The air in the club pulsed with energy, the heavy bass reverberating through the dimly lit space. Bodies swayed in rhythmic chaos under the flashing neon lights, but amidst the frenzy, one figure stood out.
Liora.
She moved with effortless seduction, her body encased in a fiery red dress that clung to every curve, the fabric shimmering under the shifting lights. The dress ended scandalously high on her thighs, revealing smooth, ivory skin that caught more than a few wandering gazes. Her chestnut curls cascaded over her bare shoulders, damp with the sheen of sweat, as she let herself drown in the music, arms raised, hips swaying.
Across the dance floor, a man had been watching her for a while now. His gaze followed her every movement, dark eyes drinking in her every sway, every tilt of her head. Slowly, he navigated through the writhing bodies, his intentions clear.
When he finally reached her, he pressed up behind her, hands confidently resting on her hips. She stiffened for half a second before, in her drunken haze, letting herself melt into the touch. The stranger took it as encouragement, turning her around to face him. His lips inched closer, his breath hot against her skin, and she, swaying, instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.
But just as he was about to claim his prize, something happened.
A forceful shove sent him staggering backward, followed by two towering men in black suits and dark sunglasses flanking him like shadows. Without a word, they seized him by the arms, their grip unyielding.
"What the hell?!" the man protested, but his struggles were pointless. Within moments, he was gone, swallowed by the crowd, leaving nothing but confusion in his wake.
Liora blinked, her inebriated mind struggling to process what had just happened. Her balance faltered without the support of the man who had just been holding her.
Before she could hit the ground, strong arms caught her, steadying her effortlessly.
Ethan.
For a split second, his expression was unreadable. Then, his brows knitted together, his eyes darkening with an emotion she couldn't quite place. He hadn't expected this—hadn't expected her to look like this. Gone was the tomboyish girl in jeans, sneakers, and a ponytail, the one always seen with a lollipop in her mouth and a mischievous glint in her eye.
No, this Liora was something else entirely. Dressed in a barely-there dress, drunk beyond reason, and reckless in ways that infuriated him.
Liora, however, only looked up at him with a lazy smile, her eyes hazy. "Mmm… you're way hotter than that other guy," she purred. "I'm in a good mood tonight. Let's go to a hotel."
Ethan's jaw clenched. "Liora," he growled, his voice low and taut with barely restrained anger.
"Ugh, stop yelling," she whined, pressing her fingers against her temple. "My head hurts."
"You need to sober up—"
Before he could finish his sentence, she did something utterly insane.
She kissed him.
His breath hitched as her lips molded against his, the taste of sweet wine mingling with the warmth of her mouth. His body stiffened in shock, every nerve alight with conflict. He should push her away. He should be furious. He should be anything but what he was in that moment—completely and utterly consumed by her.
And yet, he didn't pull away.
She clung to him, her body pressing close, her hands fisting his shirt as if anchoring herself. "Let's go," she murmured against his lips.
Ethan should have stopped her. Should have told her no.
But when she tugged him toward the exit, he let her.
---
Outside the club, Liora stumbled, her weight almost entirely leaning against him. A passing cab slowed at her drunken wave, and she all but dragged Ethan inside.
"Orton Hotel," she told the driver before slumping against Ethan's chest.
The car ride was a blur of heat and recklessness. She shifted, her fingers tracing along his collar before she pulled him into another kiss, more insistent this time. Ethan exhaled sharply, his self-control hanging by a thread.
This wasn't her.
This wasn't the Liora he knew.
The Liora he knew was strong, untouchable, never vulnerable enough to drink herself into oblivion over some bastard who never deserved her in the first place. The Liora he knew wouldn't throw herself into the arms of another man to numb the pain.
The thought sent a flash of pure anger through him.
He had watched her sacrifice too much already. Watched her put her own dreams aside to become that man's bodyguard, watched her risk her life, watched her break a little more every time she smiled through the disappointment. And now? Now she was self-destructing right in front of him, and he hated it.
She wasn't the type to beg.
But tonight, she was.
Ethan's grip on her tightened, his patience snapping. With a frustrated growl, he flipped her onto the seat, his body hovering over hers, caging her in.
"You think this will make you forget?" His voice was low, dangerous.
Liora blinked up at him, dazed.
"You think throwing yourself at someone else will make the pain go away?" he bit out, his fingers tightening around her wrist.
She didn't answer. Instead, she just looked at him, her eyes glassy, filled with something he couldn't name.
Ethan exhaled harshly. "Damn it, Liora."
Then, with all the restraint he had left, he pulled away, his hand resting against his forehead as he fought for composure.
Liora didn't protest. Maybe some part of her knew he was right.
The rest of the ride passed in silence.
When they finally arrived at the hotel, Ethan paid the driver, then, without a word, lifted Liora into his arms. She didn't struggle. Didn't say a thing. Just nestled against his chest, the fight drained from her.
He carried her through the lobby, up the elevator, and into a suite, laying her gently onto the bed.
As he turned to leave, she reached for his hand, gripping it weakly.
"Don't go," she murmured.
Ethan stood there for a long moment, watching the woman who had always been so untouchable, now looking heartbreakingly fragile.
With a quiet sigh, he sat down beside her, running a hand through his hair.
"Sleep, Liora," he whispered.
And for the first time in what felt like forever, she did.