The next day, Mia woke up with the taste of Adrian still lingering in her mouth.
It was ridiculous.
A kiss. That was all it was.
Just a kiss.
And yet her body felt like it had been on fire all night.
She sat on the edge of her bed and stared at the ceiling, trying to convince herself she wasn't falling for him.
She wasn't.
She couldn't be.
Not after everything she'd been through.
But the truth was... she wanted him.
And that scared her.
She got ready for work, trying to act normal, but her mind kept drifting back to his touch. His voice. His eyes.
The way he looked at her like she mattered.
That was the dangerous part.
Mia had always believed she didn't deserve to matter.
So when someone looked at her like she did, she wanted to run.
But she didn't.
Because she didn't know how to stop.
⸻
The Meeting
Mia arrived at the fashion studio late, as usual.
Her boss, Mrs. Carrington, glared at her from across the room.
"Ms. Hart," she snapped. "I need that dress sample finished today. No excuses."
Mia nodded, trying not to show how tired she felt.
"Yes, ma'am."
Mrs. Carrington turned and walked away, already speaking to someone else.
Mia sighed and sat at her desk.
She started working on the design, her hands moving automatically, her mind elsewhere.
Then her phone buzzed.
Unknown Number:
Are you free tonight?
Mia's heart skipped.
She stared at the message for a moment before replying.
Mia:
Who is this?
The response came almost instantly.
Unknown Number:
Adrian. You don't have to pretend you don't know me.
Mia's fingers trembled.
She didn't know why, but the message made her feel both excited and scared.
She typed back.
Mia:
What do you want?
Adrian:
To see you. Tonight. At the lounge.
Mia's eyes widened.
The lounge.
The same place he owned.
The place where she had first met him.
She stared at the message for a long time, her mind racing.
She didn't want to go.
But she wanted to.
She felt her heart beat faster.
She didn't know why she was still allowing him into her life.
But she was.
And she couldn't deny it.
⸻
The Decision
That night, Mia stood in front of her mirror, staring at her reflection.
She wore a simple black dress, one that hugged her curves but didn't show too much. She wanted to look good without looking like she was trying.
She didn't want to be "the girl who needed a man."
But she also didn't want to deny the truth.
She wanted him.
She sighed and picked up her phone.
Mia:
Okay. I'll come.
She stared at the message, feeling her stomach twist.
She didn't know what she was getting herself into.
But she couldn't stop now.
She stepped out into the night and made her way to the lounge.
⸻
The Lounge
The lounge was quiet when she arrived.
It was dimly lit, with soft music playing in the background. The atmosphere felt expensive and calm.
Mia felt a shiver.
She wasn't used to this kind of luxury.
She wasn't used to being in a place where everything was controlled and perfect.
She walked to the bar and waited.
Then she saw him.
Adrian was standing near a corner table, leaning casually against the wall. He looked as calm as ever, but there was something different about him.
He looked... tense.
He wasn't smiling like he usually did.
His eyes were fixed on her as she walked closer.
"Mia," he said softly.
"Hi," she replied, trying to sound normal.
He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"Sit," he said.
Mia hesitated, then sat across from him.
Adrian ordered a drink for her without asking.
The silence between them was heavy.
Finally, he spoke.
"You didn't have to come," he said.
Mia looked up. "I wanted to."
Adrian's expression softened.
"You're dangerous," he said quietly.
Mia frowned. "I'm not the one who's dangerous."
He leaned forward, his eyes locked on hers.
"You don't understand," he whispered. "I'm not like other men. I don't play games."
Mia's heart beat faster.
"What are you then?" she asked.
Adrian's voice dropped.
"I'm the kind of man who wants what he can't have."
Mia felt heat rise in her cheeks.
She looked down.
"I don't want to be your obsession," she said.
Adrian's eyes softened.
"I'm not obsessed," he said.
Mia looked up. "Then what are you?"
He leaned closer.
