Chapter 08: Lips Against My Last Breath.

Lila's POV

“Your phone,” I said shakily, my voice barely steady as we finally pulled up to what looked like a mansion disguised as a party hall. I handed him the device since it had been ringing nonstop since the drive.

Damien took it from me without so much as a glance, no thank you, no warmth. His face was all sharp angles, clean cut, unreadable. Not that I expected appreciation....gratitude wasn’t in his dictionary when it came to me. He slipped out of the car in one fluid motion, his aura immediately pulling eyes.

I exhaled and climbed out too, my heels clicking softly on the polished stones as I followed a step behind. I wasn’t foolish enough to walk beside him...Damien Blackwood wasn’t someone you tried to level yourself with.

But he stopped suddenly and pivoted on his heel, his piercing eyes locking into me. “Why are you following me?”

I froze. My tongue tied itself in knots as I stammered, “I...I just thought…”

He hit his forehead with the heel of his palm, a gesture dripping with frustration, before gripping my wrist. Without warning, he dragged me back to the car like I weighed nothing. He flung the door open, shoved me inside, and his voice sliced through me like glass.

“Don’t fucking piss me off tonight. Don’t spoil my night.”

My chest caved, and the words slipped out before I could stop them. “Why are you like this with me? Why did you even pick me up like I’m an animal?”

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes dark and merciless. “Because you are.”

The air shattered. My mouth opened, but words failed me. My chest tightened, and without meaning to, tears slipped from the corner of my eyes. He sighed, straightening his suit like the sight of me breaking annoyed him, not moved him.

“Better keep your ass in this car,” he muttered coldly. “I’ll call someone to take you home.”

I could only nod as he walked away, his presence leaving like a thundercloud clearing but still humming in the sky.

Left alone, I stared at the glittering humans around me, gliding in like they’d been chosen by life itself....draped in silk, draped in confidence. They belonged. I didn’t. My chest ached with that ugly truth.

Sighing, I pulled out my phone. My mother’s face filled the screen, our last picture together flashing in Snap history. Despite everything, my smile in that photo was free. Real. I pressed my thumb against her face like she could feel it.

I dialed Ethan. Once. Twice. Nothing.

“Why do you always leave me when I need you?” I whispered bitterly to myself. He was supposed to be my calm, my light. Yet every time I reached for him in the dark, he wasn’t there.

Then suddenly....

“On your knees now!”

The voice startled me so hard I shouted, “Gracious heaven!” My heart thundered until a familiar head popped inside the car with a wicked grin.

“Miss me much?”

“Ethan,” I gasped, half-scolding, half-relieved. I laughed breathlessly, my whole system rebooting as he yanked open the door. I tried to climb out, my body desperate to cling to his presence.

But I froze. “Bro… Damien will beat my ass if I step out of this car.”

Ethan’s chuckle was soft but stubborn. “Not under my watch.” He tugged me to my feet.

I pouted, turning my back like a child. “I’m not smiling with you.”

He only laughed harder, his hands sliding to my sides as he tickled me until I squealed. “I’m sorry, princess. The police swarmed the party earlier....I had no choice but to lay low until things calmed down.”

“You had me gulp down Damien’s scariness alone,” I whined, swatting his chest.

Ethan smirked, poking my nose gently. “I figured as much. But look at you....you survived.”

Despite myself, I smiled, the tightness in my chest easing.

His eyes trailed down, then back up, playful. “Hold on… someone looks snatched tonight.”

“Don’t hype me,” I muttered, heat creeping up my neck. “Damien didn’t say a word about my looks.”

“Why,” Ethan teased, “do you always drag his name into our moments?”

I swallowed hard. He wasn’t wrong. My heart twisted. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to…”

He cupped my chin lightly, eyes soft. “Don’t let his vibe tear through your happiness. You feel me?”

I laughed, shaky. “Yes, sir.”

“Good. Now,” he grinned, “let me make it up to you. Come with me.”

He caught my hand, and I followed, grateful for his warmth. But suddenly he stopped, looking down at my feet.

“Seems Cinderella’s struggling with her shoe.”

I laughed nervously. “I’m not used to these heels. Sorry for embarrassing you.”

“Shh,” he said, brushing my apology away. “There’s always a second choice.”

And just like that, he scooped me up in his arms, bridal style.

