The sky had darkened unexpectedly, thick clouds rolling in over the city streets. Maya Sharma hurried along with her basket of pastries, the rain starting as light drizzles. She cursed under her breath. A sudden downpour would ruin everything—and the pastries.
"Great," she muttered, ducking under a café awning.
A sleek car pulled up beside her, windshield wipers swishing. The passenger door opened. Adrian Knight stepped out, umbrella in hand, looking like he had just stepped out of a magazine cover.
"You're not planning to walk in this, are you?" he asked, tone neutral but his dark eyes sharp.
"I… I can manage," Maya said, trying to sound nonchalant, but her wet hair clung to her forehead and her apron was already damp.
Adrian sighed, holding the umbrella over her. The proximity made her heart skip. Their hands brushed lightly, and she felt a jolt—quick and undeniable.
"You get yourself into trouble a lot," he said softly, almost more concerned than teasing.
Maya looked up at him, surprised by the gentleness. "I'm fine," she replied, though the truth was her chest raced.
They walked together toward her delivery, the rain masking the quiet between them. Every step, every brush of hands, every accidental bump intensified the tension. Maya's breath caught more than once.Finally, they reached her destination. The basket needed to be handed over carefully, and as Maya bent to lift it, Adrian's hand steadied her back. Their faces were now just inches apart.
"I… I should go," Maya whispered, stepping back—but she didn't.
Adrian's dark gaze lingered on her lips, and for a fleeting second, time slowed. The rain, the street, the world—they didn't matter.
He leaned slightly closer. "Maya…" His voice was husky.
She looked up, eyes wide, heart pounding. Their lips were almost touching. She could feel the warmth radiating from him.
Then, a loud honk from the street snapped her out of the moment. Both stepped back abruptly, breaking the spell.
"I—I have to deliver these!" Maya stammered, fumbling the basket as she stepped forward.Adrian straightened, smirk tugging at his lips. "Yes. You do."
The tension lingered between them, electric and unresolved. Neither spoke again, yet the rain had baptized a new chapter in their connection—one charged with longing, curiosity, and undeniable attraction.
From across the street, Veronica Hale watched, her lips curling. "So this is how it begins," she murmured. "I'll enjoy watching the sparks fly."
Inside Maya's mind, one thought replayed over and over: This man is impossible… and yet, I can't stop thinking about him.Adrian straightened, smirk tugging at his lips. "Yes. You do."
The tension lingered between them, electric and unresolved. Neither spoke again, yet the rain had baptized a new chapter in their connection—one charged with longing, curiosity, and undeniable attraction.
From across the street, Veronica Hale watched, her lips curling. "So this is how it begins," she murmured. "I'll enjoy watching the sparks fly."
Inside Maya's mind, one thought replayed over and over: This man is impossible… and yet, I can't stop thinking about him.