Chapter 3 The Night That Changes Everything

The rooftop bar was alive with energy, the hum of conversation and laughter blending with the soft strains of jazz playing in the background. But for Evie, the noise faded into a distant buzz as she sat across from Alexander Knight, his piercing gray eyes locked on hers.

They'd been talking for what felt like hours, though she couldn't be sure. Time seemed to blur when she was with him, the rest of the world melting away until it was just the two of them. She wasn't sure how it had happened one minute, she'd been trying to avoid him, and the next, she'd been drawn into a conversation that felt more real than anything she'd experienced in a long time.

"So," Alex said, leaning back in his chair, a faint smirk playing on his lips, "what's a woman like you doing in a place like this?"

Evie raised an eyebrow. "A woman like me?"

"Creative. Independent. Unimpressed by billionaires," he said, his tone teasing but with an undercurrent of sincerity.

She laughed, shaking her head. "I could ask you the same question."

"Touché," he said, his smirk widening. "But I already told you-business meeting."

"Right," she said, leaning forward slightly. "And how'd that go?"

He shrugged, his expression unreadable. "It went. But I'd much rather be here."

Evie felt a flutter in her chest at his words, but she quickly pushed it aside. This was Alexander Knight, she reminded herself. A man who probably had a different woman on his arm every week. She couldn't let herself get swept up in his charm, no matter how intoxicating it was.

"You're not what I expected," he said after a moment, his gaze softening.

"What did you expect?" she asked, genuinely curious.

"Someone... less," he said, his voice low. "Less real. Less... you."

Evie's breath caught, her heart skipping a beat. There was something in his tone, something raw and vulnerable, that made her want to reach out to him. But before she could respond, he stood, extending a hand to her.

"Come on," he said. "Let's get out of here."

She hesitated, her mind racing. This was dangerous territory. Going anywhere with Alexander Knight was a bad idea, a very bad idea. But the way he was looking at her like she was the only person in the world made it impossible to say no.

She took his hand, and he pulled her to her feet, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through her.

The private rooftop garden was like something out of a dream. Twinkling lights hung from the trees, casting a soft glow over the lush greenery and the sleek, modern furniture. The Manhattan skyline stretched out before them, a glittering tapestry of lights and shadows.

Evie stepped forward, her eyes wide with wonder. "This is... incredible," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I come here when I need to think," Alex said, his hands in his pockets as he watched her. "It's quiet. Peaceful."

"I can see why," she said, turning to face him. "It's beautiful."

He nodded, his gaze lingering on her face. "It is."

For a moment, they just stood there, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words. Then Alex gestured to a nearby bench. "Sit with me?"

She nodded, and they sat down together, the space between them charged with tension. Evie could feel the warmth of his body, the faint scent of his cologne something rich and masculine filling her senses.

"Tell me something," he said after a moment, his voice soft. "Something real."

She hesitated, then sighed. "What do you want to know?"

"Anything," he said. "Everything."

She laughed softly, shaking her head. "That's a tall order."

"Start small, then," he said, his tone encouraging.

She thought for a moment, then said, "I've always wanted to travel. To see the world, you know? But it's never been in the cards for me."

"Why not?" he asked.

"Money," she said simply. "Time. Life always seems to get in the way."

He nodded, his expression thoughtful. "What's stopping you now?"

She shrugged. "Fear, I guess. Fear of the unknown. Fear of failing."

"Fear is a powerful thing," he said, his voice tinged with something she couldn't quite place. "But it's also a liar."

She looked at him, surprised by the depth of his words. "You sound like you're speaking from experience."

He hesitated, then said, "I am."

For the first time, Evie saw a crack in his armor, a glimpse of the man beneath the billionaire CEO. It was fleeting, but it was enough to make her want to know more.

"What are you afraid of?" she asked softly.

He looked away, his jaw tightening. "Losing control," he said after a moment. "Letting someone in. Being... vulnerable."

His words hung in the air between them, heavy and raw. Evie felt a lump form in her throat, her heart aching for him in a way she hadn't expected.

"You're not the only one," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

He turned to look at her, his gaze searching her face. "You're not what I expected, Evie," he said again, his voice rough with emotion.

"Neither are you," she said, her heart pounding in her chest, with a smile on her face.

For a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them reaching a breaking point. Then, slowly, Alex reached out, cupping her face in his hand. His touch was gentle, almost reverent, and it sent a shiver down her spine.

"Evie," he murmured, his voice low and husky. "I don't know what it is about you, but I can't stay away."

Her breath caught, her heart racing as she leaned into his touch. "Alex," she whispered, her voice trembling.

And then he kissed her.

It was soft at first, a tentative brush of lips that quickly deepened into something more. Evie's hands found their way to his chest, clutching the fabric of his shirt as she kissed him back, all rational thought fleeing her mind.

The world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them, lost in each other. It was reckless, impulsive, and completely unlike her. But in that moment, none of that mattered. All that mattered was the way he made her feel alive, wanted, seen.

The morning light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Alex's penthouse, casting a golden glow over the room. Evie stirred, her body aching in the most delicious way as the events of the night before came rushing back.

She turned her head, her breath catching as she saw Alex sleeping beside her, his face relaxed and peaceful. For a moment, she allowed herself to bask in the warmth of his presence, the memory of their passion playing in her mind.

But then reality set in. This wasn't her world, and Alex wasn't the kind of man who did forever. Quietly, she slipped out of bed, careful not to wake him. She dressed quickly, her heart aching with a mix of regret and longing.

Before she left, she glanced back at him, sleeping so peacefully, and whispered, "Goodbye, Alexander."

Alex woke up to an empty bed, the sheets still warm where Evie had been. For a moment, he was disoriented, the events of the night before feeling like a dream. But then he saw the note she'd left on the nightstand a simple "Thank you" scribbled on a piece of paper.

He stared at it, a strange ache settling in his chest. He wasn't used to feeling this way, and it unsettled him. But one thing was clear: he couldn't let her go that easily.