The First Encounter

Isla Morrison hated business parties. The pretentious air, the clinking of champagne glasses, and the forced conversations always made her feel out of place. But tonight, she couldn’t avoid it. Her boss had insisted she attend the launch of Everhart Enterprises' latest venture. As an editor for a high-profile magazine, it was her job to network, and unfortunately, this was part of the game.

She tugged at the hem of her dress, wishing she had chosen something more comfortable instead of the sleek black number that hugged her in all the wrong places.

She stood near the bar, swirling her drink absentmindedly as the buzz of the party moved around her. Her gaze drifted over the crowd, catching glimpses of designers, business moguls, and celebrities. Everyone here looked like they belonged—everyone except her.

She sighed and was about to make her escape when she felt it—a pair of eyes watching her. Her body stiffened. Slowly, she turned, her gaze meeting the dark, intense eyes of Luca Everhart,

the man of the hour. He stood across the room, the center of attention, yet somehow apart from it. His tailored suit clung to his broad frame, and his dark hair was perfectly styled, but it was the way he looked at her—like she was the only one in the room—that sent a chill down her spine.

Isla quickly averted her gaze, pretending not to notice the way his eyes burned into her. She had heard of Luca Everhart. Everyone had. He was the ruthless CEO who built an empire from the ground up, a man known for his aggressive business tactics and icy demeanor. He was untouchable. Or so they said.

But that didn't explain why, in the next moment, Luca was moving toward her, his presence commanding the space as he crossed the room with purpose. Isla’s heart pounded in her chest, and for a split second, she considered slipping away into the crowd. Before she could act on the thought, Luca was standing in front of her, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips.

"Isla Morrison, right?" His voice was smooth, low, with a hint of something dangerous lurking beneath the surface.

Her surprise must have shown on her face because his smirk deepened.

“I make it a point to know the names of intriguing people,” he added, his eyes flickering over her, as if she were a puzzle he was intent on solving.

Isla swallowed, trying to steady her breath. “And I make it a point to avoid unnecessary attention,” she replied coolly, not willing to let him rattle her.

Luca chuckled softly, the sound sending an unexpected shiver down her spine. “You’re different,” he said, stepping closer, his scent—a mix of cedar and something more intoxicating—filling the space between them. “Most people here would kill for a minute of my time, and yet, you look like you can’t wait to get out of here.”

Isla met his gaze, the intensity of it making her skin prickle. "Not everyone is here to impress you, Mr. Everhart."

Luca’s eyes darkened, the amusement in them fading, replaced with something more dangerous. He took another step closer, and this time, Isla didn’t move. There was something magnetic about him, something that made her want to understand the man beneath the cold exterior.

“Maybe not," Luca murmured, his voice softer now, almost tender. "But you—you’re not like them. You don’t belong in this crowd, do you?"

Isla’s heart skipped a beat. It was as if he could see straight through her, past the facade she put up for the world to see. She didn’t know why, but it scared her how easily he seemed to strip away her defenses. She didn’t want him to see her. She didn’t want anyone to see her.

“I’m here for work,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “That’s all.”

Luca’s eyes remained locked on hers, studying, searching. Then, just as quickly as he had appeared, his expression softened, and he took a small step back. "Work. Right. Well, if you're ever looking for something more... interesting, you know where to find me."

Isla blinked, unsure of what to say. Luca turned and walked away, leaving her standing alone at the bar, her heart pounding in her chest. She exhaled, realizing she had been holding her breath.

That night, as she lay in bed, Luca Everhart's dark eyes haunted her thoughts. She told herself that it was nothing. Just a momentary attraction. After all, what did a man like Luca Everhart want with someone like her?

But as the days passed, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had just crossed paths with a storm she wasn’t ready for.

And storms, she knew, always left destruction in their wake.

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