The Accidental kiss

Nathaniel's POV

I've always hated the rain.

There's something about it that feels... unnecessary. It ruins everything. My hair, my shoes, the way my perfectly pressed suit feels when it sticks to my skin. But more than that, it feels like a disruption.

And I can't stand disruptions.

Today was no exception. Another perfect deal had been sealed. The kind of deal that made everyone in the room look at me like I was some kind of business god. The kind where I didn't even break a sweat. I just sat there, nodded, and let them think I was some kind of genius.

I am, though.

No need to boast. I don't waste words. I never do.

After the meeting, I was already planning the next steps when I heard my assistant, James, clear his throat.

"Mr. Greyson, your car's ready."

I don't have to be told twice. I get up, adjusting my suit jacket with the same precision I use to handle my business. I don't need to look back, because I know they're still watching. Some of them look at me with envy. Others with fear. It's the kind of respect that comes with success.

But as I step outside into the city streets, I'm immediately annoyed by the chaos. People running everywhere, umbrellas flapping in the wind, everyone too busy to notice anything but themselves. It's like I'm walking through a sea of ignorance.

My car pulls up, sleek and black, and I slide into the backseat with ease. This is my escape. From everything. From them. From all the noise.

But before I can even settle into the leather seats, something happens.

I hear it first-a crash, followed by a string of hurried apologies. Then, before I can even process it, a woman is suddenly in front of me, falling right into my personal space.

She doesn't just bump into me. She slams into me.

Her body presses against mine, and in that moment, everything slows down. Her arms flail as she tries to catch herself, and I instinctively move to steady her. Her sketchpads hit the ground, scattered like confetti, and I can barely make sense of what just happened.

Then... she looks up.

And I freeze.

She's... ordinary, I guess. At first glance. She's not anything like the women I'm used to. Not like the models who throw themselves at me or the businesswomen who try to impress me. She's just... a mess. Her hair is sticking to her face, wet from the rain, and she's fumbling with her things like she's the least coordinated person on the planet.

But for some reason, I can't look away.

"Watch where you're going!" I snap, my voice a little sharper than I intend.

But it's too late. She's already apologizing, her cheeks turning bright red. Her hands are shaking as she gathers her things, and I watch her with a strange sense of... curiosity.

I don't like it.

I don't like the way my chest tightens or how my thoughts are running in circles.

And then it happens. The kiss.

Not even a real kiss. It's more like a quick collision of lips. I'm sure she didn't mean it. I didn't mean it either. But the moment it happened, I felt something. I'm not sure what.

I blink. Once. Twice.

"Just go," I say, my voice cold, though I don't know why it feels so tense. I turn away before I can even process the situation. I don't like how it's making me feel.

She's gone before I can even make sense of it. And I hate that my mind is stuck on her.

I don't even know her name.

But I'll be damned if I can get her out of my head.

Lila's POV

Great. Just great.

I had one job.

Actually, I had several jobs. I was supposed to finish this project, get to the bakery on time, and avoid spilling coffee on myself. I failed at all of them.

I'm running late, the rain's coming down harder than I expected, and my umbrella's practically useless at this point. But that's fine. I'll get to the bakery eventually. After all, it's just another day. I can handle it.

But of course, that's when it happens.

I'm not looking where I'm going-because I'm never really looking where I'm going. I'm always in my head, thinking about sketches, or something random like why people can't seem to walk straight in the rain.

So, naturally, I trip.

Crash.

I crash right into him.

I don't even see him at first. I just feel myself hit something hard-like a brick wall. But I'm not going to hit a wall. I'm going to hit a person. A person who, quite frankly, looks like he walked out of a magazine ad for some luxury watch or a high-end cologne.

He's all sharp angles and perfectly styled hair, and I'm standing there, feeling like I've just ruined his day. Maybe his week. Maybe his whole entire existence.

My brain is doing somersaults. My hands are shaking as I try to gather my things. My sketchpads are everywhere-sprawled out across the sidewalk like they have a life of their own. And then... then, I feel something weird.

His lips.

Not even a kiss, really. It was more like a weird, accidental touch. It wasn't my fault, I swear. But when our lips brushed, my heart stopped for a second. I don't know why, but it did.

Before I can even process it, he pulls back, and his voice is cold. "Watch where you're going."

I open my mouth to apologize again, but the words get stuck. My face is burning, and I'm still staring at him like an idiot.

"I'm so sorry," I manage, but it's barely a whisper.

I quickly bend down to pick up my things-sketchpads, pencils, everything is wet and crumpled-and I can't look at him. I'm sure he's annoyed. I'm sure I'm just some clumsy girl he'll forget about in five minutes.

And then, before I can do anything else, he's already turned away.

I stand there, my heart still pounding in my chest, and watch as he walks off. My head is a mess of confusion. I'm embarrassed, but... something about him won't leave my mind.

I mean, he looked at me for all of two seconds, but I could feel the way his eyes burned through me. It's like he could see straight into my soul. And I hate that it makes me feel... something.

I shake my head. "Get it together, Lila. You don't even know his name."

But I can't forget those eyes. Or the way my heart reacted.

And I hate myself for thinking that maybe, just maybe, I want to see him again.

Nathaniel's POV

I should've forgotten about her.

I should've gotten in my car, left, and never thought about it again. But for some reason, she's still in my head.

That kiss-or whatever it was-keeps replaying in my mind. It wasn't even a kiss. It was an accident, a slip. Nothing more.

But I can't stop seeing her.

Her messy hair, her nervous energy, the way she couldn't even gather her things without dropping them again. And that weird feeling I had when our lips-briefly-touched.

It's ridiculous.

I'm Nathaniel Greyson. I don't get distracted by random women.

But damn it, I can't stop thinking about her.