Chapter 7
804 Words
Arielle
I should've stopped it.
His lips on mine. His hands gripping my waist. The way his body pressed me against the pool house wall like he'd combust if I left even an inch of space between us.
But I didn't stop it.
I kissed him back like I'd been starving. Like I needed him more than I needed air.
Because the truth was—I did.
He made me feel things no man ever had.
Powerless. Desired. Ruined.
When he pulled back, his lips still grazing mine, I was breathless. Weak. Drenched in heat.
"I knew it," Jace whispered. "You want me. You've always wanted me."
I couldn't speak.
Couldn't lie.
So I said nothing.
And maybe that was the most dangerous answer of all.
⸻
He stepped away first, running a hand through his hair like he needed to cool off or lose control.
"Whoever left that note," he said, "is trying to scare you. Keep you away from me. It won't work."
"How can you be so sure?" I asked, still trembling.
"Because I won't let them have you."
His voice was soft—but laced with possession. Threat. Obsession.
I should've been scared.
But instead... I felt protected.
Wanted.
Claimed.
And that terrified me.
⸻
Later that night, I stared at the note again. My mind spun through possibilities.
Was it Dylan? He seemed jealous at dinner, but this didn't feel like his style.
Was it Ava?
My heart sank at the thought. She had been acting strange lately. Overly sweet. Too curious. Too invested.
Or maybe it was Jace's past catching up to him—some enemy with eyes on me to hurt him.
Either way, I had a choice to make.
I couldn't keep pretending this was just a fling or a mistake.
I had crossed the line.
And now I was in his world.
⸻
Jace
She kissed me back.
I could still taste her on my lips.
It wasn't just lust.
It was surrender.
And she knew it.
That made her dangerous.
Because a woman like Arielle could ruin a man like me. Break down every wall I'd built. Make me weak where I needed to be ruthless.
I'd survived too much to fall now.
So why did I want her to break me?
Why did I want her to stay—even when it meant war?
⸻
The next morning, I woke to a missed call from an unknown number.
No message.
Just a number.
Blocked.
Then a text came through an hour later.
You should've stayed away from her. You think this is about love? Cute.
Wait until you see what loss feels like.
I gritted my teeth, fists tightening around my phone.
Whoever this was, they weren't playing games anymore.
This wasn't about jealousy.
This was a threat.
And if they thought they could hurt her to punish me...
They had no idea what I'd do in return.
⸻
Arielle
I couldn't sleep.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face.
His lips.
His warning.
"You let him touch you again, and I won't be polite next time."
"Don't act like you're innocent in this."
"You're mine."
He wasn't just claiming my body.
He was after my soul.
And maybe... I was letting him take it.
⸻
When I walked out into the backyard, I wasn't surprised to find him already waiting by the fence, hood up, cigarette burning low between his fingers.
He didn't look at me right away.
Just flicked the ash and exhaled.
"You okay?" I asked.
"No."
That one-word answer struck deep.
"You wanna talk about it?"
He finally looked at me. His eyes weren't angry—they were haunted.
"Someone sent me a text this morning."
"What did it say?"
He paused.
Then: "They want to hurt you. To get to me."
My chest tightened. "Why?"
"Because I care about you," he said, voice low. "And that makes you my weakness."
He stepped forward.
Gripped my chin gently.
"I told myself I'd stay away if it meant keeping you safe," he whispered. "But I can't."
His forehead touched mine.
"I'd rather burn the world than let anyone else have you."
⸻
Back inside...
I stood under the shower, steam curling around my body, trying to wash away the panic rising in my chest.
I couldn't ignore this anymore.
I was in danger.
Not just from whoever sent that note or message—but from Jace himself.
From what he made me feel.
From what I was starting to become around him.
And yet...
When I stepped out of the shower, towel wrapped tight around me, my phone lit up with one message.
Come to the guesthouse tonight. I need to feel you're real. That you're still mine.
And God help me—
I wanted to go.
- Writer
