Kai wasn't exactly the type to lose sleep over vampires. Especially ones who looked like they'd walked off a runway and straight into his life just to make it more complicated. But that night?
Sleep laughed in his face and flipped him off.
He was sprawled across his too-small bed, one arm thrown over his eyes, brain replaying every damn second in that office. The smirks. The challenges. The way Adrian's voice dipped low when he was being particularly smug.
The way it made his stomach flip.
Kai groaned into his pillow. "No. No no no. You're a vampire. You're literally supposed to be my natural-born enemy, not... whatever the hell this is."
Meanwhile, across town, Adrian stood at the edge of his penthouse balcony, staring out at the city lights like they were a puzzle he couldn't solve.
He hated unsolved puzzles.
And Kai?
Kai was turning into one with far too many pieces and not enough edges.
Adrian exhaled slowly, swirling the blood-red wine in his glass. It wasn't the wolf's looks though damn, those golden eyes could stop traffic. It wasn't even his attitude though the sass was oddly refreshing in Adrian's world of bowing heads and fake smiles.
No. It was that spark. That defiance.
Kai didn't fear him.
And that was... dangerous.
The next day, they met again, this time in Kai's office. It was a little messier, a little cozier. Plants in the corner, shelves stacked with random trinkets, and a scent Adrian couldn't quite place like cedarwood and something softer.
"So," Kai said, dropping into his chair and spinning once before facing Adrian. "Ready to work with the enemy again?"
Adrian closed the door behind him, eyeing the room. "Do you always decorate like you're one scented candle away from a forest nymph's cottage?"
Kai smirked. "Jealous your cold, sterile cave doesn't have any personality?"
Adrian sat across from him, crossing one leg over the other. "My cave has a view of the skyline, and a fridge full of 1785 Bordeaux."
Kai laughed, head tipping back just slightly. "You drink centuries-old wine, but act like a man-child when someone teases you. Fascinating."
"Oh, I can handle teasing," Adrian purred. "I just prefer when it's clever."
Kai's heart skipped. Just a little.
The rest of the day passed in a blur of actual productivity somehow, against all odds. And by late evening, they'd made serious progress on the presentation for the upcoming launch. But the silence between them as they wrapped up was... loaded.
Kai stood, stretching, shirt riding up just enough for Adrian to look away like he hadn't been looking at all.
"I'll walk you out," Kai said, grabbing his keys.
"I'm not some fragile human you have to escort to safety," Adrian replied, standing with that effortless grace he wore like a second skin.
"Maybe not," Kai said, voice softer now. "But I don't mind."
Adrian didn't answer just followed.
Outside, the air was crisp, stars barely visible through the city haze. They stood by Adrian's car for a beat too long, neither of them making the first move.
"Dinner still on the table?" Adrian asked finally, voice low.
Kai blinked. "You serious?"
Adrian smiled, just a hint of fang showing. "You challenged me, didn't you?"
Kai bit back his grin. "Fine. Friday night. But don't expect candles and violins."
Adrian leaned in just a little. "Darling, with you? I expect growls and sass."
Kai's breath caught and Adrian saw it. Smelled it. Felt it.
Before either of them could say something stupid or worse, give in Kai stepped back.
"See you tomorrow, vampire."
Adrian slid into his car, window rolling down. "Sweet dreams, puppy."
As he drove off, Kai stared after him, heart doing that annoying flutter again.
"Shit," he muttered. "I'm so screwed."