The evening of the gala arrived, and Amara stood in the corner of the grand ballroom, her eyes scanning the room as guests mingled, drinks in hand. The space was bathed in warm golden light, the decorations a perfect blend of elegance and modernity. Everything was falling into place, just as she had planned. But despite the flawless setup, her mind kept drifting back to one thing.
Lucien Blackwood.
He hadn't spoken to her since the morning meeting. She hadn't seen him either, though she knew he was here. The energy in the room shifted the moment he walked in, as if the very air was charged with his presence. His tall frame cut through the crowd effortlessly, his sharp features set in that familiar, unreadable expression. He was magnetic, and the attraction was undeniable, even from across the room.
Amara quickly refocused, adjusting the placement of a floral arrangement on the edge of the stage. It was ridiculous to be thinking about him so much. After all, this was a professional event, and she was here to do a job. But something about Lucien made it impossible to forget him, even for a moment.
Her phone buzzed again, and she glanced at the screen. A message from Lucien.
"Meet me in the back office."
She blinked, her heart skipping a beat. The back office was a quiet space where he had asked her to meet him earlier. This time, however, the message felt different. The tension that had been hanging in the air all day was palpable. She swallowed nervously, texting back quickly.
"On my way."
As Amara made her way to the back office, she felt her pulse quicken. Was she ready for whatever it was that Lucien wanted from her? And why did the thought of being alone with him send a rush of excitement through her veins? She couldn't deny the pull, the strange connection that had begun to form between them since their first meeting. But what could it mean?
The office door was ajar when she arrived, and she hesitated for a moment before pushing it open. Lucien was standing by the window, looking out over the city. He turned as she entered, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.
"Amara," he said, his voice low and smooth, "You've done a wonderful job tonight."
Amara's pulse quickened, and she gave a small smile, trying to keep her composure. "Thank you, Lucien. I'm glad you like it."
He stepped closer, his presence filling the room. "I don't just like it," he replied, his voice hushed, "I'm impressed. But I'm afraid the night isn't over yet."
Amara frowned, unsure what he meant. "What do you mean?"
Without warning, Lucien's gaze darkened, and he moved closer to her, his body almost touching hers. His scent, a mix of sandalwood and something richer, enveloped her, making her head spin. She felt the heat of his gaze, the weight of his presence, and despite herself, she couldn't pull away.
"I need you to stay after the event," Lucien said, his tone commanding, yet strangely intimate. "There's something we need to discuss."
Her heart raced, her body betraying her as her breath grew shallow. The tension between them was thick, suffocating almost. What was it about this man that made her feel so exposed, so vulnerable? Why did she feel as if she were on the verge of something much bigger than just a professional meeting?
"I—" Amara started, but her words faltered when Lucien reached out and gently brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. The touch was so subtle, yet it sent a shiver down her spine. She was torn between wanting to step back and wanting to stay, to feel more of that warmth that seemed to radiate from him.
Lucien's eyes softened for a brief moment, his gaze flickering between her eyes and her lips. "Trust me, Amara," he whispered, his voice thick with something unspoken. "You'll want to stay."
Before she could respond, the sound of someone knocking on the door broke the moment. Lucien stepped back, his expression quickly returning to its usual cold composure. "You should go."
Amara nodded quickly, her heart pounding in her chest. As she left the room, she couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between them, something dangerous and electrifying. She was tangled in something she didn't fully understand, and despite her best efforts to keep her distance, she felt herself drawn deeper into Lucien Blackwood's world.