I yelped, hiding my face in his chest. “Ethan, no....people are looking....”

“If you threaten me again, I’ll sing out loud while carrying you.”

My laughter broke through my embarrassment. He carried me closer to the pool, then set me gently down.

My mouth parted in awe. The water glistened under the lights like liquid glass.

“You love it?” he asked softly.

“It’s magnificent,” I whispered. “So calm. Like another world.”

He smiled knowingly. “I brought you here because I know you. Big crowds make you shrink. But here… you can breathe.”

“Ethan…” my throat tightened, emotion catching me off guard.

He chuckled, lightening the air. “Now, go change. We’re swimming.”

“I can’t swim,” I admitted quickly, anxiety spiking.

He read my fear instantly. “Then I’ll be your lifeguard.” His grin softened the edges of my panic. “Always.”

He gave me his coat to cover up once I was in a bikini, and my heart clenched at how much he saw me, read me, understood me. Ethan was everything I needed. But even as I reminded myself of that, a shadow lingered at the back of my heart.

Damien.

Why did my body betray me for him?

I shook the thought away, changed, and stepped out. Ethan bowed dramatically, offering his hand. “Shall we?”

I laughed, sliding my hand into his. “We shall.”

He lifted me again, this time launching us both into the pool. I screamed, water splashing around us.

“Relax,” he soothed, holding my waist. “Deep breath, baby. Just like me.”

I tried, trembling.

He tugged a belt, fastening it. “Safety net. Just in case. Don’t worry, I won’t let you sink.”

I smiled nervously. He flapped his legs, teaching me slowly, gently. Every move he made was reassuring.

And then, the shift.

He said it so quietly I almost missed it. “You’re perfect.”

The words sunk into me deeper than the water. My heart stuttered.

“Ethan…” I whispered, hugging him tightly.

But exhaustion crept in. “I’m tired. And thirsty.”

He laughed, pressing his forehead to mine. “Twinning, huh? I’m thirsty too.” He held out his hand for our favorite handshake. I returned it, grinning.

“I’ll grab us drinks. Don’t move, okay?”

“Promise,” I said softly.

As he left, I floated by the edge, my nerves easing. Until a couple swam near, their laughter filling the air. The girl’s voice trembled. “I’m scared.”

Her boyfriend kissed her temple. “Don’t be. I’m right here.”

Then he turned to me casually. “Hey, you using that belt?”

I froze, panic sparking in my chest. High-class types always made me feel like I was breaking some silent rule. “I...I was just stepping out anyway.”

He took the belt. And suddenly, I was unmoored.

I clutched the pool stairs, trying to climb out, but my foot slipped. My body pitched backward into the water.

Laughter followed, cruel and careless.

But I wasn’t playing.

The water swallowed me, panic crushing me. My arms flailed, desperate. My lungs burned. My scream was bubbles. My body gave up, dragging me deeper.

Then...hands. Strong, desperate, terrified.

They grabbed me like life itself depended on it. My waist, my body, pulled upward with raw force.

I broke the surface coughing, my blurred eyes finding the only face I wasn’t ready for.

Damien.

His voice, ragged but soft, brushed my ear. “Are you okay?”

Something inside me shattered. He had never sounded like that before.

He laid me down, his hand brushing my hair off my wet face. I closed my eyes quickly, feigning unconsciousness. Waiting. Hoping.

And then....his lips.

Warm. Demanding. Pressing against mine. Once, then again, deeper, as if he was pouring his breath, his life into me.

I gasped against his mouth and tugged his head back down, kissing him back.

And this time, it wasn’t rescue. It was fire.

His hand gripped my jaw, tilting me to deepen the kiss. His other hand pressed against my waist, sliding up, spreading heat through my soaked skin. My fingers clawed at his chest, then slid lower, over the ridges of his abs.

He groaned into my mouth, the sound vibrating through me, making me ache in places I shouldn’t. His tongue claimed me, rough and hungry, and I melted.

Every nerve screamed. My body arched into him, needing more, needing him.

My head screamed wrong. But my heart, my body, they worshiped the man on top of me.

“I love me a bad man,” I whispered against his lips, drunk on him.

And I meant it.

“Lila,” a voice called softly.

I ripped my mouth from Damien’s, panting, reality slamming back in.