in one long breath, not bothering to b

of the crowded bar like a hot knife through butter. Heat rose on the flesh of my neck, splattering scarlet across my cheek

y words, hoping for a shred of clarity, anythi

ring to lift his head to look at me. His words weren't just dismissive

pecting him to entertain my presence after just a single sentence? I was mentally thanking God that the b

rrassment infringe on my voice. I was a confident 24-year-o

low, shrouded in secrecy, hoping C.J. didn't hear me.

artender's hands worked efficiently, pulling bottles and glasses with practiced ease,

grateful for the reprieve, and when I looked back up to give my girls a shrug, he was towering over me like a sky

casual patrons in the bar. He was like a force of nature, his body built to dominate a room. His broad shoulders and tight

eact before he took a step forward, his eyes locked on me like a predator to its prey. My mouth fell open in shock, my mind struggling to process the situation

ounce on his dinner, and I didn'

re whisper as I pointed toward the drink. «

anted to take the words back before they even left my mouth, but it was too late. Th

sture was so casual, so effortless, as if he was used to everyone waiting on him. But it was more

ink for answers. Why had I given it to him? What did I expect from him? What was my game? His gaze was piercing, and I c

ple bobbed with his swallows, sending off shock waves of arousal through my blood, despite the fear that was coursing through

in my chest. There was something undeniably magnetic about him-something

late ones. They were like a storm you couldn't escape, a powerful force of nature that swallowed everything in its path. I felt

ween us growing stronger, the tension thick in the air, so palpable that I thought I might suffocate. The world around us blur

eafening, more effective than any words could ever be. The surrounding aura filled the air with a tens

steady rhythm of fear and anticipation clashing in my chest. His presence was suffocating, but it was also intoxicating, like a drin

in the spell of his unspoken power, waiting for