The limousine glided through the city streets, its sleek black exterior reflecting the neon glow of the skyline. Mira sat stiffly beside Theo, her fingers clutching the delicate fabric of her gown. The dress was a masterpiece—a deep emerald green that clung to her curves like a second skin, the neckline plunging just enough to tease without revealing too much. The back was entirely open, the fabric dipping low enough to make her breath catch every time she moved.
She had never worn anything so expensive, so *exquisite*. The stylist Theo had hired had worked miracles, transforming her into someone who belonged in his world. Her hair was swept into an elegant chignon, a few loose tendrils framing her face. Her makeup was flawless—smoky eyes, full lips painted a bold red. She looked like a woman who knew her worth.
And yet, she still felt like an imposter.
Theo’s hand rested on her bare knee, his thumb tracing slow, deliberate circles on her skin. The touch was innocent, but the heat of it seeped through her, igniting a fire low in her belly. She glanced at him, taking in the sharp lines of his tuxedo, the way the fabric stretched across his broad shoulders. He was devastatingly handsome, his dark eyes intense as they locked onto hers.
"You look breathtaking," he murmured, his voice rough with desire.
Mira swallowed hard. "You don’t look so bad yourself."
A slow, knowing smile curved his lips. "I’d rather be looking at *you* without the dress."
Her breath hitched. The air between them was thick with tension, the kind that had been building for weeks—ever since that night in his penthouse, when she had let herself lean on him for the first time. Since then, things had shifted between them. The contract was still in place, but the lines had blurred. The way he touched her, the way he looked at her—it wasn’t just about the arrangement anymore.
It was real.
And that terrified her.
The limo slowed as they approached the venue—a grand ballroom lit up like a jewel against the night sky. Mira’s stomach twisted. She had been to this gala before, as Daniel’s date. The memory of his hands on her, his possessive grip, made her skin crawl.
Theo must have sensed her unease because his hand tightened on her knee. "He won’t touch you," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Not tonight. Not ever again."
Mira nodded, but the fear still lingered.
The door opened, and Theo stepped out first, offering his hand to help her from the car. The moment her heels touched the pavement, the flash of cameras nearly blinded her. Theo’s arm slid around her waist, pulling her close as they walked the red carpet. The reporters shouted questions, but Theo ignored them, his focus solely on her.
"You’re doing great," he murmured against her ear.
Mira forced a smile, her heart pounding. She had never been the center of attention like this. But with Theo beside her, she felt invincible.
---
The ballroom was a sea of glittering gowns and tailored suits, the air thick with the scent of expensive perfume and champagne. Theo guided her inside, his hand resting possessively on the small of her back. The warmth of his touch seeped through the thin fabric of her dress, sending a shiver down her spine.
They hadn’t taken more than a few steps when Mira felt eyes on her. She turned, her breath catching as she locked gazes with Daniel.
He stood across the room, a glass of whiskey in hand, his expression darkening as he took in Theo’s arm around her. His jaw clenched, and for a moment, Mira thought he might storm over. But then he turned away, disappearing into the crowd.
Theo’s grip on her tightened. "Ignore him," he said, his voice a low growl. "He’s not worth your time."
Mira nodded, but her pulse was racing. She could feel Daniel’s gaze burning into her back as they moved deeper into the room.
Theo led her to the bar, ordering two glasses of champagne. He handed her one, his fingers brushing against hers. The contact sent a jolt of electricity through her, and she took a sip, hoping the alcohol would steady her nerves.
"You’re tense," Theo observed, his eyes darkening.
Mira swallowed. "I just… I don’t like being here with him."
Theo’s expression hardened. "He won’t come near you. I won’t let him."
Mira believed him. Theo had already proven how far he would go to protect her. But that didn’t stop the unease coiling in her stomach.
Theo leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "Dance with me."
It wasn’t a question.
Mira’s heart skipped a beat. "Now?"
Theo’s lips curved into a smirk. "Unless you’d rather stand here all night, waiting for him to make a move."
Mira glanced around the room. Daniel was nowhere in sight, but the threat of him lingered. She took a deep breath and nodded.
Theo took her glass, setting it on the bar before leading her onto the dance floor. The music was slow, sensual—a melody that wrapped around them like silk. Theo’s hand slid to her waist, pulling her flush against him. The heat of his body seeped through her dress, making her breath catch.
"You’re trembling," he murmured, his lips brushing the shell of her ear.
Mira’s fingers curled into the fabric of his jacket. "I can’t help it."
Theo’s hand slid lower, his fingers splaying across the bare skin of her back. The touch was possessive, claiming. "Relax," he whispered. "I’ve got you."
Mira closed her eyes, letting herself melt into him. The music swelled around them, the world narrowing to just the two of them. Theo’s hand moved in slow, deliberate circles on her back, each touch sending a spark of heat through her.
"You’re so beautiful," he murmured, his voice rough with desire.
Mira’s breath hitched. She could feel the hard length of him pressing against her, the evidence of his arousal impossible to ignore. The knowledge that she had this effect on him sent a rush of heat between her thighs.
Theo’s hand slid lower, his fingers tracing the curve of her spine before dipping beneath the fabric of her dress. Mira gasped as his fingertips brushed the sensitive skin just above the swell of her ass.
"People are watching," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Theo’s lips curved into a wicked smile. "Let them watch."
His hand moved lower, his fingers teasing the edge of her panties. Mira’s breath came in shallow gasps as he traced the lace, his touch featherlight but maddening.
"You’re playing with fire," she warned, her voice barely audible over the music.
Theo’s eyes darkened. "I know."
His fingers slipped beneath the fabric, brushing against the slick heat between her thighs. Mira’s knees nearly buckled, her fingers digging into his shoulders for support.
"Oh God," she gasped, her head falling back.
