Chapter 9

NINE

C haos stood at the edge of the opulent ballroom, his keen hazel eyes scanning the crowd. The charity event for promoting a love of books buzzed with energy with New York's elite mingling and chatting over champagne and hors d'oeuvres. But Chaos barely noticed the glittering decorations or the soft strains of classical music. His attention had been completely captivated by one woman.

Olive Russo moved through the crowd with effortless grace, her gold dress shimmering under the chandeliers. She paused here and there to chat with guests, her smile radiant and her laughter musical. Chaos couldn't tear his gaze away.

"Excuse me," a familiar voice drawled beside him. "I haven't seen that look on your face in... well, ever."

Chaos glanced at Baxter, who had accompanied him to the event. Baxter's dark eyes sparkled with amusement as he followed Chaos's line of sight.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Chaos muttered, but he knew his denial was weak at best.

Baxter snorted. "Please. You've been staring at that woman for the past ten minutes like a lion eyeing his next meal." He paused, then added with a smirk, "Pun very much intended."

Chaos shot him a warning look, but he couldn't deny the truth in Baxter's words. From the moment he'd laid eyes on Olive, something inside him had stirred. His lion, usually a calm presence in the back of his mind, had roared to life with a ferocity that had taken him by surprise.

Mine!

Mine!

Mine!

Mate.

Chaos shook his head slightly, trying to clear it. He'd never experienced such an intense, immediate reaction to anyone. It both exhilarated and terrified him.

"So," Baxter prodded, "are you going to go talk to her, or just admire from afar all night?"

Chaos straightened his shoulders, adjusting his perfectly tailored suit jacket. "I'm going to introduce myself," he said, his tone brooking no argument. "She is the chairwoman of this event, after all. It would be rude not to pay my respects."

Baxter's knowing grin widened. "Oh, of course. Just being polite. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that she's absolutely gorgeous and clearly brilliant."

Ignoring his friend's teasing, Chaos began to make his way across the room. As he approached Olive, she turned as if sensing his presence. Their eyes met, and Chaos felt a jolt of electricity shoot through him.

Olive's blue eyes widened slightly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. Chaos's enhanced hearing picked up the slight quickening of her heartbeat, and he couldn't help the surge of satisfaction that coursed through him.

"Good evening," he said as he reached her, his voice deep and smooth. "I hope I'm not interrupting."

Olive's lips curved into a warm smile. "Not at all," she replied, her voice even lovelier up close. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Olive Russo, the chairwoman of tonight's event."

"Chaos Amato," he introduced himself, taking her offered hand. The moment their skin touched, that spark of electricity intensified. Chaos had to suppress a growl of pleasure. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Russo. I've heard wonderful things about your foundation's work."

"Please, call me Olive," she insisted, her hand lingering in his for a moment longer than strictly necessary. "And thank you. We're always excited to welcome new supporters to our cause. Are you a big reader, Mr. Amato?"

"Chaos," he corrected with a small smile. "And I try to be, though I'll admit my reading these days tends to lean more toward technical manuals and financial reports than novels."

Olive's eyes lit up with amusement. "Well, we'll have to see if we can broaden your literary horizons," she teased. "I'm sure we could find a few romance novels that might pique your interest."

The playful lilt in her voice sent a shiver down Chaos's spine. "I'd be open to... expanding my tastes," he replied, his voice dropping to a lower register. He was rewarded with the sight of Olive's pupils dilating slightly, her breath catching in her throat.

The sexual tension between them crackled. He opened his mouth to respond, his mind racing for something clever and flirtatious to say, when a new voice cut through the moment like a bucket of ice water.

"Chaos, darling, there you are!"

Chaos suppressed a groan as his sister, Tia, slid up to them. She linked her arm through his possessively, her hazel eyes sweeping over Olive with thinly veiled disdain.

"Tia," Chaos said, unable to keep a hint of irritation from his voice. "I'd like you to meet Olive Russo, the chairwoman of this event. Olive, this is my sister, Tia Amato."

"Charmed, I'm sure," Tia said, her tone suggesting she was anything but. "What a... quaint little event you've put together here. It must have been quite the undertaking for someone so... new to the charity circuit."

Chaos tensed, ready to reprimand his sister for her rudeness. But before he could speak, Olive's voice rang out, sweet as honey but with a sharp edge that made his lion purr with approval.

