Alina tried not to think about him.
She really did.
For three days, she buried herself in routine work, conversations, distractions. Anything to silence the memory of that night.
But it didn't work.
Because somehow… he lingered.
In the quiet moments.
In the spaces between her thoughts.
In the way her body still remembered how close he had been.
It was frustrating.
Annoying.
And dangerously unfamiliar.
By the fourth evening, she gave up trying.
That was how she found herself at a small, dimly lit lounge tucked away from the noise of the city. Soft music played in the background, low and seductive, blending with the quiet hum of conversations.
It was the kind of place people went to forget things.
Or to feel them more deeply.
Alina exhaled softly as she stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room not searching… just observing.
At least, that's what she told herself.
She walked toward the bar, settling onto a stool as she ordered a drink. The cool glass brushed her fingers, grounding her slightly.
For the first time that day, her mind felt… calm.
Until...
"You always choose places like this when you're trying not to think?"
Her breath caught.
That voice.
Slow.
Smooth.
Dangerously familiar.
Alina didn't turn immediately.
Didn't rush.
But her pulse had already betrayed her.
"…Or is this just coincidence?" he added.
Now she turned.
And there he was.
Lucien.
Closer than before. No shadows this time. No distance. Just him leaning casually beside her, like he had every right to be there.
Like he had always been part of her space.
Her heart skipped hard.
"You again," she said, but her voice lacked the indifference she aimed for.
His eyes held hers, steady, unreadable… yet filled with something that felt almost like satisfaction.
"Careful," he murmured.
"You're starting to sound like you expected me."
Her lips curved slightly despite herself.
"I didn't," she replied.
"Hmm."
He didn't believe her.
And somehow… that made her more aware of him.
Of how close he was.
Of how easily this moment could slip into something else.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
Lucien tilted his head slightly, studying her like she was the more interesting question.
"I could ask you the same thing."
"I asked first."
A pause.
Then...
"I was curious," he said.
Her brows lifted slightly.
"About what?"
His gaze dropped briefly to her lips again before returning to her eyes.
"You."
Her breath hitched.
There it was again.
That tension.
Stronger this time.
More dangerous.
"And you just happened to find me?" she asked, her voice softer now.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"I told you," he said quietly.
"I'd see you again."
Something about the certainty in his tone sent a subtle shiver through her.
Not fear.
Something deeper.
Something that made her feel… chosen.
Alina turned slightly toward him now, fully facing him.
Too close again.
But this time, neither of them pretended to ignore it.
"Maybe you're just lucky," she said.
"Or maybe," he replied, his voice lowering, "you came somewhere I'd be."
Her breath slowed.
The idea shouldn't have affected her.
But it did.
Because it meant this wasn't just coincidence anymore.
It was intention.
And that made it harder to walk away.
The music shifted slower now, deeper.
The kind that settled into your skin.
Lucien extended his hand not forceful, not demanding.
Just there.
Waiting.
"Dance with me."
It wasn't a command.
But it didn't feel like something she could easily refuse.
Alina hesitated.
Just for a second.
Because she knew
The moment she took that hand… things would change.
This wouldn't just be tension anymore.
It would become something real.
Something harder to control.
Something harder to leave.
Lucien didn't rush her.
Didn't pressure her.
He just watched… like he already knew what she would choose.
And maybe…
He did.
Alina placed her hand in his.
A simple action.
But it sent a quiet spark through her.
He pulled her gently toward the center, his touch firm but careful as though he understood exactly how much pressure to apply… and how much to hold back.
His other hand settled at her waist.
Warm.
Steady.
Too natural.
Her breath caught as she rested her hand lightly against his shoulder.
They moved slowly, in sync, like the space between them had already learned the rhythm.
Too close.
Too aware.
Too much.
"You should walk away," he murmured softly, his lips just close enough for his voice to brush against her skin.
Her heart pounded.
"Why?" she whispered.
His grip on her waist tightened just slightly.
"Because this…" he said, his gaze locking with hers,
"…is exactly how it starts."
Silence.
Heavy.
Electric.
Alina didn't move.
Didn't step back.
Didn't even try.
Because deep down
She didn't want to.
And that was the most dangerous part of all.