One Shot Wonders Part 2

Forbidden Mate: Passion in the shadows pt 2

Elena slipped through the crowded hallway of Westwood University, her backpack slung over one shoulder, eyes fixed on the floor as if the scuffed linoleum held the secrets to her next exam. The morning buzz of students rushing to classes filled the air, a cacophony of laughter, slamming lockers, and distant lectures echoing from open doors. She had hoped the anonymity of the campus would shield her from the chaos at home, but even here, Damian's presence loomed like a shadow she couldn't shake. Her heart raced at the thought of him, the way his intense gaze had pierced through her the night before, leaving her skin tingling with unwanted memories. Now, as she weaved between clusters of chatting peers, she resolved to keep her distance, to bury herself in the routine of lectures and study sessions, anything to protect the fragile facade of normalcy she'd built.

The lecture hall for her psychology class was already half-full when she arrived, the scent of fresh coffee and over worn textbooks hanging in the air. Elena chose a seat in the back corner, sliding into it with a quiet exhale, her fingers tracing the edges of her notebook as if it were a talisman. She pulled out her pen, doodling absentmindedly in the margins—swirls and lines that mirrored the confusion coiling in her chest. Damian was everywhere in her mind: his broad shoulders cutting through crowds, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine. She couldn't afford to let him unravel her here, not with curious eyes watching from every angle. Whispers about him had spread like wildfire across campus, he was the untouchable senior, the one who commanded attention with a single glance, his reputation as a playboy making him both envied and feared. Elena's cheeks flushed at the idea of being linked to him, the potential scandal that could erupt if anyone suspected their shared secret. She hunched lower in her seat, willing herself to focus on the professor's droning voice as he began discussing cognitive biases, but every word felt like a distant echo.

By the time the class ended, Elena had managed to lose herself in notes and diagrams, her mind a temporary fortress against the storm of emotions. She gathered her things quickly, slipping out before the crowd could thicken, her sneakers squeaking against the floor as she headed toward the quad. The autumn sun filtered through the leaves of ancient oaks, casting dappled shadows that danced across the pathways, and the crisp air carried hints of pine and distant rain. But her brief respite shattered when she spotted him leaning against a stone pillar near the cafeteria, his arms crossed over his chest, that signature smirk playing on his lips. Damian's dark eyes locked onto hers from across the lawn, and she felt a jolt of electricity, as if an invisible thread pulled her toward him. She quickened her pace, veering toward a side path, her pulse thudding in her ears. "Elena," his voice called out, smooth and commanding, cutting through the ambient chatter like a blade. She pretended not to hear, ducking behind a group of laughing freshmen, but the heat rising in her body betrayed her resolve.

Damian's pursuit was relentless, his long strides closing the distance with predatory grace. She could sense him drawing nearer, the air thickening with his familiar scent—musk and something wild, almost primal—that made her knees weaken. In the crowded quad, students parted around them like water around a rock, some casting curious glances as Damian caught up to her near a secluded bench beneath a willow tree. "You can't run from me forever," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear as he stepped too close, his body radiating heat that seeped through her thin sweater. Elena's heart hammered, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. She wanted to push him away, to scream that this was madness, but the way his presence enveloped her stirred something deep within a forbidden hunger that clawed at her composure. His fingers brushed her wrist, light as a feather, yet it ignited a trail of fire along her skin, making her gasp softly. Around them, a few peers lingered, their eyes narrowing with jealousy; she caught snippets of hushed comments, words like "lucky" and "his latest" floating on the breeze, fueling the tension that crackled between them.

Desperate to maintain control, Elena pulled back, her voice a strained whisper. "Damian, not here. People are watching." But he only chuckled, his eyes darkening with that possessive intensity she both dreaded and craved. The quad buzzed with activity, couples lounging on the grass, groups debating assignments but in that moment, it felt like the world had narrowed to just the two of them, his gaze stripping away her defenses layer by layer. She could feel the stares of her classmates, especially the girls who vied for his attention, their expressions a mix of envy and resentment as they watched him focus solely on her. One girl, a blonde with sharp features and a tight top, shot Elena a glare from across the way, her friends whispering furiously. Damian seemed oblivious, his hand lingering near Elena's elbow, his thumb tracing a slow circle on her skin that sent shivers racing up her arm. The erotic undercurrent of his touch was undeniable, a silent promise of what awaited if she let her guard down, and it made her breath catch, her body betraying her with a flush of heat between her thighs.

As the seconds stretched, Elena's mind raced with the consequences…her reputation, her studies, the secret that could destroy her family if it came to light. Yet, despite her efforts to resist, Damian's persistent advances wove an invisible web around her, heightening the jealousy simmering in the air. He leaned in closer, his lips hovering near her neck, the warmth of his breath teasing the sensitive skin there, and she fought the urge to melt into him. The tension built like a storm on the horizon, electric and inevitable, leaving her torn between flight and the dark allure of his embrace.