For a second, the world just… stops.
Damien's face is so close that I can feel his breath brushing against my lips. My mind goes blank, my heart pounding so fast it hurts.
His eyes meet mine—steady, unreadable, but burning with something that steals the air right out of my lungs.
I don't even realize what's happening until I feel the faintest brush of his mouth against mine. It's so soft, so unexpected, that I freeze. My thoughts scatter like leaves in the wind.
The warmth of his lips lingers, gentle but certain, making it impossible to think straight.
It's not rough. It's not rushed. It's careful. Like he's giving me a choice—to pull away or to stay.
And I stay.
My hands tremble slightly, unsure of what to do. His scent—fresh, clean, and somehow familiar—wraps around me, drawing me closer without a single word.
When he finally pulls back, my heart doesn't. It stays right there with him, caught between disbelief and the strange new feeling blooming in my chest.
For a long moment, neither of us speaks.
Then his voice breaks the silence, low and steady.
"You can't pretend this isn't real, Amelia."
I swallow hard. "What are you talking about?"
He tilts his head slightly, studying me with that unreadable gaze. "You know exactly what I mean."
I can't look at him. My cheeks are burning, and my thoughts are a mess. "Damien, this… this is wrong."
He leans back slightly, his eyes still locked on mine. "Maybe. But tell me you didn't feel it too."
I don't answer. Because I can't lie.
His words stay with me long after he leaves that night. I lie awake, staring at the ceiling, my mind replaying everything that happened—the look in his eyes, the way my heart raced, the way his touch made me forget the world for a moment.
When I finally drift off to sleep, it's not confusion that keeps me awake. It's the memory of his lips, and the question I'm too afraid to answer.
---
🌅 The Next Morning 🌅
The sunlight hits my face, and everything from last night floods back in. My heart skips as the truth settles in.
I kissed Damien Wolfe.
Not just anyone—my brother's best friend.
If Jake ever finds out, I don't even want to imagine the chaos that would follow.
But the worst part? I can't stop thinking about it.
The way Damien looked at me, the way he spoke my name—it wasn't just a tease. It felt real. Too real.
And that's what scares me.
I grab my phone, scrolling aimlessly, trying to distract myself. But then, out of nowhere, a thought hits me like lightning.
Ruby.
I remember that name. The gorgeous brunette from the dance club—the one everyone talked about. Perfect smile, perfect body, perfect everything.
My curiosity gets the better of me. I open Instagram and type her name. It doesn't take long to find her profile.
Every post looks like it belongs in a magazine—graceful, confident, effortless beauty. My chest tightens as I scroll through her pictures.
Then I see it.
One photo. Damien is in the background.
My breath catches. I don't even know why I feel this way—jealous? Curious? Angry? I can't tell.
All I know is that I shouldn't care. But I do. Too much.
I set my phone down and bury my face in the pillow, groaning in frustration.
"Get it together, Lia," I mumble to myself.
But deep down, I know.
Something has already changed between us.
And no matter how much I try to deny it… I've already crossed a line I can never uncross.