The club was alive with pulsing lights and music, but it wasn't the beat that had my heart racing. It was him.

He stood at the bar, leaning casually against the counter with a drink in hand, his eyes scanning the room - but I could feel them on me, even from across the crowded space. Our gazes met, and I swore the world around us paused for a second. He smirked, just the slightest curve of his lips, and then started moving toward me.

I took a sip of my cocktail, hoping to calm the sudden flutter in my chest, but the closer he got, the more I could feel his presence - like electricity sparking between us, pulling me in without a word.

"You look like you're trying not to stare," he said, his voice low and just above a whisper, as he stood beside me.

"I'm not staring," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady, but it came out breathless.

He chuckled, a sound that sent a shiver through me. "Right. But you're definitely looking. I don't mind."

I turned toward him, leaning against the bar as if I wasn't melting under the weight of his gaze. "And why's that?"

"Because you're not the only one who notices." His hand brushed mine, just enough to leave a trail of warmth behind. "The question is? are you going to keep pretending you don't want this?"

I felt a rush of heat flood my cheeks, my breath quickening as his fingers grazed my wrist, lingering just long enough for me to feel it. The space between us was shrinking, the air thickening.

"I don't pretend," I said, my voice growing a little bolder, though my body betrayed me as it leaned closer to his.

His eyes flicked down to my lips, then back to my eyes, and I could almost hear the tension crackling between us. "Good," he murmured, his breath brushing my ear. "Because I don't either."

Before I could respond, his lips were on mine, soft but demanding, pulling me in with an intensity that left me breathless. The world around us faded into nothing as I melted against him, every nerve in my body igniting.

The kiss deepened, and I felt his hands slide to my waist, tugging me closer. In that moment, nothing existed but him, the music, and the heat that was building between us with every passing second.

When the kiss finally broke, I was left panting, my body tingling. He smiled, his eyes dark with something I couldn't resist.

"Ready to stop pretending now?"

I didn't need to answer. My lips found his again, and I knew I wasn't the only one who wanted this - wanted more.