The courtyard pulsed with music and soft golden light and then she walked in.
Her mask came first into view, black and gold filigree catching the fairy lights, a small crimson stone winking with each step. Below it, the off-shoulder wine-red silk clung to her just enough to make every glance linger.
Junaid was mid-sip when he saw her. His hand stilled on the glass, eyes narrowing just slightly. She has no idea what she's walking into, he thought, but the faint curl of his lips said otherwise.Or maybe she does.
The thigh-high slit teased with every movement, revealing flashes of smooth skin that made Alzan's gaze sharpen instantly. He leaned back, masking the shift in his breathing. "That's not a dress…that's a weapon." His fingers tapped the rim of his drink, already imagining how many eyes would be on her tonight and how many he'd have to make look away.
The lace over her bodice melted into her skin in a way that demanded closeness to truly appreciate. Zain, leaning casually against the pillar, followed her every step. She's glowing tonight…no, she's baiting us. His smirk widened. Fine. Let's see who takes the first bite.
She felt their eyes before she even found them in the crowd. Heads turned as she passed, a few whispers chasing after her. One girl shot her a quick up-and-down, lips curling in quiet disdain; a guy nearby muttered something under his breath that made his friends laugh.
Simran's heart pounded, but her chin stayed high. The mask might have covered half her face, but tonight, she wasn't hiding. Tonight, she was daring them,daring him, daring all of them to look.
The music shifted the beat slowly, the bass turning into a sultry thrum. And before she could even decide where to go next, Junaid was there. No words. Just an extended hand and a look that told her refusing wasn't really an option.
She placed her hand in his, and he pulled her into the open space with effortless confidence. His other hand slid to her lower back warm, steady guiding her closer until there was barely a whisper of air between them.
"Dangerous choice," he murmured, his voice low enough to hum against her skin. His thumb brushed the bare edge of her back where the strings of her dress criss-crossed, each movement slow, deliberate."I love making dangerous choices"she smirked
She tried to focus on the rhythm, but the way his fingers pressed then eased made the world narrow down to just them. Every turn brought her thigh grazing against his leg, the slit in her dress making the contact sharper, more electric.
Junaid's gaze never left hers, even when his mouth hovered near her ear. "Careful, Simran," he said, his breath warm against her skin. "You keep looking at me like that… someone might think you want trouble."
Her lips curved,"Maybe I want some". She let him spin her once, only to pull her back in this time closer, tighter, her heartbeat matching the slow, pulsing music.
The song ended, but he didn't step back immediately. He let the moment stretch, fingers still resting on her lower back, before finally letting her go… and walking away with that same unreadable half-smile.