd make me work for it."
"Well, you're not wrong." I resist the urge to smile.
"But you should know..." he murmurs, lifting his glass. "I'm better with my hands than my words."
"Trying to impress me?" I ask, leaning in just enough to make him look.
"No," he says, gaze flicking to my mouth. "Just warning you."
I pretend to consider him, then glance over my shoulder toward Charlotte, who's peeking with wide, amused eyes.
God help me. I bite my bottom lip.
Then I smirk.
"Well," I breathe, backing away slowly, "you should work on your subtlety, enjoy your night, mystery man."
And I turn on my heel, leaving him standing there, watching me walk away.
Charlotte grabs me the second I return. "OH MY GOD. Who are you and what have you done with my introverted best friend?"
I can't help the grin that spreads across my face. "I think I just flirted with danger."
"And?"
"He flirted back."
We drink some more and chat. Then Charlotte disappears to say hi to an ex she "doesn't care about" but reapplies her lipstick anyway.
"Be back in five! Don't disappear!"
But Minutes pass. Then more.
I become concerned. I glance around the club, trying to spot her. No sign of her. I go to the hallway near the VIP stairs, one wrong turn and I find myself standing in front of a black door with gold trim. A sign reads: Private Lounge.
Before I can turn back, I feel a hand on my arm. It's a bored looking bouncer.
"No access," the bouncer says.
"I'm just looking for my friend..."
"She's with me."
The voice is smooth, deep and commanding
The bouncer looks over my head, nods once. And lets me go.
I walk in and turn slowly, there he is.
The mystery man I walked away from.
He's closer now. Closer than I should let him be.
"You again," I say, breath catching.
"I was hoping you'd wander in." His eyes drop to my lips. "And here you are."
"What is this, your secret villain lair?"
He smirks. "That depends. Are you a damsel or a threat?"
I step closer. So does he. The air gets thicker.
"Maybe I'm both," I whisper.
He laughs, low and deep "God, you're something else" he suddenly looks serious again
"You shouldn't be here," he murmurs, but his eyes say the opposite.
I breathe out softly "You let me in."
"I was curious, what kind of woman drops lines like that and walks away."
I smile. "Curiosity's a dangerous thing."
"So am I." he replied.
And we're standing there. Inches apart. My pulse throbs in my throat.
I shouldn't. I really, really shouldn't.
But I do. I rise to my toes and kiss him hard
He freezes, just for a second.
Then his mouth opens under mine and everything goes up in flames.
His hands wrap around my waist, mine wrap around his neck and when he growls into my mouth like I just did something unforgivable and he loves me for it, my knees almost buckle.
I break the kiss, breathing like I ran a mile.
I must be insane. It's definitely the alcohol.
"Let's take this out of here," I whisper.
He searches my face with wild, hungry looking eyes. "Do you know what you're asking for?" his voice strained, like he was holding back.
I meet his gaze.
"Yes," I whisper. "I'd very much like to get f*cked."