The hotel room was dimly lit, the only sound the soft rustle of curtains swaying in the night breeze. Moonlight spilled through the tall windows, washing the king-sized bed in a pale, silver glow. The air carried the scent of fresh linen mingled with faint perfume and wine.
A young woman stumbled toward the bed, disheveled and clearly intoxicated. Her heels tapped unevenly against the carpet before she collapsed onto the mattress, wrapping herself in the plush blanket with a soft, satisfied sigh.
"So warm…" she murmured, her voice drowsy.
Her black hair fanned across the pillows, slightly damp, strands clinging to her flushed cheeks. Even in her drunken haze, she was breathtaking — delicate features softened by sleep, lips parted as if mid-thought.
The bathroom door opened with a quiet click.
A man stepped out.
The crisp scent of mint followed him, faintly layered with wine. Moonlight traced the contours of his body, gliding over broad shoulders and down the hard planes of his chest. Droplets of water slid along his skin before disappearing into the white towel secured at his waist.
His dark eyes settled on the woman.
Cold. Assessing. Unreadable.
He moved toward the bed with measured steps, silent and deliberate, like a predator approaching something already caught.
He stopped beside her and leaned down slightly. His shadow swallowed her delicate frame.
"Interesting." His voice was low, calm — almost amused.
A faint smirk curved his lips.
The woman stirred, her brows knitting slightly. The scent of alcohol clung to her skin. A bead of water slipped from his damp hair and landed on her cheek.
She flinched at the sudden coolness. Her lashes trembled before her eyes slowly opened.
For a brief second, their gazes locked.
Hers — blurred, confused, unfocused.
His — sharp. Intense. Calculating.
She tried to speak, but her words melted together, lost in intoxicated incoherence.
His stare didn't soften.
If anything, it deepened.
Slowly, he lifted a hand and brushed his fingers along the curve of her cheek. A visible shiver ran through her body. Instinctively, she leaned into the warmth of his touch.
A dangerous flicker passed through his eyes.
"I don't see a reason to hold back," he whispered.