Tangled in Deceit

The ballroom was an ocean of glittering gold, the kind of extravagance that felt suffocating, like a gilded cage. Olivia Hart stepped through the tall double doors, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor.

She adjusted the strap of her borrowed dress, the emerald silk hugging her body too tightly. She didn't belong here-not among the wealth, the power, the forced smiles.

This wasn't her world.

But Sophie had insisted. And Olivia couldn't remember the last time she'd said no to her best friend.

"You're coming out tonight. No excuses," Sophie said, handing her a glass of champagne. "You deserve this. You need this."

But Olivia wasn't sure she needed any of it. Divorce had taken more from her than just a marriage; it had stolen her confidence, her sense of self.

Her ex-husband, Kyle, had moved on quickly-swapping her for a younger, more glamorous version of what he thought he wanted. Olivia had let herself be cast aside, and for months, she'd buried herself into her work and solitude.

"Hey, are you alright?" Sophie's voice broke through her thoughts.

"I'm fine," Olivia muttered, adjusting the strap once more, then taking a sip of the champagne, her eyes scanning the crowd. Everyone here had something Olivia didn't-something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

Suddenly, the sharp brush of a voice pierced the distance between them, drawing her attention like a magnet.

"You're not hiding in plain sight, are you?"

Oliva turned upon hearing the voice, startled, and for a heartbeat, everything else blurred around her.

He stood there, leaning casually against a marble pillar, his dark eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that immediately disarmed her. He wasn't just handsome; he was captivating-tall, with jet-black hair and a jawline that could cut glass.

His tailored suit seemed to embrace his frame, the lines of it giving him an air of effortless command.

"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Olivia's words came out more curt than she intended, but it didn't seem to faze him.

"Dominic Blackwood," he said smoothly, offering a hand. His fingers were warm, steady. "And you are...?"

"Olivia.... Olivia Hart," she replied, hesitating for a fraction of a second before shaking his hand. The moment their skin touched, something inside her flickered-a tiny spark that she couldn't ignore.

His smile was slow, like a man accustomed to control, to getting what he wanted. "I don't recognize you. Are you here for business or pleasure?"

"Neither," she said with a small laugh, surprised at her own bluntness. "I'm just here for the wine, honestly."

His grin deepened. "I see. A woman with no agenda. That's rare in this crowd."

"Maybe I don't like agendas," she shot back, tilting her head slightly.

And for a moment, neither of them spoke as they were simply studying each other.

But, there was something magnetic in his presence, a calm confidence that made Olivia feel both out of place and strangely drawn to him at the same time.

However, the conversation flowed effortlessly from there, which was surprising to Olivia.

As she expected him to be like the others in the room-disengaged, playing a game. But Dominic didn't try to sell her anything. Instead, he asked questions that seemed to peel away her layers, revealing a side of her she hadn't realized she'd hidden.

Later on, the clock struck midnight and they were still engrossed in their conversation, while standing in the shadow of the grand chandelier and the noise of the crowd fading into white noise around them. Dominic leaned in slightly, his voice lowered.

"You're different, Olivia. I don't meet many people like you." he said, as her breath caught, her pulse quickening.

There was something in his voice-a raw honesty that almost disarmed her. For a moment, it was as if the world around them had disappeared, leaving just the two of them standing in a bubble of silence.

"You have a way of making me feel like I've known you for much longer than a few hours." he continued as Olivia could feel the pull between them, something unspoken but undeniable.

Her gaze flickered to his lips before snapping back to his eyes, as if afraid he might catch the thought.

"I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," he murmured, a playful smirk curling his lips.

But it was the look in his eyes that did something to her-something dangerous.

"No, it's not that," she replied, her voice quieter now. "I just... I've never felt this drawn to someone I barely know."

His expression softened, the teasing edges of his smile melting away as he reached up to brush a strand of hair behind her ear. The movement felt intimate, too intimate for a place like this, for a moment like this. And yet, it felt like it made sense.

"Then don't fight it," he whispered, his lips just inches from her ear.

