Eve's breath came in short bursts as she practically fled the ballroom, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. The rush of adrenaline that had fueled her daring stunt moments ago was gone, leaving a heady mix of embarrassment and regret in its wake.
At the grand lobby of the hotel, she paused to steady herself. The cool night air brushed against her bare back, offering a small reprieve from the heat of her flustered emotions. And then she saw him, Billy Bruce, the man she had actually hired.
He was standing there, scrolling through his phone. When he looked up, recognition flashed in his warm brown eyes, followed by a slow, familiar smile. The same smile that had once sent her teenage heart into a frenzy.
"Eve?" he asked, standing in the middle of the hotel lobby and approaching her. His voice was deeper now, but the gentle lilt of it remained unchanged.
Eve's heart squeezed painfully. Billy Bruce. The boy she had silently adored in high school, now standing before her as a man. A man she'd unwittingly hired as a date-for-rent.
"Billy," she murmured, forcing herself to meet his gaze. His features had sharpened over the years, his jawline more defined, his posture more confident. But the warmth in his eyes and the easy kindness of his smile were the same.
"I can't believe it's you," he said, his voice carrying a note of genuine surprise. His gaze swept over her, admiration flickering in his expression. "You've… changed. Not that you weren't already stunning back then, but now, wow."
Eve swallowed hard, a lump forming in her throat. She wanted to say something clever, to shrug off his compliment like it didn't affect her. But instead, her mind latched onto the bitter truth of their reunion.
"You're… doing this now?" she blurted, her voice tinged with disbelief and something else she couldn't quite name, disappointment, maybe.
Billy's smile faltered briefly, but he recovered quickly, his tone light. "Yeah, well, life's full of surprises, isn't it? It's a side gig, mostly. Pays well, and I get to meet interesting people like you."
The casual way he said it made her chest ache. The boy she remembered was bright, ambitious, and full of dreams. She couldn't reconcile that image with the man standing before her now.
"Eve," Billy said softly, stepping closer. "You look amazing. And from what I've seen online, you've done incredible things. It's… inspiring."
Her heart twisted again, but before she could respond, a shadow fell over them both.
"Eve," came a deep, commanding voice behind her.
She turned to see Arsh, his tall frame silhouetted against the glowing hotel lights. His piercing gray eyes locked onto hers, and the intensity in his gaze sent a shiver down her spine.
Without a word, Arsh stepped forward, his presence overwhelming as he reached for her wrist. His grip was firm but not rough, his touch radiating an authority she couldn't ignore.
"Come with me," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Arsh, wait—" Eve started, glancing back at Billy, whose warm smile had faded into something more guarded.
But Arsh didn't wait. With a sharp tug, he guided her away, leaving Billy standing alone as they disappeared back into the glowing facade of the hotel.
Eve's pulse raced, her mind spinning with conflicting emotions. As Arsh led her into the depths of the ballroom once more, one thought stood out amidst the chaos, she wasn't sure whether she was angry, relieved, or just completely and utterly out of her depth.
Arsh led Eve through the luxurious corridors of the hotel, his grip unrelenting on her wrist. The click of her heels echoed in the quiet hall, matching the erratic rhythm of her heartbeat. She wasn't sure where he was taking her, but the determined set of his jaw and the fire blazing in his silver eyes warned her not to push him further, at least not yet.
When they reached a grand suite at the end of the hall, Arsh swiped his keycard and pushed the door open, dragging Eve inside without hesitation. The room was a masterpiece of opulence. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city lights, and sleek, modern furniture exuded understated wealth.
But Eve barely had time to take it in before Arsh released her wrist, only to shove her backward onto the king-sized bed. The plush mattress absorbed her fall, but the suddenness of the act left her breathless.
"What are you doing?" she snapped, her voice trembling despite her attempt to sound firm.
Arsh stepped closer, his towering frame casting a shadow over her. He tilted his head, a mocking smirk playing on his lips. "What does it look like I'm doing?"
Eve scrambled to sit up, her heart hammering in her chest. "You're insane! Let me go, or I swear I'll—"
"Swear you'll what?" he interrupted, his voice low and taunting. He leaned in, his hands planted on either side of her, caging her in. "Scream? Call for help? Tell them how you dragged me into your little scheme tonight? I'm sure that will go over well."
Her lips parted, but no words came out. The arrogance in his tone, the predatory gleam in his eyes. It unnerved her in a way she didn't want to admit.
"What do you want from me?" she demanded, her voice finally steadying.
Arsh chuckled darkly, his breath fanning against her cheek as he leaned closer. "Oh, Eve," he murmured, his voice a silken threat. "You dragged me into this mess, humiliated me in front of a hundred people, and now you ask what I want?"
He reached out, his fingers tracing a deliberate path along her jawline, making her flinch. "I think you already know the answer."
Her breath hitched, and anger flared in her chest, momentarily eclipsing her fear. She slapped his hand away, her brown eyes blazing with defiance. "Get your hands off me, you—"
But before she could finish, Arsh's laughter filled the room, rich and low. "You were so bold earlier, Eve. So commanding. Now you're trembling. Where's that confidence you were flaunting?"
She glared at him, her hands curling into fists. "I'm not afraid of you."
"Oh, but you are," he said smoothly, his hand brushing over her shoulder, trailing down her arm. "I can see it in your eyes. And you know what? I'm enjoying every second of it."
Eve's cheeks flushed with a mix of fury and humiliation. "Stop this," she hissed.
Arsh straightened slightly, his smirk widening. "Why? Isn't this what you wanted? I mean, you hired me, didn't you? And I have to say, I'm not cheap. This." He gestured between them. "is part of the service, isn't it?"