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Standing, he straightens his shoulders and clears his throat. He steps closer, his presence commanding and comforting at the same time. The room fades into the background, leaving the two of us in this suspended moment.
“May I have this dance?” Adrian asks.
I nod, unable to form words as my heart pounds in anticipation. He extends his hand, and I place mine in his, feeling the warmth and strength that emanates from his touch. As we move to the dance floor, the world becomes a blur. The music wraps around us like a gentle embrace, guiding our steps as if we were meant to dance together. Adrian’s firm yet gentle hold makes me feel safe in his presence. Our bodies sway in perfect harmony, the space between us narrowing with each passing second. I catch glimpses of his intense gaze, his tenderness and desire igniting a fire within me. The energy between us is palpable, a magnetic pull that neither of us can resist. As the song reaches its crescendo, our movements become bolder, our bodies pressed closer together. Time stands still. The world melts away, leaving only Adrian and me in this passionate embrace. The song ends, but our dance lingers, the notes echoing in the air. The intensity of the moment is overwhelming, fear and exhilaration coursing through my veins.
Adrian leans in, his voice a whisper against my ear. I close my eyes. My breath hitches as the warmth of his mouth caresses the side of my face.
“Cheyanne, I...”
I look up at him, my heart pounding in my chest, waiting for his next words.
“You what?” I ask.
Disappointment and anticipation flood through me. We stand there for a moment, locked in each other’s gaze, before reality seeps back into the room. The spell is broken, and we reluctantly release each other from our grasp.
He walks me from the dance floor, signaling a waiter to bring us two more glasses of champagne. I risk a daring look, a silent invitation lingering between us.
Somehow, I find solace in the possibility that maybe, just maybe, our desires align.
***
THE NEXT EVENING, I’Msitting in a chair across from my father, wearing the same teal dress I wore during my photo shoot. I watch him draw the blinds, shutting out the fading light. His serious expression worries me. I brace myself for what he’s about to say.
“How was the shoot?” my dad asks.
“It was good. How’s everything with you?” I shift in my seat. “I feel like I should’ve changed clothes for this meeting.”
“It’s not a meeting. I just need to talk to you about something that’s come up.” His voice is steady but filled with concern.
“Okay, what is it? You look like the cat died.” When he hesitates to spill, I frown.
I lean forward. “Just tell me.”
He sighs, his gaze shifting down to his desk. “You may have attracted the attention of a stalker,” he reveals.
“Imay have?” I raise a questioning eyebrow. Not this again. Another troll of a middle-aged man trying every trick in the book to gain access to me. A knot forms in my stomach. The room feels vast and overwhelming. I struggle to find my voice because this time I’m tired and can’t believe this is happening again.
Five times in three years. What is this life?
My father rises from his chair and moves around the desk, crouching down in front of me. He takes both of my hands, his touch providing a sense of comfort.
“It’s going to be alright,” he assures me, his voice gentle but resolute. I take a deep breath; this is suffocating me. Dad squeezes my hand, his gaze fixed on me. “This stuff is never your fault. I want you to remember that. It’s just the unfortunate side effect of your success.” His voice is firm. “You’ve worked hard for what you have. No one has the right to threaten it.”
“I’m sotiredof being threatened,” I groan. “Is this my life? The more I do, the more success I have—the worse my life’s gonna be? I can’t handle that.”
“You won’t have to.”
“What does that mean?” I snap.
“It means you’re moving into a gated community with security.”
I roll my eyes. “So what’s to stop the guy from hopping the gate in thegated community?”
“Your personally security detail.”
“What?”
“You’re my daughter, and your safety is the most important thing in the world to me. So—I’m setting up private security for you.”
