You were walking down the corridor, the evening quiet and the torches throwing flickers of gold across the stone walls. Everything felt still—until the faint smell of cigarette smoke drifted through the air.

You frowned, turning your head.

That’s when you saw him.

Tom was leaning against the wall like he owned the place—one hand tucked in his pocket, the other lazily holding a cigarette between his fingers. Smoke curled upward, soft and silver in the dim light. But he wasn’t paying attention to the cigarette.

He was staring at you.

Not subtly. Not politely. Blatantly. Intently. Like he’d been waiting for you to show up.

Your steps slowed slightly, then you forced yourself to keep moving until you were close enough to see the faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

You crossed your arms. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Tom’s smirk widened. He lifted the cigarette to his lips, taking a slow drag before replying. His eyes never left yours.

“Well, well,” he drawled, voice smooth as silk, “look who we have here, m’lady.”

He let out a low chuckle, the kind that sent a shiver down your spine—not because you were afraid, but because Tom always had that effect on you. That effortless, dangerous charm.

You raised an eyebrow. “M’lady? Really?”

Tom shrugged one shoulder, amused “Would you prefer princess?”

You tried—tried—to keep your expression neutral, but the small smile that tugged at your lips gave you away.

He noticed. Of course he did.

“Careful,” he murmured, leaning forward just slightly. “If you smile at me like that, I might think you enjoy my company.”

“And if you keep smoking in the corridor,” you shot back, “I might think you’re trying to get caught.”

He chuckled again, flicking ash to the side. “Maybe I am. Maybe I’m waiting for someone interesting enough to distract me.”

His eyes dropped to your lips for a moment—quick, but noticeable—before rising back to meet your gaze.

“Well?” Tom asked softly. “Are you going to walk away… or stay and keep me entertained?”

The corridor felt smaller now. Quieter. And his eyes were far too dark and tempting to ignore.