'Dangerous Affection'

Unwanted Reunion

(LILA'S POV)

I was chatting with my boss, a charming man with a penchant for flirting, though tonight his advances felt more persistent than usual.

"Lila," he said, leaning in closer than necessary, "You know, if I wasn't your boss, I'd ask you to dance. You're too stunning to stand here alone."

I forced a smile, feeling the familiar ick rising in my stomach. My dark brown hair, almost black in the dim lighting, framed my face, and I caught the reflection of my golden-hazel eyes, looking for any escape.

Before I could make a break for it, a random guy stepped up and grabbed my hand. His grip was rough, almost like he was trying to assert some sort of dominance over the crowded room. "Come on, just one dance," he insisted, his breath a mix of cheap cologne and alcohol.

"Don't grab my hand!," I snapped, shaking him off as I tried to make my way to the balcony.

The dance floor was crowded, people laughing and swaying in the middle. "Honestly, I should have walked around," I thought to myself, pushing through. Suddenly, I bumped into someone solid. "I'm so sorry—"

My voice trailed off as I looked up, instantly freezing. "Quinn?"

It was him—Quinn, standing tall and broad-shouldered with that sharp, rugged look he had somehow perfected since med school. His nearly jet-black hair was as intense as ever, and a bit of dark stubble framed his jaw, giving him the vibe of someone who could easily belong to a powerful family with dangerous ties. His dark brown eyes locked onto mine, a flicker of recognition crossing his face. Memories of our rivalry flooded back, each one sharper than the last. He was no longer just the cocky med student I remembered; there was a hardened edge to him now that was almost intimidating.

"You spilled your champagne on me," I blurted out, noticing the bubbly liquid splattering on my dress.

"Well, maybe if you weren't standing there, none of this would've happened," he shot back, clearly annoyed.

Before I could stop myself, I raised my glass and splashed the remaining champagne over him. "Back right at you."

I grabbed an umbrella from my glass and poked it at his suit.

Ugh men

I was relishing the surprise in his eyes before I turned away, heading for the balcony. As I stepped outside, his presence stayed with me—unsettling but compelling, like a brush with someone I couldn't shake, no matter how hard I tried.

The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the city, while the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses faded into the background. My blood boiled at the thought of running into him again, and the alcohol coursing through my veins only intensified my frustration.

What a night...

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