The gala lights faded into the rearview mirror as the car pulled away from the venue. Karen sat quietly beside Alex, her fingers fiddling with the tiny clasp of her purse while her mind replayed the evening on loop.
The dance,
The kiss on her hand,
The confrontation with his ex.
It all felt like a movie. Except it wasn't.. it was real. It happened to her.
"You've been quiet," Alex said, eyes flickering toward her as the city passed by in a blur of gold and midnight blue.
Karen glanced at him. "Just thinking."
"About her?"
Karen shook her head. "No, about you."
Alex didn't respond, but the slight twitch in his jaw said more than words. After a beat, he reached across the seat and took her hand gently in his. His touch was warm, steady.
"I meant what I said," he murmured. "About not letting anyone mess with you."
Her chest tightened. "Why?"
"Because," he exhaled, "I don't like watching you hurt. And I don't like the idea of someone thinking they can talk down to you like you don't matter."
Karen's lips parted, but no words came. He made her feel… important, protected, seen.
The car came to a slow stop in front of her apartment building.
Alex stepped out first and circled to open her door before the driver could. His hand extended to her like a gentleman from another time.
Karen took it, and he didn't let go as they walked up the quiet steps.
"I'll walk you in," he said softly.
She unlocked the door, letting the warm scent of vanilla and home wrap around them as they stepped inside.
It felt strange, having him here.. this towering, cold billionaire standing in her cozy, barely-furnished apartment.
His eyes swept the space once, but he said nothing.
Karen kicked off her heels and leaned against the wall, watching him.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
"For what?"
"For tonight, for being there even if half of it was weird"She added jokingly as her throat dried up
Alex's lips curled into something almost like a smile. "Weird suits you."
She rolled her eyes, but couldn't help smiling.
"I should go," he said after a beat, but he didn't move.
Karen hesitated, then nodded. "Okay."
He turned to leave, then stopped just at the door.
"Don't wear that perfume again," he said without looking back.
"Why?" she asked with a soft laugh.
"Because I couldn't focus on anything else tonight."
The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Karen standing there, heart racing.
She curled into bed later that night, her mind a blur of stolen glances and whispered words. She buried her face into the pillow and smiled... really smiled.
She could still feel the pressure of his hand in hers. Still hear his voice.
And for the first time in a long while, she drifted to sleep not with anxiety or fear but with butterflies.