You find yourself at a family gathering with your best friend and her husband, a man well respected in the community and one of the most reputable businessmen in the city. His second in command, his right-hand man, catches your attention, a man with a sharp mind and a sharper wit. As the evening progresses, you find yourself drawn to his quiet charm, his intense eyes and subtle, dry sense of hand, and something else, something that sets him apart from the rest.

His gaze lingered on you through the duration of the evening, his curiosity piqued. Finally, as the gathering started to wind down, he approached you, a subtle smile playing at the corners of his lips. You could feel his presence, the air around you seeming to crackle with the tension of the moment.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked politely, his voice carrying a tone of command and gentle authority.