Lia's small smile lingered as she followed the man out onto the balcony, the sounds of the party fading into a soft hum behind them. The night air was cool and refreshing, a welcome contrast to the stuffiness of the crowded hall.
She leaned against the railing, letting the breeze lift a strand of hair from her face, and took in the city lights stretching out beyond the estate.
The man turned to her with a lazy grin, holding out a glass filled with a dark, amber liquid. "Drink?"
Lia raised an eyebrow, but took the glass anyway. She wasn't normally one to accept drinks from strangers, but something about him made her feel unexpectedly at ease. He had an air of easy confidence that was almost contagious, and right now, it was hard not to get pulled into his orbit.
"Thanks," she murmured, lifting the glass to her lips.
The drink burned as it went down, a heat that spread from her throat to her chest. She couldn't help but scrunch her face in a wince, the taste stronger than she'd expected. He laughed, his low chuckle reverberating through the quiet night, and she felt a spark of electricity at the sound.
"Too strong?" he asked, his eyes glinting with amusement as he watched her reaction.
"Just a bit," Lia admitted, setting the glass down on the balcony's edge with a wry smile. "Guess I'm not as much of a drinker as you are."
He smirked, leaning against the railing beside her. "Not a bad thing. Keeps you sharp."
They stood in comfortable silence, the air between them charged. Lia could feel his gaze on her, lingering just a beat too long, and when she turned to meet his eyes, she saw that same hint of mischief there—a silent invitation, daring her to take one step closer.
"So," she began, her voice soft but steady, "why did you really come out here?"
He leaned in, just enough to make her heart skip. "Maybe I needed a break from all the… drama in there." His eyes flicked over her, warm and a little bit dangerous.
Lia's pulse quickened, her breath catching as the space between them shrank. He was close now, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his skin, smell the faint, intoxicating scent of his cologne mixed with the traces of alcohol on his breath. Her gaze drifted to his lips—full, tempting, and dangerously close.
Lia felt a shiver run down her spine, but she held his gaze, determined not to give away how intensely he was affecting her. There was something magnetic about him, a pull that was as maddening as it was thrilling. And when he leaned in even closer, his face just inches from hers, she felt her resolve beginning to slip.
His eyes flicked to her lips, lingering there for a long, breathless moment. Slowly, he reached up, his fingers tracing a line along her jaw. His touch was warm, gentle, yet possessive, and it made her heart race in a way she hadn't felt in a long time.
"You don't strike me as someone impulsive," he murmured, his voice barely more than a whisper, his breath hot against her skin. "But tonight… maybe just once?"
A thrill shot through her, a heady mix of anticipation and desire. She didn't answer, but her silence seemed to be all the encouragement he needed. Without another word, he closed the distance between them, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was soft at first, teasing.
But the moment she responded, tilting her head to deepen the kiss, it turned heated, full of an intensity that took her by surprise.
Lia's hands found their way to his shoulders, pulling him closer, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as his mouth moved over hers with a hunger that left her breathless.
He pressed her gently back against the railing, his hands slipping down to her waist, pulling her flush against him. She gasped softly, her body responding to his in a way that was both thrilling and unnerving. The cool night air did nothing to cool the warmth spreading through her, and when his hand found the small of her back, she arched into him, losing herself in the sensation of his body pressed against hers.
They broke apart only for a brief moment, their breathing heavy, eyes locked. She could see the desire in his gaze, raw and unfiltered, mirroring her own. It was exhilarating, this sense of abandon, of letting herself be swept up in something she couldn't control.
"Are you okay with this?" he murmured, his voice rough, barely above a whisper, as he searched her face for any hint of doubt.
Lia didn't hesitate. She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips as she reached up to pull him back to her. Their mouths met again, this time with even more urgency, as if both of them were afraid this moment would slip away if they didn't hold onto it tightly enough.
Her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer still, and his hands roamed over her back, sending sparks of electricity wherever they touched.
It was only the sound of distant laughter from the party that pulled them back to reality, and they reluctantly broke apart, breathless, eyes locked in a charged silence. Lia's heart was pounding, her cheeks flushed, and she realized she was blushing.
She'd practically had her tongue down his throat just seconds ago and now she was blushing?!?
She looked down at her feet as her ears turned red, completely lacking the boldness she'd shown moments ago.
The man's gaze softened as he looked at her, a smile tugging at his lips as he brushed a thumb over her cheek.
She took a step back, her hand still resting on his chest, and gave him a small, regretful smile. "We… we should probably get back," she murmured, though part of her didn't want to.
"Yeah, probably," he agreed, though there was a hint of reluctance in his voice.
But his hand around her waist said otherwise.