The music throbbed through the walls of the club like a second heartbeat. Lights strobed across the crowd, bodies pressed together in an endless wave of perfume, sweat, and liquor. It wasn't just any club; it was the club, owned by one of the wealthiest men in the city. Getting inside was almost impossible unless you knew the right people, but tonight Sara had been dragged in by Nora, her party-obsessed best friend.
"Ahh, my head is spinning, I can't see straight," Nora slurred, leaning heavily against Sara's shoulder.
Sara sighed, already regretting saying yes. "Didn't I tell you not to drink so much?"
"I'm sorry, darling…" Nora giggled, her words slurring together as her hand clutched Sara's arm for balance. "I just can't help it when the drinks keep calling my name. Please help me. Take me somewhere out of this crowd."
Before Sara could respond, Nora practically collapsed against her, forcing her to hold the girl up. Sara rolled her eyes but tightened her grip, guiding her friend through the pulsing mass of people.
It felt impossible to breathe with the music pounding this hard, the air thick with sweat and smoke. "Alright, alright," Sara muttered, half-carrying Nora as she looked around for somewhere quiet. "Let's find an empty room."
She spotted a side corridor that led away from the main dance floor. With some effort, she guided Nora toward a plush leather sofa in the corner. "Sit here," Sara ordered softly, easing her friend down. "Stay put. I'll check for an empty room."
Nora's head flopped against the armrest, her lips moving wordlessly. Sara rubbed her temple. "Unbelievable."
Turning away, she reached for the nearest door handle. The bass from the main room seemed to dull the second she twisted it open—
And froze.
"Ahh, yes… faster—fuck—harder!" A woman's voice moaned from inside, high-pitched and breathless.
Sara's eyes widened as her body went rigid. She had opened the wrong door.
The scene in front of her hit like a punch. Her man. Her secret, obsessive crush. The man every girl whispered about in hallways, on social media, even in her own daydreams.
Kairo.
Her heart leapt into her throat. He was there, naked, shameless, his body moving with effortless arrogance. His back was smooth muscle and tattoos, his dark hair damp with sweat. Sara's cheeks flamed red instantly.
The girl beneath him suddenly caught sight of her, shrieking. "Hey, you! What are you doing here?"
Sara stumbled backward, hands shaking. She wanted to shut the door and run, but then he looked up.
Kairo.
Those sharp eyes found hers like a spotlight. He didn't flinch. Didn't cover himself. He just stared at her with that wicked, unbothered expression like she was an insect, or worse, entertainment.
Sara's knees nearly gave out. She turned, fumbling, "S-sorry! I didn't—"
"Hey. You." His voice cut through the room like a whip. "Stop."
She froze. Her lungs forgot how to work.
Slowly, Kairo pushed himself up. He didn't bother reaching for clothes or even a sheet. His naked body gleamed under the dim club lights, and Sara's face burned so hot it hurt. She couldn't stop herself; her eyes flicked downward.
God.
A bolt of heat rushed through her stomach, pooling low in her core. She cursed herself silently, trying to look away, but he noticed. Of course, he noticed.
Kairo glanced down at himself, then back at her, a slow smirk spreading across his lips. "Like what you see?"
Sara's throat closed. Her voice betrayed her, soft and shaky: "I—I should go."
But he stepped closer, unhurried, predatory. "Wanna join?" His words dripped with mockery, yet there was a dangerous edge in the way his gaze lingered on her.
Sara's chest rose and fell too quickly, her hands fumbling for the doorframe. Her whole body buzzed with shame, heat, and something darker she refused to name. She couldn't take it, she bolted.
"Stop, hey!" Kairo's voice followed her down the hall, casual, amused. "At least get me a glass of wine—"
But she was gone, heart slamming against her ribs, breath coming out in gasps.
Behind him, the girl whined, tugging his arm. "Kairo… why did you stop? Come back, please. Don't leave me hanging."
He turned back to her lazily, the smirk never leaving his face. "Relax, baby. Of course I'll continue."
And just like that, he dropped back down, smirking at her, as he grabbed her chest, his attention gone as quickly as it had come.
Outside, Sara pressed herself against the wall, cheeks flushed, her pulse wild. Her lips trembled as she whispered under her breath, "Damn… is he even real? Fuck… I'm losing it."
Her body still shook when she heard Nora's distant, drunken voice. "Sara? Where are you? Don't leave meee."
Sara groaned, shoving her hair back from her face. "Damn it, Nora…"
Dragging herself back to her friend, she found her sprawled across the couch, one heel kicked off, head lolling to the side. Sara sighed and crouched down. "You're lucky I love you."
She lifted Nora's arm across her shoulder and hauled her up, ignoring her own trembling legs. As she carried her deeper into the hallway, searching for a different room, her mind refused to settle.
Kairo's eyes. His smirk. His voice. His shameless body.
Every detail burned against her skin like fire.
And no matter how hard she tried to shake it, the truth was undeniable.
Sara was hooked