Chapter 5: A Line We Shouldn’t Cross

Lily should have stepped away.

As the last notes of the song faded, and Adrian's grip lingered for a second too long, she should have put distance between them.

But she didn’t.

Not when his hand still rested at the small of her back. Not when his storm-gray eyes held hers in a way that felt dangerously close to something intimate.

Then a voice smooth and laced with sharp amusement broke the moment.

“Well, well. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say the mighty Adrian Blackwood is finally distracted.”

Lily stiffened.

She turned just in time to see Nathaniel King—one of the most powerful CEOs in the city, notorious for his ruthless business strategies and cutthroat negotiations. He was slightly older than Adrian, with an air of controlled arrogance that screamed old money and power.

Adrian’s expression shifted. His guard slammed back into place.

“King.” His tone was cool. Controlled.

Nathaniel’s gaze flickered between them. “And who is this?”

Lily met his stare evenly. “Lily Hart.”

Nathaniel smirked. “A pleasure, Miss Hart.”

Adrian’s grip tightened on her waist it was a silent warning.

A warning Nathaniel noticed. His smirk widened.

“Careful, Blackwood,” he mused. “If you’re not careful, people might start thinking you’re capable of human emotions.”

Adrian’s jaw clenched. “Let’s not start something you can’t finish, Nathaniel.”

“Oh, I’d never.” Nathaniel’s smirk turned sharper. “But I do hope you know what you’re doing.” His gaze flicked to Lily. “After all, distractions can be… costly.”

And with that, he disappeared into the crowd.

Lily exhaled. “What the hell was that?”

Adrian’s expression was unreadable. “A reminder.”

“Of?”

His eyes darkened. “That people are always watching.”

She should have walked away then.

But instead, she tilted her head. “And what exactly do they think they’re watching, Adrian?”

Something flickered in his gaze. Something dangerous.

“Go home, Miss Hart,” he murmured.

And this time, she listened. Because if she stayed any longer, she wasn’t sure she’d leave the same.

Lily spent the entire car ride back to her apartment trying to clear her head.

But it was impossible.

Adrian Blackwood was dangerous.

Not in the way people whispered about him in the business world—not because he was ruthless in boardrooms or because he held the power to make or break entire companies.

No.

He was dangerous because for the first time since she’d started this job, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to win their game anymore.

And that thought terrified her.

Her phone buzzed.

It was a text from her brother.

From Nathan.

Nathan: Need to talk. Call me when you get home.

Lily sighed.

Her brother’s timing was impeccable.

Lily barely had time to kick off her heels before her phone rang.

She groaned. Nathan.

“Hello?”

“Are you out of your goddamn mind?”

Lily winced, rubbing her temple. “Nice to hear from you too, Nate.”

“Lily. Adrian Blackwood?” His voice was sharp. “I told you to be careful.”

Lily exhaled. “It was a business event.”

“It was a warning sign,” Nathan countered. “Do you have any idea what kind of man he is?”

She paused.

Did she?

She knew Adrian Blackwood was cold. Ruthless. Impossible.

But she also knew the way he had looked at her tonight.

Like she was something he hadn’t expected. Something he wasn’t sure he could resist.

“Nate,” she said finally, “I can handle myself.”

Her brother let out a slow breath. “I just don’t want you getting hurt.”

Lily’s stomach twisted.

Too late.

The next morning, Lily arrived at work, determined to forget about the gala and whatever passed between her and Adrian.

But of course, the universe had other plans.

Because the moment she stepped off the elevator, she saw her.

Cassandra Sterling.

Leaning against Veronica’s desk, perfectly poised, wearing an expression that screamed trouble.

“Miss Hart.” Cassandra’s lips curved. “I was hoping we could chat.”

Lily folded her arms. “Shouldn’t you be elsewhere, Miss Sterling?”

Cassandra laughed softly, as if Lily had just said something adorable. “Oh, darling. I like you.”

Lily didn’t return the sentiment. “ Do you need something Miss Sterling?”

Cassandra took a step closer, her voice lowering.

“I want to make sure you know what you’re dealing with.”

Lily arched a brow. “Enlighten me.”

Cassandra’s smile didn’t waver. “Adrian isn’t the kind of man who does relationships. He uses people. And then, when he’s done?” She leaned in, voice like silk. “He ruins them.”

Lily’s pulse spiked, but she kept her expression neutral.

“You sound threatened,” she observed.

Cassandra laughed. “I sound experienced.”

Then, with a parting glance, she turned and walked away.

Lily exhaled.

She shouldn’t have let Cassandra get to her.

But the problem was—somewhere, deep down, a small part of her wondered if she was right.

By midday, Lily had had enough.

She stormed into Adrian’s office, slamming the door behind her.

He barely looked up. “Miss Hart.”

“Cassandra Sterling was here.”

Now, he looked up. “I know.”

Lily’s eyes narrowed. “Did you send her?”

Adrian leaned back, studying her. “No.”

She searched his face for a lie—but there was none.

Still, her anger didn’t fade.

“She warned me about you.”

Adrian’s expression remained unreadable. “And what exactly did she say?”

Lily’s jaw tightened. “That you use people. And when you’re done with them, you destroy them.”

Something flashed in his eyes.

Then he smirked.

“And you believe her?”

Lily exhaled sharply. “I don’t know what to believe.”

Adrian stood. Slowly.

The space between them disappeared.

“She’s right about one thing,” he murmured.

Lily’s breath hitched. “And what’s that?”

Adrian tilted his head, eyes glinting with something dark.

“I do ruin people.”

Her pulse jumped.

Adrian leaned in, voice dangerously low.

“Tell me, Miss Hart,” he murmured. “Are you afraid yet?”

Lily’s stomach twisted.

Because the truth was—she should have been.

But she wasn’t.

Not even a little.