The café door jingled faintly as Adrian walked out, leaving Lila sitting at the small corner table, her heart still thundering in her chest. She stared down at her half-empty cup, the swirl of foam at the top mirroring the whirl of emotions she couldn’t quite tame. How was it possible for someone to have this kind of effect on her? She barely knew him, yet it felt as though he’d reached in and flipped a switch inside her—one she hadn’t even known existed.

She’d been cautious for so long, carefully building walls after years of disappointment. But Adrian… he was different. The way he looked at her, spoke to her, it was as though he could see right through the cracks she’d worked so hard to hide. And that terrified her almost as much as it thrilled her.

Her phone buzzed, jolting her from her thoughts. She reached for it with shaky fingers, half-expecting to see his name lighting up the screen. Instead, it was a text from her friend Jenna: “Where are you? Lunch tomorrow? Need deets on the mystery man from the wedding.”

Lila sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips. She’d barely mentioned Adrian to Jenna, only sharing the barest details of their fleeting encounter. And now, here he was, barging into her life again like some kind of storm—unexpected and impossible to ignore.

Her mind wandered back to the way he’d stood so close, the heat of his presence sending shivers along her skin. She could still hear the low timbre of his voice, the playful confidence in his words. She could still feel…

Lila shook her head, willing herself to focus. She needed clarity, not this whirlwind of emotions.

That evening, as Lila stepped into her apartment, the tension she’d been holding all day seemed to follow her in. She dropped her bag on the kitchen counter and leaned against the wall, replaying their interaction over and over. The way his lips curved into that mischievous grin, the way his eyes softened when he looked at her…

A soft knock at the door snapped her out of her thoughts. Lila furrowed her brows as she approached. She wasn’t expecting anyone. Peering through the peephole, her breath caught.

Adrian.

She opened the door, her heart leaping into her throat. “What are you doing here?” she asked, the surprise evident in her voice.

He leaned casually against the doorframe, his hands tucked into his pockets. “I wanted to see you,” he said simply, his voice smooth and warm. “Thought maybe we could pick up where we left off.”

Lila’s pulse quickened. She should have been wary, suspicious even, but the way he looked at her made all logic melt away. “It’s… kind of late,” she managed, though she didn’t move to close the door.

“And yet, here I am,” Adrian countered, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “Can I come in?”

For a moment, Lila hesitated. But something in his gaze—something earnest, almost vulnerable—made her step aside, allowing him in. As he walked past her, she caught a faint whiff of his cologne, a heady mix of cedar and spice that made her knees weak.

They settled on the couch, the silence between them charged. Lila fiddled with the hem of her sweater, unsure of what to say. Adrian, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease, his gaze never wavering from hers.

“You’re nervous,” he observed softly.

“I’m not nervous,” she lied, though her flushed cheeks gave her away.

He chuckled, the sound deep and rich. “You don’t have to be. I’m not here to scare you off.”

“Then why are you here?” she asked, meeting his eyes. “Really?”

Adrian’s expression softened, his playful demeanor giving way to something more serious. “Because I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you,” he admitted. “Not since that night at the wedding.”

Lila’s breath hitched. The honesty in his voice, the intensity in his gaze, it was almost too much. She looked away, her heart racing. “You barely know me,” she said quietly.

“Maybe,” he agreed, leaning in slightly. “But I know enough to want to know more.”

Her eyes flicked back to his, and in that moment, the air between them seemed to crackle. Adrian reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. His touch was gentle, his fingers lingering just long enough to send a shiver down her spine.

“Lila,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble. “If I’m overstepping, tell me now.”

She couldn’t speak, couldn’t think. All she could do was nod, a silent permission that sent Adrian leaning closer. When his lips met hers, it was like the world fell away. The kiss was slow at first, tentative, as if testing the waters. But it didn’t take long for the intensity to build, for the heat between them to ignite.

Adrian’s hands found her waist, pulling her closer as his lips moved against hers with an urgency that matched the pounding of her heart. She could feel the warmth of his body, the strength in his touch, and it made her dizzy.

Lila’s hands found their way to his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath her palms. She wasn’t sure when she’d moved, but suddenly she was straddling him, her legs on either side of his as their kiss deepened. His hands roamed her back, his touch firm yet gentle, sending sparks shooting through her every nerve.

When he pulled back, his forehead resting against hers, his breath was ragged. “You… have no idea what you do to me,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.

Lila’s lips tingled, her body buzzing with electricity. “Then don’t stop,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Adrian’s eyes darkened, his hands sliding up to cup her face. For a moment, it seemed like he might give in, might let the passion consuming them take over. But then he pulled back, his jaw clenched, a conflicted look in his eyes.

“Lila,” he said softly, his voice laced with regret. “I can’t. Not tonight.”

Her brows furrowed, confusion and frustration swirling within her. “Why?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Adrian ran a hand through his hair, his expression pained. “Because if we go any further, I won’t be able to stop,” he admitted. “And you deserve more than just a moment. You deserve… everything.”

Lila’s heart ached at his words, the sincerity in his tone both comforting and maddening. She wanted to argue, to tell him she didn’t care, that she wanted him. But the look in his eyes silenced her. He was holding back for her, and that made her chest tighten.

As he stood, she felt the loss of his warmth, the absence of his touch like a void. Adrian leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Goodnight, Lila,” he murmured before walking to the door.

She watched him go, a storm of emotions raging within her. When the door clicked shut, she sank back onto the couch, her fingers grazing her lips where his kiss still lingered. She didn’t know what the future held, but one thing was certain: Adrian had left her longing for more. And then, it hit her: "Wait… how did he even know where I live?"

Before she could fully grasp the unsettling thought, her phone buzzed to life, illuminating Adrian’s name on the screen. Her breath caught in her throat as a chilling wave of dread swept over her, freezing her in place.