One Dangerous Night

Chapter 4

Lana – POV

For several seconds, neither of us moves.

Ethan’s hand is still wrapped around mine.

Warm.

Steady.

Dangerous.

The music from the ballroom echoes faintly behind us, but out here on the balcony, it feels like the world has gone quiet.

Like everything narrowed down to this one moment.

To him.

To me.

And the way he’s looking at me.

“You should go back inside,” he repeats softly.

But he doesn’t let go of my hand.

I raise an eyebrow.

“You’re the one holding me here.”

A slow smile appears on his lips.

“Am I?”

I glance down at our hands.

He follows my gaze.

For a moment, neither of us says anything.

Then he slowly releases me.

But somehow the distance between us feels even more intense now.

I clear my throat.

“Well… I should get back to the party.”

He nods once.

“Yes. You probably should.”

But there’s something in his voice.

Something that says he doesn’t really want me to leave.

I turn toward the ballroom doors.

And somehow…

I know he’s watching me walk away.

⸻

The party feels different now.

Louder.

Hotter.

More chaotic.

Maybe it’s the champagne.

Or maybe it’s the memory of Ethan standing inches away from me under the Dubai night sky.

My boss immediately waves me over again.

“Lana!” Mr. Callahan says excitedly. “The investors love you.”

“That’s great,” I reply politely.

More champagne is placed into my hand.

More conversations follow.

But my attention keeps drifting toward the balcony.

Toward the door.

Toward the man standing somewhere beyond it.

And then—

I see him.

Ethan has returned to the ballroom.

Even among a room full of wealthy businessmen, he stands out immediately.

Tall.

Confident.

Completely in control.

Several people greet him with respect as he walks through the crowd.

Which makes me realize something.

He’s not just another guest.

He’s someone important.

Our eyes meet across the room.

And the way his gaze locks onto mine makes my stomach tighten.

Like he knew exactly where to find me.

Like he was looking for me.

He lifts his glass slightly in my direction.

A silent greeting.

Heat creeps up my neck.

I quickly look away.

This is ridiculous.

I barely know this man.

Yet somehow he’s affecting me in ways that make no sense.

After another thirty minutes of forced conversation, I finally reach my limit.

“Excuse me,” I tell the group. “I think I’ve had enough champagne for tonight.”

They laugh, assuming I’m joking.

But I’m not.

I slip away from the crowd and head toward the elevators.

I just want to sleep.

Forget about this strange, intense evening.

Forget about Ethan.

The elevator doors slide open.

I step inside.

Just as they begin to close—

A hand stops them.

My heart sinks slightly.

Ethan steps inside.

Of course.

The doors close behind him.

Now the elevator suddenly feels very small.

Very quiet.

Very… charged.

Neither of us speaks at first.

The elevator begins to rise.

Floor by floor.

Then Ethan glances at the control panel.

“Thirty-second floor?” he asks.

I freeze.

“That’s my floor.”

His mouth curves slowly.

“Mine too.”

Of course it is.

The silence grows heavier.

Finally he turns to face me.

“You disappeared from the party.”

“I needed air.”

“You were gone a long time.”

I glance at him.

“Were you keeping track?”

“Maybe.”

My pulse quickens.

“You seem very interested in my schedule.”

“Maybe I’m interested in you.”

The words land softly.

But the effect they have on me is anything but soft.

The elevator continues rising.

Twenty-seven.

Twenty-eight.

Twenty-nine.

“You shouldn’t be,” I say quietly.

“Why not?”

“I’m here for work.”

“So am I.”

I look at him again.

“Are you?”

His smile deepens slightly.

“Yes.”

The elevator dings.

Thirty-second floor.

The doors slide open.

We both step out into the quiet hallway.

Soft lights glow along the carpeted corridor.

For a moment we stand there again.

Just like on the balcony.

Neither of us moving.

Then Ethan speaks.

“Which room?”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want to accidentally break into it again.”

Despite myself, I laugh softly.

“End of the hall.”

“Same.”

We begin walking down the hallway together.

Side by side.

The tension between us grows with every step.

Finally we stop in front of my door.

I pull out my key card.

But before I swipe it—

Ethan speaks again.

“Lana.”

I turn toward him.

“Yes?”

His gaze drops briefly to my lips.

Then back to my eyes.

For a moment, something intense passes between us.

Something that feels like a warning.

Or maybe a promise.

“You should probably go inside,” he says quietly.

My voice comes out softer than I expect.

“You said that earlier.”

“Yes.”

“Yet you’re still here.”

His eyes darken slightly.

“That’s because leaving suddenly seems… difficult.”

My heart is beating far too fast now.

The hallway feels warm.

Too warm.

And when he steps closer—

Close enough that I can feel his breath—

My fingers tighten around the key card.

“Ethan…” I whisper.

His voice drops lower.

“Tell me to walk away.”

I should.

I know I should.

But the words refuse to come out.

Instead, I meet his gaze.

And in that moment…

Something shifts between us.

Something dangerous.

Something inevitable.

Because suddenly I realize—

Tonight might not end with me alone in this room.

And somehow…

I’m not sure I want it to.