Theo’s lips found the sensitive skin of her neck, his teeth grazing her pulse point. "You’re so wet for me," he murmured, his voice a dark promise.
Mira’s hips rolled involuntarily, seeking more of his touch. Theo’s fingers teased her, circling her clit with slow, deliberate strokes. The pleasure was almost too much, the risk of someone seeing them only heightening the sensation.
"You like this, don’t you?" Theo growled against her ear. "Being touched where anyone could see."
Mira whimpered, her body trembling. "Yes."
Theo’s fingers slid lower, teasing her entrance. "I want to fuck you right here," he murmured, his voice rough with need. "I want everyone to know you’re mine."
Mira’s breath hitched, her body aching for him. But before she could respond, Theo’s fingers retreated, leaving her empty and desperate.
"Not yet," he whispered, his lips brushing her ear. "But soon."
Mira’s heart pounded as Theo guided her off the dance floor, his hand possessively on her lower back. The crowd parted for them, whispers following in their wake. Mira’s skin burned with the knowledge that people had seen them—had seen *him* touch her like that.
Theo led her toward a secluded alcove, his grip on her waist tightening. The moment they were out of sight, he pushed her against the wall, his body caging hers in. His lips crashed down on hers, his kiss hungry and demanding. Mira moaned into his mouth, her hands tangling in his hair as she pulled him closer.
Theo’s hands roamed her body, his touch possessive. He gripped her thigh, hitching it over his hip as he ground against her. Mira gasped as his erection pressed against her core, the friction sending waves of pleasure through her.
"You’re driving me crazy," Theo growled against her lips.
Mira’s fingers curled into his jacket. "We should stop."
Theo’s lips curved into a wicked smile. "Do you want to stop?"
Mira hesitated, her body aching for more. "No."
Theo’s hand slid beneath her dress, his fingers finding her slick heat once more. Mira gasped as he teased her, his touch relentless.
"You’re so fucking wet," he murmured, his voice rough with desire.
Mira’s hips rolled against his hand, her body begging for release. "Please," she whimpered.
Theo’s fingers slid inside her, his thumb circling her clit. Mira’s breath came in ragged gasps as pleasure coiled tight in her belly.
"Come for me," Theo commanded, his voice a dark promise.
Mira’s body obeyed, her orgasm crashing over her in waves. She bit down on her lip to stifle her cries, her body trembling against his.
Theo’s lips found hers, swallowing her moans as she rode out the aftershocks. When she finally stilled, he pulled back, his eyes dark with satisfaction.
"We’re leaving," he said, his voice leaving no room for argument.
Mira nodded, her body still humming with pleasure.
Theo took her hand, leading her through the crowd. Mira’s legs were unsteady, her mind still reeling from the intensity of her orgasm. She barely registered the whispers, the stares—all she could focus on was the man beside her, the way his touch set her on fire.
The limo was waiting when they stepped outside, the cool night air a shock to her system. Theo helped her inside, his hands lingering on her waist as he settled beside her.
The moment the door closed, Theo’s lips were on hers, his kiss desperate and hungry. Mira moaned into his mouth, her hands sliding beneath his jacket to push it off his shoulders.
Theo broke the kiss, his breath ragged. "I need you," he growled.
Mira’s fingers fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, her need for him overwhelming. "Then take me."
Theo’s eyes darkened, and in one swift motion, he lifted her onto his lap, her dress riding up around her hips. Mira gasped as she felt the hard length of him pressing against her core, the thin fabric of her panties the only barrier between them.
Theo’s hands gripped her hips, grinding her against him. Mira moaned, her head falling back as pleasure coursed through her.
"You’re mine," Theo growled, his voice rough with possession.
Mira’s fingers tangled in his hair, pulling his lips to hers. "Yours," she agreed, her voice breathless.
Theo’s hands slid beneath her dress, his fingers hooking into the waistband of her panties. Mira lifted her hips, allowing him to pull them down. The moment they were gone, Theo’s fingers found her slick heat, teasing her entrance.
"Please," Mira whimpered, her body aching for him.
Theo didn’t make her wait. In one swift motion, he unzipped his pants, freeing his erection. Mira gasped as she felt the thick head of him pressing against her, her body trembling with anticipation.
Theo’s hands gripped her hips, guiding her down onto him. Mira moaned as he filled her, the stretch almost too much. Theo’s lips found hers, swallowing her cries as he began to move.
Mira’s fingers dug into his shoulders, her body rocking against his. The pleasure was overwhelming, the sensation of him inside her, filling her, claiming her—it was too much.
"You feel so fucking good," Theo growled against her lips.
Mira’s breath came in ragged gasps as she rode him, her body moving in sync with his. The limo rocked beneath them, the sound of skin against skin filling the air.
Theo’s hands slid to her ass, gripping her tightly as he thrust up into her. Mira cried out, her body trembling as pleasure coiled tight in her belly.
"I’m close," she whimpered.
Theo’s lips found her neck, his teeth grazing her pulse point. "Come for me," he commanded.
Mira’s body obeyed, her orgasm crashing over her in waves. She cried out, her body trembling as pleasure consumed her.
Theo’s grip on her tightened, his own release following hers. He groaned against her neck, his body shuddering as he spilled inside her.
For a moment, neither of them moved, their breaths ragged as they came down from the high. Mira’s head rested against Theo’s shoulder, her body still trembling.
Theo’s hand slid up her back, his fingers tangling in her hair. "You’re incredible," he murmured, his voice soft.
Mira smiled, her heart full. "So are you."
Theo pressed a kiss to her forehead, his arms wrapping around her. "Let’s go home."
Mira nodded, her body still humming with pleasure.
As the limo pulled away from the curb, Mira knew one thing for certain—she was falling for him.
And this time, she wasn’t sure she wanted to stop.