Chapter 10

Kate's POV

The concert was everything it was supposed to be—loud, pulsing with energy, neon lights flickering like electric fireflies, bodies packed close, and the bass so deep it seemed to shake the floor and her bones with it. But I wasn’t feeling it.

Everyone around me was dancing, laughing, grinding against each other in that sweaty, careless way that comes easy when the night is young and the drinks are strong. But my mind… my heart… wasn’t here.

It was back home.

With him.

I hated it—how the thought of Mr. William pulled at me like a magnetic string wrapped around my spine. No matter how much noise surrounded me, his silence filled my ears. His absence was louder than any beat blasting from the stage.

And then Jeremy’s arms slid around my waist.

I flinched.

The contact, warm and familiar, made my skin crawl—not because it was wrong, but because it wasn’t him. Wasn’t the one I wanted.

I stepped away quickly, pretending to brush my hair out of my face, as if the sudden recoil hadn’t been obvious.

“What’s wrong?” Jeremy leaned in, trying to meet my eyes through the haze of lights. His breath was tinged with beer and something sweet. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” I lied, avoiding his gaze. “I just… don’t feel like dancing.”

Jeremy frowned, a crease forming between his brows. “You’re still upset about the other night, aren’t you? I thought we were past that. I’ve apologized a million times, Kate. What else do you want me to do?”

His voice cracked slightly—frustrated, hurt. But it only made me feel more caged.

“I want to go home,” I said flatly, not bothering to sugarcoat it.

He blinked. “What? The concert’s just getting started. It’s an all-nighter. We haven’t even—”

“Are you taking me home,” I cut in, sharper this time, “or should I order a cab?”

Silence.

The kind of silence that turns heads, even in a crowd this loud. He stared at me, wounded pride flashing in his eyes… but eventually he dropped his shoulders and gave in.

“Alright,” he muttered. “I’ll drop you off.”

“Good.”

I didn’t wait for him to catch up. I turned and walked toward the exit, heels clicking against the floor, heart thudding in a rhythm that had nothing to do with the music.

As I pushed through the crowd, one thought burned in my mind like a brand:

I needed to see him.

Even if he didn’t say a word.

Even if he didn’t touch me.

Even if he still refused to look at me the way I wanted him to…

I just needed to be near Mr. William again.

Jeremy’s car slowed to a stop in front of Mr. William’s mansion, the headlights casting long shadows against the driveway. I stared at the front door for a beat too long, heart knocking against my ribs—not from nerves about Jeremy, but because I knew who was behind that door… and who I hoped was waiting inside.

“I’ll walk you in,” Jeremy offered, already reaching for his door handle.

“No,” I said quickly, too quickly. “I’m good. I’ve got it from here.”

His jaw ticked slightly, disappointment flashing in his eyes even as he nodded and tried to keep his cool. “Alright.”

I reached for the handle, about to open the door when his voice stopped me.

“I don’t even get a kiss? After everything?” His laugh was hollow. “You are my girlfriend, Kate.”

I paused. My heart didn’t skip or flutter. There was no tingle of excitement. Just… static. Flat and dull.

But a small part of me—the part that wanted to shake Mr. William out of my system—nodded. Maybe if I kissed Jeremy, something would spark. Maybe it would remind me who I was supposed to want.

So I leaned in.

His lips were warm and familiar, moving softly against mine, tentative at first then deepening as his hand cupped the side of my neck. He sighed into the kiss like he’d missed it, like it meant something.

To me… it meant nothing.

There was no fire. No ache. No pull.

All I could think about was how it didn’t feel like him—didn’t feel like Mr William.

I gently pulled back, lips still tingling, but not in the way I craved. Jeremy’s eyes were searching mine, hopeful. Desperate.

“I love you,” he said quietly.

I hesitated.

The words scraped my throat as I forced them out. “I love you too.”

A lie that tasted bitter on my tongue.

He smiled faintly and drove off.

The moment the car turned the corner, I exhaled a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding and walked to the door, heart pounding—but not from the kiss I’d just had.

The house was still and dimly lit. No sign of Mr. William in the living room. I padded quietly up the stairs, heels in hand, bare feet brushing against the cool hardwood floor. As I reached the hall, I passed his bedroom and slowed.

The door was cracked slightly open.

I bit my lip.

I should just go to bed.

But something—something reckless and aching inside me—made me lift my hand and gently knock.

Silence.

I waited.

Still nothing.

Curiosity mixed with disappointment began to churn in my chest. Maybe he wasn’t home. Maybe he’d left again—just like last time—and I’d have to suffer through another week of unanswered questions and sleepless nights.

The door wasn’t locked.

Just a peek, I told myself.

I pushed it open and stepped inside.

His room was dark but elegant, smelling faintly of sandalwood and something deeper—him. The sheets on the bed were slightly tousled, and a warm lamp cast golden shadows on the walls. My gaze swept across the space.

Empty.

A twist of worry bloomed in my stomach.

But then—

The bathroom door opened. And there he was, Mr. William.

Naked!

Steam billowed behind him like a halo of heat. His skin glistened from the shower, droplets of water sliding down the hard ridges of his chest and abs, tracing the deep lines of muscle as if the water itself couldn't help but worship him. His towel… wasn’t even on yet.

I froze. So did he.

For a long, charged second, we just stared at each other.

My mouth parted but no words came out. My heart was thundering, every nerve in my body buzzing as my eyes shamelessly drank him in—broad chest, sculpted arms, the trail of dark hair leading down, lower that I caught a little glimpse of his massive third leg in its resting state but it was already so big it made my whole body vibrate in a strange kind of way. I quickly averted my gaze though my cheeks burned and my core clenched.

“Kate,” he said, voice low and rough from surprise—or something else.

I opened my mouth, breath catching.

“I—I thought you weren’t home…”

And right now, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to run away…

Or walk closer.