One Night Stand With My Nemesis

The polished marble floors of the grand ballroom gleamed under the soft, golden lights. Crystal chandeliers hung like frozen rain, casting a glow on the impeccably dressed elites who mingled with ease, champagne glasses in hand. Eva Knight stood at the edge of the room, her fingers gripping the stem of her glass a little too tightly. She had never liked these events, but tonight wasn't about enjoyment-it was about necessity.

Her eyes scanned the crowd, picking out familiar faces from the world of high finance and tech. People she had done business with. People who had tried to cut her down. And one person, in particular, who was both.

Aiden Wolfe.

She spotted him easily-towering over the crowd with his broad shoulders and perfectly tailored black suit. His dark hair was styled with that infuriating perfection she hated to admit she noticed. He was surrounded by a group of sycophants, laughing at something he said, his hand resting on the arm of a leggy brunette who clung to his side.

Eva's lip curled in distaste as she turned away. She had no patience for men like him-ruthless, arrogant, and always in her way. For years, their rivalry had defined the business landscape. If she was gunning for a deal, he was already ahead, somehow knowing her every move before she made it. And tonight, that was exactly the problem.

"Looking for someone?" A voice sliced through her thoughts, low and smooth with a hint of amusement.

Eva didn't have to look to know who it was. She'd recognize that voice anywhere. Aiden had a way of sneaking up on her at the most inopportune moments. She straightened her shoulders and took a slow breath before turning to face him.

"Hardly," she replied, keeping her tone icy. "Though I'd say you've been looking for me, considering you always show up where you're not wanted."

Aiden's smirk was maddening, his piercing green eyes scanning her face with that familiar intensity. "You wound me, Eva. I'm simply making conversation."

Her fingers twitched against her glass, the urge to throw its contents at him almost too tempting to resist. But she held back, knowing better than to let him see he'd gotten under her skin. That was his game, after all-get close, unsettle her, and then strike when she was off balance.

"If you're making conversation, you're wasting your time," she said coolly. "I'm not in the mood to entertain."

He laughed, the sound low and infuriatingly attractive, a reminder of why half the women in this room would kill for his attention. "You're never in the mood, Eva. But I've learned to be persistent."

She narrowed her eyes at him, trying to read past the casual charm. "What do you want, Aiden? Because I'm sure this isn't about small talk."

He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone. "You know exactly what I want."

Her pulse quickened, though she'd never admit it. She hated how easily he could rile her up, how one look or word from him could set her heart racing despite the loathing she felt for him.

"Let me guess," she said, keeping her voice steady. "You're here to gloat about the merger you think you've won."

Aiden's smile widened, but there was a sharpness to it now. "Not exactly. I'm here to give you an opportunity."

Eva raised an eyebrow, not bothering to hide her skepticism. "An opportunity? You mean a trap."

"Call it what you want," he said with a shrug, his gaze locked on hers. "But we both know that with the current market instability, a merger is the only way forward for either of us. I'm offering you a chance to protect your company."

She laughed, the sound bitter and harsh. "Protect it? From who, exactly? You?"

Aiden's eyes darkened, a flicker of something dangerous passing through them. "From everyone. Including me, if that's what it takes."

Her laughter died in her throat, his words hitting closer than she expected. For a moment, she studied him, searching for a crack in his cool façade. But he was unreadable, as always, his expression a perfect mask of control.

"Why should I trust you?" she asked, her voice quieter now. "We've spent years trying to destroy each other."

His gaze didn't waver. "Maybe that's why you should."

The silence between them was thick with tension, their rivalry pulsing just beneath the surface. Eva clenched her jaw, fighting to keep her emotions in check. She couldn't afford to let him get to her, not tonight, not when the future of her company was at stake.

"You're delusional if you think I'd ever sign a deal with you," she said, her voice cold.

Aiden stepped closer, his presence overwhelming, his scent-clean and intoxicating-filling the space between them. "It's not just a deal, Eva. It's survival. And deep down, you know that."

Her breath hitched slightly, and she hated herself for the reaction. Damn him for always knowing how to push her buttons, how to make her doubt herself, even for a second. She had built her company from the ground up, fought tooth and nail to earn every bit of success she had. And now he was asking her to trust him? To partner with him?

It was unthinkable.

"I'd rather burn everything to the ground than give you an ounce of control," she said through gritted teeth.

Aiden's jaw tightened, his playful demeanor vanishing in an instant. For a moment, she thought he might snap back, throw some cutting remark her way. But instead, he surprised her by softening his tone.

"This isn't about control, Eva. It's about power. And we both know that together, we'd be unstoppable."

