The party was winding down, but Bloom felt like every molecule of air was charged. She kept moving through the crowd with her tray, smiling automatically, even though her mind was miles away in that shadowed hallway.
She tried not to look at Ethan. She failed.
He was still talking to the tuxedoed man, leaning in slightly, his expression polite but his body language commanding. His hand rested lightly in his pocket, a small gesture that somehow radiated confidence and control. The kind of presence that pulled eyes toward him without trying.
And she was staring. Again.
"Bloom."
The sound of her own name made her jerk. One of the kitchen staff was waving for her to bring the tray back. She made her way over, grateful for the distraction, but when she stepped into the kitchen, her heart lurched Ethan was there.
He stood near the doorway, his height making the cramped space feel even smaller. The other kitchen workers didn't seem to notice; they were too busy cleaning up. But his eyes were fixed on her.
"Miss…" he said slowly, letting the word stretch. "Bloom, was it?"
She swallowed. "Yeah. That's me. Can I… help you with something?"
His mouth quirked, not quite a smile. "Maybe." He stepped closer.
It wasn't just his size it was the way he moved. Controlled. Deliberate. As if every step was calculated.
"I noticed you earlier," he continued. "You have an interesting way of… finding yourself in the wrong places."
Her pulse stuttered. He knew.
She forced a light laugh. "I was just serving drinks. That's my job."
"Mm." He didn't sound convinced. "And in the hallway?"
She gripped the tray tighter. "I was looking for the restroom."
A pause. His eyes searched hers, like he was peeling away her words to see what was underneath. Then he leaned in, his voice low enough that only she could hear.
"Next time you hear something you shouldn't… walk away faster."
The warning was silk-wrapped steel.
She felt her throat tighten, but she managed to nod. "Got it."
He straightened, his gaze lingering for a beat too long. Then he turned to leave, but before he reached the door, he looked back over his shoulder.
"Enjoy the rest of your evening, Bloom."
The sound of her name in his mouth was like a caress and a threat at the same time.
The party thinned out until it was just a handful of guests lingering near the bar. Bloom's shift ended, but she stayed to help clean up—partly because she needed the extra cash, partly because she didn't want to walk past Ethan again.
Unfortunately, fate didn't care.
She left through the back entrance into the cool night air, tugging her hoodie tighter around her. The street was quiet, lined with parked cars. She started toward the bus stop, her sneakers scuffing the pavement.
Halfway there, she heard footsteps behind her.
She turned.
Ethan.
He wasn't in the tailored jacket anymore just a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing strong forearms. The top button was undone. His suit jacket hung casually over one shoulder.
"You walk alone at night?" he asked.
She blinked. "Sometimes."
"Not safe." He closed the distance between them, his steps unhurried. "Especially for someone who doesn't know when to keep her head down."
She crossed her arms. "Is this the part where you tell me the city is dangerous and offer me a ride in your expensive car?"
Something flickered in his eyes amusement, maybe. "It's not an offer."
Before she could respond, a sleek black car rolled up to the curb. The driver stepped out and opened the rear door.
Ethan nodded toward it. "Get in."
Her common sense screamed no. Her curiosity whispered yes.
She hesitated, then slid into the backseat.
The interior smelled faintly of leather and something darker his cologne. He followed, the door closing with a quiet thud.
For a moment, they just sat there, the city lights sliding across his face as the car moved.
"You don't strike me as the type who takes orders easily," he said.
"I'm not," she admitted.
His gaze locked on hers. "Good. I don't like obedient people. They're predictable."
The way he said it made her skin prickle.
She shifted in her seat. "So, what is this? Are you going to warn me again, or…?"
His lips curved slightly. "Maybe I'm trying to figure out if you're a problem."
"And if I am?"
His smile deepened, but it wasn't warm. "Then I'll decide what to do with you."
There was no mistaking it he wasn't joking.
The car stopped in front of her building. He didn't move to get out.
"You should be more careful," he said. "There are people in this city who would see a girl like you and think you're easy to use."
She opened the door, but before stepping out, she glanced back at him. "And you're not one of them?"
For the first time, his smile looked almost real. "I didn't say that."
The door shut behind he
r, leaving her on the sidewalk with her heart racing.
She didn't know whether to be scared of him… or fascinated