ter

notice the cha

erved a second longer than necessary, of conversation pausing when she passed. It was

s was d

ntion fol

wering, the way a man in a tailored suit looked twice before remembering himself. It

how to exist in this

en she hear

onfident. U

elves without asking permission. Elena did not turn at once. She waited

an I imagined," a

d. Curious rat

a tu

ith rooms like this. Her black dress was cut sharply, her posture effortless. Dark hair

d over Elena

woman said. "You m

liberate and dismissive. She

name," s

ow lifted slig

't a qu

behind her - slower, heavier. She didn't need to tur

topped at

" he sai

ly this time. "You didn't m

mporary," Lor

btle, but it shifted

ena again, sharper n

ot claiming her openly, but close enough that his presence press

continued smoothly, "that I exp

her face. She opened h

ttle she needed

oms," Elena said qui

te herself. "Careful. Confidenc

icked to Elena -

he said. "

ger, something unspoken passing b

" she said to Elena.

na realized her hands w

fe

ena

ayered thick in the air. Crystal chandeliers reflected off polished floo

troduced her by name - only her first name - and

o long before speaking. Chos

didn't

a's and holding it. She was surrounded by admirers, laughter spi

sur

like a hand

e air," Elena mur

once. "Don

d. But it wasn't a

, the noise of the gala muffled behind thick doo

ing faster th

s voice

els silent on carpet now, expression sh

n to," Elena

ireya replied. "You don't plan t

o the direction of the bal

er gaze. "S

s smile

ends well?" sh

y, choosing her words, "tha

n Mireya's eyes - jealou

ong in his wor

said, "Neither do you. You ju

ence st

her head. "Be careful, Elena. Men li

d past her.

gripped the edge of the sink, steadying herself. Her reflection lo

pened and

felt sudden

the space - but

the thin fabric of her dress, could sense the controlled tension in the way he h

ropped to

g differently,"

d. Now she couldn

replied, though her voice betrayed her - s

"You came in here t

ouching. The mirror reflected the closeness - her back to the si

ed, low. "Then pretend yo

her throat. "You told

ightened

ll you to in

in. "Then stop st

ent, he d

led - slow,

n't mea

ive. Not exploratory - claiming space rather than skin. Her breath

ren

our warning

nd destabilizing at once. She felt herself lean int

or betra

er shoulders softened, the way she tilted towar

ticed

urself," he

barely recognized the woman staring back - flushed

," he murmured, "when

hen, slow enough to giv

di

ward. The contact was light, almost reverent - b

p," he r

swal

dn

med hers witho

iberate, consuming. She gasped softly against his lips, fingers instinctively g

ke he already kn

had expe

was no space left to misinterpret. The press of his body against hers sent he

back - not ti

ng

tion startl

enough to breathe, forehead

eckless,"

ed faint

eturned to

against her back as if memorizing her shape. She felt dizzy, overwhelmed by sensation - the

her throat, lingering just lon

inst her skin, her name soun

open jacket, resting against

ged, vibrating wit

it most, but close enough to promise the possibility. S

not

urse

d for half a seco

en as his mouth brushed

n, frustration and rel

she whi

ow," he replied, voice low

perly - flushed, breathing hard, eyes bright

si

so cer

ng her jaw - a final, intimate

ight

pos

them felt louder th

ng her breath when t

as h

the scene - the proximity, the tens

dawned, shar

Mireya sa

didn't

r did

isted in silence - jealousy, desir

ned away, heels

xhaled

r, his voice a whisp

"is where things

rved, faint

don't

at her waist - not claimi

a, Elena realized she wasn't ju

hanging i