The wedding hall shimmered with crystal chandeliers, the air heavy with perfume and laughter. Jenny's heart thudded against her ribs as she entered, her dress flowing softly around her. She had told herself this was just another event-but knowing Adrian would be here made her stomach twist with anticipation.
Across the room, Adrian stood near the upper balcony, scanning the crowd with his usual cool detachment. His gaze froze the moment he saw her. Jenny moved gracefully through the hall, the soft fabric of her dress brushing her legs as she walked, catching the light in a way that made her glow. Her hair fell in gentle waves around her shoulders, framing her delicate face, her wide, luminous eyes reflecting both innocence and an undeniable spark of allure.
Every step she took seemed effortless, yet every subtle movement-how she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, how her lips curved in a quiet, shy smile-made her intoxicatingly beautiful. There was something impossible about her: the way her soft, innocent aura seemed to pull at him, while the faint, natural curve of her body hinted at a subtle, undeniable sensuality that set his blood on fire.
The memory of her trembling against his chest that night surged vividly in his mind. She looked impossibly soft, impossibly tempting, and the fire in his chest roared to life. Desire, anger, and longing twisted together, and for a heartbeat, Adrian felt as if the world had narrowed down to just her-the soft, radiant, and utterly irresistible Jenny.
Marie leaned closer, her hand brushing against Jenny's arm. "He's here. Just... stay calm, okay?"
Jenny swallowed hard, her eyes flicking toward Adrian across the room. "Calm? How am I supposed to stay calm?" she whispered, voice trembling. "Even from here... he's... he's impossible to ignore."
Marie chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Impossible? Jenny, he's Adrian. Dangerous, arrogant, and infuriatingly attractive. You know that. But... you also know he's trouble."
Jenny's lips pressed together, her cheeks warming. "I know. I can't stop looking at him. It's like... every time he's near, my whole body just... reacts. I hate that I feel this way."
Marie nudged her again, smirking. "Ah, come on. You've been crushing on him since junior high. And now that he's here... don't tell me you don't want him to notice you."
Jenny shook her head quickly, almost laughing nervously. "Notice me? Marie... he probably still hates me from that night. He probably thinks I'm reckless, childish... pathetic even."
Marie raised an eyebrow. "Or maybe... just maybe, he's intrigued. You've always had a way of getting under his skin."
Jenny sighed, a mixture of longing and worry in her voice. "Under his skin... I'm already under it. I just... I just wish I could reach him without falling apart every time he looks at me."
Marie smiled softly, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Then tonight... just breathe. Be yourself. And if he notices, well... maybe it's worth it."
Jenny nodded, trying to steady her racing heart, though every glance toward Adrian made it thud harder against her ribs.
She reached the bar, trying to steady her nerves. But instead felt his gaze like a physical weight, heavy, demanding. Her breath caught when he stepped closer, his eyes locking onto hers.
"You shouldn't be here." he said, voice low, controlled but barely.
Her lips trembled. "I... I came here to accompany Marie," she admitted, the words almost a whisper.
He stepped closer, closing the distance between them, the heat from his body washing over her. So soft... so impossibly soft, he thought, his pulse hammering. He wanted to touch her, to press his lips to hers, to feel her shiver under his control.
"You're reckless," he muttered, his hand brushing a strand of hair from her face, though only briefly. "Do you think I'm a fool? I don't understand why you're here. This is Marie's family-she doesn't need anyone to accompany her."
Jenny stepped closer, undeterred by his stern tone, her eyes locking onto his. "Maybe I want to be here," she murmured, her voice low and breathless, "with you... not them."
Her warmth brushed against him as she leaned slightly forward, just enough for him to feel the soft curve of her body. The faint scent of her perfume, the subtle tremor in her lips, the way her hair fell over her shoulders-it ignited something dangerous in him.
Adrian's jaw tightened, his hands clenching at his sides. He wanted to pull her into his arms, to feel her soft body against his, to taste the temptation lingering in her bold, teasing stare-but he forced himself to step back, every nerve screaming against restraint.
Jenny's lips curved into a small, daring smile. "You look tense," she teased softly, tilting her head. "Is it me... or are you just pretending to be calm?"
Adrian's dark eyes narrowed, every instinct screaming. He wanted to reach out, to press her against him, to feel the soft warmth of her body beneath his hands. Yet he forced himself to step back, his chest heaving with suppressed desire.
"Adrian... you don't have to fight it," she whispered, her voice low, teasing, and utterly intoxicating. "I'm right here. You know you want me."
"Stop," he growled, his voice hoarse, every muscle aching to disobey. "I know what you're trying to do... and I won't fall for it."
Jenny's chest tightened, sadness pressing on her heart, but she refused to lose hope. She took a small, steadying step forward, her fingers trembling as she reached for his chest, pressing her hand against him. "Adrian... please," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I can't hide it anymore. I love you... I've loved you forever. Please... don't push me away."
Adrian's jaw tightened, his dark eyes flashing with a mix of anger and desire. "You're shameless," he spat, his voice low and sharp. "Do you even understand what you're doing to me? You think I'm some fool who'll fall for this?"
Jenny's lips quivered, but she stepped closer, desperation burning in her eyes. "I've wanted you since I first understood what love was... I've tried so hard to forget you, but my heart hasn't changed! Please... I just want to be yours. Take me!"
He stepped closer, dark heat radiating from him, and brushed her lips with his hot, trembling fingers. "You think you can handle me? You think you know what it means to be mine? You don't... and you'll regret it if you ever find out."
He took another step closer, the heat radiating from him almost unbearable. His dark eyes locked onto hers, every muscle taut with desire. He brushed another stray strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering just enough to make her shiver, trailing along her jaw, down her neck, and along the curve of her shoulders.
"I won't be gentle with you," he murmured, his voice low, husky, and intoxicating. "I'll make you feel every inch of me... every heartbeat, every touch. You'll tremble, begging me to stop..." His lips brushed hers in a fleeting, almost teasing touch. "...but I won't. Not until it's just us, lost in this fire, and nothing else exists."
Jenny's breath hitched, her fingers tangling in the fabric of his shirt. "Adrian... please..." she whispered, voice trembling, desperate.
He leaned even closer, the scent of him, the warmth of his body, the dark intensity in his eyes-it was all-consuming. "Please?" he echoed, a low growl escaping him, almost mocking, almost teasing. "You're tempting me too much, Jenny. And I'm warning you... I don't play gentle games."
Her chest pressed closer, every nerve alive, every glance a silent surrender. The tension between them was electric, charged with desire and danger, leaving neither able to think, speak, or resist.