Xavier Hollingsworth stood amidst the gilded opulence of the charity ball, his suit tailored to perfection and his dark hair styled impeccably. He was used to being the center of attention, but tonight, something felt different. A presence, a gaze, caught his attention, drawing him away from the incessant chatter of the socialites surrounding him.
In the dimly lit corner of the ballroom, he spotted her. A woman, her beauty almost arresting in its intensity, her eyes alight with a spark that promised mischief and danger.
Xavier's phone chimed, drawing his attention away from the enigmatic woman for a moment. He withdrew the device from his pocket, only to find a message from Elma, his frequent sexual partner. He scowled, his interest piqued by the woman had vanished, and his irritation with Elma grew. He discarded the phone back to his pocket, its presence now an annoyance.
As he scanned the room, desperate to find the mysterious woman, he was met with only disappointment. She had disappeared as quickly as she had appeared, leaving no trace of her presence behind.Determined to drown his annoyance in alcohol, he made his way to the bar. He seated himself, the leather seat sighing beneath his weight, and caught the eye of the bartender.
"A double scotch, neat," Xavier ordered, his voice betraying the mounting agitation within him. As he awaited his drink, he stared into the mirrored surface of the bar, his thoughts fixated on the woman who had so thoroughly captured his interest.A sudden movement caught Xavier's attention as a woman slid onto the seat beside him, her scent teasing his senses. He looked up, surprised, only to find that it was her—the enigmatic woman he had been searching for. A knowing smirk played across his lips, as he basked in the delightful confusion that flitted across her face.
"Do I...know you?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of suspicion. Xavier leaned back in his seat, his expression one of languid amusement.
"Well," he drawled, his smirk deepening as he leisurely sipped his scotch,
"it's not every day that I'm stared at with such...intent." He leaned in closer, his gaze penetrating. "I can't help but wonder, what was going through your mind as you were watching me?"
The woman shifted in her seat, her lips curling into a sly smile. "Perhaps I was merely admiring your expensive suit," she teased, her eyes gleaming with mirth.
"Oh, please." Xavier scoffed, his voice low and inviting.
He chuckled, the sound deep and rumbling. "If it was my suit that captivated you, then why are you still here?" He gestured to the crowded ballroom, his eyes glittering with challenge. "I'm sure there are plenty of other well-dressed men waiting to catch your eye."
The woman laughed, a rich, throaty sound that cut through the din of the ballroom. "You're bold, I'll give you that," she said, her smile widening. "But you're also not wrong."
"So, I must ask," Xavier continued, his tone casual and deceptively nonchalant, "if it wasn't my suit that drew your attention, then what was it?"
The woman's expression turned coy, her gaze dancing across Xavier's face. "Maybe it was your arrogance," she replied, her voice husky with amusement. "Or perhaps it was your obvious self-assurance."
Xavier grinned, the gesture charming and slightly devilish.
Ivy felt the rush of heat flood through her as she fought to maintain a cool exterior. She shifted in her seat, pressing her thighs together in a desperate attempt to quell the growing heat between them. Every word Xavier spoke only served to heighten her arousal, and she cursed herself for the telltale flush that stained her cheeks.
Xavier, sensing her sudden vulnerability, leaned in closer, the scent of his cologne wrapping around her like a vice.
"Is something the matter?" he purred, his words a velvety caress against her skin.
Ivy took a deep breath, steadying herself before flashing him a sardonic grin. "Just fine, And my name is Ivy Silverman." She extended her hand, her confidence returning in a rush as she watched him take it in his own.
Xavier's grip was firm, his thumb brushing over the delicate skin of her palm in a gesture that sent a frisson of electricity up her spine.
"Ivy," he repeated, his gaze burning into hers. "It's a pleasure."
Ivy smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, the pleasure is all mine," she replied.
"My name is Xavier Hollingsworth," he said, his tone brimming with self-assurance.
"Oh, I know," Ivy replied, her voice dripping with irony. "Who wouldn't recognize the great Xavier?" She took a sip of her drink, her gaze dancing over his features. "But, you have to admit, it was rather satisfying to make you introduce yourself to me."
Xavier chuckled, his eyes glittering with amusement. "Satisfying, huh? I like a woman with confidence."
"Well, Xavier," Ivy purred, leaning in closer so that her mouth was mere inches from his ear, "I've been told that confidence is one of my more...attractive qualities." She paused, savoring the moment as his breath hitched. "But, tell me, what are your attractive qualities? Other than money, power, and a rather impressive ego."
Xavier's laugh was rich and genuine, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Now, Ivy," Xavier chided, his voice low and teasing. "Is that really the sort of thing you want to hear from me?" He leaned in closer, his breath hot against her skin. "Are you sure you're not just looking for a reason to dislike me?"
Ivy smirked, reveling in the back-and-forth they'd established. "Oh, Xavier," she murmured, "I think you'll find I don't need a reason to dislike you. That's just a bonus."
Xavier laughed, a deep, rumbling sound that reverberated in his chest.
Ivy rose to her feet, her smile enigmatic and her movements fluid as she stood. Xavier, momentarily taken aback, watched as she turned to face him, her gaze fixed on his face.
"Goodnight, Xavier," she murmured, her lips curving into a mischievous smile. "It was a pleasure." Without waiting for a reply, she leaned forward, her hair brushing against his face as she planted a delicate kiss on his cheek. Xavier caught a hint of her perfume, a tantalizing mix of jasmine and vanilla, before she turned and glided away.
He watched her retreating figure, his eyes narrowed in thought. He raised a hand to his cheek, his fingertips grazing the spot where her lips had touched his skin. His mind replayed their conversation, their verbal sparring, the charged chemistry that had crackled between them. He couldn't help but wonder if he'd just encountered a worthy adversary—or perhaps something more.
A slow smile spread across his face. "Game on, Ivy," he murmured to himself, a predatory gleam in his eyes.