"What!" Olivia uttered, playing the dumb charade. And this prompted a slight smile from Dominic as he took her hands.

"Shall we leave here?" He inquired, his eyes fixed on her.

Olivia didn't know how to answer this as she was completely lost in his eyes. She wanted to be anywhere he was and if leaving here was the case, then, she didn't mind.

"Sure." She spoke out finally and with that, Dominic guided her through the crowd, leading her away from the glitz and glamour, toward something unknown.

The night was still young after all.

Hours later, They arrived at a penthouse and Olivia was completely mind-blown with the luxury surrounding them.

"Where are we?" She asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

"This is my house," Dominic answered, his voice echoed with pride. "One of my many houses,"

"It's not surprising how a man for your caliber could be the adventurous in his choice of women yet sarcastic in his words, you keep surprising every step of the line," Olivia jestered.

"Well.... I'll accept that as a compliment of the highest order of satisfaction," He said to her, his face glistened with some sort of happiness.

And this caused Olivia to take part in his infectious humour.

"Come on," he continued. "Let's go inside,"

With that, he held onto her hands as his touch sending sparks through her veins. She was totally in her dream world of desire with him, where she didn't want to return. But all of these seem too good to be true at some point as she couldn't help but think how loose she was becoming with him.

Finally, they reached the sitting room and Olivia's eyes couldn't get enough of the beauty bestowed upon the interior designs. "I see you have a thing for perfection," she complimented, while having her seat.

"Thank you." Dominic replied, with a gentle smile on his face. "So, what do I offer you. Water, champagne, wine, name it, anything you want my lady, and it's all yours."

Hearing his words, Olivia couldn't help but grace her face with some satisfying laughter. "You have a unique sense of humor," she said.

"Yeah, I know. I get that alot," Dominic responded, with a hint of smile, as he moved closer to where Olivia seated.

"So." He began, his voice lowered. It was as he was trying to unleash another level of his seductive charm and Olivia was definitely buying it.

"So, what?" Olivia added.

"Would you kiss me?" He asked, in a very polite way, yet daring.

"Maybe."

Dominic scoffed. "Maybe is not an answer, I need to know what you want, so I don't take advantage of you,"

"Do you want to take advantage of me?" She asked, though her lips were saying this, her eyes were saying the complete opposite.

"I don't want to take advantage of you, but I want to do things to you in ways you won't be able to explain," Dominic spoke, his voice flirtatious yet gentle.

At this point, Olivia couldn't help but feel totally helpless as her body was ready to dance to his tune. Dominic was quite aware of this and he was ready to go in for it.

With that, the air between them thickened with desire as Dominic slowly moved his lips closer to Olivia's. Their lips met in a soft, gentle kiss, the spark of attraction igniting a deeper connection.

Their bodies drew closer, the space between them disappearing as they surrendered to the moment. The kiss deepened, and their hearts beat as one.

As they stood there, lost in the magic of their kiss, Dominic's hands instinctively wrapped around Olivia's waist, pulling her closer. Her arms slid around his neck, deepening the kiss.

The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a sea of desire. The tension between them built, a sweet and tantalizing promise of what was to come.

Dominic's fingers brushed against the small of Olivia's back, sending shivers down her spine. She arched into him, her body responding to his touch.

Their lips parted for a moment, and Dominic's eyes locked onto Olivia's, searching for permission to take the next step. The air was thick with anticipation as Olivia's eyes sparkled with desire, her voice barely above a whisper as she said..."yes."

With that one word, the floodgates of passion opened, and Dominic's lips crashed back onto Olivia's. The kiss was deeper, more intense, and all-consuming.

As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the room around them began to spin. Dominic's hands roamed over Olivia's body, exploring every curve and contour.

Olivia's hands were just as busy, her fingers tracing the lines of Dominic's face, his neck, and his chest. The tension between them was palpable, a living, breathing thing that pulsed with an energy all its own.

As the kiss deepened, Dominic's hands slid down Olivia's back, pulling her closer. She felt his heat, his passion, and his desire. And she knew, in that moment, that she was his.

But as dawn began to break over the city skyline, something shifted.