Melissa stood in front of the dressing mirror, her fingers lightly grazing the edge of her ring. She was still in her wedding dress, its white fabric glimmering under the soft light, when she heard the sound of heavy footsteps approaching. Her heart stilled for a moment before the door suddenly swung open, crashing against the wall with a loud thud. Startled, Melissa turned, her pulse quickening with worry.
Hayden stormed into the room, his presence filling the space as he left the door wide open behind him. Without acknowledging her, he marched straight to his own mirror, his expression dark and his movements sharp. Melissa stood frozen, watching as he yanked off his tie and threw it carelessly to the floor. With barely a pause, his fingers moved to his white shirt, unbuttoning it one by one, his frustration palpable.
"I have three rules," he said, his voice authoritative, cutting through the tense air. "Rule number one... never enter my room without my permission."
He turned toward Melissa as he finished speaking, the final button of his shirt undone. Her gaze, despite the tension, was irresistibly drawn to him. His shirt shifted slightly, revealing the hard lines of his abs, defined and toned, as though carved from marble. Her breath caught, and though she willed herself not to stare, she couldn't help it. There was something magnetic about the way his body moved, each muscle rippling with restrained power.
A warmth spread through her, instinctive and undeniable, making her heart race in a way she hadn't anticipated. She swallowed hard, fighting to keep her composure, but inside, a rush of emotions surged through her—admiration, desire, and something else she couldn't quite place. It was impossible to ignore the quiet confidence that radiated from him, the strength that seemed to pulse just beneath his skin.
For a brief, dangerous moment, she wondered what it might feel like to touch him, to run her fingers over the smooth, firm skin of his chest, tracing the hard lines of his body. The thought sent a flush of heat to her cheeks, and she quickly tried to push it away. This wasn't the time, nor the place, for such thoughts, but the image of him lingered in her mind, leaving her flustered and unsure.