Closer Than Before

Evelyn wasn’t supposed to feel this way.

Not about him. Not about anyone.

Yet here she was, still standing where he left her, her pulse betraying her in ways she wished it wouldn’t.

Damn him.

She turned sharply, willing herself to move, to shake off whatever spell Adrian had tried to cast over her. But it wasn’t that easy. His presence still lingered, wrapping around her like an invisible force, refusing to let go.

And when she finally caught sight of him again—standing near the bar, watching her with that same unreadable expression—her stomach tightened.

He was waiting. Waiting for her to make a move.

Evelyn exhaled slowly, straightening her posture before making her way toward him. If Adrian thought she’d walk away, he was wrong.

The closer she got, the more she saw it—the way his jaw tensed, the flicker of amusement in his eyes, the way he gripped his glass just a little too tightly.

Interesting.

She stopped just a breath away from him, tilting her head slightly. "You always disappear after saying something cryptic, or is that just for me?"

Adrian’s lips curved into a small smirk. "You like chasing, don’t you?"

Evelyn chuckled, leaning in ever so slightly. "Only when the prize is worth it."

His gaze dropped to her lips for a fraction of a second—quick, almost unnoticeable. But she caught it. And so did he.

Adrian leaned down, his voice a low murmur. "And what happens if the prize is the one chasing you?"

For the first time, she hesitated.

Because that was exactly what was happening, wasn’t it?

She had pushed him, taunted him, made him come closer—but somewhere along the way, she had become the one being pulled in.

Adrian didn’t move back. His fingers brushed against hers, light, teasing, before wrapping around her wrist. Not tight, not forceful. Just there. A silent challenge.

"Tell me to stop," he said softly.

Evelyn swallowed.

Her heart was hammering, but her voice? Steady. "I won’t."

And that was all he needed.

With a slow, deliberate movement, Adrian lifted her hand, pressing the faintest kiss against her knuckles, his lips warm against her skin.

It was subtle. Barely anything.

But it was enough.

Her breath hitched, and Adrian? He smirked—because he knew.

Knew exactly what he was doing.

Evelyn hated that it worked.

She pulled her hand away, but Adrian didn’t stop her. He simply watched, eyes gleaming with something unreadable, something dangerous.

"You should be careful, Adrian," she murmured, her voice quieter now. "I don’t lose easily."