Lila was halfway through her latte at the cozy little café near her office when she saw him. Adrian. Her heart skipped, and she nearly dropped the cup in shock. It had been weeks since the wedding, but the memory of their brief, electric encounter still lingered, like an unspoken promise hanging in the air. The last time she’d seen him, he’d slipped away into the crowd, leaving her standing alone in the garden, wondering if the connection they’d shared was real or just a fleeting moment.

But now, there he was, sitting at the corner table of the café, casually flipping through a newspaper, his dark suit jacket draped across the back of his chair. His eyes flicked up for a brief second, and when they locked onto hers, something in his gaze shifted. It wasn’t just a passing glance; it was intense, as if he’d been waiting for her to show up all along.

Lila felt a rush of heat spread across her body. The butterflies were back, that familiar fluttering in her stomach. She’d almost forgotten the effect he had on her, how the smallest look from him made her feel as though she were the only person in the room.

She tried to look away, pretending not to notice him, but her eyes betrayed her. They lingered, scanning the way his shirt sleeves rolled up to reveal toned forearms, the subtle definition of muscles that hinted at just how much time he spent at the gym. Her gaze wandered lower, taking in the sharp lines of his jaw and the confident way he sat. She’d never been the type to admire a man so thoroughly, but Adrian was different. There was something magnetic about him, something that pulled at her in a way she couldn’t quite explain.

And then, of course, there were his eyes—those dark, almost smoldering eyes that seemed to pierce right through her. They were locked on her now, and for a moment, she could’ve sworn he was reading her thoughts. She quickly turned her gaze back to her cup, her cheeks warming.

"You know," a voice suddenly interrupted her reverie, "I was wondering when you’d notice me."

Lila looked up, startled, and there he was, standing in front of her, a playful grin spreading across his face. Adrian.

"What—how long have you been standing there?" she stammered, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious. Her heart was still racing from the shock of seeing him again, but she couldn’t help the smile that tugged at her lips.

"Long enough to watch you pretend not to stare," he said with a teasing glint in his eyes. "Not that I mind."

Lila laughed, a little embarrassed but also thoroughly charmed by his ease. "I wasn’t staring," she said, though she knew it was a lie. "I just—wasn’t expecting to see you."

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "I could say the same." His gaze flickered down to her lips, and Lila felt a shiver run down her spine, though she couldn’t quite figure out why. "I thought maybe we could share a coffee this time," he said, his words smooth but with a hint of something else beneath them.

"Isn’t it a little... early for that?" Lila teased, though she was already standing up, gathering her things. There was no way she could say no to him. Not when he was standing there looking so effortlessly handsome, and certainly not when the pull between them felt this strong.

Adrian’s grin widened, and for a moment, Lila swore she saw something flicker in his eyes—something intense, like he was battling an urge to step closer. "Maybe not for me," he said. "Or for you, if you’re being honest."

Her stomach flipped. She couldn’t deny that he had this way of making her feel things she hadn’t felt in years—things that made her feel alive, but also vulnerable in a way she wasn’t used to.

They walked to the counter together, and as they ordered, Lila couldn’t help but steal a glance at him again. His dark hair was a little tousled, and she noticed the faintest stubble along his jaw. She briefly imagined what it would feel like to run her fingers through his hair, to pull him closer and breathe in the scent of his cologne. Her heart raced at the thought, and she quickly looked away, hoping he hadn’t caught her staring.

"Are you always this... distracted?" he asked, his voice low but playful, like he knew exactly what was going through her mind.

"I wasn’t distracted," she said quickly, her face flushing. "I was just—"

"Thinking about what it would be like to kiss me?" He finished her sentence, his smile mischievous, and Lila nearly choked on her sip of coffee.

"What?" she sputtered, trying to sound indignant, but she could feel the heat creeping up her neck.

"You don’t have to be coy, Lila," Adrian said, his tone shifting to something softer, more intimate. He stepped a little closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "I can tell when someone’s thinking about me. And I have to admit, you’ve crossed my mind a few times, too."

Lila’s breath hitched, and she felt her body react before her mind could catch up. His proximity was intoxicating, and she had to remind herself to focus, to think clearly. But it was hard when every part of her seemed to be screaming for more.

They found a small table near the window, and as they sat down, Adrian slid his phone across the table. "I think we need to exchange numbers," he said, his voice still carrying that dangerous edge. "Just in case you want to keep this conversation going."

Lila hesitated, staring at the phone, her pulse racing. She could feel the weight of the moment, the choice hanging between them. She knew she should say no, that she wasn’t ready for whatever this was. But when she met his gaze, she saw something in his eyes—a promise, a challenge—and she couldn’t resist.

"Fine," she said, reaching for his phone and typing in her number. "But don’t get any ideas, Adrian. I’m not that easy."

He chuckled, his eyes glinting. "Don’t worry, Lila. I’m just getting started."

As she handed the phone back, she felt the electricity between them, a tension thick in the air. Lila wasn’t sure what this was—where it was going—but one thing was for sure: Adrian was a force she didn’t know how to fight.

And she wasn’t sure she wanted to.

With a slow smile, Adrian stood up, his gaze lingering on her for just a moment longer. "I’ll text you," he said softly, his voice low and almost... seductive. "Soon."

Lila watched him walk out of the café, her heart pounding in her chest. She had no idea what was coming next, but she knew one thing for certain: she was already falling—fast.