"Oh, it's been a labor of love," Olive replied, her smile never wavering. "But then, isn't that what all the best things in life are? I'm sure you'd know all about that, given your... extensive experience with social events."

Tia's eyes narrowed, clearly catching the subtle dig. Chaos had to cough to cover a laugh. This woman was not only beautiful but quick-witted as well. His attraction to her grew by the second.

"Indeed," Tia said, her voice cold. "Well, I'm sure you have many other guests to attend to. We won't keep you."

"Actually," Chaos interjected, gently but firmly removing his arm from Tia's grasp, "I was hoping to speak with Olive a bit more about the foundation's work. Why don't you go mingle, Tia? I'm sure there are plenty of people here you'd love to catch up with."

Tia's lips pursed in obvious displeasure, but she released Chaos's arm. "Of course. Don't let me keep you from your... philanthropy." With a final icy glare at Olive, she sashayed off into the crowd.

"I apologize for my little sister," Chaos said once Tia was gone. "She can be a bit... protective."

Olive waved off his apology with a smile that made his heart skip a beat. "No need to apologize. I have a sister too; I know how they can be. Though I have to say, your sister makes mine look positively angelic in comparison."

Chaos chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. "I find that hard to believe. You seem far too charming to have sprouted from the same family tree as someone truly demonic."

"Flatterer," Olive accused, though he could see the pleased smile she couldn't quite hide. "I'll have you know I can be quite the hellion when the mood strikes me."

"Is that so?" Chaos leaned in slightly, unable to resist the pull of her presence. "I'd be very interested in seeing that side of you, Olive."

The air between them pulsed. Olive's cheeks flushed a delicate pink, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of intrigue and caution. Chaos's lion paced restlessly within him, urging him to claim this woman as his mate right then and there.

But before either of them could speak, a throat cleared beside them. Chaos turned to find a striking woman with dark hair and green eyes standing there, an amused smirk on her face.

"Sorry to interrupt," the woman said, not sounding sorry at all, "but Olive, they need you on stage. It's time for your welcome speech."

Olive blinked as if coming out of a daze. "Right, of course," she said, smoothing down her dress. "Thank you, Athena. Mr. Amato - Chaos - it was lovely to meet you. I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening."

"The pleasure was all mine, Olive," Chaos replied, his gaze never leaving her face. "I look forward to continuing our conversation... later."

Olive's smile widened, a mix of excitement and nervousness flashing in her eyes. "I'd like that," she said softly. With a final nod, she turned and made her way toward the stage, Athena following close behind.

Chaos watched her go, his enhanced hearing picking up their whispered conversation.

"Oh my god, Thena," Olive hissed. "Did you see that man? He's like something straight out of a romance novel!"

Athena laughed. "Oh, I saw all right. And so did everyone else in this room. The sexual tension between you two could power half of Manhattan."

Their voices faded as they disappeared into the crowd, but Chaos couldn't wipe the grin off his face. So, he wasn't the only one who had felt that immediate connection.

As Olive took the stage, Chaos found himself captivated once more. Her welcome speech was eloquent and passionate, highlighting the foundation's achievements and future goals. But more than her words, it was the genuine enthusiasm in her voice and the sparkle in her eyes that held his attention.

"...and so, with your continued support, we can ensure that the magic of literature reaches every corner of our community," Olive concluded, her passion evident in every word. "Thank you all, and please, enjoy the evening!"

Applause erupted throughout the ballroom. Chaos clapped along with the rest, but his eyes never left Olive as she made her way from the stage, pausing to shake hands and exchange pleasantries with various guests.

"Well," Baxter's voice came from beside him, startling Chaos out of his reverie. "I'd ask if you enjoyed the speech, but I'm pretty sure you didn't hear a word of it. Too busy staring at the speaker, I'd wager."

"She's... impressive," he said, trying to keep his tone neutral.

Baxter snorted. "Impressive? Boss, I've seen you less impressed by multi-billion dollar merger deals. Just admit it - you're smitten."

Before Chaos could formulate a response, the opening notes of a slow, romantic melody filled the air. Couples began to make their way to the dance floor, and Chaos saw his opportunity.

"If you'll excuse me," he said to Baxter, straightening his tie, "I have a dance to secure."