Forbidden hearts

Chapter four

The atmosphere inside The Velvet Lounge was loud, vibrant, and dripping in high-end luxury.

Tucked away in a private booth far from the flashing cameras of the main high-street, twenty-four-year-old Eliana Vance took a slow sip of her cocktail. A bright, relaxed smile played on her lips as she looked across the table at Leo Brooks. Away from the stiff, formal rules of her family's penthouse, this was exactly where she wanted to be.

"I still can't believe you managed to lock down your executive servers early enough to make it to dinner on time," Eliana teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she leaned forward.

Leo chuckled softly, running a hand through his intentionally messy dark hair. He looked incredibly sharp in his casual black button-down, his calm, focused eyes locked entirely onto her.

"When it comes to seeing you, I can bypass any security system in the city," Leo said with a warm laugh. "Besides, Jace was practically sprinting out of the corporate garage the second the final meeting wrapped up."

Eliana laughed, a rich, genuine sound. "Good. Let the big bosses handle the corporate stress for once. Honestly, my parents and my brother Ethan were so wrapped up in their massive charity gala preparations today that I practically walked out the front door without anyone blinking an eye."

"How is Ethan handling the office workload lately?" Leo asked curiously, swirling the ice in his glass.

"Oh, you know him. He’s twenty and trying so hard to impress Dad," Eliana smiled fondly, shaking her head. "He’s doing great, though. Between him and Clara handling the heavy family responsibilities, I get to be the lucky one who actually enjoys life."

"And what about Clara?" Leo asked casually, just making polite conversation about her family. "Is she surviving the gala madness?"

"Clara is always the perfect, golden daughter," Eliana said with a warm, supportive shrug, completely relaxed. "She was looking absolutely gorgeous in this emerald silk gown before I left. She’s probably charming the entire board of directors right now, playing the perfect host alongside Mom and Dad. She handles that high-society pressure like a pro."

"Sounds like she has everything under control," Leo noted with a smile, reaching across the table to gently take Eliana’s hand.

Eliana’s expression softened, but a familiar, unyielding spark lit up her dark eyes. She squeezed Leo’s fingers tightly, her gaze locking onto his with a sudden, intense seriousness that belonged entirely to her stubborn nature. "She does. But honestly, Leo, watching her sometimes makes me realize how fiercely I will fight to protect what we have. My family lives by a textbook profile of corporate duty, but I am not a business asset to be managed. I chose you. And once I lock onto something I want, I never let it go."

Leo smiled, his thumb tracing the back of her hand, completely captivated by her raw determination. "I know how stubborn you are, Eliana. It’s one of my favorite things about you."

"It’s not just stubbornness, it’s a vow," Eliana corrected with a sharp, beautiful smirk, leaning closer across the marble table. "I don’t care about society rules, family expectations, or corporate politics. If anyone even my own father ever tried to tell me who I can or cannot love, I would tear their entire system down brick by brick just to keep you. My loyalty doesn't belong to a corporate brand; it belongs entirely to you.

"Leo’s eyes deepened, the calm strategist in him utterly disarmed by her fierce, passionate devotion. He leaned forward, matching her proximity until the noise of the crowded lounge completely faded into the background. "Then it’s a good thing I have no intention of ever letting you go either. You’re stuck with me."

"You better believe it," Eliana agreed completely, a victorious, loving smile finally replacing her fierce glare as she leaned back against the plush velvet booth.

Leo suddenly smirked, his eyes crinkling with a playful light. He reached across the table and lightly pinched her nose. "A very fierce vow for a Tuesday night, Miss Vance. Are you sure you aren't just using this heavy speech to distract me from the fact that you stole half my fries?"

"I did not steal them, I aggressively taxed them," Eliana gasped with fake offense, a bright giggle escaping her as she slapped his hand away playfully. She picked up another fry and held it out to his lips like an offering. "Here, see? I am a generous dictator. Eat up, Brooks."

Leo laughed, leaning forward to take the bite directly from her fingers, deliberately letting his lips brush against her fingertips, sending a sweet rush of warmth through her. He captured her hand again, bringing it to his mouth to press a soft, adoring kiss against her knuckles. "Mm, tastes like victory. You’re entirely ridiculous, you know that?"

"But you adore me anyway," she shot back, a soft, lovey-dovey flush coloring her cheeks as she leaned her chin on her free hand, staring at him with pure affection.

"Guilty as charged," Leo murmured softly, his thumb tracing her wrist.

Totally wrapped up in their own beautiful, playful world, the two of them continued to chat and laugh into the night, completely unaware that the very people they were casually discussing were currently holding each other tight in a hotel suite just a few blocks away.