04

The next evening, Emma stood outside the Blackwood Gallery, clutching her small clutch bag as if it were a lifeline. The building was a sleek, modern structure, its glass facade reflecting the city lights. A red carpet led up to the entrance, lined with photographers and security. She smoothed her dress—a deep emerald green that hugged her figure—and took a deep breath.

As she approached the doors, a tall man in a tailored suit stepped forward. “Name?” he asked, his tone polite but firm.

“Emma Stone,” she said, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach.

He glanced at his tablet, then nodded. “Right this way, Ms. Stone.”

The interior of the gallery was even more impressive than the exterior. The walls were adorned with paintings and sculptures, each piece illuminated by soft, focused lighting. The air hummed with the murmur of conversation and the clink of champagne glasses. Emma felt out of place, but she squared her shoulders and walked further in.

She spotted Nathan almost immediately. He was standing near a painting, his gray eyes focused intently on the canvas. He looked even more striking than she remembered, his chiseled jawline accentuated by the dim lighting. He turned, as if sensing her gaze, and a slow smile spread across his face.

“Emma,” he said, his voice smooth and inviting. “I’m glad you came.”

She walked toward him, her heels clicking against the polished floor. “You didn’t give me much of a choice,” she replied, her tone teasing but laced with curiosity.

Nathan chuckled, a low, rich sound that sent a shiver down her spine. “There’s always a choice. You just have to be willing to make it.”

He extended his hand, and after a moment’s hesitation, she took it. His grip was firm, his skin warm against hers. He led her to the painting he’d been studying—a dark, moody piece that seemed to pulse with energy.

“What do you think?” he asked, his eyes never leaving hers.

Emma turned to the painting, her gaze tracing the bold strokes and deep colors. “It’s... intense,” she said finally. “It feels like it’s alive.”

Nathan smiled, a flicker of approval in his eyes. “Exactly. Art isn’t just about what you see. It’s about what you feel.”

She looked at him, her heart pounding. Is he talking about the painting—or something else?

Before she could respond, a voice interrupted them. “Nathan, there you are.”

They turned to see James approaching, his sleek, athletic build accentuated by his tailored suit. He looked as sharp and enticing as ever, his eyes flickering between Nathan and Emma with a hint of curiosity.

“James,” Nathan said, his tone cool but not unfriendly. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

James flashed a charming smile. “I couldn’t miss this. It’s not every day you get to see the infamous Nathan Blackwood’s private collection.” His gaze shifted to Emma, and his smile softened. “Emma. It’s good to see you again.”

“You too,” she replied, her voice steady despite the sudden tension in the air.

Nathan’s hand tightened slightly around hers, and Emma felt a jolt of electricity. He was possessive, she realized. But of me—or of James?

James gestured to the painting. “Impressive, isn’t it? Nathan has quite the eye.”

“Indeed,” Nathan said, his tone neutral but with an edge that made Emma’s skin prickle. “But I think Emma and I were in the middle of a conversation. If you’ll excuse us.”

James held up his hands in mock surrender. “Of course. Don’t let me interrupt.” He gave Emma a lingering look before walking away, leaving her alone with Nathan once more.

Emma turned to Nathan, her heart racing. “What was that about?”

She wanted to press him, to ask more, but the intensity in his eyes stopped her. Instead, she focused on the painting, trying to calm her nerves.

“You’re different,” Nathan said suddenly, his voice low. “Most people would have walked away by now.”

Emma looked at him, her brow furrowing. “Why would I walk away?”

He stepped closer, his gray eyes piercing into hers. “Because I’m dangerous, Emma. And you know it.”

She swallowed hard, her pulse quickening. “Maybe I’m not as afraid as I should be.”

A slow smile spread across his face, and Emma felt a thrill of anticipation. “Good,” he murmured. “Because I like a challenge.”

Before she could respond, he leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear. “Stay with me tonight,” he whispered, his breath warm against her skin. “Let me show you what it means to be part of my world.”

Emma’s heart pounded, her mind racing. She wanted to say yes, to give in to the pull she felt toward him, but something held her back. She glanced over his shoulder, catching James’s gaze across the room. He was watching them, his expression unreadable.

“I...” she began, but the words caught in her throat.

Nathan pulled back slightly, his eyes searching hers. “You don’t have to decide now,” he said, his voice soothing. “But remember, Emma—opportunities like this don’t come around often.”

She nodded, her thoughts a whirlwind. What am I doing? What am I getting myself into?

“Emma,” James’s voice called from across the room, breaking the moment. “Can I speak with you for a moment?”

Nathan’s jaw tightened, but he stepped back, releasing her hand. “Go,” he said, his tone soft but firm. “But don’t keep me waiting too long.”

Emma hesitated, then turned and walked toward James, her heart pounding with every step.

“Emma,” James said as she approached, his voice low and serious. “You need to be careful. Nathan... he’s not what he seems.”

She frowned, her confusion growing. “What do you mean?”

James glanced over her shoulder, then leaned in closer. “Just... trust me. Don’t let him get too close.”

Before she could respond, Nathan’s voice called out from behind her. “Emma, are you coming?”

She looked at James, her mind spinning. “I...”

James’s eyes softened. “It’s your choice,” he said quietly. “But remember—you’re not alone.”

Emma turned back to Nathan, her heart pounding as she made her decision. “I’m coming,” she said, her voice steady.

Nathan smiled, a hint of triumph in his eyes. “Good.”

As she walked back to him, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was stepping into something far bigger—and far more dangerous—than she could have ever imagined. But for the first time, she realized she wasn’t sure she cared.

“So,” Nathan said as she reached him, his voice low and intimate. “Where were we?”

Emma looked up at him, her heart racing. “You were about to show me your world.”

Nathan’s smile widened, and he extended his hand. “Then let’s begin.”

She took his hand, her pulse quickening as he led her deeper into the gallery. The air between them crackled with tension, and Emma couldn’t help but wonder what the night had in store.

As they walked, she glanced over her shoulder, catching James’s gaze one last time. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes—a warning, or perhaps a plea.

Emma turned back to Nathan, her resolve hardening. Whatever she was stepping into, she was ready. Or at least, she wanted to believe she was.

“Tell me, Emma,” Nathan said as they stopped in front of another painting, his voice low and teasing. “Are you ready to take the leap?”

She looked at him, her heart pounding. “I think so.”

His smile was a mix of charm and danger, and Emma felt a thrill of anticipation. “Then let’s see just how far you’re willing to go.”

As he leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear, Emma couldn’t help but wonder if she was making the biggest mistake of her life—or the most exciting decision.

“Emma,” he whispered, his voice sending a shiver down her spine. “You have no idea what you’re in for.”

She swallowed hard, her pulse racing. “Then show me.”

Nathan’s smile widened, and he took her hand, leading her further into the gallery. The night was far from over, and Emma couldn’t shake the feeling that something—or someone—was about to change her life forever.

As they walked, she glanced over her shoulder one last time, catching James’s gaze. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes—a warning, or perhaps a plea.

Emma turned back to Nathan, her heart pounding. Whatever was coming, she was ready. Or at least, she hoped she was.

“So,” Nathan said as they reached a secluded corner of the gallery, his voice low and intimate. “Are you ready to let go?”

Emma looked up at him, her heart racing. “I think so.”

He smiled, a mix of charm and danger. “Then let’s see just how far you’re willing to go.”