CHAPTER 16

A Dangerous Game

Naarah barely slept that night.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw him.

Felt the ghost of his touch lingering on her skin.

Push me back, then. See what happens.

The words replayed in her mind like a curse, dragging her deeper into the mess Peter had created between them. She had spent the entire night tossing and turning, haunted by the smirk he left her with—so sure of himself, so in control.

And she hated it.

By morning, she had made a decision.

She was going to wipe that smirk off his face.

---

Later That Day – Peter's Office

Peter sat at his desk, flipping through a contract, but his mind was elsewhere.

Naarah.

He smirked to himself.

The way she had looked at him last night, the way her body had responded to him before she even realized it—it was intoxicating.

He knew he was pushing her. Testing her.

But he also knew she was beginning to push back.

And that excited him more than anything.

A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts.

"Come in."

The door swung open, and Peter looked up, fully expecting one of his assistants.

But it wasn't.

It was her.

Naarah stepped inside, her chin lifted, her expression unreadable.

Peter leaned back in his chair, intrigued. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

She shut the door behind her and took slow, deliberate steps forward.

Something about her demeanor was different.

Confident.

Dangerous.

Peter raised a brow. "You're not here for work, are you?"

Naarah tilted her head, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes. "What makes you say that?"

He smirked. "Because you're looking at me like you're up to something."

Her lips curled slightly. "Maybe I am."

Peter's interest sharpened.

She stopped in front of his desk, placing her hands on the polished wood surface as she leaned forward slightly.

"You think you have me all figured out, don't you?" she murmured.

Peter's smirk didn't waver. "I know I do."

Naarah hummed, her gaze flickering to his lips for the briefest second before meeting his eyes again. "Then tell me…"

She leaned in just a little more, her voice dropping into something almost sultry—

"…what do I want right now?"

For the first time, Peter felt a flicker of uncertainty.

This wasn't like her.

This was calculated.

Controlled.

And that realization sent a slow thrill through him.

He let his eyes roam her face, studying her. "You're trying to get back at me," he mused. "For last night."

Naarah didn't deny it.

Instead, she smiled.

A slow, knowing smile that sent heat curling in his stomach.

Peter's fingers drummed against the armrest of his chair. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?"

Naarah straightened, stepping around the desk.

His eyes tracked her movements, his body instinctively going rigid when she stopped right beside him.

Close.

Too close.

Peter's grip tightened on the chair as she leaned in slightly, her soft scent washing over him.

She reached out, her fingers barely grazing the collar of his suit jacket as she whispered, "You'll see."

Then—

She walked away.

Just like that.

Peter stared at the empty space she left behind, his body thrumming with heat.

What the hell just happened?

Naarah had never done that before.

She had always been shy, innocent, unsure.

But just now?

That was something else.

Something new.

And Peter suddenly realized—

He might have just created a monster.

---

Later That Evening – A Company Event

Peter hadn't seen Naarah since their little interaction in his office, but he hadn't stopped thinking about it.

So when he finally spotted her across the grand ballroom at the company event, wearing a sleek black dress that clung just enough to her figure, he knew—

She was up to something.

And she knew he was watching.

Peter sipped his whiskey slowly, eyes locked on her as she moved through the crowd with effortless grace. She was laughing at something one of the other employees had said, her smile bright and intoxicating.

But then—

She looked over her shoulder.

At him.

And smirked.

Peter nearly choked on his drink.

He set the glass down, pushing off the bar. Enough was enough.

She wanted to play games?

Fine.

He'd play.

---

A Private Corner of the Ballroom

Naarah wasn't surprised when Peter finally approached her.

In fact, she had been waiting for it.

"You're enjoying yourself," he murmured, his voice low as he stopped beside her.

Naarah turned, tilting her head. "Shouldn't I be?"

Peter's gaze darkened. "You've been teasing me all night."

She blinked innocently. "Have I?"

His jaw flexed. "You know exactly what you're doing."

Naarah bit back a smile. "Maybe I do."

Peter stepped closer, his heat wrapping around her.

For the first time she was the one in control.

And it felt incredible.

Peter studied her for a long moment before leaning down, his voice a whisper against her ear.

"Careful, sweetheart."

A shiver ran down her spine.

Peter pulled back, his eyes filled with something dark and knowing.

"You're playing with fire."

Then, with one last lingering look, he turned and walked away.

Leaving Naarah breathless.

And wanting more.