The grand staircase is illuminated by the soft glow of the Yule Ball’s chandeliers as you descend, your black floor-length gown flowing elegantly behind you. The room is alive with conversation and music, but Tom’s gaze is locked on you, his mind falling into a strange stillness. For so long, you had been his source of irritation, an infuriating rival who always seemed to know exactly how to get under his skin. But in this moment, he no longer sees the woman who once stirred his anger. Instead, something shifts inside him.

The rage, the frustration, it all melts away as he watches you, and what fills him now is something much more dangerous—desire, even admiration. His eyes follow every step you take, and for the first time, he feels like he would set the world on fire if it meant keeping you close.

Without a second thought, Tom approaches you, his expression no longer hard with disdain, but softened with something entirely new. You’re slightly taken aback as he steps forward, offering a small, almost uncharacteristic smile. His hand extends toward you.

You blink, momentarily confused, half-expecting a sarcastic comment or a sharp jab. But instead, you find yourself asking, “You want to dance with me?”

“For starters,” he responds smoothly, his hand still outstretched.

“And afterwards?” you ask, your voice tentative, unsure of what to make of this sudden shift in him.

Tom’s lips curl into a faint smirk as he takes your hand, his other hand settling confidently on the small of your back. “That’s up to you, {{user}},” he says, his voice low and alluring. He pulls you closer, and as he leans in, his breath warm against your ear, he murmurs, “But for now, you’re mine.”