Amber

Chapter 24: I Shouldn't Have Come Outside

(Amber's POV)

I should have ignored him.

I should have turned around, gone back inside, and pretended I never saw his message.

But instead?

I stepped outside.

And the moment I did, I knew—I made a mistake.

Because Adrian Blackwood was waiting for me.

—

He was leaning against his car, arms crossed, golden eyes glinting under the streetlights.

He looked too calm. Too patient.

Like he knew I'd come out.

Like he knew I couldn't resist.

And I hated that he was right.

I folded my arms. "What do you want, Adrian?"

His lips curled into a slow smirk. "Took you long enough."

I scowled. "I wasn't going to come out."

He tilted his head. "And yet, here you are."

I clenched my jaw. "If this is some power play, I'm not interested."

He chuckled. "You always think I'm playing games, sweetheart."

"Because you always are," I snapped.

His smirk didn't fade. "Not this time."

—

I exhaled sharply. "Are you going to tell me why you're here, or—"

"Did you enjoy making me jealous today?"

I froze.

Because his voice had dropped—low, smooth, unreadable.

I recovered quickly, tilting my chin up. "Did it work?"

His smirk widened. "You tell me."

I scoffed. "You're ridiculous."

Adrian exhaled, stepping forward.

Not close enough to touch.

But close enough that I could feel him there.

"You didn't answer the question, sweetheart," he murmured.

My pulse jumped. "Why do you care?"

His golden eyes flickered.

"I don't," he said. "I just like knowing what's mine."

I gaped at him. "Excuse me?"

Adrian didn't blink. "You heard me."

I clenched my fists. "I'm not yours."

He smirked. "Not yet."

I let out a frustrated breath. "You are impossible."

"And you," he murmured, "are still standing here."

—

I turned to walk back inside.

I wasn't doing this.

Not tonight.

Not when my head was already a mess.

But before I could take another step—

"Amber."

I exhaled sharply. "What now, Adrian?"

He was right behind me now.

Too close.

Too warm.

Too much.

"Get in the car," he murmured.

I blinked. "What?"

Adrian's eyes held mine.

"Come with me," he said. "I want to take you somewhere."

I laughed. "That's not happening."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't trust you."

His smirk deepened. "Liar."

I scowled. "I'm not lying."

"You are."

I folded my arms. "And what makes you so sure?"

Adrian exhaled slowly.

Then—

"Because if you really didn't trust me, sweetheart…"

His voice was low. Steady. Dangerous.

"You wouldn't have come outside."

My stomach flipped.

Because I hated that he was right.

—

I clenched my jaw. "You're so full of yourself."

He chuckled. "And yet, you still listen when I call."

I scowled. "I should go back inside."

He tilted his head. "Then why haven't you?"

I had no answer.

And he knew it.

—

Silence stretched between us.

The tension was too thick.

Too charged.

Then—

His voice dropped.

"Come with me, Amber."

Something about the way he said it—soft, almost pleading—

Made my breath catch.

I wanted to say yes.

I wanted to go with him.

And that was the problem.

I shook my head. "I can't."

Adrian watched me carefully.

Like he was trying to figure out why.

Then he exhaled, nodding once.

"Okay," he murmured.

I froze.

That was it?

No arguing? No smug remarks about how I'd change my mind?

I didn't like it.

Because if Adrian Blackwood was giving up this easily—

That meant he was up to something.

—

I took a slow step back. "Good night, Adrian."

His smirk returned.

"Sweet dreams, sweetheart."

I turned and walked back inside.

And even after I closed the door—

Even after I told myself I had won this round—

I could still feel him there.

Still watching.

Still waiting.

Because this wasn't over.

Not even close.

—