The night wasn't supposed to taste like trouble. But then again, Naya had always been too curious for her own good.
The city lights danced on glass windows and wet pavements as she stepped into the lounge, her heels clicking softly, heart thudding louder with every step. It was her first weekend off since arriving in Henan for her surgical internship a break she hadn't even realized she needed until now.
And there he was.
Nian.
Leaning against the bar like he owned the air around him. Jet-black hair tousled like he just rolled out of something sinful, shirt open just enough to reveal that dangerous dip of his collarbone. He was watching her already like a predator who knew the scent of his favorite prey.
She should've walked away. Should've turned on her heel and exited before trouble slipped into her bloodstream like sweet poison. But she didn't.
Because Naya had never been the kind to play safe.
She tried to pretend she didn't notice him. She tried. But the way his eyes swept over her figure was like a touch she could feel, and the smirk that tugged at his lips made her thighs clench in response.
"Looking lost," he said, voice smooth like dark chocolate laced with spice.
"Looking entertained," she shot back, tilting her chin.
That earned her a lazy, sexy grin. "Still sharp. I like that."
"You don't know me."
"Oh, Naya." The way her name sounded on his tongue, God. "I know enough."
She blinked. "How do you know my name?"
He lifted his glass in a casual toast. "We've crossed shifts. Operating Room Three. You handed me a scalpel two days ago."
Heat surged to her cheeks. She remembered now, him in scrubs, surgical mask down around his neck, calling out calmly in Mandarin, then fluent English. She had barely dared to glance up.
"You're a doctor," she murmured.
"First-class general surgeon." He winked. "Don't let the bar lighting fool you. I'm quite useful with my hands."
Her lips twitched. "Is that your idea of flirting?"
"No," he said, stepping closer, his voice dropping. "This is."
Nian leaned in, so close she could smell him , something cleaner. That distinct hospital scent antiseptic, faint lavender from the hospital soap, and underneath it, the heat of skin, something maddeningly male. That shouldn't have been sexy… but on him, it was intoxicating. Like fresh linen over danger. Like control wrapped in temptation.
"Tell me, princess," he murmured, "are you ready to let go of the rules tonight?"
Naya smiled, lips parted just slightly. "Depends on who's teaching me how to break them."
Their eyes locked. The air thickened.
And just like that, trouble had a name. And it was beating beneath his pulse.