Melody's POV
The air reeked of champagne, ambition, and sharp cologne.
I hated parties like this elegant facades masking dangerous intentions. But I wore my best face anyway. Painted lips. Fitted black satin dress that whispered power. High heels I hated. And a cool smile that didn't reach my eyes.
I wasn't here to blend in. I was here for…him.
My gaze skimmed the room clean-cut men in tailored suits, women in glittering gowns, sipping gold-rimmed glasses, laughing at things that weren't funny.
And then, I saw him. Marvis Harper.
Towering. Dark. Impeccably dressed in a charcoal suit that made him look like he owned the room. Because he did.
But he wasn't alone.
My stomach dipped.
A woman clung to his arm. Pretty. Elegant. Too perfect. Her hand brushed his chest when she laughed at something he whispered.
I looked away before my face betrayed me.
Not my business. Not my place.
Still, the sting ran deep.
I kept my distance, weaving through clusters of guests. I wasn't going to approach him. Not tonight. Not when he'd barely spoken to me since that night in the warehouse. Not when he kicked me out like I was some mistake.
He didn't even notice I was here.
Until he did. Our eyes met.
Across the room. Over music and murmured conversations.
His gaze held me. Dark. Piercing.
And something flickered behind it recognition, tension… heat?
But then the woman tugged his arm, and he turned away.
I didn't realize I was holding my breath until it escaped.
"Melody Quinn, isn't it?" a voice said beside me.
I turned. Drex. Stella's twin brother.
He wore his suit like armor black on black, casual smirk in place, mischief in his eyes.
"You clean up well," he added.
I gave a small smile. "You too."
"Care to dance? Or at least let me annoy you for the next five minutes?"
I laughed. It wasn't forced.
We stepped onto the floor, the music slow, sultry. He spun me gently, hand light at my waist. He didn't press. Didn't pry. Just offered me a chance to breathe.
"You know he's watching, right?" Drex murmured.
I blinked. "Who?"
He raised a brow. "The one trying not to crush his wine glass."
I didn't dare look.
"You trying to make him jealous?" Drex asked, teasing.
I shook my head. "I'm trying to forget he exists."
He chuckled. "Then you're failing miserably."
I didn't respond. Because he was right.
After the song ended, Drex kissed my hand dramatically and disappeared into the crowd.
And then I felt it. A shift in the air.
I turned and found myself face-to-face with Marvis.
Up close, he smelled like expensive cologne and danger. His jaw was tense, his eyes unreadable.
"Nice dress," he said. Voice low. Smooth.
"Nice date," I replied, coolly.
He didn't flinch. "She's not my date."
"Could've fooled me."
He stepped closer. "You're angry."
"I'm fine."
"You're not."
I crossed my arms. "You kicked me out of your life. What I do now, where I go, who I dance with…is none of your concern."
His eyes darkened. "You think I haven't been watching you?"
"That's creepy."
"I didn't mean it like that."
"Then how did you mean it?"
Silence. He didn't answer.
We stood there, the music wrapping around us, people moving like waves. But in that moment, it was just us still and taut and charged.
"I should go," I muttered, turning.
But his hand caught mine. Just lightly. Enough to stop me.
His voice dropped. "You look beautiful tonight."
I froze. He let go. I didn't look back.