My fingers tease her, and I feel the wetness between her thighs. I can tell she's aroused. I can't help but feel a surge of desire myself. As I say those sweet words in her ear, my fingers thrust gently into her. Her moans fill the air, a symphony of pleasure and anticipation. The room grows hotter with each passing moment, the tension building between us like an electric current.

With every thrust, her body responds, arching into my touch, craving more. The intoxicating scent of her arousal fills my senses, driving me further into a state of primal need. I can feel her walls tighten around my fingers, a sign that she is on the edge of ecstasy. Every inch of me wants her, but our moment is interrupted when Miguel shouts.

I press my forehead against hers and smile. "Another time, Bambi," I whisper before reluctantly pulling away.

The music blares through the house as I open the door. A cocky grin on my face as I walk out. The bass reverberates in my chest, energizing me as I step into the night. With each beat, my confidence grows. Miguel shakes his head and laughs. I watch as the girls dance and strip, jumping into the pool.

As the night progresses, the atmosphere becomes more charged with anticipation and desire. The music blares, drowning out any other sound, as bodies move in sync with the rhythm. The air is thick with the scent of alcohol and sweat, creating an intoxicating mix that fuels the growing tension.

I feel the heat of Sonya's lips on mine, a fiery passion that momentarily consumes me. But as Soyna's lips trace a path along my neck, a shiver runs down my spine, a mix of pleasure and uncertainty. My gaze lingers on Luca, drawn to her magnetic presence, and I can't help but wonder what it would be like to touch her again.

I see the anger in her eyes; I must have hit a nerve with her, especially with what just happened in the bathroom. But all I can do is smile a condescending smile and pretend like I have no idea why she's so upset.

As Sonya continues to explore my body with her lips, she begins to undress. A side smile crosses my face, and I can feel myself becoming more lost in the moment. The heat between us is intensifying. But my mind keeps drifting back to Luca, her captivating aura pulling me in. I can't help but feel a pang of guilt, knowing the depth of her anger and the unresolved tension between us. Yet I push it aside, feigning ignorance and revelling in the power I hold over her.

Miguel runs to me and tells me Diego has shown up. I look around and see him with Luca; he hands her a drink, and they both exchange a warm smile, erasing any trace of the animosity that once existed.

My jaw clenched, and I feel an emotion surge through me—a mix of jealousy and anger. I make my way toward them and push Diego. "Get the fuck out of here." He stumbles back and smiles. A smile I know too well.

I turn to Luca, "Have you ever been taught to never take drinks from someone?" I shout at her.

She laughs as she takes another sip. I slap the cup out of her hand, and it shatters on the ground. "What the fuck is wrong with you?" She shouts.

"Diego likes to spike girls' drinks." I tell her. "He's done it to multiple girls before." She looks at me in confusion and disbelief, trying to process the information I just shared.

"But I feel fine. Are you sure he actually spiked my drink?" She asks, her voice filled with uncertainty. She walks away, and she seems totally fine. But deep down, I can see the fear in her eyes.

I watch her retreating figure, my heart heavy with concern. It's not easy to convince someone that they've been violated, especially when they feel physically unaffected. But I've seen it happen before, in the aftermath of Diego's sick game. The way he thrives on exerting control and power over unsuspecting girls, leaving them questioning their own experiences. It sickens me to think that he continues to get away with it, leaving a trail of shattered trust and broken spirits in his wake.

I grab him by his collar and have him face me. "You think you can keep doing this to innocent girls without consequences?" I growl, my voice dripping with anger. Diego's eyes widen in surprise, but it quickly turns into a smug smirk as he tries to shrug off my grip. But I refuse to let him escape this time.

I tighten my hold, forcing him to look directly into my eyes, to confront the pain he has caused. "You've messed with the wrong person this time, Diego. Your reign of terror ends now." Diego's smirk falters slightly, his confidence wavering as he realizes the seriousness in my voice. The weight of his actions begins to settle upon him, and the gravity of the pain he has inflicted becoming undeniable. For a moment, there is a glimmer of remorse in his eyes—a hint of regret that betrays his facade of indifference.

