The Things We Never Said

Chapter 2: One Breath Away

Lucian’s POV

I shouldn’t have followed her.

I am the guy who never slips. The one who always has everything under control.

But tonight, the moment I crossed that threshold, I knew I’d made a mistake. If I have to be honest, control was the last thing on my mind…

As soon as I was alone with Lila… Everything went downhill… my breath caught in my throat, my heart racing, like it already knew where this was heading.

What the hell am I doing?

I couldn’t stop looking at her. My gaze devoured her. Every curve… every inch…

She’d been there a hundred times over the years - at barbecues, birthdays, holidays. The quiet one. The polite one. Always in the background, never quite demanding attention.

Blake’s little sister. A girl I barely noticed.

But now?

She was a woman. A goddamn fire.

She moved across the kitchen like she wasn’t even aware of the storm she was awakening inside me. Hips swaying in a way that shouldn’t have caught my attention, but did.

Her jacket slipped slightly as she reached for the beer on the top shelf of the fridge, exposing parts of her soft skin, smooth and delicate. Begging to be touched.

My eyes locked on her. Hungry. My jaw clenched.

Jesus, Lucian. Stop looking.

When she turned and her eyes met mine, it felt like the world froze. Her eyes—wide. Caught off guard.

Her face bloomed pink under my gaze, so delicate, so goddamn tempting I had to summon every ounce of control I had just to stay in place.

Her scent hit me. Soft and sweet. Something familiar I couldn’t name.

And that was when I realized how damn close to her I was standing.

I reached for the beer she was holding. My fingers brushing hers. That tiny touch, that stupid, accidental, innocent touch… It set me on fire…

I should’ve stepped back. I should’ve turned away.

But I didn’t.

Instead, I took a step forward. One more inch. One too many.

What do I say? What do I do? Tell her anything before you lose your damn mind, Lucian.

But nothing came out. I was paralyzed by this magnetic pull, this raw, dangerous craving that was impossible to ignore.

“Lila, I want to do things to you I know I shouldn’t even be thinking about.” The words practically screamed in my mind, but I couldn’t say them out loud. The last thing I wanted was to ruin this moment because I knew it would probably be our last.

Her chest rose, her eyes darting up to mine. Wide and uncertain, but underneath it… I swear, for a second, I saw the flicker of something darker.

Want.

She inhaled sharply. Lips parting with the faintest tremble. So damn perfect! I wanted to taste that hesitation.

“I want to kiss you, slow, hungry, until you forget anyone else exists.” But I bit down on the words, knowing they’d change everything.

Go away, Lucian. This is Blake’s sister. You’re better than this.

But none of it mattered. I was too far gone…

I stood there, my body taut, my fists clenched.

Danger, Lucian. Don’t do this.

But I couldn’t help it. The pull was stronger than me. Every breath I took seemed to fuel the fire inside me, pushing me to the brink.

I leaned in, just a little. Too far.

I saw her tremble, caught off guard by whatever was happening between us. She was clearly not ready for this. Or that’s what I wanted to believe.

For God’s sake, walk away before you ruin everything.

“Thanks, Lila.” I said, my voice rough, filled with lust I didn’t know how to hide.

I turned away, holding the beer so tight like it was the only thing that could stop me from snapping.

Don’t do this. Don’t do…

I was halfway to the door when my feet stopped collaborating.

The thoughts of her lips slammed into my mind once again, fierce and unrelenting. I couldn’t ignore them. I couldn’t fight that need.

And before I could stop myself, I spun back—but she was gone.

The kitchen was empty, quiet.

I stood there alone, breathless, my body buzzing, heart pounding loud. And somehow, impossibly, her scent still lingered there, haunting… Sweet, soft, and goddamn intoxicating…

Damn it.

I dragged a hand through my hair. A sharp curse slipping past my lips.

I went outside. Desperate for air, for clarity, for something… Anything to break this spell…