Chapter 3 Effortlessly dangerous

CORALINE POV

With a deep breath, I pushed the trolley toward the VIP elevator. My pulse quickened as I pressed the button, and when the doors slid open, a cool draft washed over me. As the elevator ascended, soft piano music hummed in the background, doing little to soothe my nerves. If anything went wrong with this guest, I could lose my job.

The doors chimed open, revealing a grand hallway. Pushing the trolley forward, I approached the men in dark suits standing like statues, their sunglasses adding to the intimidation factor. One of them swept a scanner over me and the trolley before giving a curt nod, signaling me to proceed.

"Room service," I called out, keeping my voice bright as I stepped inside.

"Dining area," a deep voice commanded.I followed the sound and found him seated at the table, a sleek laptop open in front of him.

He was dressed now-loose white shirt, sleeves rolled up, top buttons undone, revealing a hint of a lean chest. His black pants fit perfectly, tailored to his frame. His hair, damp from a recent shower, fell in careless waves, giving him an effortlessly dangerous air.Get a grip, Coraline.

His piercing green eyes locked onto mine. "Are you going to stand there all night? You're already five minutes late. Sit."

I swallowed. "Sir?"

"You heard me, darling." His Rolex caught the light as he leaned back. "Sit."

Bristling at the arrogance, I kept my cool, setting the meal down with steady hands.

A sudden sneeze broke the silence. He covered his nose, irritation flashing across his features.I blinked. "Are you allergic to something?"

"Those damn flowers," he muttered. "Get rid of them."

So much for James's fancy touch. I rolled the trolley back toward the foyer, catching my reflection in a mirror. White blouse, black pencil skirt-professional but slightly rumpled. My dark hair was pulled into a bun, though a few loose strands had escaped. And on my left hand, the only sparkle-my diamond engagement ring."Darling," his voice called.

I gritted my teeth at the endearment and headed back inside. He gestured to the seat beside him.

"Sit," he repeated.

Hesitating, I finally lowered myself onto the chair, feeling the cool fabric against my skin. He watched me, studying every movement. The only sound was the clinking of his fork against the plate as he ate.

At least he didn't ask me to taste the food first. That would have sent me running. Billie, my friend and also a staff here at the hotel had speculated that he might be involved in the mafia, but he seemed too young for that. Too polished. He looked more like a politician's son or a billionaire heir-nothing as sinister as guns and knives. Yet, he still carried a presence that made him dangerous in an entirely different way.His phone buzzed. He picked it up, staring at the screen before answering.

"Marco," he said, setting his fork down. "Any word from him?"

I stared at my hands, suddenly feeling like an intruder. Why had he even requested me? Was this some strange rich-person quirk?

His voice sharpened. "Make sure everything is in place. No mistakes. Three days."He ended the call and looked back at me. I quickly averted my gaze, heat creeping up my cheeks."Business," he said as if it were an afterthought. "It never leaves you alone."

I nodded, unsure how to respond.

As he resumed eating, I fought the urge to flee. But something about him made me stay-curiosity, maybe? He was a contradiction. Dangerous yet refined. Cold yet oddly magnetic.

His lashes flickered as he took another bite. My gaze dropped to his hands-strong, lean, and veined. His jaw tightened slightly as he chewed, and for a second, I thought...Stop staring, Coraline.

His gaze met mine, and a slow smirk tugged at his lips. Embarrassed, I snapped my head away, but it was too late. His expression shifted as if he'd caught me in the act.

Reaching for the champagne, his fingers brushed condensation off the bottle. I quickly stood, taking it from him and drying it with a napkin. My pulse thrummed.Trouble. That's exactly what he was. And I needed to leave.

"Don't hurt yourself with that, darling. Give it here," he said as I struggled with the bottle.

"I got it," I huffed, twisting and turning until the cork popped. I poured the champagne into his glass, but his gaze remained fixed on my hand. A frown creased his brow."Engaged?" he asked.

I nodded."I see."Something in his tone changed, but I couldn't quite place it.

"You need anything else, sir?" I asked.

"No, we're through. You can leave now."His mood had shifted, though I wasn't sure why. Still, I was more than glad to escape his intimidating presence.

****

Later that day, I thought it best to go get some drinks with my friend, Billie at a local bar. The place was really run down and I didn't know why she always suggested coming here. Maybe it was the type music that blasted through the speakers or the weird strawberry smell that somehow clung to the hair and the floor of the bar.

I had dressed in a short black dress and black heels. Today was exhausting with the perfect stranger from the hotel bossing me around, telling me to sit, and fetch his food and blah blah. I wish I could knock the smirk off his face eat time but I couldn't. I didn't.

Billie was also very curious about him so it's probably why she keeps feeding me lots of drinks to talk until I felt my stomach twirl and turn so I exit to the restroom for a break.

I wash my face, wipe damp sweat off my neck and then redo my makeup, bright red lipstic and shadowed eyeliner. With a smile, I step out of the bathroom again and just as I maneuvered around a group of dancers, I bumped into someone. A guy, clearly drunk, sloshed his drink onto his shirt.

"Hey, watch it!" he slurred. Then his gaze landed on me, his eyes trailing down my bare thighs, and his grin turned lazy. "Well, hello there."

I tried to step around him, but he blocked my path. "What's your rush, beautiful? Have a drink with me."

His breath reeked of whiskey. I took a step back. "Not interested. Move."

He chuckled and reached for my hair. "Come on, don't be like that. You're too pretty to be alone."

Before I could react, a strong, gloved hand clamped onto the man's shoulder, yanking him back. "She said she's not interested."

The drunk guy turned, irritation flashing in his eyes-until he registered the newcomer's size. He muttered something and stumbled off.I turned to thank my rescuer and froze. Striking green eyes. Tailored suit. The perfect stranger from the hotel.

"Are you alright?" His voice was deep, controlled.

"Yeah. Just some whiskey on my chest." I tried to wipe it off, my fingers trembling.

He pulled out a pristine white handkerchief. "Here."

I hesitated, then took it, dabbing at my dress. Heat crept up my cheeks.

His gaze didn't waver. He was watching me. Not in a creepy way. Just... watching. Like he saw everything. Was he stalking me now?

"Thank you," I whispered.

His lips curved slightly. "No, thank you."

I swallowed, my heart racing.

He reached for the handkerchief, but I pulled away. "Let me wash it first," I said with a nervous laugh. "I feel embarrassed enough already."

"Nothing to be embarrassed about, darling. And don't worry, I'll take it as it is."

His fingers brushed mine as he took the cloth from my grip, his touch lingering for just a second before he tucked it into his pocket.

"You always carry a handkerchief?" I asked, attempting to steady my breath.

His lips twitched. "A habit."

"A very old-fashioned one," I mused, tilting my head.

"Perhaps. But some traditions are worth keeping."

His gaze remained on me, unwavering, unreadable. The way he looked at me-like he saw everything, like he knew things I hadn't even said aloud-made my stomach twist. I should look away, but I couldn't.

"So," I cleared my throat, "Are you going to leave now?"

I didn't even know why someone like him would be in this old rundown club and not something fancy.

"Would you rather I stay?"he questioned and we both went silent. I didn't want to admit it, but he was definitely growing on me, and I wasn't sure it was in a good way because my stomach kept tightening each time I saw him.

I opened my mouth, he exhaled, almost amused, then took a step back. "Enjoy your night."And just like that, he turned and disappeared into the crowd. Like he was never there.