Chapter 2  The Hunt Begins

The moment she slipped from his grasp, Julian felt something he hadn't in a long time. Amusement. It was almost cute, the way she thought she had a choice. He never lost control. Never let anyone walk away unless he let them. And yet, she had dared to disappear into the crowd like she was untouchable. Little liar. Julian didn't chase women. But Naomi? She was different. A predator's patience was key, and he had all the time in the world. He leaned against the bar, ordering another whiskey. Taking his time. Watching the crowd. Waiting. Because she would come back. They always did.

And when she did-he'd make sure she never ran again. Naomi's Mistake Naomi's heart was still racing when she reached the upper floor of the club, her hands gripping the railing as she looked down at the sea of masked strangers below. The air up here was clearer, but her thoughts were tangled. Who the hell was he? She had seen men like him before-dangerous, powerful, the kind who played with people like they were nothing. And yet, when he had touched her... She exhaled sharply, her thighs pressing together involuntarily. No. No, no, no. She didn't get involved with men like that. She knew better. Yet, even as she told herself to forget him, her body betrayed her. The memory of his grip, his scent, the heat of his breath against her ear-it was already imprinted on her skin. She turned away from the railing, deciding to leave before she made a mistake. But the moment she turned- He was there. Leaning casually against the wall, whiskey in hand, watching her like a man who already owned her. Her breath caught. "How-" Julian smirked, slow and dangerous. "Did you really think you could run from me?" Naomi's pulse spiked. Too close. Too intense. She forced a scoff, masking her nerves with defiance. "I didn't know you were following me." Julian took a slow step forward, his presence swallowing the space between them. "Oh, darling." He reached out, brushing a gloved finger along her jaw. A whisper of a touch, enough to send a shiver down her spine. "I wasn't following you," he murmured. "I was hunting you." Naomi's stomach clenched. The worst part? She liked it. A Lesson in Power "Look," she said, trying to regain control. "I don't play these games. If you want a girl to fall at your feet, I'm sure plenty are willing downstairs." Julian chuckled. A rich, dark sound. "And yet, here you are." Her lips parted, words failing her. He was right. She should have left the club entirely. But instead, she had lingered. Stayed. Waiting for him to find her. Julian lifted his hand, tracing the curve of her collarbone. The leather of his glove was cool against her heated skin. "You don't want me to stop," he whispered. "Do you?" Naomi hated how her body responded to him. She hated the way her pulse quickened, the way her breath turned shallow. So she did the only thing she could. She slapped his hand away. Julian laughed softly. Not in surprise. In satisfaction. "You've got fire," he mused. "I like that." "Good for you." Naomi turned to leave, but his hand shot out, catching her wrist. Not harsh. But firm. Unrelenting. She gasped, turning back to glare at him. "Let. Me. Go." Julian tilted his head, eyes dark with something unreadable. "I will. But first-" He pulled her closer, so close she could feel his breath on her lips. "-You need to understand something." She swallowed hard. "This?" He gestured between them. "It's already started. You don't get to walk away." Naomi trembled, but she refused to break eye contact. "You don't own me." Julian smirked, leaning in until his lips nearly touched her ear. "Yet." Then, just as suddenly, he released her. Naomi stumbled back, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Julian took a step away, his green eyes glinting behind the mask. Like he had already won. "I'll see you soon, little liar," he murmured. And then, he walked away-leaving her standing there, already addicted to the darkness he carried.