Two: Your Name

OPHELIA.

"Wait... isn't that Killian Knight?"

"What the hell? Since when does Killian have a girlfriend?"

"That's impossible. He doesn't date."

"No, seriously. Somebody tell me I'm hallucinating because Killian Knight doesn't do relationships."

Hearing the comments around me instantly makes my chest tighten.

It sounds like I didn't just kiss some random stranger. I think I just kissed someone incredibly popular.

The crowd suddenly becomes louder, people whispering to each other while staring at us and I can practically feel their eyes burning holes into my skin.

From the look on Jordan's face and his girlfriend's, they clearly know exactly who this guy is too, but Jordan, however, looks worse.

His face has gone completely pale, like he has just seen a ghost standing right in front of him.

The sight should probably make me happy after everything he just said to me, but instead it makes my heart beat faster. If Jordan is reacting like that, then who exactly did I just throw myself at?

"Y-You mean Killian Knight is your boyfriend?" his girlfriend stutters, staring at me like I've grown a second head.

Killian Knight? The name rings a vague bell—something about hockey, or parties, or... I don't know. I've never paid attention to campus celebrities.

"Yes. He's my boyfriend." I flash him the most desperate pleading look I can manage without anyone noticing.

"Isn't that right, my love?" I grin, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek while lacing my fingers through his large rough ones and the expression flickering across his face makes my stomach sink completely.

"Yes, baby"

I almost gasp at the sound of his voice. His voice is deep and raspy, like he either smokes too much or hasn't spoken in days.

His lips brush against my temple and my entire face immediately heats up.

He looks at Jordan and his girlfriend and the smile vanishes. One second he looks ridiculously attractive, and the next he looks terrifying.

"Were you both harassing my girlfriend?"

Jordan visibly flinches.

"N...No! Of course not sir!" Jordan stammers and I have to physically stop my jaw from dropping because Jordan never stammers.

"Good." Killian hums, his arm wrapping around my waist, sending goosebumps all over my skin. "I'd hate to fire our gardener and make sure he's blacklisted from getting a job anywhere else."

"Gardener?" Jordan's girlfriend screeches.

My eyes nearly pop out of my head.

Gardener?

"What?!" she shrieks, spinning toward Jordan. "You're a gardener?!"

Jordan immediately pales.

"Babe, I can explain—"

"You told me your father owned multiple companies!"

"He does own a company!" Jordan blurts out.

"A landscaping company" Killian supplies helpfully, and Jordan's face turns bright red.

I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing.

"So I've been dating a broke guy?!"

"Babe, lower your voice—"

"Don't 'babe' me right now, and don't fucking ask me to lower my voice!" She takes another step back from him, eyes blazing. "I left my ex for you because you said you were loaded! You took me to that restaurant on our first date and let me believe you were paying when your card got declined THREE times!"

Jordan's face has gone from pale to a spectacular shade of crimson.

"That was a banking error..."

"Shut up! You're a liar! You tricked me into dating you! You made me think you were the son of a multi-billionaire, but in reality you're nothing but a broke asshole who can't even give me an orgasm!"

Killian beside me coughs, and when I glance up at him, his expression is perfectly neutral except for the very faint twitch at the corner of his mouth.

He's trying not to laugh too.

"Babe, please..."

"Fuck you!" she screams at him, then storms off.

Jordan immediately runs after her, calling out her name desperately until both of them disappear into the crowd.

Everyone's attention eventually returns to us until Killian signals to a group of bodyguards I never even notice before.

At his command, they immediately begin directing people back into the party.

Within minutes, the crowd starts dispersing, then Killian signals again, and this time his guards move several feet away, giving us privacy while still keeping watch.

Swallowing hard, I slowly turn to look up at him, only to find those beautiful eyes already staring.

The moment I realize we're still holding hands, I quickly let go and take a step backward, desperate to put some distance between us, but I don't get far.

A startled gasp escapes me when my back hits the car.

One second he's standing a few feet away, and the next second, his forearms are resting against the car on either side of my head, effectively trapping me between him and the black vehicle.

His masculine scent fills my nostrils instantly, mixed with expensive cologne and the lingering smell of cigarettes, messing with my brain.

My breath hitches as he tilts my face upward until I'm forced to meet his gaze.

"What was all that about, baby?"

I fight back a blush. We aren't acting anymore, so why is he still calling me that?

"Uh..." I swallow. "He's my ex."

"And?" One dark eyebrow lifts.

"Uh... um..." I swallow. "I just wanted to prove I'd moved on."

He's a complete stranger, so there's no way I'm about to tell him everything that happened.

"So kissing me was the only option?" The corner of his mouth twitches into a smirk.

Biting my lip, I nod, and his eyes immediately drop to my mouth.

"I-I'm sorry. I swear I'm not usually like that. I just panicked and...I kissed you" I groan internally. "I'm really sorry. Thank you for playing along"

"You used me, and 'thank you' is all I'm getting?"

"Um... what else do you want?"

"I want..." His voice trails off. My pulse immediately speeds up when his gaze drops to my lips, and my own lips part before I can stop them.

What's happening?

Does he want another kiss?

Shouldn't he be disgusted or angry?

"Your name." The words brush across my lips.

He wants my name?

No guy has ever sounded interested in learning my name before.

"Ope—"

"Boss!"

One of the bodyguards interrupts, making me jump, but Killian doesn't move away.

"Your father's calling."

His expression darkens instantly.

"What the fuck does he want?"

"He's demanding to know where you are."

"Give him an excuse."

"I tried. He wants to speak to you personally."

"Goddammit!"

Killian growls under his breath before finally stepping away from me, the sudden distance strangely disappointing.

He strides toward the guard and snatches the phone from his hand.

The second he turns his back, I take the opportunity to escape.