Fated In Shadow

The ballroom shimmered with golden light, a scene of elegance and whispered desires. The scent of roses and expensive cologne mingled in the air as guests moved gracefully across the polished floors. Eva stood near the grand staircase, sipping her champagne, her gaze drifting over the crowd. Tonight had been a blur of pleasantries and forced smiles, but one thing remained constant-the presence of Aaron.

He was never far, his watchful gaze following her every move. She noticed it, the way he stiffened whenever another man dared to approach her. It was subtle, the shift in his posture, the clench of his jaw. But when one particularly bold stranger reached for her hand, Aaron was there in an instant.

Before she could react, a firm yet gentle arm snaked around her waist, pulling her close. The warmth of his touch sent an unexpected shiver through her body.

"Sorry, but she's with me," Aaron's voice was low, possessive.

Eva blinked up at him, her heart pounding at the sudden proximity. His scent-rich, dark, intoxicating-filled her senses, making her breath hitch. She wasn't sure why, but she didn't pull away. The man muttered an apology and disappeared into the crowd, leaving an electrified silence between them.

"You didn't have to do that," Eva murmured, her voice softer than she intended.

Aaron smirked, his fingers grazing her lower back in lazy circles. "Oh, I absolutely did."

His touch was light, teasing, but it sent her heart into a frantic rhythm. This wasn't normal. She had never been one for physical closeness, had never felt the need for casual touches. And yet, she found herself leaning into him, her body betraying her logic.

His thumb brushed over her bare skin where her dress dipped at the back, a simple motion that felt far too intimate. She shivered, her fingers tightening around the stem of her champagne glass.

Aaron's eyes darkened, catching every reaction, every breath she took. "Interesting," he mused.

Eva swallowed, forcing herself to step back, to break the spell he had so easily cast. But even as she did, the heat of his touch lingered.

Before she could compose herself, a voice cut through the moment.

"Stephy?"

Evan stood a few feet away, staring wide-eyed at the woman beside Steve Auger. His voice was laced with confusion, and Stephy looked equally stunned.

Steve frowned. "Wait, you two know each other?"

"You're-Steve's sister?" Evan's brows furrowed, realization dawning. "And you never told me?"

Stephy bit her lip, glancing at her brother, who crossed his arms. "It wasn't exactly something that came up..." she mumbled.

Aaron chuckled, clearly enjoying Evan's stunned reaction. "Looks like I wasn't the only one in for a surprise today."

Steve turned to Aaron and Eva, finally acknowledging their presence. "And you two...?"

Aaron smirked, pulling Eva just a bit closer. "That's a story for another time."

Eva felt warmth creeping up her neck, but she didn't move away. She and Aaron exchanged glances, both silently wondering why they were acting like this. Neither of them had ever been the type to get caught up in physical affection, yet here they were, wrapped around each other as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Neither of them had ever been in a relationship like this before. So why did this feel so right?

And why couldn't they stop?

Meanwhile, Henry Barrett and Robert Brown found themselves intrigued by two striking women in the crowd. The Amery sisters moved gracefully, their presence drawing more than a few glances.

Henry's gaze settled on Anna, an unfamiliar yet captivating presence. When she met his eyes, he instinctively lifted his glass in silent acknowledgment. To his surprise, she smirked before turning away, her confidence sparking something in him.

Robert, on the other hand, found himself fixated on the other sister, Iris. She seemed to be deliberately avoiding his gaze, her indifference only fueling his interest. He smirked to himself, amused by the silent challenge.

Not far from them, Steve Auger found himself caught off guard when he nearly bumped into a woman with a sharp yet effortless elegance. Gina Cary arched a brow, stepping back with a soft chuckle.

"Careful there, handsome," she teased, her voice smooth.

Steve blinked, taken aback for a second before a slow grin spread across his face. "I should be saying that to you. You move like you own the place."

Gina tilted her head, studying him with amusement. "And you look like you're trying to figure out if we've met before."

"Have we?" Steve asked, intrigued.

Gina smirked, her gaze lingering just a little longer. "Not yet."

The night carried on, but something unspoken lingered between them all-a pull none of them understood yet.The ballroom's golden glow had dimmed as the night deepened, but the tension between Aaron and Eva only grew sharper. The glances, the subtle touches-they all led to this.

Aaron wasn't sure when he decided he needed to get Eva alone, but when he saw yet another man eyeing her with interest, the choice was made. He leaned down, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear.

"You're coming with me," he murmured, his voice low, commanding.

Eva should have questioned him, resisted, but instead, her breath hitched. The way he spoke-so sure, so possessive-sent a shiver down her spine. Before she knew it, he was leading her through the hallways of Hotel Astoria, his grip firm around her wrist.

They reached the private suite, and as soon as the door clicked shut, the air changed.

Eva turned to face him, arms crossing. "What was that about?"

Aaron stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "You're really asking that?" His fingers brushed over her arm, trailing up to her shoulder. "You didn't see the way they were looking at you?"

Her lips parted slightly, her heart racing. "You act like you own me."

His smirk was dark, dangerous. "And if I did?"

Her breath caught. The way he said it-like he'd already decided she belonged to him-made her stomach twist in a way she didn't understand. He was too close now, his scent intoxicating. Her back hit the wall, and he placed one hand beside her head, caging her in.

Eva's fingers curled into the fabric of her dress. She should move, she should say something, but when Aaron tilted her chin up, she was lost.

"You don't even realize it, do you?" His voice was softer now, his thumb grazing her jaw. "The way you make me feel?"

Her pulse roared in her ears. "Aaron..."

But before she could finish, his lips brushed against hers. A whisper of a kiss. A test.

She could have pulled away.

She didn't.

Instead, she parted her lips, and that was all the invitation Aaron needed.

The kiss was slow, teasing-his lips molding against hers, his hand sliding to her waist, pulling her closer. Eva's hands found his chest, fingers trembling as she clutched the fabric of his suit. He was warm, solid, and the way he kissed her-possessive yet patient-made her knees weak.

Then, he deepened it.

A low sound rumbled from his throat as he pressed her further against the wall. His tongue teased hers, coaxing, demanding. Eva whimpered into his mouth, and Aaron groaned, his grip tightening as if he never wanted to let go.

His hands slid down, fingertips tracing the curve of her waist. She arched into him instinctively, gasping when his lips moved to her jaw, then down her neck. The heat between them was unbearable now, their breaths mingling, bodies pressing together.

"Tell me to stop," he murmured against her skin.

She should. She should stop this.

But she didn't want to.

Instead, she tilted her head, granting him more access. "Don't stop."

Aaron let out a sharp exhale before lifting her, her legs wrapping around his waist instinctively. He carried her to the velvet couch, their lips never parting as he lowered her onto the cushions.

But just as things threatened to spiral out of control, something shifted.

Aaron pulled back, chest heaving. Eva stared up at him, her lips swollen, her breath shaky.

This wasn't just passion. It was something more.

Their eyes locked, realization sinking in.

Neither of them had ever been in a moment like this before. They weren't the type to get lost in heat, to crave touch. They had never even thought about intimacy like this.

And yet, here they were.

Aaron swallowed hard, brushing a thumb over her lips. "What the hell are we doing?"

Eva's heart pounded. She had no answer.

Because whatever this was... it felt inevitable.

And neither of them knew how to stop

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