Chapter 3 The Art of Seduction

Ava tried to focus on her work, but her mind kept wandering back to Landon. She couldn't believe how easily he'd gotten under her skin. She was determined to resist him, but she couldn't deny the way her body responded to his touch.

Just as she was starting to get her emotions under control, Ava received an invitation to a charity gala at the city's most exclusive museum. And Landon Ryder was hosting it.

Ava knew she should stay away, but her curiosity got the better of her. She had to see Landon again, had to know what he was planning.

As she arrived at the gala, Ava felt a shiver run down her spine. Landon was standing at the entrance, his eyes locked on hers, his smile dripping with seduction.

"Welcome, Ava," he said, his voice low and husky. "I knew you'd come."

Ava tried to brush past him, but Landon caught her arm, his grip like a vice. "Dance with me," he whispered, his breath hot against her ear.

Ava knew she should resist, but her body betrayed her. She let Landon lead her onto the dance floor, his hands on her waist, his eyes locked on hers.

As they danced, Ava felt herself getting lost in Landon's gaze. She knew she was playing with fire, but she couldn't help herself. She was drawn to him, like a moth to a flame.

And then, Landon leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear. "I'll have you, Ava. Soon."

Ava's heart skipped a beat as Landon's words sent shivers down her spine. She tried to pull away, but his grip on her waist tightened.

"You're playing with fire, Landon," she whispered, trying to sound firm, but her voice came out barely above a whisper.

Landon chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I love playing with fire, Ava. And I always get what I want."

As the music ended, Landon released Ava, but not before his fingers brushed against her skin, sending sparks flying.

Ava took a step back, trying to compose herself. She knew she had to get away from Landon before she fell deeper under his spell.

But as she turned to leave, she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Sophia, her best friend.

"Ava, what's going on?" Sophia asked, eyeing Landon warily. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Ava took a deep breath, trying to calm down. "It's just Landon, Sophia. He's...persistent."

Sophia's expression turned serious. "Be careful, Ava. He's not what he seems."

Ava nodded, knowing Sophia was right. But as she looked back at Landon, she couldn't help the way her heart raced. She was in trouble, and she knew it.

And then, Landon smiled, his eyes locked on hers, and Ava knew she was doomed.

As the night wore on, Ava tried to avoid Landon, but he seemed to be everywhere she went. She couldn't escape his gaze, his smile, his presence.

Finally, she'd had enough. "I need some fresh air," she told Sophia, making a beeline for the balcony.

But as she stepped outside, she found Landon waiting for her, his eyes gleaming in the moonlight.

"You can't escape me that easily, Ava," he whispered, his breath hot against her ear.

Ava spun around, her heart racing. "What do you want from me, Landon?"

Landon's smile was slow and seductive. "I want everything, Ava. Your heart, your soul, your body."

Ava felt a shiver run down her spine as Landon's words sent waves of desire crashing over her.

"No," she whispered, trying to sound firm, but her voice came out barely above a whisper.

Landon chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, Ava. You're so easy to read. You want me, even if you don't want to admit it."

And with that, he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers, sending sparks flying.

Ava knew she should push him away, but her body betrayed her. She kissed him back, lost in the passion, the desire, the seduction.

As they broke apart for air, Ava knew she was in trouble. She was falling for Landon, hard. And she didn't know if she could stop herself.

Ava's mind was reeling as Landon's lips left hers. She couldn't believe what she'd just done. She'd kissed him, willingly, eagerly.

Landon's eyes gleamed with triumph as he pulled her close again. "You can't resist me, Ava," he whispered. "I've got you right where I want you."

Ava tried to push him away, but her body wouldn't cooperate. She felt like she was under some sort of spell, unable to break free.

Just as Landon's lips were about to claim hers again, a voice cut through the night air. "Ava, what's going on here?"

Ava turned to see Sophia standing in the doorway, a look of concern etched on her face.

Landon released Ava, a smile still playing on his lips. "Just getting to know your friend, Sophia," he said, his voice dripping with innocence.

Sophia's eyes narrowed. "I don't think so, Landon. Ava, come inside. Now."

Ava didn't need to be told twice. She quickly followed Sophia back into the party, leaving Landon standing alone on the balcony.

As they made their way through the crowd, Sophia turned to Ava, her voice low. "What happened out there? You looked like you were in a trance."

Ava shook her head, trying to clear the fog. "I don't know, Sophia. I just...I couldn't resist him."

Sophia's expression turned serious. "Ava, you need to stay away from him. He's dangerous."

But Ava knew it was too late. She'd already fallen under Landon's spell. And she wasn't sure if she could ever break free.

The following week after the party, Ava didn't hear from Landon again, and she was beginning to think it was all a dream, maybe he got tired of pursuing her, and shes not gonna lie she missed he's flirting and sneaky remarks.

Days turned into weeks, and Ava didn't hear from Landon. She tried to brush it off, telling herself she was busy with work and didn't have time to think about him. But the truth was, she couldn't stop wondering where he was, why he hadn't contacted her.

It wasn't until Sophia asked her about Landon at lunch that Ava realized how much she'd been thinking about him. "Hey, have you heard from Landon lately?" Sophia asked, sipping her coffee.

Ava shook her head, trying to play it cool. "No, I haven't. And I don't know why I should care."

Sophia raised an eyebrow. "You're worried about him, Ava. Admit it."

Ava sighed, feeling a pang of frustration. "Okay, fine. I am worried. But I don't know why. It's not like we're in a relationship or anything."

Sophia smiled knowingly. "You're worried because you're starting to develop feelings for him, Ava. And you don't know how to process them."

Ava opened her mouth to deny it, but Sophia's words struck a chord. Was she really developing feelings for Landon?

Just then, Ava's phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number. "Hey, I'm back in town. Want to grab dinner tonight?"

Ava's heart skipped a beat as she realized it was Landon. She felt a mix of relief and excitement, and couldn't help but wonder where he'd been.

"Where were you?" Ava asked, trying to sound casual, as they sat down for dinner that night.

Landon smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Business meeting in New York. I had to fly out unexpectedly."

Ava felt a pang of disappointment that he hadn't contacted her, but pushed it aside. "Oh, okay. I was starting to think you were tired of convincing me to sell you the painting."

Landon's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes burning with intensity, he knew she was starting to like him. "I could never forget about you, Ava."