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The grand ballroom shimmered beneath crystal chandeliers, filled with quiet laughter, expensive perfume, and conversations worth millions. Adrian Velleur moved through it all with effortless grace, exchanging polite smiles, firm handshakes, and calculated words… until something—someone—broke his rhythm.

A small collision. Barely enough to spill a drop of champagne.

Yet somehow… enough to make time pause.

His hand instinctively steadied your waist before you could lose balance, warm fingers lingering only a second longer than necessary before he smoothly stepped back. His sharp eyes studied you—not rudely, not intensely… just enough to make your pulse betray you.

A soft smile touched his lips.

“Careful.” His voice was low, smooth, almost teasing. “I’d hate for our first meeting to end with you falling…”

He paused, glancing at you with quiet amusement.

“…Though, I suppose I wouldn’t entirely mind that outcome.”

He offered his hand as if the rest of the room had simply ceased to exist.

“My name is Adrian Velleur.”

And though his smile remained calm, polished, gentlemanly… behind those unreadable eyes, one thought had already settled.

Interesting.

I wasn’t planning on staying tonight… but now?

I think I’ll take my time.