𝐄𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬: 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞|𝟏𝟖+

𝐉𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐲 - 𝐎𝐧𝐞𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐭

Long one-shot! Smut at the end.

•••

Dominic watched Chloe, who seemed to enjoy the party more than he did. His gaze lingered on her figure-hugging burgundy dress, its knee-length hem revealing just enough to captivate. Paired with sleek heels, she looked ethereal, as though she'd stepped out of a dream.

She was talking to some of their colleagues—mostly men. His jaw tightened as one of them flirted shamelessly, though Chloe's discomfort was clear. Still, Dominic knew she could handle herself.

"Hey there," a sultry voice interrupted, and Dominic turned to see a beautiful woman smiling at him.

"You look lonely," she said, leaning closer.

"Not really."

"You sure? I don't see anyone around." Her tone was teasing as she slid closer, her low neckline impossible to ignore, showing her boobs to him. "Want a private dance?"

He chuckled, sipping his wine. "Not interested."

The woman frowned but handed him her number on a napkin before leaving when it became clear he wasn't biting. Dominic barely glanced at it, his attention returning to Chloe.

Later, leaning against the bar, he didn't have to wait long before she approached, her smile playful.

"Enjoying the party?" she asked.

"Immensely," he replied dryly, smirking. "You seemed to be having the time of your life."

"If by that you mean being cornered by sleazy charmers, sure." She rolled her eyes. "You could've saved me, you know. Isn't that what gentlemen do?"

He tilted his head. "You think I'm a gentleman?"

"No, but it's nice to pretend sometimes."

She glanced at his glass and then at him, her tone light but her eyes sharp. "That woman who just left—she seemed eager to keep you company. Did you turn her down, or is she returning with champagne?"

His jaw tightened, though a flicker of amusement danced in his eyes. "She offered a private dance. I declined."

"Private dance," Chloe echoed, raising a brow. "How very... refined."

He leaned slightly closer, the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. "Jealous?"

"Of course not," she said, her voice smooth, though her gaze lingered on him for a beat too long. "I just feel bad for her. All that effort, and she didn't even get a smile out of you."

Their eyes locked for a moment, and for the first time that evening, neither broke away. The teasing atmosphere shifted, something heavier settling in the space between them.

Chloe tilted her head slightly, her lips parting as if to speak, but no words came out. Dominic's gaze dropped to her lips, and before either of them could overthink it, he leaned in.

The kiss was soft at first, tentative, as though both were testing unfamiliar waters. Chloe's breath hitched, and she froze for a moment before relaxing, her hands lifting to rest lightly against his chest. Dominic's fingers found her waist, pulling her closer as the kiss deepened, slow and deliberate, carrying an intensity neither had expected.

Chloe's heart raced, the warmth of his touch seeping through the fabric of her dress. When they finally parted, her cheeks were flushed, and she couldn't meet his gaze.

"You okay?" Dominic asked softly, his voice a low rumble, his hand still resting on her waist.

Chloe nodded quickly, biting her lip as she dared a glance up at him. "Yeah. Just... wasn't expecting that."