Chapter 4

The air in the private nook of the event space was thick, heavy with the scent of melted snow, pine needles, and the lingering sweetness of champagne. We had escaped the lingering chatter of the few remaining guests, slipping away into this secluded corner that felt worlds apart from the polished marble and crystal chandeliers of the main hall. It was a glass-walled alcove, tucked away behind a curtain of frosted ivy and velvet drapes, offering a perfect view of the snow-dusted mountains outside while keeping us hidden in our own intimate world. Outside, the wind howled against the glass, a low, mournful sound that only served to emphasize the warmth inside. But it wasn’t just the warmth of the room; it was the heat radiating off my body, the way my skin prickled with anticipation, the way my heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird. The floor beneath our feet was heated stone, soft under my bare feet, but I barely registered the sensation through the electric charge buzzing between us. He stood near the large, floor-to-ceiling window, his silhouette framed by the moonlight filtering through the falling snow. He was still in his tuxedo, the black