Chapter 1 The Ignition

Vancouver's skyline pierced the night sky as Christina stepped out of the trendy Gastown bar, the pulse of the music still thrumming through her veins. She was celebrating her 29th birthday, and the cold October air sobered her excitement. Andrew, her boyfriend of three years, was supposed to meet her here, but he was running late, as usual.

As she lit a cigarette, a deep voice rumbled behind her.

"Hey, beautiful, you know those things'll be the death of you."

Christina turned, a smile spreading across her face. "Drew! You're finally here."

Andrew wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. "Sorry, baby. Traffic was crazy. But I brought you something."

He handed her a small box. Christina's heart skipped as she opened it, revealing a delicate silver necklace with a diamond pendant.

"Andrew, it's stunning," she breathed, her voice barely audible over the city noise.

He chuckled, his eyes circling at the corners. "I saw it and thought of you. You deserve it, birthday girl."

As he fastened the necklace around her neck, Christina felt a rush of love for him. They'd met in their early twenties, and he'd been her rock ever since. Sure, their relationship wasn't perfect – there were the usual fights, the trust issues but they always found their way back to each other.

"Let's get back inside," Andrew said, his lips grazing her ear. "I want to dance with the birthday girl."

As they walked hand in hand, Christina felt a flutter in her chest. Tonight felt different. Maybe it was the champagne, the music, or the way Andrew's eyes seemed to burn with desire whenever he looked at her. Whatever it was, she couldn't shake the feeling that their love was about to ignite.

Back at the bar, their friends cheered and raised their glasses as Christina and Andrew joined the celebration. The night wore on, the music growing louder, the air thickening with laughter and lust.

As they danced, Andrew's hands roamed her body, sending shivers down her spine. Christina knew they needed to get out of there, fast.

"Drew, let's go home," she whispered, her voice husky.

Andrew's eyes darkened. "My place or yours?"

Christina smiled, her heart racing. "Mine."

The drive was a blur, the anticipation building with every passing minute. When they finally stumbled into her apartment, the tension was palpable.Andrew spun her around, his lips crashing down on hers. Christina's world narrowed to the feel of his touch, the taste of his kiss.

As they stumbled towards the bedroom, Christina knew this was it – the night their love would change forever.

Andrew's lips were like a firework exploding on her skin, igniting a passion that seemed to burn brighter with every passing second. Christina's hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as they stumbled towards the bedroom.

The room was a blur of shadows and light, the only sound the ragged beat of their breathing. Clothes scattered the floor like confetti, revealing the heat of their skin.

As they fell onto the bed, Andrew's eyes locked onto Christina's, the desire burning like a wildfire. "I love you," he whispered, his voice husky.

Christina's heart skipped a beat. "I love you too," she replied, her voice barely audible.

The world narrowed to the touch of their skin, the taste of their kiss. Time lost all meaning as they surrendered to the flames that consumed them.

Later, as they lay entwined in the aftermath, Christina felt a sense of peace wash over her. This was it – this was the moment she'd always wanted. But as she gazed into Andrew's eyes, she saw something that made her heart stumble. A flicker of uncertainty, a glimpse of a secret he'd been keeping from her.

Christina's mind reeled. What was he hiding? And would it be the thing to tear them apart?