"Ah—!"
Pain shot from the tip of Evelyn's nose straight to her eyes. Tears sprang up instantly, shimmering at her lashes.
She had never tolerated pain well—not even as a child—and the sharp sting made her suck in a breath.
Dazed, clutching her nose, she looked up through watery eyes.
She had run straight into a man's chest.
He stood nearly six-foot-three, wrapped in a black luxury brand suit that fit him like a second skin. The third button of his shirt was casually undone, revealing the faint outline of powerful muscle beneath—just enough to stir dangerous speculation.
Evelyn was small-boned to begin with. Standing in front of him now, she seemed even more petite—soft, delicate, almost unfinished. Even on her toes, she would barely reach his chin. A fragile little thing in white.
For a moment, she forgot the pain in her nose.
All she could hear was her heartbeat—wild and frantic.
She had seen handsome men before. Actors. Runway models. Social media darlings sculpted to perfection.
But never... Never a man like this.
There was something arresting about him. Raw. Untamed. Not polished beauty—but dangerous allure.
Her knees nearly gave out.
And his chest... God. It had felt like striking solid stone. The impact still left her slightly dizzy.
"I think that's enough staring." His voice dropped low as he stepped closer.
The scent of cedarwood and tobacco wrapped around her, warm breath brushing faintly against her ear.
Every alarm bell in her head went off.
The silly flutter of infatuation vanished under a wave of instinctive fear.
She lowered her gaze immediately. "S-sorry…"
She didn't dare look at him again. Sidestepping quickly, she gathered her skirt and fled down the path in a small, hurried run.
Only after her slender silhouette disappeared beyond the trees did Ares Gabriel slowly withdraw his gaze.
He remained where he was, brows faintly furrowed.
The sensation of soft warmth colliding into him lingered vividly—especially that strange, faint sweetness clinging to her skin.
Almost involuntarily, his eyes dropped to his trousers.
"…Fuck."
Jaw tightening, he turned and walked off, irritation rolling off him in waves.
***
Evelyn ran all the way back to the poolside and dropped into her seat beside Chloe, who was deep in flirtation with yet another handsome stranger.
She grabbed her unfinished champagne and took a long gulp. The cold liquid slid down her throat, cooling the frantic pounding of her heart—at least a little.
"Chloe!" she hissed, leaning in, eyes bright with excitement. "I just saw the most ridiculously gorgeous man."
"Oh my God—where?" Chloe perked up instantly.
"On the little path over there…" Evelyn was still rubbing her tender nose, her cheeks faintly flushed. "I accidentally ran straight into him! Chloe, his chest... It was so hard! Like actual stone! I swear he almost broke my nose!"
She complained dramatically, but her eyes sparkled.
"But he was so handsome. The kind that makes your legs weak. And so wild. I love that. I seriously want to sleep with him now. If only... I knew who he was."
Three emphatic declarations in a row—she was practically glowing.
Chloe's eyes widened, scandalized and thrilled. She had never heard the pampered heiress praise a man like this before.
"Are you serious? Who is he? What's his name? Did you at least get his number?"
"I don't know…" Evelyn shook her head.
The memory of those icy blue eyes surfaced—and with it, a flicker of lingering fear. She shrank slightly, lowering her voice.
"He looked older. And his presence was… intense. His eyes were terrifying. He scared me to death."
She tipped back the rest of her champagne in one go, as if washing down the memory.
Without sparing another glance at the two men still hovering nearby with raised glasses, she stood abruptly.
"Let's go."
Chloe grabbed her clutch and hurried after her.