The weight of his words hung between them, thick and undeniable. She hated that he was right. Hated that some part of her couldn't ignore the logic in what he was saying. But there was no way she'd let him see that.

"Unstoppable?" she echoed with a scoff. "You're overestimating yourself, as usual."

Aiden's lips curved into a slow, predatory smile. "Maybe. Or maybe I know you better than you think."

Eva's heart pounded in her chest, a mix of anger and something she refused to name. She wasn't sure if she wanted to punch him or kiss him, and the confusion only fueled her frustration.

"You're impossible," she muttered, taking a step back to put some distance between them.

"And yet, here we are," he said, closing the gap once more, his voice a low rumble. "We always end up in the same place, don't we?"

Eva's throat tightened, her body betraying her with the heat that surged between them. This was the problem with Aiden Wolfe-no matter how much she hated him, there was always something simmering beneath the surface, something that pulled her toward him against her better judgment.

She forced herself to look away, her eyes landing on the crowd once again. She needed to get out of this conversation before it went any further. Before she did something stupid. Like admit that maybe, just maybe, he had a point.

"I have other people to talk to," she said, her tone dismissive as she turned to walk away.

But Aiden wasn't done. His hand shot out, gently grabbing her wrist before she could take another step. The warmth of his touch sent an electric jolt through her, and she froze, refusing to look at him.

"Eva," he said, his voice softer now, almost pleading. "Just think about it. You don't have to make a decision tonight, but don't dismiss it out of hand. This is bigger than both of us."

For a moment, she didn't move, her heart hammering in her chest. His grip was firm but not forceful, a reminder of the control he always seemed to have-over himself, over others. Over her.

She pulled her wrist free, finally meeting his gaze with a steely look. "I don't need you, Aiden. And I never will."

With that, she walked away, leaving him standing in the middle of the crowded ballroom, his eyes burning into her back.

As she made her way through the throngs of people, Eva's mind raced. Her instincts screamed at her to stay far away from whatever game Aiden was playing, but her gut told her something was off. He wouldn't come to her like this, not unless there was something bigger at stake.

She needed answers. But those would have to wait until tomorrow. Right now, she needed a drink-and some distance from Aiden Wolfe before she did something she couldn't take back.

Later that evening, Eva found herself on the rooftop terrace of the hotel, away from the noise and the crowds. The crisp night air was a welcome relief, and she leaned against the railing, looking out over the glittering skyline of New York City.

Her thoughts, however, were still spinning. Aiden's proposition had rattled her more than she cared to admit. She hated that he could get under her skin so easily, that he could make her question her decisions, her instincts.

Lost in thought, she didn't hear the footsteps approaching until a familiar voice cut through the silence.

"You always did like your quiet escapes."

Eva stiffened but didn't turn around. She knew who it was. Of course, it was him.

"Aiden," she said flatly, her gaze fixed on the city lights.

He moved to stand beside her, his presence imposing but not unwelcome-not

that she'd ever admit it.

"I thought you left," she said, keeping her voice even, as if his sudden appearance wasn't throwing her emotions into a tailspin.

"I never leave without finishing what I start," Aiden replied, his tone both teasing and serious at the same time.

Eva inhaled sharply, steadying herself against the cool metal of the railing. "If you're here to talk business again, save it. I've made myself clear."

"I'm not here to talk business." He shifted closer, close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating off him. "At least, not just business."

Her stomach fluttered, and she cursed the traitorous sensation. This was exactly why she hated being around him-he had a way of making her feel things she didn't want to feel. Dangerous things. And yet, as much as she wanted to walk away, something kept her rooted in place.

"Then what are you here for, Aiden?" she asked, turning to face him, her eyes narrowing. "To mess with my head some more? To make me doubt myself? Or are you just bored?"

Aiden's expression softened, and for the first time that night, she saw something in his eyes that wasn't cold calculation or arrogant confidence. Something that looked almost...vulnerable.

"I'm here because I can't stop thinking about you," he admitted, his voice low and rough. "And I'm tired of pretending like I can."

Eva's breath caught in her throat. She hadn't expected that. Not from him. Aiden Wolfe didn't admit weakness, didn't admit vulnerability-not in business, not in life, and certainly not with her.

"You expect me to believe that?" she asked, her voice quieter now, but still sharp. "After everything? After the deals, the sabotage, the games?"

He took a step closer, so close now that she had to tilt her head up to meet his gaze. "Yes. Because it's the truth. You drive me crazy, Eva. And not just in business. I can't stop thinking about you, and it's been that way for a long time."

Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of anger, confusion, and something she couldn't quite name. She didn't want to believe him-couldn't believe him-but the way he looked at her, the raw intensity in his eyes, made it hard to dismiss.

"Aiden," she started, trying to gather her thoughts, trying to push down the emotions that were rising to the surface. "You don't get to do this. You don't get to play with my life, my business, and then come to me with...this."

He reached out, gently cupping her face in his hand, his thumb brushing against her cheek. "I'm not playing, Eva. Not with you. Not anymore."

Her resolve wavered for a moment, her body betraying her as it leaned into his touch. She hated how good it felt-how right it felt. But her mind was still screaming at her to pull away, to not fall into whatever trap he was setting.

"You don't get to control me," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly despite her best efforts to stay strong.

"I don't want to control you," he murmured, his gaze dropping to her lips before returning to her eyes. "I just want you."

The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with unsaid words and unacknowledged desires. Eva's heart raced as her mind warred with itself. She had spent so long fighting him, pushing him away, convincing herself that he was the enemy. But now, standing here with him, his hand still gently cradling her face, she wasn't sure what she felt anymore.

And that terrified her.

"You don't know what you're asking," she said, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Aiden's grip tightened just slightly, enough to make her breath hitch. "I know exactly what I'm asking."

Before she could respond, before she could process what was happening, his lips were on hers. The kiss was fierce, intense, and utterly consuming. It wasn't a gentle or tentative exploration-it was a clash of wills, a battle of emotions that neither of them could control any longer.

Eva's mind screamed at her to pull away, to stop this before it went any further. But her body had other ideas. Her hands found their way to his chest, gripping the fabric of his suit jacket as if to ground herself, as if to steady herself against the storm of emotions raging inside her.

Aiden's other hand slid around her waist, pulling her closer, his body pressing against hers in a way that made her head spin. The kiss deepened, and any semblance of control she had left evaporated, replaced by a need that was raw and undeniable.

For a moment, everything else faded away-the rivalry, the anger, the business deals, and the games. All that mattered was the way his lips felt on hers, the way his body fit perfectly against hers, the way he made her feel alive in a way she hadn't in a long time.

But then, just as quickly as it began, reality came crashing back. Eva pulled away, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps as she stared up at him, her mind reeling.

"This doesn't change anything," she said, her voice shaky but resolute.

Aiden's eyes darkened, a flicker of frustration passing through them. "It changes everything, and you know it."

"No," she insisted, taking a step back, putting distance between them once more. "This-whatever this is-it's not going to happen. We're still enemies, Aiden. Nothing has changed."

He ran a hand through his hair, his jaw tightening. "You're lying to yourself."

"Maybe I am," she admitted, her chest tightening with the weight of her own words. "But I have to. Because if I don't, I'll lose everything I've worked for. And I won't let that happen. Not for you, not for anyone."

Aiden's gaze softened, but the frustration still lingered. "You don't have to lose anything, Eva. I'm not asking you to give up your company, your independence. I'm asking you to trust me."

She let out a bitter laugh. "Trust you? After everything? You don't get to ask that."

His expression hardened again, the vulnerable moment slipping away. "I'm not the bad guy here, Eva. You might hate me, but I've never done anything to hurt you."

"That's not true," she shot back, her anger flaring. "You've been trying to take me down from the moment we met. Every deal, every move-it's always been a power play with you."

Aiden's jaw clenched, and for a moment, he looked like he was about to argue. But then he sighed, the fight draining out of him.

"Maybe," he said quietly, his voice losing its edge. "But this isn't about power anymore. Not for me."

Eva's heart twisted in her chest, her resolve weakening. She wanted to believe him-wanted to believe that this wasn't just another one of his games. But she had been burned before, and she wasn't sure she could risk it again.

"I can't do this, Aiden," she said, her voice barely audible. "Not with you."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The tension between them hung heavy in the air, and Eva felt the weight of her words pressing down on her. She knew what she was giving up by walking away, but she also knew what she was protecting-herself, her company, her heart.

Aiden's eyes searched hers, and for a brief second, she thought he might fight her on it, that he might push back and refuse to let her walk away. But then, his expression shifted, resignation settling into his features.

"If that's what you want," he said quietly, his voice tinged with sadness. "I won't stop you."

Eva's chest ached at the sight of him standing there, vulnerable and defeated in a way she had never seen before. But she knew she had to walk away. She couldn't let herself get swept up in whatever this was, no matter how much her heart screamed at her to stay.

Without another word, she turned and walked away, her footsteps echoing on the terrace as she left him standing alone in the night.

But even as she put distance between them, the weight of his gaze lingered, and deep down, she knew that this wasn't over. Not by a long shot.