Just a Ride

Celeste's mouth parted, her face filled with shock. For once, she had no comeback. Letting out a scoff, spun on her heel and disappeared into the crowd.

Valeria blinked, trying to process what had just happened. Then, slowly, she looked up at her savior, and her breath caught.

He was tall, effortlessly handsome, his brown eyes stared into hers deeply and his jawline was sharp making him look dashing. A single brow arched with amusement as he noticed her staring.

“I'll take it that you want to tell me ‘thank you?’” he said, his lips twitching into a half-smile.

Valeria stammered, feeki g her face flush. “Oh! Yes, I mean….yes, I'm so sorry. That’s… exactly what I wanted to say.”

He chuckled, “It's a cool evening out there, don’t you think?”

Valeria nodded quickly. “Yes, very.” And still, she couldn’t stop staring. The man was infuriatingly good-looking. And worse, he knew it.

He tilted his head, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I’ll take it, you know who I am?”

Valeria nearly choked on her own spit “Yes, yes!” She hurriedly spoke out. “I mean, of course I do.”

He laughed again, and Valeria joined him shortly then cleared her throat, her cheeks burning. “Sorry… I just meant, yes, you’re Damien Lockwood.”

Internally, she was screaming. How could she not know him? Damien Lockwood was on every headline, every blog, every scandal. He was a Billionaire, Philanthropist, a Rumored criminal. And of course, the most shameless womanizer in the city.

Damien nodded like he’d heard it all before. “That’s what they say,” he said with a playful shrug. “And you? What brings you hiding in this little corner of the gala?”

Valeria laughed nervously. “Honestly? Just trying to breathe. Didn't exactly plan on bumping into Celeste and her… tongue.”

That made Damien chuckle. “Well, your instincts are clearly right. She’s a venomous little thing.” He glanced at her again, this time with something softer in his eyes. “But you handled it well.”

Before she could respond, he took a step back. “I should get going. I have to catch up with some of my friends.”

Then, unexpectedly, he reached out and took her hand, bringing it to his lips and laying a small kiss on her hand softly. With that, he gave her a nod and turned, disappearing into the crowd as swiftly as he’d appeared.

Valeria stood frozen, her eyes following his broad shoulders until they were lost in the crowd. Her heart was racing and she couldn’t quite explain why.

“Who are you staring at?”

The voice behind her made her jolt with a squeal.

She spun around to see Elena grinning, with one brow raised. “Nothing!” Valeria said too quickly.

“Mhm, sure. I know that kind of ‘nothing’ face.” Elena smirked. “That was a tall, dangerously handsome nothing, wasn't it?”

Valeria groaned and turned away, but Elena followed, nudging her teasingly.

“I saw you, Val. I saw you staring at Damien Lockwood like he was a slice of forbidden chocolate cake.”

Valeria covered her face with her hands. “It was nothing, Elena. He just… helped me with Celeste.”

“Helped you? Girl, he was about to throw hands with that woman! And then he kissed your hand! Do you know how many women would pay to be touched by Damien Lockwood?”

Valeria gave her a look. “He probably touches everyone.”

“Maybe. But he looked at you like he meant it.” Elena bumped her shoulder. “So…you gonna tell me how it felt?”

Valeria laughed, shaking her head. But deep inside, she wasn’t laughing. She could still feel the touch of his hand on hers. Still hear the way he said, “She’s with me.”

Why did it sound so possessive? So… real?

Valeria let out a shaky breath, her mind was running wild with imaginations. 

She wasn’t supposed to be thinking like this. She’d just had a divorce. And now she was meant to hate men for a while, especially ones like Damien Lockwood.

He was rich, powerful and dangerous. 

And the worst part? He wasn’t even trying.

She shook her head quickly. It was absurd. Damien it's off limits. 

It was getting late anyway. She turned to Elena.

“We should head out. I need some air and a long shower.”

They started walking toward the exit, their heels making soft noises as the gala's soft music faded behind them.

But as they stepped outside, Valeria froze when she saw Damien. 

Leaning casually against a sleek black Mustang, he was deep in conversation with another man, one hand in his pocket and the other holding a cigarette that burned slowly between his fingers. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing tanned forearms which were strong and there was that same effortless confidence in the way he stood, like the world belonged to him.

Valeria’s eyes lingered longer than they should have.

He looked up mid-laugh, and suddenly, his gaze locked on hers.

Valeria quickly turned her head to the side, pretending she was admiring some distant building like it was the most interesting thing in the world.

Footsteps approached behind her. 

“Need a ride?” Damien’s voice rang out. 

Valeria turned and opened her mouth to decline. “No, I’m with….”

“Hi!” Elena suddenly appeared beside her, grinning like a devil in disguise. “I’m Elena. And no, Valeria actually does need a ride.”

Valeria shot her a glare that could burn holes in her. 

“Oh, come on,” Elena whispered behind a smile. “You're welcome.”

“What?” Valeria hissed under her breath.

“I have a date,” Elena said sweetly. “With someone who actually asked. I’m off the clock, babe. You’ll be fine.” Then, more audibly, she added, “Don’t worry. I’ll meet you later.”

Before Valeria could protest, Damien tilted his head toward the car.

“Alright then. Let’s go.”

Having no say in this, she walked closely behind Damien and stopped in front of the car. 

Damien opened the passenger side of the Mustang like a gentleman, though the mischievous smirk on his lips made her stomach twist. Once she was inside, he closed the door behind her and rounded the car, slipping into the driver’s seat with ease.

The doors locked with a soft click. Valeria glanced at him. He didn’t speak, he just started the engine and drove off. 

She gave him directions in a low voice, and the rest of the ride was filled in silence. Not the uncomfortable kind of silence, it was more like I have something to say but won't say it type of silence. Every time she glanced his way, she found him always focused on the road, his face showing no emotions. 

Why is this man so hard to read?

Before she knew it, they were pulling up in front of her apartment building.

“We’re here,” he said, glancing at her.

She looked out the window and nodded. “Yes. We are.”

They sat in silence for a while and Valeria drummed lightly on her lap. It was a way of relieving stress. 

Then Damien looked away. “Alright. I’ll be going then.”

Valeria’s hand fumbled for the door handle. “Yes, yes….you should go.” Her voice came out faster than intended. 

She pushed the door open, eager to get out, needing air, but before she could step out, Damien leaned toward her slightly.

“Valeria.”

She paused midway, turning back slightly. 

He held out a black business card between two fingers.

“Call me in the morning.”

Valeria hesitated, then took the card, giving him a small smile in return. 

He gave her one last look, a small smirk that made Valeria's knees weaken. 

Fuck!!!! 

She thanked him and quickly stepped out of the car, closing the door behind her and walked up the steps to her building, feeling the heat of his gaze on her back. Before going inside, she turned back slightly.

He was still parked there. Then after some minutes the Mustang roared and drove off into the night.

Valeria walked in and closed the door behind her, leaning her back against it. Her heart was racing. She looked down at the card in her hand, sleek and simple. His name was engrossed in silver. 

Damien Lockwood.

Minutes later, Elena burst through the door, breathless and grinning.

“Girl. You are so calling him tomorrow.”

Valeria rolled her eyes, at Elena's statement. 

She wasn't sure if she’d call and she also wasn’t sure if she’d be able not to.