The bonfire crackled, laughter still circling the flames, but Lila's mind was far away, still ringing with the echo of her song. Her friends teased and cheered, some still begging her to sing again.
But Ethan's stare burned into her like a brand.
She sat cross-legged in the sand, her white dress fluttering in the night breeze, a little too thin, a little too exposing. Moonlight wrapped her like silk, and the sea whispered at her feet. She looked untouchable, radiant.
And every boy noticed.
One finally dared to step closer, grin cocky. "With a voice like yours, you deserve a boyfriend who'd worship you. How about me?"
Lila gave her polite smile — the soft one she used for harmless strangers. "That's sweet, but no thanks."
Polite. Gentle.
And Ethan saw red.
He was up before she finished speaking, crossing the sand in three strides. His hand fisted the boy's shirt, dragging him close.
"Try that again," Ethan growled, low and lethal, "and I'll break your jaw."
The boy paled. "Chill, man, I was just—"
"You were just breathing near her," Ethan cut him off, voice sharp as a blade. "Don't."
"Ethan!" Lila hissed, scrambling to her feet. She grabbed his arm, her touch soft but urgent. "Let him go. You're making a scene."
He turned on her, fury blazing in his eyes. "You smiled at him."
"I was being polite."
"You don't get to be polite," he snapped. "Not with them. Not with anyone."
The firelight flickered across his face, making him look both terrifying and beautiful. Around them, everyone had fallen silent, watching.
Lila's pulse hammered. She should argue. She should fight.
But instead, she whispered, "Ethan…"
And that broke him.
He dropped the boy instantly, fingers wrapping around Lila's wrist, dragging her away from the fire. She stumbled after him, their friends' shocked voices fading behind them as the night swallowed them whole.
When they were far enough, hidden by dunes and stars, he spun, pressing her back against the sandbank, caging her in with his body.
His mouth crushed down on hers.
This wasn't their first kiss. No — it was a reminder. A punishment. A possession.
Her gasp melted into his lips as his tongue claimed, demanded, stole. His hand cupped her jaw, tilting her up to him, while the other gripped her waist, hauling her closer until she could feel every line of his body against hers.
"You're mine," he growled against her lips. "Don't forget it. I already took your first kiss. I'll take every kiss after. Every smile. Every breath. Everything."
Lila's knees weakened, her fingers curling into his shirt. She should push him away. But she didn't. She kissed back — shaky at first, then deeper, like her body had betrayed her heart.
The ocean roared in the background, waves glowing faintly with bioluminescence, as if the sea itself bowed to his claim.
He slowed for a moment, softening, his lips gentler, coaxing hers to respond. His thumb brushed her cheek, reverent, almost tender.
Then she moaned softly into his mouth.
And that was it.
He deepened the kiss instantly, hungrier, rougher, his tongue tangling with hers, his teeth catching her lower lip until she gasped. His hand slid lower, gripping her hip, fingers pressing into her skin through the thin white fabric.
"You don't smile at them," he said, each word a growl between kisses. "You don't sing for them. You don't exist for them. Only for me."
Her chest rose and fell against his, her breath ragged. "Ethan…"
"Say it again."
"Ethan…" louder this time, almost a cry.
He smiled against her mouth, triumphant, before devouring her again, drowning her in fire and salt and starlight.
When he finally pulled away, both of them were breathless, the waves crashing behind them, their friends forgotten. His forehead pressed to hers, his voice hoarse, rough.
"You can fight me all you want. But you'll never belong to anyone else. Every first time, every last time — they're mine. Forever."
And though she said nothing, her silence was answer enough.
Because somewhere deep inside, she knew he was right.
______________
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