Party
The bass pulsed through the walls, a hypnotic rhythm that made Ethan’s heartbeat quicken as he slipped past the distracted bouncer. The line outside had stretched down the block, filled with overdressed men and women hoping to get a taste of the exclusive party inside. Ethan didn’t have time for lines—or tickets. Rules were made to be broken, and if there was one thing Ethan knew how to do, it was breaking them.
He strolled into the main room like he belonged there, his leather jacket and ripped jeans a stark contrast to the sea of tailored suits and sleek dresses. Chandeliers sparkled overhead, casting a golden glow on the elegantly decorated space. Ethan smirked. Charity gala or not, it was still just another excuse for the rich to pat themselves on the back.
Grabbing a flute of champagne from a passing waiter, Ethan melted into the crowd. The music swelled, and the air buzzed with laughter, flirtation, and the unmistakable scent of money. Perfect.
He was about to make his way toward the dance floor when his eyes landed on him.
Standing near the bar, dressed in a perfectly tailored navy suit, was the most uptight-looking man Ethan had ever seen. The guy was all sharp angles and cold elegance, his dark hair slicked back, his jawline sharp enough to cut glass. He held a glass of whiskey in one hand, watching the room with an intensity that made Ethan’s stomach flip.
Ethan took another sip of champagne and grinned. Time to have some fun.
He was halfway across the room when it happened.
One misstep. One drunken guest stumbling into him.
Ethan reached out to steady himself, only to clip the edge of the towering champagne pyramid beside him. The glasses wobbled precariously, a symphony of clinking crystal, before the entire structure came crashing down.
Gasps filled the air as champagne spilled everywhere, soaking the pristine white tablecloth and splattering onto the floor.
“Are you serious?” a sharp voice cut through the chaos.
Ethan turned, and there he was—the man from the bar, now glaring at him with a mixture of annoyance and disbelief. Up close, he was even more devastatingly handsome, his hazel eyes burning with irritation.
“Uh... oops?” Ethan offered, flashing his most disarming grin.
“Oops?” the man echoed, crossing his arms. “Do you have any idea how much that just cost?”
“More than my monthly rent, probably,” Ethan said breezily. “But hey, at least it’s memorable, right?”
The man’s jaw tightened. “Who even invited you?”
Ethan hesitated for a fraction of a second before shrugging. “Would you believe I crashed the party just to meet you?”
For a moment, the man simply stared at him, his expression unreadable. Then, to Ethan’s surprise, a small, reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
“Well, congratulations,” he said dryly. “You’ve succeeded in making quite the impression.”
Ethan tilted his head, his grin widening. “And what kind of impression is that?”
The man took a step closer, his gaze steady. “The kind I’m not sure I’ll regret—or want to forget.”
The tension crackled between them, a spark neither of them could ignore.