"I'm in love," he whispered.
Mia froze.
She didn't know how to react.
She didn't know if she should believe him.
She didn't know if she should run.
But she didn't.
She just stared at him.
⸻
The Moment
Adrian reached out and gently took her hand.
His touch was warm, gentle, and real.
Mia felt her heart race.
"I don't want to hurt you," he said softly.
Mia swallowed. "You already did."
Adrian's eyes widened.
Mia looked away.
"I shouldn't be here," she whispered. "I shouldn't let you in."
Adrian squeezed her hand. "Then don't let me in."
Mia turned back to him.
"But I already have," she said.
Adrian's expression softened.
"You don't know how long I've waited," he said quietly.
Mia's eyes widened. "Waited for what?"
Adrian's gaze dropped to her lips.
"To feel something real," he whispered.
Mia's heart trembled.
She didn't know what to say.
Adrian leaned closer, his lips inches from hers.
"I want you," he whispered.
Mia felt her body respond.
She didn't know why.
But she did.
She wanted him too.
The longing in her chest was too strong to ignore.
Before she could stop herself, she leaned in.
Their lips met in a kiss that was deep and full of emotion.
It wasn't rough.
It wasn't rushed.
It was like they were both trying to prove something to each other.
Mia wrapped her arms around his neck.
She felt his hands slide gently down her back, pulling her closer.
The kiss lasted for what felt like forever.
When they finally broke apart, Mia's breath was shaky.
Adrian looked at her with such intensity that she felt her knees weaken.
"You're beautiful," he whispered.
Mia felt her cheeks burn.
"Stop," she whispered.
Adrian smiled softly. "Stop what?"
Mia looked down. "Stop making me feel things I shouldn't feel."
Adrian's expression turned serious.
"Then don't fight it," he whispered.
Mia shook her head. "I can't."
Adrian leaned in again, his voice low.
"I'll be gentle," he said. "I promise."
Mia stared at him.
She didn't know if she believed him.
But she wanted to.
⸻
The Secret
They stayed in the lounge for hours, talking.
It was the first time Mia felt like she could breathe around someone.
She talked about her past. Not all of it, but enough.
Adrian listened.
He didn't interrupt.
He didn't judge.
He just listened.
And that was the most intimate thing anyone had done for her in years.
When she finally finished, Adrian looked at her with a strange expression.
"You're not like the other women," he said softly.
Mia nodded.
"I know," she said.
Adrian leaned back in his chair, his eyes distant.
"Mia," he said quietly. "There's something I need to tell you."
Mia's heart skipped.
"What is it?" she asked.
Adrian hesitated.
He looked like he was struggling with something.
Then he spoke.
"I have enemies," he said.
Mia's eyes widened. "What kind of enemies?"
Adrian looked down, his voice dropping.
"The kind that don't like it when I'm happy," he said.
Mia frowned. "Why would they care about your happiness?"
Adrian's eyes met hers.
"Because I'm not supposed to be happy," he whispered. "Not with you."
Mia felt a chill.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
Adrian's expression hardened.
"I mean there are people who want to destroy me," he said. "And they'll use anything to get to me."
Mia's heart raced.
"Is that why you brought me here?" she asked.
Adrian shook his head.
"No," he said softly. "I brought you here because I wanted to show you that I'm real."
Mia stared at him.
Adrian leaned forward, his voice low.
"And I want you to know," he said, "that I'm not going to let anyone hurt you."
Mia's eyes filled with tears.
She didn't know why.
She didn't know if she trusted him.
But she felt something inside her soften.
Something that had been hardened for years.
Adrian reached out and gently wiped her tears away.
"You don't have to be afraid," he whispered.
Mia looked at him, her eyes full of emotion.
"I'm afraid," she admitted.
Adrian nodded.
"I know," he said.
He pulled her close again.
And this time, when he kissed her, it felt like he was promising her something.
A future.
A life.
A love.