Jade braced for the sheer embarrassment of crashing to the floor, but it never came. Instead, strong arms locked around her waist, pulling her flush against his solid frame.
The sudden impact sent his scent rushing over her... masculine, decadent, and wildly intoxicating. Overwhelmed by the heat of him, her body acted before her brain could stop it, leaning directly into his chest.
Her fingers curled tightly into his jacket, her breath hitching as her nose brushed the bare skin just above his open collar, and she felt the faint puff of Cillian’s warm breath against her forehead.
Slowly, she tilted her head back and her eyes locked onto his chocolate-brown gaze, which looked almost pitch-black under the dim balcony lights. The banter, the temper, the sharp words... everything melted away, leaving electric silence pulsing between them.
A soft breeze swept past, brushing a loose lock of her fiery red hair across her lips.
Jade’s heart threatened to leap straight out of her chest when Cillian’s palm pressed into the small of her back, arching her body into his. His hand slid upward, his fingers tracing the curve of her jawline to catch the loose hair. His dark gaze dropped to her mouth, transfixed by her soft, parted lips.
For a fleeting moment, they were both reminded of the dark tunnel on the island, of that inexplicable pull that had drawn them towards each other then. And now, standing this close, that same invisible force seemed to wrap around them once more, as though they had fallen under the same spell.
Cillian looped the silky strand around his finger and pulled it slightly, bringing her face close enough for a trembling breath shuddered out of her.
"Careful, Red..." he murmured, his voice dropping into a husky whisper. "Keep staring at me like that, and this demon might end up devouring you like his last meal on Earth."
As soon as those words left his lips, Jade’s gaze wavered and dropped to his mouth, her alcohol-hazy brain completely failing to find a single reason to pull away.
Before either of them could move, a voice called out from behind them. "Mr. Pierce? Is that you?"
And the hypnotic spell broke in an instant.
Jade took a sudden step back, her cheeks burning with heat. Avoiding his gaze that was still locked onto her face, she turned around and picked up a glass of water from the table with her trembling hands to soothe her throat that felt like sandpaper.
Cillian remained motionless for a moment, his dark eyes dropping to his hand, where the ghost of her silky red hair had just been wrapped around his finger.
"Mr. Pierce?" the woman pressed, stepping closer.
Only then did Cillian turn to face the interruption. His broad frame shielded the flustered Jade behind him while she took her time to compose herself.
A coy smile curved the woman’s lips. "I knew it was you. I’d recognise that back anywhere," she purred, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "I waited for your call after last time. But since you’re here... how about a drink?"
Jade, who had finally managed to calm herself a little, couldn’t help but grow curious.
Who exactly was this woman?
She turned around and peeked over Cillian’s shoulder, and her eyes widened.
Standing right there was international superstar Sherry Smith.
Sherry was even more breathtaking in person. Clad in a seductive dark green gown that hugged every curve, she fixed her alluring hazel eyes on Cillian with flirtatious intent. But it was the cosy familiarity in her voice that gave Jade an unpleasant knot in her stomach.
Cillian, on the other hand, merely tilted his head, his expression completely blank.
"I’m sorry, but you are?"
His response made both Jade’s and Sherry’s eyes practically bulge out of their sockets. Sherry’s face was plastered on billboards all over town.
Even Jade, who paid zero attention to pop culture, recognised her immediately, yet here was Cillian, asking the superstar who she was.
Flustered and red-faced, Sherry stammered, "You... you really don’t remember me?"
Cillian gave her a brief, thoughtful look before replying, "Hmm... doesn’t ring a bell."
"W-we met at the Blackwood Charity Gala!" Sherry scrambled to salvage her shattered pride. Her gaze drifted over to Jade, who was now looking at her with genuine sympathy, treating the superstar like another unfortunate soul caught in the demon’s orbit.
Clearing her throat, Sherry offered a strained chuckle. "You have a dark sense of humour, Mr. Pierce. Or perhaps... you’re playing distant because you brought..." Her hazel eyes locked onto Jade, suddenly flashing with pure venom. "...company."
Jade scowled, instantly annoyed by the unprovoked hostility directed her way.
Cillian, already irritated by the unwanted interruption, comfortably wrapped an arm around Jade’s waist, pulling her close. "You’re right. I do have company, but it doesn’t change the fact that I still don’t remember you. Have a good evening."
Offering a polite, dismissive nod, Cillian turned and led Jade away, leaving the stunned celebrity staring blankly at their retreating figures.
When they stepped out to the valet stand, Cillian’s car was already waiting. He stole a side glance at Jade, taking in her unusual silence. The fiery energy she usually carried had completely quieted down.
Breaking the silence, he offered, "Let me drive you home."
Jade looked up, startled out of her thoughts. "N-No, thank you. I have my car."
"I’m aware, but do you honestly think I’ll let you drive when you couldn’t even take a step without losing your balance?" Cillian countered calmly.
"That was just a momentary slip," Jade retorted, her forehead creasing.
"That’s all it takes for something major to happen. A momentary slip," Cillian responded without missing a beat. Before she could protest further, he added, "This isn’t up for debate, Jade. Letting you drive right now would be reckless. I’ll arrange for Kevin to bring your car to your apartment tomorrow."
His absolute seriousness left her completely speechless.
But he wasn’t wrong.
The alcohol was still lingering in her system, and her mind was already overwhelmed by her father’s cruel financial trap. And beneath all of that, her pulse was still racing from the dangerous proximity they had shared not too long ago.
Giving up the fight, she chewed on her bottom lip and sighed. "Alright. Fine."
Once they were on the road, neither of them spoke a word. Silence filled the vehicle as they remained lost in their own thoughts, both trying to make sense of the unspoken pull between them.
As they pulled up near Jade’s apartment building, Cillian slowed the car and finally broke the silence. "Well... here we are."
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter