Chapter 5

  Aurora’s POV

  

  It was a quiet Saturday morning, sunlight streaming in through the large arched windows of my bedroom, warming the sheets around me. I stretched lazily, letting out a soft sigh. For the first time in weeks, I felt something close to excitement flutter in my chest.

  

  My phone buzzed, vibrating against the nightstand. I reached for it with half-lidded eyes and smiled when I saw the name Vivienne flashing across the screen.

  

  “Finally!” she squealed before I could even say hello. “We’re hanging out today, no excuses.”

  

  I laughed. “I wasn’t going to make any.”

  

  “It’s been too long, Rora,” she added, her voice softening. “You need to breathe again.”

  

  I agreed. Ever since the stalker situation and the arrival of my too-serious bodyguard, Adrian Blackwell, life had felt… tense.

  

  After hanging up, I rushed into the bathroom, took a quick shower, and slipped into a floral crop top and jeans. I felt good—comfortable, casual, and ready for a day with my people.

  

  But just as I opened my bedroom door, I jumped back with a startled yelp.

  

  Adrian was standing there, hands behind his back, perfectly still. Like he’d been waiting. Stalking, more like.

  

  “I—God, you scared me,” I gasped, placing a hand over my racing heart.

  

  He stepped forward as I staggered, reaching out to catch me by the waist. His grip was firm, strong… warm. For a moment, we were too close—his eyes locked with mine, his hand on my hip, his scent flooding my senses. I stepped away quickly, brushing invisible lint off my top.

  

  “I’m heading out with friends,” I said briskly, hoping he didn’t notice the blush heating my cheeks.

  

  He nodded, then said, “You look beautiful.”

  

  I froze, caught off guard. No smooth grin, no flirty undertone—just a low, genuine murmur. I blinked, awkwardly tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

  

  “Thanks,” I mumbled before brushing past him and heading downstairs.

  

  We didn’t exchange another word as he opened the door for me, followed me to the car, and got into the driver’s seat. I tried not to notice how good he looked in black. I failed.

  

  The ride to the café was quiet, aside from the occasional glance I caught of him in the rearview mirror. I wasn’t sure what it was, but something about him seemed… familiar. Odd.

  

  When we arrived, I stepped out of the car and instantly spotted Vivienne and Luke waiting by the outdoor patio.

  

  “Rora!” Viv squealed, running toward me. We hugged tightly, and Luke gave me a friendly side-hug.

  

  “I’ve missed this,” I grinned.

  

  But their eyes drifted to the tall figure behind me.

  

  “Who’s the guy?” Luke asked, raising an eyebrow.

  

  “My bodyguard,” I said dryly. “This is Adrian.”

  

  Vivienne blinked, then smiled mischievously. “Wow, he’s hot. Like, serious movie-star hot.”

  

  I rolled my eyes. “Don’t encourage him.”

  

  Adrian remained silent behind his dark sunglasses, giving a polite nod.

  

  “I need space,” I muttered, turning to him. “Can you just… stay back a bit?”

  

  “I can’t do that,” he said simply.

  

  I narrowed my eyes. “I’m your boss. I said give me space.”

  

  “No,” he replied coolly. “Your father is my boss. I follow his orders, not yours.”

  

  Vivienne burst into laughter. “Oh, I like him.”

  

  I groaned. “Adrian, if you don’t move, I’ll call my dad right now.”

  

  His expression didn’t change. “Then call him.”

  

  It was both infuriating and… slightly impressive.

  

  Vivienne looped her arm through mine and pulled me away. “Let’s not ruin the day. He can hover in the background like a handsome ghost.”

  

  I shook my head, but smiled. We sat down, ordered drinks, and talked about everything from business gossip to Luke’s dating disasters.

  

  I’d almost forgotten about Adrian until I looked over my shoulder and caught him standing by the entrance, watching me. His presence was a flame against my skin—silent, but too intense to ignore.

  

  Just then, Zach walked in.

  

  The energy around me shifted.

  

  He spotted me immediately and came over in his usual overly confident stride. “Babe!” he called, leaning in to kiss me.

  

  I gave him my cheek, avoiding his lips. “Hey, Zach.”

  

  He frowned. “You haven’t been answering your calls.”

  

  “I’ve been busy,” I said flatly.

  

  His gaze shifted to Adrian, who hadn’t moved. “What’s with the new bodyguard? You couldn’t find someone less… alpha?”

  

  I sighed. “This wasn’t my idea. My dad’s being cautious.”

  

  Zach stepped up to Adrian, eyes narrowing. “Listen, don’t get any ideas. She’s taken.”

  

  I facepalmed silently as Adrian just stared at him. No reply. Just a small, almost invisible smirk that lit a slow fire in my chest.

  

  “Zach, stop. Let’s sit, okay?”

  

  We did, but the mood was off now. Zach kept fidgeting, draping his arm over my shoulder like he was claiming territory.

  

  Eventually, he stood. “This is boring. Let’s hit the club. Loosen up.”

  

  Vivienne and Luke agreed instantly.

  

  I looked at Adrian. “We’re going to a club.”

  

  He shook his head. “Not safe.”

  

  I scoffed. “You’re not my father.”

  

  “No, I’m your protector. There’s a difference.”

  

  “Then protect me at the club,” I snapped. “Or I go without you.”

  

  His jaw flexed. “Fine.”

  

  An hour later, we pulled up in front of a packed downtown club, neon lights flashing across the pavement. Adrian parked the car, stepping out before me and scanning the surroundings. Ever vigilant.

  

  Inside, the music was deafening. We danced, drank, laughed. The buzz of alcohol hit me just right—not enough to lose control, but enough to make me feel alive.

  

  And still, I felt his eyes.

  

  Adrian leaned against a wall, watching, a brooding shadow in the pulse of the strobe lights.

  

  I let myself dance, swaying to the rhythm, letting my hips move more freely than I intended. His eyes were burning into my back—I knew it.

  

  Suddenly, I felt a hand at my waist. Not his.

  

  A stranger was behind me, trying to grind against me. I turned sharply. “No, thanks.”

  

  He ignored me.

  

  I pushed again. Still nothing.

  

  Then a deep voice cut through the music.

  

  “She said no.”

  

  The stranger turned just in time to catch Adrian’s fist in his jaw.

  

  The guy went down hard, blood splattering from his mouth as gasps echoed around the floor.

  

  The music stopped.

  

  Everyone stared.

  

  My heart thundered in my chest as I stared at Adrian—fists clenched, chest rising and falling, eyes wild.

  

  He looked like a man possessed.

  

  Like someone ready to destroy the world… for me.