The moment she slipped from his arms, Adrian knew he wasn't done with her.
She was a ghost wrapped in silk, a whisper of something dangerous, and yet, she had danced with him like she belonged to him. Like she wanted to be caught.
So when she walked away, he followed.
Valeria moved like liquid shadow, her steps slow, deliberate, weaving through the elite with effortless grace. The slit of her dress parted just enough to tease him with glimpses of smooth, toned skin. The sway of her hips wasn't exaggerated, wasn't for show—but it was lethal nonetheless.
She knew he was watching.
She reached the bar and trailed a single finger over the rim of an untouched glass. She didn't look back, but Adrian knew better. She was testing him.
He welcomed the challenge.
Closing the distance, he stepped beside her, his presence a silent demand. Without hesitation, he signaled the bartender. "A drink for the lady."
The corner of her lips curled as she turned toward him, amusement flickering in the depths of her gaze. "Are you always this generous with strangers?"
"Only when they interest me," Adrian said smoothly.
Her dark lashes lowered slightly, her gaze dipping to his lips for just a second—just long enough for him to notice. She was measuring him, pushing the limits, seeing how far she could go before he snapped.
The bartender placed a glass between them. Adrian lifted it, tilting it slightly in offering.
Valeria didn't take it immediately. Instead, she reached forward slowly, letting her fingers brush his in a deliberate caress before wrapping them around the glass. A slow, teasing sip—her lips grazing the rim with purpose, her throat moving as she swallowed.
Then, setting the drink down, she murmured, "Interesting."
Valeria"She whispered her name in his ears,as if sharing a secret . He smirked ,his gaze following her as she walked pass him.
And just like that, she turned as if to leave.
Adrian barely had a second to react before he felt it—a shift behind him, a whisper of silk, the barest touch against his jaw—then nothing.
His mask.
His fingers twitched at his sides, his muscles locking as cool air brushed against his exposed skin.
A soft chuckle, rich and knowing, met his ears.
"Much better," Valeria purred.
She was walking away, not rushing, not running—walking. As if she had already won.
Adrian smirked.
Not so fast, kotyonok.
With a swift, precise movement, he caught her.
An arm wrapped around her waist, drawing her back against him, pressing her curves flush against his chest. She inhaled sharply—not in fear, but in something closer to exhilaration.
Her perfume curled around him, dark and rich, tinged with jasmine and a hint of something he couldn't quite place. His fingers grazed the silk of her dress, then lower, to the bare skin just above the slit at her hip.
"Stealing from me, Valeria?" His voice was low, teasing, but there was an unmistakable warning beneath it.
She exhaled a slow, unbothered breath, tilting her head just enough that the curve of her throat hovered near his lips. "I was only returning the favor," she murmured.
Adrian chuckled darkly. His hand traced higher, fingers skating along the ridges of her spine, to the nape of her neck, before finding the silk ties of her mask.
She went utterly still.
Not in fear—never in fear.
But anticipation.
He didn't turn her. He didn't need to.
Instead, he let his fingers slip beneath the ties, teasing, testing, waiting.
Her breath hitched.
"Turnabout is fair play, no?" he murmured, his lips brushing just barely against the shell of her ear.
A soft hum vibrated in her throat, but she didn't pull away.
Adrian dragged the moment out, savoring it. He let his fingers graze her skin, feel the rapid beat of her pulse beneath them before giving the ties a slow, deliberate tug.
The mask loosened.
Valeria let out a slow, steady breath.
Then, just as he was about to pull it free, she moved.
She turned her head ever so slightly, her lips nearly grazing the curve of his jaw.
And whispered—
"Valeria."
Adrian's fingers faltered for just a second.
Then, with agonizing slowness, he pulled her mask free.
The silk slid away, falling silently onto the bar counter beside them.
He didn't turn her. Didn't see her face.
But he felt her.
Her breath warm against his neck. The way her body pressed against his as if she was waiting for something, daring him to act.
His grip on her waist tightened. "You shouldn't have done that, kotyonok."
Her smile was evident in her voice. "And yet, here we are."
His fingers flexed against her bare skin. He could end this game right now—turn her, see her, strip her of her anonymity just as she had done to him.
But he didn't.
Instead, he leaned in, his mouth ghosting over the hollow of her throat, so close she could feel the heat of him. "Tell me," he murmured, voice dark and dangerous, "do you always play games with men who could ruin you?"
Valeria let out a soft, breathy laugh. "Do you?"
His smirk was slow, calculated. "I don't play."
Her head tilted slightly, the barest challenge in the motion. "Then what do you call this?"
Adrian's fingers trailed down her spine, slow, deliberate. "A warning."
Her pulse fluttered beneath his touch, but she didn't step away. If anything, she leaned into him, her voice barely above a whisper. "And if I don't heed it?"
His lips curved against her ear. "Then you'll find out exactly how dangerous I can be."
The air between them thickened.