The night was too still.
Lila gripped the cold balcony railing, the cool metal digging into her palms as Ethan Cole stood below in the moonlight. His presence made the air feel heavy, too thick to breathe.
"You shouldn't be here," she whispered, even though her voice wavered.
"I told you," Ethan said, stepping closer until he was directly beneath her. His voice was low, husky, dangerous. "I don't care."
Her pulse raced. Every instinct screamed at her to shut the door, retreat into safety, but her feet stayed rooted.
When Ethan moved, it was fast—effortless. In a fluid motion, he climbed the trellis beside her balcony like it was nothing, strong arms pulling himself up until he was standing in front of her.
Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest. "Are you insane?!"
He smirked, stepping into her space. "Probably."
She backed up, bumping into the glass door behind her. Her breath came shallow as Ethan planted one hand on the door beside her head, leaning down until his face hovered inches from hers.
"Ethan…" she warned, but her voice lacked strength.
"Say it again," he murmured. His eyes burned, his breath hot against her cheek. "My name. I want to hear it from your lips."
Her chest heaved. She hated how easily he could unravel her. "You need to go."
"Not until you understand something." His other hand came up, brushing her jaw lightly. The contact was almost gentle, but the possession in his eyes was anything but. "You're mine, Lila. I don't care how many walls you build. I'll break them all."
Her knees wobbled. She pressed her palms against his chest, meaning to shove him back, but the heat of his body seared through her hands, rooting her in place.
"You don't get to decide that," she whispered.
"Then decide it yourself," he challenged. His lips hovered dangerously close. "Tell me you don't feel it. Tell me you don't want me to stay."
Her breath hitched. She opened her mouth—but no words came out.
His smirk curved, slow and knowing. "That's what I thought."
His thumb dragged along her jawline, down to her throat, lingering just enough to make her shiver. "I'll wait as long as it takes. But don't ever think you'll get rid of me."
Then, as quickly as he came, he stepped back, retreating to the railing. With one last heated glance, he vaulted back down to the yard below, disappearing into the shadows.
Lila collapsed against the door, her heart slamming against her ribs.
She hated him.She feared him.And most terrifying of all—She wanted him.
The next morning, school was buzzing with excitement. Posters plastered the hallways:
"SENIOR-JUNIOR INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL TOUR — SIGN-UP DEADLINE THIS WEEK!"
Maya nearly tackled Lila at her locker. "Did you see? Did you see? We're going abroad! A whole month! Paris, Rome, Madrid—can you imagine?!"
Lila blinked, still foggy from last night's encounter. "Wait… a month?"
"Yes! The school's taking selected students from junior and senior year. Cultural exchange, competitions, performances, sightseeing—the works. You have to go, Lila!"
Noah leaned against the locker beside her, grinning. "I already signed up. No way I'm missing a month of school for free travel. And honestly? You'd be dumb not to come."
Her mind spun. A month away. Away from her brothers. Away from Ethan. Away from this suffocating storm.
It sounded like freedom.
Until her skin prickled, sensing eyes on her.
She turned her head, and sure enough—Ethan Cole was across the hall, leaning against the wall, staring straight at her.
His jaw ticked. His hands flexed at his sides. And in his eyes, she read one thing:
You're not going anywhere without me.
That afternoon, the pep rally transformed the gym into chaos. Music blasted, cheerleaders danced, the football team was introduced one by one.
When Ethan's name was called, the crowd erupted. Girls screamed, banners waved, and Ethan strode onto the court like he owned it. His eyes didn't scan the crowd, didn't bask in the attention.
They went straight to her.
Lila's stomach flipped. She sat between Maya and Noah, her brothers across the bleachers keeping sharp watch. But it didn't matter. Ethan's gaze burned through everyone until it pinned her to her seat.
She couldn't look away.
The rally blurred—chants, speeches, applause—but she didn't hear a word. All she felt was the weight of Ethan's unrelenting stare.
By the end, when students flooded out of the gym, she tried to slip away with Maya and Noah. But a strong hand caught her wrist, pulling her into the shadow of the hallway.
Her breath caught. "Ethan—"
He pressed closer, boxing her in against the lockers, his body heat wrapping around her. His hand slid from her wrist to her hip, holding her there.
"You think you're leaving me behind for a month?" His voice was low, husky with restrained fury. "Not happening."
Her pulse raced. "It's school policy. You can't stop me."
His eyes darkened. "Watch me."
Her lips parted, but no sound came out when he leaned closer, brushing his lips near her ear.
"Run to Paris, Rome, or the ends of the earth," he whispered. "I'll find you."
She shivered violently, knees weak. "You're insane."
He smirked, pressing his forehead against hers. "Only for you."