Chapter 1: Midnight Kisses
The patio of Mia’s sprawling modern mansion buzzed with laughter and the clink of glasses under the starry night. I, Elise Chan, CEO of the flourishing skincare empire Lumina Glow, sat among my eclectic group of friends, my tall frame slightly hunched over the table as I nursed a single glass of rosé. My brown eyes, speckled with freckles across my nose, scanned the drunken chaos with amusement. I’d kept my drinking light—someone had to drive home, after all. My half-American, half-Hong Kongese heritage gave me a sharp wit in four languages, but tonight, English slurs dominated the air.
“Elise, be a doll and grab some water, yeah?” slurred Mia, her mascara smudged from laughing too hard. I rolled my eyes but stood, smoothing my sleek black dress. My love for organization meant I knew exactly where everything was in her kitchen.
Inside, the cool marble counters gleamed under dim lights. I tugged a heavy case of water from a low shelf, my brown hair slipping over my shoulder. A fork clattered to the floor with a piercing clang, and I cursed under my breath. Before I could bend down, the kitchen door swung open.
“You okay, Elise?” Jun’s voice, smooth as silk, cut through the silence. Half-American, half-Korean, and a model-turned-business mogul, he was jaw-droppingly gorgeous—tall, chiseled, with eyes that could melt steel. He’d had plenty to drink, but his steps were steady, his gaze sharp.
“Just testing gravity,” I quipped, a little tipsy, my cheeks warming under his stare. “Fork lost the battle.”
He chuckled, low and warm, kneeling to help me gather the scattered cutlery. “You’re a mess, CEO. Good thing I’m here to save your empire from rogue utensils.”
“Ha, my empire’s fine. It’s your pretty face I’m worried about—don’t cut yourself,” I shot back, smirking as we stood. Our hands brushed as we slid the drawer shut, and I froze. God, he looked unreal tonight, moonlight catching the angles of his jaw. Maybe it was the wine, or maybe it was the way he looked at me like I was the only person in the room, but impulse took over.
I leaned in and kissed him. His lips were soft, unmoving for a heartbeat. I pulled back, breathless, my heart hammering. Under his breath, he muttered, “Are you crazy?”
“Crazy’s my middle name,” I teased, voice husky, and kissed him again. This time, he responded—just a flicker, but enough to ignite something in me. I pulled away, our faces inches apart, his dark eyes burning into mine.
Then, like a dam breaking, Jun’s hand gripped my waist, the other cupping my face as he kissed me back—long, deep, and so damn intimate I felt it in my bones. I’d never been happier. He stepped forward, pressing me against the cool kitchen wall, one arm pinning me by the waist, the other braced beside my head. His kisses were hungry, like he’d waited a lifetime for this, and I matched every bit of his fire.
“Elise!” Mia’s slurred shout shattered the moment. I froze, heat flooding my face, and mumbled something incoherent before grabbing the water case and bolting back to the patio. My friends were oblivious, still cackling over some spilled beer. I slid into my seat, cheeks flushed, heart racing, looking like I’d run a marathon.
“Girl, why you lookin’ so shocked? Too much wine?” Mia giggled, pointing a wobbly finger at me.
“Yeah, totally overdid it,” I lied, forcing a laugh, my mind still on Jun’s lips. Seconds later, he sauntered out, deliberately taking the seat next to me. I felt tears prick my eyes—nerves, maybe, or sheer overwhelm. I didn’t know what to feel.
He noticed. Of course he did. “Water?” he offered quietly, his voice a gentle anchor.
I shook my head, throat tight. “I’m good.”
He leaned back, his arm resting behind me, fingers brushing mine. I flinched, shy, pulling away, but he didn’t budge. When I tried again, his grip tightened, warm and firm. I glanced up, and his eyes held something new—affection, care, a tenderness that made my chest ache. He looked so handsome, so kind, I couldn’t help but smile.
Adjusting my hand, I laced my fingers with his, leaning against his shoulder. As our friends stumbled through drunken antics, we sat there, a quiet storm brewing between us, promising something wild and untamed just beneath the surface.
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