I may the next lady he would ruin

Emma’s POV

I walked beside Zane toward his car, my nerves bouncing all over the place. I wished Maddie had just let me take a cab. Sitting alone with him in a car? Total torture.

Then his hand landed on my lower back.

My breath caught, and a chill ran straight down my spine.

“You alright, Emma?” he asked, his voice low.

I gave a quick nod without turning his way. My cheeks were burning, and I could feel the heat in my face. If he saw me now, he would know everything.

Then came that low laugh of his.

God, I needed this ride to be over.

Luckily, my place was close. Just a few minutes and I would be out of the car and away from… whatever this was turning into.

He walked me to the car and opened the door like a proper gentleman. I got in, slid across the seat, trying to stick close to the door like that would help. He joined me, started the engine, and the silence filled the space.

“You still staying at the same place?” he asked as we got on the road.

“Yeah,” I answered without looking at him.

He kept his eyes ahead while I stole a glance. That jawline, those lips, and those dark, unreadable eyes… He looked way too good. Way too much of everything. I caught myself staring and quickly turned away, licking my lips and muttering under my breath.

Then the car stopped. He pulled over.

My heart jumped. “Zane? Why are we stopping?”

He did not speak right away. He unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to face me, that crooked smirk forming.

“Time for some truth,” he said, calm and full of confidence.

I blinked. “Truth? About what?”

He leaned a little closer. “About how badly you want me.”

Wait, what?

“I… What are you talking about?” My voice shook just a bit.

He gave a small laugh and rested his hand on my knee. My body reacted in a flash.

“Emma, you have been holding it in for years,” he said, tilting his head. “But now? It shows.”

I needed to snap out of it. I used to be bold, at least with other people. Maybe it was time I stopped hiding. I took a breath.

“Zane, even if it is true, it doesn’t matter,” I said, trying to sound like I had control. “You do not feel the same. I am not your type. And, seriously, you are Maddie’s brother. Let’s just end this conversation.”

He looked at me for a beat. Then, with a quiet nod, he put his seatbelt back on and started driving again without another word.

Seriously? That was it? He started all this, dragged it out of me, and now… silence?

I bit down on my frustration and stared out the window. This ride needed to be over.

As soon as we got to my place, I unbuckled like my seatbelt was on fire.

“Thanks,” I muttered, stepping out before he could speak again. I just needed to breathe.

I climbed the stairs, opened the door, and stepped inside. But before I could close it, Zane pushed it open and came in like he lived there.

Of course. Perfect timing, Zane. What better way to calm my wild thoughts than to have you in the same room, next to my bed? He shut the door behind him.

“Who said I never saw you like that?” he said, casually, as if he hadn’t just thrown a grenade at me. I stopped walking.

“What?” I spun to face him. “You don’t. You’ve never looked at me that way. And come on, let’s be real. I’m not even close to your type. So, whatever this is? Just quit playing.”

I put a hand on my hip, trying to sound confident even though my heart was pounding like crazy. But he was staring at me like he was starving.

He stepped closer, placed his hand on my waist, and leaned in. His breath brushed my ear.

“Maybe you just never noticed me watching.”

Another wave of goosebumps. What was that even supposed to mean? I had always been invisible to him, background noise. I took a step back. Then another. I needed space before I did something stupid.

“Zane, what is this? Are you bored? Is this your new hobby, messing with me for laughs?”

His grin grew. “Who said I’m joking?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Why else would you be saying this?”

He stepped even closer. “Maybe because I want you.”

My brain stopped. Move, Emma. Say something. But I just stood there, frozen, as he leaned in and brushed his lips over mine. I gasped. A soft, embarrassing sound slipped out. But instead of kissing me, he leaned back to my ear.

“See you around, sexy,” he growled, then turned and walked toward the door.

“Absolute jerk!” I yelled after him.

He only looked over his shoulder with that smug grin. “I know. You like it. See you soon.”

And just like that, he was gone. I stood there, mouth open, heart racing, body on fire. What just happened? Was he serious? Was he messing with me? And what the hell did “see you soon” mean?

I groaned, tossed my hands in the air, and stormed into my room. Ripped my clothes off, threw on my pyjamas, and dove into bed, but sleep was nowhere near.

Then my phone buzzed. An unknown number sent me a message.

“Don’t worry. We’ll finish what we started.”

I shot upright. Zane? How the hell did he get my number?

I quickly typed back:

“ Where did you get my number? And finish what?”

The reply came fast:

“I asked your sister. Told her you left something in my car 😉

We’ll pick up where we stopped. You’ll finally get what you’ve been wanting.

Night, x”

I stared at the screen. Then replied:

“Glad you think so. Night.”

And that was it. I dropped the phone on my nightstand, flipped it to silent, and laid back. He probably won’t text again. Probably won’t say another word. I’ll see him at Maddie’s, and we’ll pretend this never happened. Because that is what he does, he plays with girls. And I’m just the next one he’ll ruin.