The next morning, Emily promised herself she'd keep her head down. No more accidental garden visits, no more ice cream invitations, no more… Ethan Monaco.
By the time her first lecture ended, she was halfway to believing she could actually avoid him.
Then she stepped out of the building and saw him leaning casually against his car.
Her steps faltered.
He looked completely out of place — sleek black Maserati parked beside the cracked curb, tailored black shirt with the sleeves rolled just enough to reveal veins along his forearms. And those eyes… fixed on her like she'd just wandered into his line of sight and given him a reason to stay.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, trying to sound annoyed instead of flustered.
"Waiting for you."
Her heart gave a sharp, traitorous thud. "Why?"
"I thought I'd buy you lunch."
Emily shook her head. "I have class."
"I checked." His mouth curved, and she hated the way it made her stomach flip. "You've got a two-hour gap."
"You—" She stopped herself, deciding she didn't even want to know how he knew her schedule.
He stepped forward, close enough that the air seemed thinner. "Get in, angel."
It wasn't really a request.
Against her better judgment, she found herself in the passenger seat again, the leather cool against her palms. The city blurred past as they drove, and she kept telling herself she'd just eat, thank him, and leave.
But when they pulled up, it wasn't to a regular restaurant.
It was a rooftop café — glass walls, white umbrellas, and a sweeping view of the city. The kind of place that whispered money.
"You can't keep doing this," she said as they sat.
"Doing what?" he asked lightly.
"Turning up. Buying things. Acting like we're…" She trailed off, not sure what word to use.
"Like I've claimed you?" His voice was low, dangerous in its softness.
Her breath caught. "That's not—"
"You'll learn," he interrupted, leaning back in his chair. "Once I decide something's mine, I don't let go."
She stared at him, pulse pounding. "I'm not yours."
His smile didn't reach his eyes. "Not yet."