Chapter 4

Nella’s breath grew faster, her chest rising and falling like she couldn’t catch the air. Her heart skipped hard, almost painful, and before she knew it she leaned closer to him. His nearness pulled her in his warmth, his height, the faint smell of smoke mixed with something dark and addictive.

But just when her lips almost touched his, he pulled back. A small smile spread across his handsome face, calm and teasing, like he had full control of the moment.

"I need" he said softly, "one thousand and one red roses."

The words hit her like cold water. Nella blinked, confused, her mind spinning. "What?" she asked, her voice unsteady.

His laugh came low and rich, filling the quiet shop like velvet. "Bunny" he teased. His eyes shined with playfulness and power all at once.

"I need 1001 roses. Now."

Still dazed, she turned toward the shelves, hands moving almost automatically. Her fingers trembled as she began gathering roses, the petals soft against her skin. Her mind, however, remained on him, how close he had been, the warmth of his breath, the way he looked at her like she was already his, the way his voice seemed to curl around her like smoke.

Each rose she touched reminded her of him, of the heat that lingered even after he stepped back. She tried to steady her breathing, tried to keep her thoughts on the task, but her pulse refused to calm. By the time she finished, her cheeks burned with exhaustion and confusion, though she wouldn’t admit that what truly left her breathless was him.

Then, without warning, he leaned down.

So close, his lips almost brushed her ear. She froze, shivering at the sound his breath grazed her ear, making her shiver. His voice was low,

intimate, each word pressed against her skin like a brand as if the words were meant only for her

"Call me Arman" he whispered. “And enjoy the gift, Bunny."

The sound of his name for her spilled into her like a secret she wasn’t ready to keep. Her knees weakened, her throat tight as she struggled to breathe normally. Before she could speak, before she could even process, he placed a thick stack of bills on the counter, the weight of it landing with a soft thud. More money than she had ever seen in her life. Her lips parted, words caught in her throat, but he was already walking away. The bell above the door chimed, the cold night air rushing in as he disappeared into the darkness.

Nella stood still, her heart racing, her body

burning from the closeness she had almost tasted. The roses surrounded her, but the air felt empty without him.

He had left her with his name. He had left her with a gift.

And he had left her with a storm she knew she could never escape.

The shop was quiet again, but nothing felt the same. He had left her with a name, a gift, and a storm she could never escape.

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