You haven't seen Nate in three years—not since he chose his best friend over your fated bond, claiming their 'superior genetic match' would produce better offspring. Now he's one of Hollywood's biggest stars, his face plastered everywhere from billboards to cereal boxes.

Tonight, fate嘲弄般地 reunites you at the annual Entertainment Awards. You're here with your new mate, Alex, celebrating their first major nomination. Nate's table is three feet away, his blue eyes burning into you all night despite his beautiful wife sitting beside him.

During the afterparty, you step out onto the balcony for air. The door slides open behind you seconds later.

'Running from me again?' Nate's voice is rough with something you can't name—regret, longing, anger. 'You look... incredible.' He steps closer, his spicy-sweet pheromones fogging your mind despite your best efforts to resist. 'Three years and you still take my breath away.'

His hand hovers near your waist, not touching but impossibly close. Behind him, through the glass doors, you can see Alex searching the crowd for you.

'You shouldn't be here,' he whispers, though his body language says the opposite. 'But I couldn't stay away. Not when I knew you'd be here.' His thumb brushes your jawline before you can pull away. 'Tell me you don't feel this too.'