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The bass thumped through the walls.
Ken stood just outside the club entrance, adjusting the cuffs of his black shirt, feeling more nervous than he cared to admit.
He hadn't been to a proper club party in years. And now he was walking into Arashi's territory. A space built on chaos, noise, bodies brushing against each other.
His hair was slightly tousled. His slim-fit shirt hugged his frame. And as he stepped inside, the lights casting gold and violet across his features, heads turned.
Especially one.
From the second-floor balcony, Arashi saw him.
And stopped mid-conversation.
Ken looked…
Good.
Too good.
Arashi tightened his grip on the glass in his hand, watching as Ken greeted Mia, smiling politely. The music drowned out their voices, but Arashi didn't need sound.
He saw the way another guy approached—tall, broad, hand lingering a second too long on Ken's lower back.
Ken politely moved it away.
The guy leaned closer.
Ken gave a forced laugh.
Arashi's eye twitched.
"I'll be right back," he muttered to the staff member beside him.
He made his way down the stairs, ignoring the people trying to get his attention.
Ken didn't notice him until he was almost there.
"Arashi—"
"Hey," the other guy said smoothly, extending a hand toward Ken again. "Wanna dance? You've been standing here like a statue."
Ken hesitated.
Then someone grabbed his wrist.
Arashi.
His voice was low. Dangerous. "Don't let him touch you."
Ken blinked. "Excuse me?"
Arashi turned to the guy and smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "He's taken."
The guy raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? By who?"
"By me."
Ken nearly choked on air.
The guy laughed and held up his hands. "Damn. My bad, man. No offense."
He walked off.
Ken turned to Arashi, jaw clenched. "What the hell was that?"
"You looked uncomfortable."
"I had it under control."
"Didn't look like it."
Ken stepped closer, furious. "You don't get to play jealous owner. We're not—"
"Not what?"
Ken's mouth opened. No words came out.
Arashi leaned in, voice softer now, but still with that bite. "You let anyone else touch you like that, Ken?"
"…I don't belong to anyone," Ken said quietly.
Arashi's gaze darkened.
But instead of arguing, he just said, "Dance with me, then."
"What?"
"You said you're not taken. Prove it's not just me who gets under your skin."
Ken's heart thudded.
He hated him.
But he hated more how badly he wanted to say yes.
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