Kisses, Lies And Secrets

The party was chaos. Music pounded through the walls, laughter spilling from every corner of the massive house. Expensive cars lined the driveway. Everything about it screamed elite.

I stood beside Avery near the entrance, trying not to look as out of place as I felt. “Told you it’d be fun,” she grinned. Before I could respond, people swarmed her. “Avery!”

Within seconds, we were surrounded. “This is Zara, my roommate,” Avery introduced quickly. Curious looks followed. I smiled politely, even though I felt like I’d stepped into someone else’s world.

Then someone shouted, “Tony Kavinsky is throwing this party!”

My stomach flipped. Tony. Which meant… Damon.

Avery grabbed my hand. “Drinks. Don’t move.” And just like that, she disappeared.

Five minutes passed. Then ten. The music got louder, the room hotter, people pressing closer. I exhaled and went to find her. Bad idea. One wrong turn. Then another. Soon I was upstairs where the music faded and the hallway dimmed. Quiet. Too quiet. I turned the corner and stopped. Damon Thorne leaned against the wall like he’d been waiting. My breath caught. He straightened slowly, eyes locking onto mine. “Well,” he murmured. “Butterfly. Lost already?”

“I’m looking for Avery.”

He stepped closer. Too close. “You came to this party without knowing the house?”

“I didn’t know Tony owned it.”

A slow smirk. “Careful. Your attitude is dangerous.”

“You started it.”

Silence stretched between us. Heavy. Tense. His gaze dropped to my lips. My breath caught. He leaned closer. Everything slowed. My heart pounded. Just a little closer..

I stepped back. “I can’t.”

His expression darkened. “Can’t?”

“This is a bad idea.” I turned and walked away before I could change my mind. Halfway down the stairs, I saw him. Tall, broad shoulders, effortless presence. Our eyes met and something shifted. He looked at me like he’d just discovered something interesting. Unexpected. My breath caught. His gaze wasn’t cold like Damon’s. It was sharp. Curious. Almost playful.

“Kai!” someone called. He looked away briefly. When he looked back i was already gone.

Later, Avery dragged me to the backyard where a bonfire burned and students sat in a circle. “Truth or dare!” she announced. I already knew this was a bad idea, but before I could escape, I was pulled down beside her.

The game started. Laughter, teasing, dares. Then.. “Kai. Truth or dare?”

I looked up. It was him.

“Kai Ryder.”

He leaned back casually. “Dare.”

A grin spread around the group. “Kiss the girl you find most attractive here.”

My heart stopped. No.

He stood, scanning the circle slowly. Then his gaze landed on me. My pulse roared in my ears as he walked straight toward me and stopped right in front of me.

“Hope you don’t mind,” he said quietly.

And then he kissed me.

Everything disappeared. The noise, the people, the night. His hand tilted my chin gently, the kiss soft but electric, warm and unexpected. My heart slammed against my chest. Then he pulled back. Cheers erupted around us.

I couldn’t look away. And he smiled... like he already knew exactly what he had done to me.

Across the circle, Damon looked furious, jaw tight, eyes dark. Without a word, he stood and walked away. Elias watched everything, his expression unreadable but not happy.

Later inside, the music was louder, the air heavier. I tried to shake everything off, the kiss, Damon, Elias but my head spun. I stepped onto the dance floor and collided with someone. Strong hands caught me instantly.

“Careful.”

My heart jumped. Damon. His eyes were darker now. He’d been drinking.

“Dance with me,” he said. Before I could protest, he pulled me closer, his hand settling on my waist. Too intimate.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked.

“I saw that kiss.”

“It was a game.”

“I know your secret, Zara.”

My world stopped. “What?”

“That video from your old school.” "The one you transferred to for senior year."

My chest tightened painfully. “How do you...”

“I can keep it buried,” he said calmly.

My throat went dry. “What do you want?”

“A fake relationship.”

I stared at him. “What would you gain from that?”

“I’m Damon Thorne. Someone like me should have a girlfriend.”

That wasn’t the real reason. I could feel it. But my options were disappearing.

“If I say no?”

Silence.

Answer enough.

I exhaled slowly. “…Fine.”

Something in his expression softened. “Good.”

But across the room, Elias was watching us and his expression darkened.