Adrian's POV
"What?!"
Her voice snapped me out of whatever that moment was.
I cleared my throat lightly and stepped back, adjusting my cuff as if nothing had happened. "We're late," I said, glancing at my wristwatch. "We should go."
She blinked, looking at me as if she didn't understand what I just said. Her gaze then moved over me.
"Oh… you changed," she said. "You look good, boss."
"I always do."
She scoffed softly under her breath as she turned away. "Cocky."
I heard it, but I chose to ignore it. The party was already in full swing by the time we arrived. Music filled the air—loud, yet controlled, the kind that didn't feel chaotic but still made people move.
The space was filled with people who knew how to enjoy life, dressed in tailored suits and gowns that seemed made for them alone.
Before we could even take a proper step in, Alex spotted us.
"Finally!" he exclaimed, making his way toward us, his eyes already locked on Elena.
He didn't even acknowledge me first. Instead, he went straight to her, took her hand, and spun her lightly as if he had every right to.
"Damn," he said, looking her over without shame. "What a beautiful woman. You actually look like a goddess."
She laughed softly, clearly flustered, her cheeks warming just enough to notice.
Something in me shifted. I didn't even realize I was frowning until it was already there.
The night moved on.
I sat in a quieter corner, a cocktail in hand, watching.
Not intentionally, but my eyes kept going back to the same place.
To her.
She was on the dance floor with Alex, laughing too easily, moving without hesitation as if she belonged there. He had one hand on her waist, pulling her closer as the music slowed, whispering something that made her throw her head back in laughter.
I took a slow sip of my drink, my eyes not leaving them. I didn't understand why it irritated me.
But it did.
Then suddenly, her eyes met mine. Just for a second before Alex leaned in, too close, whispering something in her ear.
My grip on the glass tightened. A second later, he stepped away from her and walked off toward another group.
And just like that, she started walking toward me. She dropped into the seat beside me and let out a small breath.
"Boss, you should have joined us," she said. "You just sit and watch as if you're above fun."
I said nothing. My attention briefly shifted past her. The same guy had been watching her for a while now. I had noticed him earlier, but he hadn't moved because she was with Alex. Now she wasn't, and he was getting bold.
"Where's Alex?" I asked.
"He went to get someone," she replied casually.
She kept talking, but I wasn't really listening. Until—
"Do you even know how to dance?" she asked.
I looked at her.
She tilted her head slightly. "I'm guessing you don't."
Silence. Then she continued, clearly enjoying herself. "I mean… it makes sense. You're too… controlled. Too composed. Like ice."
I raised a brow. "Ice?"
She shrugged quickly. "Not as an insult. It's… I don't know… a compliment?"
I let out a quiet scoff. She kept talking anyway. About the music, the crowd, the outfits, how Alex almost tripped earlier, how the party was different from anything she had seen before.
I didn't know my secretary was such a talker.
I barely caught half of what she was saying because the man I had noticed earlier was now walking straight toward us.
He finally approached and took a seat close to her. Before I could react, the music suddenly stopped.
A microphone came on, and a voice filled the room.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time!"
The crowd responded instantly, cheering loudly.
"Ohh… that," I muttered.
Elena looked around, confused. "What's happening?"
"You know the rules," the voice continued. "No talking. Just enjoy the hottest moment of your life in sixty seconds!"
The crowd grew louder.
She turned to me again. "Boss, what does that mean?"
"Countdown in three… two… one!"
The lights went out instantly. A dim glow replaced it, just enough to see shapes, faces… and proximity.
A large screen lit up.
60… 59… 58…
"What is going on?" she asked again, her voice lower now. That was when I saw it. The man beside her. His hand was moving toward her waist.
Slow. Intentional. Like he had been waiting for this exact moment.
Before he could touch her, I reached out, grabbed her arm, and pulled her toward me.
She gasped as she landed against me.
"Mr. Kingston—what's happening? Why are the lights—"
"Miss Elena," I cut in, my voice low. "You talk too much."
She stilled slightly.
"Do you want me to show you what this means?"
I glanced up at the screen. Thirty seconds left.
"Thirty seconds is enough," I murmured.
My hand slid to her waist. I felt her body react instantly—the slight intake of breath, the tension, and confusion.
Slowly, I pulled her closer.
Then my lips landed on hers.
Her body went still for a second. Completely still.
The countdown echoed louder.
19… 18… 17…
I deepened the kiss without thinking.
My hand moved to the back of her head, holding her in place as my mouth pressed against hers—slower this time, but deeper and more deliberate. My tongue dove into her mouth, tasting her sweetness.
And then—
She responded.
Her lips moved against mine, soft at first, then more passionate.
15… 14… 13…
Everything around us faded. I pulled her closer, my grip tightening slightly as her body pressed fully against mine, leaving no space between us.
The kiss didn't slow; if anything, it deepened. Her little fingers curled against me, and I felt the shift in her. She was no longer just reacting; she was truly responding.
3… 2… 1…
The crowd erupted as the countdown ended, cheers and laughter filling the air, fireworks lighting up the night sky.
I didn't stop. Neither did she. We remained there, caught in our moment as the world moved on without us.
My hand traced along her back, slow and deliberate, following the line of her dress until my fingers slipped just enough to feel the softness beneath the fabric. I pulled her even closer, my grip tightening just enough to feel her breath hitch against my lips.
And then I felt it—an involuntary reaction.
A soft moan escaped her lips into the kiss before she could stop it. She stilled instantly.
It took her a moment to realize what she had just done. She pulled back abruptly, and we both froze, breathing a little harder than before, still too close, still caught in the moment we hadn't fully stepped out of.
Our eyes locked. Slowly, my gaze drifted to her lips, soft and slightly parted, then lifted back to her beautiful eyes.
"You smell good. Really good."