His Crode Clutches

Cold fire!

|| Author POV ||

“Are you going to ride me-?”

Killian’s brows twitched, eyes darkening slightly at her innocent blunder.

“…to her home?” Rosa added softly, clueless about the double meaning in her words.

Killian swallowed, his thoughts spiraling into something dangerous before he forced them back into submission.

His fists clenched at his sides as he silently gazed at her.

Her voice and those filthy words refused to leave his mind. They started echoing in his head.

Did she even realize what kind of sentence she’d just let slip?

Her innocence filled face didn’t change, still confused, as if she hadn’t even realized what she’d said.

That only made it worse.

More dangerous.

More tempting.

Killian tore his gaze away with tight jaw. She had no idea what she was doing to him.

Innocent, he thought.

So damn innocent!

He sharply breathed through his nose. “That’s right. Get in the car!” he commanded.

Rosa, unaware of the storm behind his silence, glanced at him with quiet worry.

Won’t he feel cold? Should I return his jacket? she wondered.

Pursing her lips in hesitation, Rosa quietly slipped into the car. Killian walked around and got in on the other side without a word.

She buckled her seatbelt, then turned to look at him. Killian closed the door.

“Professor… it’s really cold outside. Y-you should take this back.” she mumbled, her fingers lightly tugging at the edge of the jacket.

Killian’s sharp eyes flicked to her, “Keep it.” he said flatly, eyes on the road. “I don’t need it.”

Rosa flinched slightly at the coldness in his tone but nodded faintly and clutched the jacket tighter around her for warmth.

He didn’t say another word. But the fact that he gave it to her in the first place… said enough.

---

Moments passed in silence.

The car sped through the cold air.

Rosa clutched his jacket tighter around her, but the icy wind still slipped through, brushing against her skin and leaving trails of goosebumps. Her face turned ghostly pale in cold.

Her mind lingered on Killian.

He’s just wearing a T-shirt. Isn’t he feeling cold? The thought wouldn’t leave her alone.

The worry gnawed at her and she fidgeted with her fingers, the guilt of wearing his warmth weighing heavy on her chest.

Rosa looked out the window when the car came to a stop. Her gaze landed on the softly lit house ahead, the glow spilling from the windows.

“I’ll pick you up at eleven.” his deep voice reached her ears.

Rosa wanted to protest, to say she could manage on her own, but the night was cold, and it wouldn’t be safe.

Fingers trembling slightly, she began slipping the jacket off her shoulders.

“It’s chilly outside. You should wear this. You’ll c-catch a cold.” she said softly.

“And th-thank you for the ride.” Rosa mumbled with polite formality.

She stepped out of the car, gently placing the jacket on the seat.

The cold wind played with her soft hair as she tucked a few strands behind her ear before glancing at him through the open window.

Their eyes met briefly.

With a small, polite bow, Rosa turned and made her way toward the house.

Killian’s eyes was steel. His jaw flexed, knuckles whitening around the steering wheel.

The image of her delicate figure slipping away from his sight left a bitter taste on his tongue.

She had no idea what she did to him.

No idea how much control it took not to drag her back. Not to mark what was his.

Not to lock every door and throw away the key.

‘Are you going to ride me?’ Her melodic voice echoed in his head like a sweet curse.

Killian clenched his jaw, closing his eyes in pure frustration. She had no idea what she was saying… or what it did to him.

“f**k!” he hissed under his breath, slamming his palm against the steering wheel.

Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket, snapping him back to reality. He pressed it to his ear.

“What is it, Chris?”

His eyes stayed forward as he listened.

“I’ll be there.” he said shortly before ending the call.

Killian looked at the jacket resting on the seat. Something in his gaze shifted.

He took one last glance at the house’s open door, then started the engine.

---

Rosa stepped into the house, her eyes scanning the warm lit room. A few of her classmates were scattered around, some were chatting, others sipping juice with cheerful faces. The place was beautifully decorated with twinkling lights and pastel ribbons.

“ROSALIE!” a voice squealed excitedly.

Before Rosa could even react, Aria wrapped her in a tight hug, nearly knocking the breath out of her. Rosa flinched slightly in surprise, then let a smile curl on her lips as Aria pulled back, glowing with happiness.

