Chapter 10 – The Game He’s Playing

I barely managed to breathe, let alone think.

The whole school was watching. Whispering.

And Damien?

He sat right beside me, completely unbothered, as if this was just another normal day.

But it wasn’t.

Because nothing about this was normal.

Damien Blackwood didn’t just claim people publicly.

He didn’t just stick by someone’s side all day.

And he definitely didn’t just declare, in front of the entire cafeteria, that he cared.

Yet here we were.

I clenched my fists under the table, my heart hammering.

He had to be doing this on purpose.

This was a game.

It had to be.

“Damien,” I whispered harshly, leaning in. “What are you doing?”

He tilted his head, his golden eyes sharp with amusement. “Having lunch with you.”

“No, you’re making a scene.”

His smirk was slow, teasing. “Is it bothering you?”

I glared. “Obviously.”

His smirk widened. “Good.”

I wanted to strangle him.

Instead, I grabbed my tray and stood up.

Big mistake.

Because the second I moved, he caught my wrist.

The movement was casual, effortless.

But the message was clear.

Don’t leave.

I stiffened.

He’s testing me.

I felt my stomach twist.

Because if I yanked my hand away, I knew exactly what would happen.

Everyone would talk.

More than they already were.

They’d wonder why Damien was acting like this, why he was holding onto me, why he wasn’t letting me leave.

I could already hear the whispers.

"What the hell? Did he just grab her wrist?"

"Is this some kind of possessive couple thing?"

"Since when did she belong to Damien Blackwood?"

My breath hitched.

That’s what he wanted.

For them to see.

For them to know.

For me to admit it.

I refused.

I pulled my hand back, keeping my voice steady. “Let go, Damien.”

His fingers tightened for a split second.

Then, just as quickly, he released me.

But the look in his eyes?

Dark. Amused. Unreadable.

It sent shivers down my spine.

I had just walked away.

But somehow, I knew I hadn’t won.

Not even close.

I made it through the rest of the day without looking at him.

Without thinking about him.

Okay, that was a lie.

But I pretended.

That was the best I could do.

By the time the final bell rang, I practically ran to my locker.

I just needed to grab my books and get the hell out of here.

Unfortunately, the universe hated me.

Because when I closed my locker—

Damien was there.

Leaning against the lockers like he had been waiting for me.

I froze.

He didn’t say anything at first.

Just watched me.

And that was worse.

The air grew heavy.

I swallowed hard, gripping my bag. “What do you want?”

His lips twitched. “You.”

My heart stopped.

No. No, no, no. He’s playing.

I took a step back. “Damien—”

“You ran from me.” His voice was calm. Too calm.

I swallowed. “I didn’t run.”

"You did."

He pushed off the locker and took one step closer.

I took one step back.

This was dangerous.

His golden eyes flickered, like he knew exactly what I was thinking.

“I told you, little one.” His voice was a low hum, sliding under my skin. “Run all you want.”

He took another step.

I hit the wall.

My stomach twisted.

Damien lifted a hand—slow, deliberate.

I stopped breathing.

He tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

His fingers barely grazed my skin.

But it sent a shock through my body.

I clenched my jaw. “Damien—”

“You feel it, don’t you?”

I hated him.

Hated that he was right.

Hated that my pulse jumped.

Hated that my breath hitched.

I shook my head, trying to push him away. “You need to stop—”

“Or what?”

His voice was silk and fire.

“Tell me, Aurora.”

His fingers traced down my jaw, featherlight.

I shivered.

His eyes darkened.

“Tell me you don’t want this.”

My lips parted.

I should have said it.

I should have told him no.

I should have pushed him away.

But I hesitated.

And that was enough.

Damien smirked.

Because he knew.

He leaned in—closer, closer.

His breath brushed my lips.

I was drowning.

And then—

The school doors burst open.

Someone laughed. A group of students walked past.

The moment shattered.

I sucked in a sharp breath, shoving him back.

"I can't do this."

I didn’t wait for his reaction.

I turned and ran.

This time, I didn’t look back.

I slammed the front door shut, my heart still pounding.

I was so distracted, I didn’t notice my mom standing in the kitchen.

She turned slowly, eyes narrowing.

"Rough day?"

I sighed, dropping my bag. "Something like that."

Dad walked in, crossing his arms. "Did he bother you again?"

I groaned. "Dad—"

"Because I swear, if he shows up at this house again, I'll—"

"You'll what?"

Dad froze.

Because Noah had just entered the room.

And he was grinning.

"You do know Damien Blackwood is sitting outside our house right now, right?"

My stomach dropped.

Mom gasped. "Excuse me?"

Dad cursed. "That damn kid—"

I turned, yanking open the door—

And there he was.

Sitting on his motorcycle, parked on the curb.

Waiting.

For me.

Again.

Oh, hell no.

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