Chapter 5 – The Heat Between Us

(Aurora’s POV)

I barely made it through the rest of the school day.

The way Damien had stared me down, the way his deep, possessive voice had left no room for argument—it rattled me to my core.

Why did he care who I talked to?

Why did it feel like he was claiming me in front of everyone?

I shook my head, trying to push away the thoughts. This was Damien Blackwood.

He wasn’t mine.

And I wasn’t his.

So why did I feel like something inside me had changed forever?

The halls were nearly empty by the time I reached my locker, the last of the students leaving for the day. I took my time, pretending not to feel the weight of something—or someone—watching me.

I knew he was there.

I could feel it.

That intense stare, burning into me.

I turned, already knowing who I would find.

Damien.

Leaning against the lockers just a few feet away, arms crossed, his golden eyes sharp, watching.

Waiting.

My breath hitched.

“Are you following me now?” I tried to sound annoyed, but my voice came out softer than I wanted.

His lips twitched—not quite a smirk, not quite a smile.

“Should I be?” His voice was deep, smooth, dangerously enticing.

I swallowed hard. “No.”

He took a step toward me.

Then another.

Until he was too close—so close I could feel the heat of his body, the warmth of his breath.

I should have stepped back.

I didn’t.

I couldn’t.

Something about the way he looked at me made my entire body lock up, heat curling in my stomach.

“You shouldn’t let other men near you.” His voice dropped lower, rougher. “They don’t deserve to be close to you.”

What?

My heart slammed into my ribs.

“Excuse me?” I forced out. “Since when do you get to decide who I talk to?”

His eyes flickered, something dark passing over them. Something wild.

“Since the moment I saw you.”

My breath caught.

He reached out—**slow, deliberate—**and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

I sucked in a sharp breath, my body betraying me.

**His fingers brushed against my skin—**light, teasing.

A spark ignited.

My stomach twisted. My legs weakened.

Oh, God.

I wanted to hate it.

But I didn’t.

I liked it.

Too much.

“You belong to me, Aurora.”

His words sent a shiver down my spine, low and possessive.

I should have fought back.

I should have told him he was crazy.

Instead, I whispered, “You left me.”

His jaw tightened.

For a moment, something flashed in his eyes—something raw, something real.

Then, he moved.

Suddenly. Swiftly.

Trapping me against the lockers.

His hands on either side of me. His body inches from mine.

I gasped, his scent overwhelming me.

Clean. Masculine. A hint of something dark and dangerous.

My pulse thundered.

I could barely breathe.

“You think I left because I wanted to?” His voice was rough, like he was barely holding something back.

His golden eyes burned into me.

My entire body burned with them.

I shook my head. “I—I don’t know.”

He leaned closer.

So close our lips almost touched.

So close I could feel his heat, his breath.

“You have no idea how much I wanted to stay.”

His fingers brushed down my arm, light, teasing.

I trembled.

He smirked. He felt it.

And then—

He took my wrist.

Brought it to his lips.

Pressed the softest, slowest kiss against my pulse.

A shock rushed through my veins.

My lips parted. My knees weakened.

Oh, God.

I felt it.

The pull. The connection. The fire.

My body betrayed me. Again.

And Damien knew it.

His eyes darkened. His grip tightened.

He wasn’t letting me go.

Not now.

Not ever.

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