“I’m so happy you came! I was waiting for you!” Aria beamed.

“Happy birthday, Aria.” Rosa said softly, offering her the small gift bag.

Aria’s eyes sparkled. Without a second thought, she grabbed Rosa’s wrist and dragged her further inside.

While one pair of eyes remained fixed on Rosa from the moment she stepped in, Max.

He couldn’t tear his gaze away. She looked impossibly cute in that sky-blue dress, beautiful like a rare flower.

Aria settled Rosa on the couch, then quickly returned with two glasses of juice.

Rosa’s eyes wandered around the room again. Everything looked so beautiful tonight, the soft glow of the lights and the hum of music weaving through the air.

“You look so pretty. Really pretty!” Aria chirped, genuinely surprised by how effortlessly beautiful Rosa looked.

“You look pretty too, Aria.” Rosa replied with a shy smile.

Aria grinned, pulling the small gift bag onto her lap. “This one’s special to me. After all, you’re the one who gave it to me. I have to see what’s inside.”

Rosa giggled softly, her cheeks glowing. She watched Aria with sparkling eyes, feeling genuinely happy.

Aria’s eyes lit up the moment she opened the box and saw the bracelet.

“Wow!” she gasped, completely captivated.

Rosa’s heart eased at the sight of Aria’s bright expression.

Without hesitation, Aria slid the bracelet onto her wrist and beamed “My god, Rosa, this is gorgeous! Thank you so much! I love it!” she gushed dramatically, making Rosa giggle.

Time flew faster than she expected. It was already nearing eleven.

Laughter echoed through the house, the air still sweet with the scent of cake. Aria had stayed by Rosa’s side the whole time, making her feel special.

When Rosa quietly told her she needed to leave, Aria tried to insist she stay longer, but finally relented.

“Go safely, okay?” Aria says, hugging her tightly.

Rosa smiled and bid goodbye before turning toward the door.

She stepped out, but a voice stopped her.

“Rosa, wait!”

Turning around, she saw Max approaching, hands in his pockets, his expression was calm but serious.

“Let me drive you home. It’s getting late.” he said with concern.

Rosa blinked confusedly.

Max looked at the empty street. Everything was dark except for a sleek black car parked on the sideways. His eyes narrowed slightly.

“No need. I can go alone.” Rosa replied politely.

Max sighed. “Rosa, it’s late. The streets aren’t safe. Let me drop you off. Please?”

“I-I said it’s okay. I can manage.” Rosa insisted, brows knitting slightly.

Max stepped forward and gently reached for her hand.

“Wh–” Rosa stammered while her face tensed at his unwanted touch.

“Rosa, I’m worried about you.” he said softly, his fingers curling around hers. “I can’t let you walk alone this late.”

Rosa’s heart thudded uneasily. She glanced down at their hands, then gently pulled hers away. “I can go alone.”

Max sighed in defeat.

“Just be careful, okay?” he murmured before ruffling her hair gently.

Rosa stepped back, fists tightening around her dress.

“Bye.” he said with a small smile, then turned and went back inside.

Rosa stood frozen. Swallowing hard, she stepped toward the roadside.

Her eyes landed on the sleek black car which was parked there.

Is he already here?

With hesitant steps, Rosa moved behind the car. Her breath was visible in the cold air and then she saw him.

He was standing still, with his hands buried into the pockets and his eyes locked on her like a predator.

Rosa’s breath caught, freezing under his icy stare. A shiver ran through her veins and her fingers clenched the side of her dress tightly at how cold his stare was.

As if he was throwing daggers with his gaze.

Rosa’s heart pounded wildly. Doubt flickered in her eyes. Should I get in the car? she wondered.

Rosa didn’t know what else to do. She nervously took steps forward.

Killian stood by the car door silently, his gaze was fixed on her intensely.

Rosa reached near him with slow steps.

Without looking up, she reached for the handle, her hand trembling slightly in cold. She tried to pull it open but--

She barely had time to react when a large hand gripped her wrist, pulling her around. Her back slammed hard against the cold metal of the car. Her eyes widened as they fluttered open.

“Ah!” a squeak escaped from her lips when he sneaked his arms around her tiny waist before jerking her closer with a tug.

Her terrified eyes locked with his icy blues.

“What the f*ck do you think he was doing?!”