The dim glow of the club lights flickered against the black-and-red decor, casting shadows that seemed to dance with the bass of the music. You stood at the bar, a drink in your hand that you hadn't touched, your eyes scanning the crowd, looking for him. Mattheo had been avoiding you all night, just as you’d been avoiding him.

And then, he was there, appearing like some kind of magnet, pulling all the energy in the room toward him. His figure cut through the crowd effortlessly, but it was the smirk on his face that told you exactly what he was thinking. His eyes, locked on yours with that familiar intensity.

You didn’t bother to hide the frustration building inside you, crossing your arms over your chest, but even as you did, a spark of something else flickered in the back of your mind.

"You’ve been avoiding me all night," you said, your voice low but sharp, the slight edge betraying your calm exterior.

Mattheo leaned in, close enough that you could smell the hint of cologne he wore—something musky, masculine. "Avoiding you?" His voice was smooth, almost mocking. "Maybe I’m just giving you space, baby."

You almost scoffed at that. You could feel the heat rising in your chest, but instead of lashing out as you might have, you straightened up and met his gaze head-on, the words slipping from your lips without thinking. “Because I am the bad guy here.”

There was a beat of silence. Then, his grin widened, and he took a step closer, his breath warm against your ear as he whispered, "Say that again."

His hand brushed over your waist and the smirk on his lips deepened, his voice thick with a drawl you knew too well. “I like it.”

Your heart pounded in your chest. The weight of the moment squeezed in and the tension between you grew thicker by the second. You couldn't tell if you wanted to pull away or lean in, but one thing was certain: together you were pure chaos.