SERAPHINE
The city was drowning in neon and rain. Streetlights reflected on wet asphalt, making the streets look like liquid fire.
I walked through the alley, heels clicking, coat tight around my shoulders.
I had a smile that could blind men, a laugh that could sell anything, and eyes that hid every broken piece of her life.
Tonight was supposed to be another party. Another meaningless distraction.
Another night where the world forgot she was grieving, forgetting, surviving.
But the universe… or maybe fate… had other plans.
From the shadow of the high-rise, he watched. Azrael Blackwood.
Always observing.
Always calculating.
He saw her stumble slightly on the slick pavement, a flash of red lipstick against the wet night.
I cursed softly, fingers tightening around my clutch.
Something in him stirred.
He stepped from the shadow. Not enough to scare me yet enough to make me freeze.
I looked up, and our eyes met.
Dark brown. Piercing. Cold.
"You shouldn't be out here alone," he said. Low. Measured. Dangerous.
I lifted an eyebrow, trying to maintain control.
"I can handle myself."
He didn't flinch.
Didn't smile.
Didn't warn.
Just stepped closer, the rain bouncing off his tailored suit. "Can you?"
My pulse quickened.
Not from fear.
From something more dangerous a recognition.
Something in his gaze that told me: he sees everything I hide, and he wants it all.
"I can," I said softly.
My voice trembled slightly, betraying my own excitement and fear.
"Good." He reached out, just brushing the tips of his fingers against my wrist. Not gentle.
Not polite.
Dominant.
Possessive.
I froze.
My breath caught.
My body reacted before my mind could.
"You have a dangerous habit," he murmured, eyes never leaving mine.
"I've been called worse," I replied, bold, teasing, trying to mask the thrill curling in my stomach.
He leaned closer, enough for me to feel his warmth, his presence overwhelming. "I don't think you understand," he said, voice like silk and steel.
"I take what I want."
I swallowed, heart racing.
"And what do you want?"
Instead, he stepped back, just slightly, letting the tension linger in the air like smoke. He turned, disappearing into the shadows of the alley, leaving me with a pulse that screamed and a mind that couldn't stop thinking about him.
And in that moment, something dangerous sparked between us a tension neither could ignore.