Chapter 2

Girl, I want dessert. But I also want to stay alive. Let Batman decide.

Luna stared at the card like it was a grenade.

A hot, expensive grenade with a flirty smile and abs hidden under a custom-tailored polo.

She shoved it deeper into her apron pocket like it might bite her.

“Luna!” Yssa called from the other side of the bar. “I’m done cleaning outside. You’re up here.”

“Yeah, one sec,” she replied, shaking herself.

Focus. Close the bar. Go home. Do not text the sinfully handsome CEO who flirted with you like you were the main course.

But damn it...

“Text me if you want dessert.”

What kind of dessert, huh? Chocolate lava cake? Or you, in my bed?

Luna wiped the counter one last time, her brain louder than the old speakers still playing sad love songs.

She didn’t text him. Of course not. She had standards. Self-respect.

And fear of billionaires who are way too good at flirting.

Right?

---

The next day

She woke up way too late for her 3 PM shift.

Damn, why do I feel hungover when I didn’t even drink?

Apparently, sexual tension has side effects now.

Still lying down, she reached for her apron to get the tip money she forgot to take out last night.

But instead, she pulled out paper.

The card.

She stared at it again.

“Adrian Reyes,” she read out loud.

Fck. He even has a last name. Like her brain needed more fantasy fuel.

She tossed the card onto the bed like it was hot.

Nope. Not today, Satan.

---

At the bar, the day was slow. Tuesdays were always like that.

Luna tried to distract herself by organizing the shelves while secretly searching Adrian Reyes on her phone.

Just for safety, okay? What if he’s a scammer? Cult leader? A kidnapper who’s way too good-looking for anyone’s good?

But nope.

He was everywhere online. Business magazines. Stock market articles. Charity balls. Gala events where he was always next to women who looked like they were rendered in 4K.

And there was one picture—him, in a navy suit, looking straight at the camera with the same smirk.

Luna tossed her phone on the counter.

“What the hell,” she muttered.

She lasted three hours pretending nothing was happening.

Until 7:48 PM, when there were no customers and she was chilling with instant coffee in hand...

She texted him.

> Luna: Dessert, huh? What if I want something salty?

Three seconds later—

> Adrian: Then I guess I’ll bring fries. And a towel.

LUNA SCREAMED IN HER HEAD.

She almost dropped her coffee.

> Luna: Bold of you to assume I’m free.

Adrian: Bold of you to text me if you weren’t.

Adrian: You free after your shift?

Luna: Maybe.

Adrian: Then I’ll wait.

Luna: What do you mean you’ll wait?

No reply.

She got nervous and glanced at the door.

Please. Please not now. Don’t show up now.

The door opened.

And there he was.

Wearing a dark blazer. Hair still perfect. That killer smile.

“Miss, one glass of water,” he said with a devilish grin. “Technically not a customer, remember?”

Luna blinked.

Twice.

“F*ck,” she whispered. “He’s not kidding.”

Adrian stood at the bar like he owned the place—like the dark, tiny bar was a five-star hotel lounge, and Luna was the main event.

“I said water,” he repeated, with a wicked smile.

“Unless, of course, you’re offering something stronger.”

Luna crossed her arms.

“You waited three hours… for water?”

“No,” he said, eyes still locked on her. “I waited for you.”

FCKING HELL.

Luna shut her eyes and forced an eye roll.

“Cringe.”

Adrian chuckled quietly.

“And yet, here you are. Texting me. Serving me water. Making me feel like I’ve already won.”

Luna set the glass on the counter—louder than necessary.

“You didn’t win anything.”

His eyes dropped to her lips.

“Not yet.”

She quickly turned her back. If it weren’t embarrassing, she’d be cooling her neck with a bar towel by now.

Why does the back of my neck feel hot when he stares at me?

Adrian said nothing. Just watched.

Which somehow made it worse.

“So what now?” she asked, still facing away. “You gonna sit there and flirt until closing?”

“Would that be a problem?”

She rolled her eyes again.

“Only if you expect a happy ending.”

“I’d settle for a kiss goodnight.”

Luna spun around, fast.

“Wow. Fast progress. One card, one text, one glass of water… and now a kiss?”

He smiled—slowly, with a filthy kind of charm.

“I work efficiently.”

Damn it. Red flag, but it still sounds so good.

Luna smiled—forced, annoyed with herself, but it was already happening.

“You know,” she said, leaning on the bar, “this CEO smooth-talk style of yours? Cute. But I’m not that kind of girl.”

“What kind of girl?”

“The kind who falls for smirks and pick-up lines.”

Adrian leaned in slightly.

“Good. I like a challenge.”

WHY IS HE SO FUN TO RESIST?!

Luna took a deep breath and looked at the clock. Two hours until closing.

Two hours of this man watching her like temptation in designer shoes.

“You gonna behave if I let you stay?”

“Absolutely not.”

She bit her lip, holding back a laugh.

“Then stay. But don’t distract me.”

“Too late.”

Damn him. Damn his face. Damn her heart that wouldn’t stay still.

---

2:03 AM

Almost everyone had gone home. Yssa had left.

And Adrian?

Still there.

Still sipping that same glass of water.

Still staring at her like she was the plot twist he’d been waiting for his whole life.

As she passed by to wipe a table, Adrian spoke—quiet but clear.

“Come with me.”

She stopped.

“Excuse me?”

“After your shift. Come with me. Just a drive.”

Luna’s mouth went dry.

“Why?”

“No pressure. No expectations. I’m just curious how you look outside this place.”

She turned to face him.

“And if I say no?”

“Then I’ll keep coming back. Every night. Until you say yes.”

Damn. This guy’s dangerous. And persistent.

Luna stared at him.

Looked at the clock.

Then looked back.

And softly said:

“One hour. No funny business.”

Adrian smiled—quiet and victorious.

“I’ll wait outside.”

She watched him walk out.

And the moment the door closed—

“What did I just get myself into?” she whispered, her chest pounding.

“Lord, if this is a mistake... give me a heads up now.”

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