But it is fleeting, quickly replaced by a renewed determination to maintain his dominance. His lips curl into a mocking grin as he sneers, "You think you can stop me? You're just another insignificant speck in my path."

"Get him out of here." I bark as Miguel and some others take Diego off my hands. Moments later, Miguel returns, telling me they kicked him out. I exhale deeply, finally able to relax.

The party is still going strong, with an abundance of drinks available. The air is filled with laughter as people mingle and dance to the pulsating beat of the music. The place is a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours and lively conversations. I find myself drawn to the bar, the liquid courage within the glasses beckoning me. As I savour the sip, I am greeted by the delightful taste of freedom and liberation that gracefully dances on my tongue. I let the music carry me away, allowing the rhythm to guide my movements. The night is still young, and I am determined to make the most of every moment. My phone rings, bringing me back to reality. "Lexi?" I say it to the receiver.

"Yeah, I went to the bathroom and came out looking for Luca, but I can't find her." My heart sinks as I realize that Luca has disappeared.

I quickly enter the house and start searching every room. I search desperately, calling out her name, hoping to find any trace of her. A muffled sound can be heard as soon as I step outside the front of the house. I follow the sound, feeling my heart pounding in my chest, desperately hoping that it will guide me to Luca.

As I turn the corner, I see a faint glimmer of light coming from the old shed at the side of the yard. I cautiously approach, hoping to find Luca unharmed.

"Come on, just one little kiss." I hear that familiar voice. I kick in the door to see Diego against Luca, tears streaming down her face. "I found her!" I yell before rushing towards them, ready to protect Luca from any harm.

Lexi and Miguel turn the corner. Lexi quickly grabs Luca while Miguel prevents Diego from moving forward. As I remove my jacket, my eyes grow darker. "Get her out of here!" I growl, my fists clenched tightly, feeling the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. Diego's eyes enlarge as he realizes he messed with the wrong guy. He stumbles backward, attempting to regain his composure. Lexi pulls Luca away, guiding her to safety. I square my shoulders, feeling my muscles tense up in anticipation for whatever lies ahead.

Diego glances at me, his face a mix of fear and desperation. He opens his mouth, as if about to say something, but before he can utter a word, I lunge forward, delivering a powerful punch that sends Diego sprawling to the ground.

The impact reverberates through the air, a satisfying thud that echoes off the surrounding walls. Diego's body hits the ground with a force that leaves no room for doubt—he's down for the count. The adrenaline coursing through my veins begins to wane, replaced by a sense of triumph and relief. I take a step back, my chest rising and falling with each breath, my heart still pounding in my ears. It's over—for now.

Miguel and I walk toward where the girls are. Lexi struggles to keep Luca up as the drugs take effect on her petite body. "Fuck!" I say as I grab her. I help her to my car and buckle her in. "Your mom is going to kill me." I tell her. She begins to laugh, her laughter echoing through the car's interior. I start the engine and make my way home. As we drive, I can't help but feel a sense of relief and comfort knowing that she's safe with me. She begins to speak, but her words are slurred and jumbled.

As I pull into the driveway, I put the car in park. "Listen, you have to be very quiet. Do you understand?" I ask her.

"Sir, yes, sir!" She begins to laugh. I shake my head. I get out of the car and open her side. Wrapping my arm around her, we make our way to the front door. I open it, and we walk inside. She places her hand on my cheek. "Has anyone ever told you that you're an asshole?" She smiles. The noise coming from the kitchen makes me think quickly on my feet. I scoop her up into my arms. "Woah." She says as her arms wrap around my neck. I run up the stairs and to her bedroom.

I lay her gently on her bed, covering her with the blanket. "Don't touch me." She says as she turns around in the bed. I quietly leave the room, respecting her boundaries.

I make my way downstairs to grab a drink. "Cruz, you're home early." I hear my father say. "Um, yeah, Luca wanted to come home; she was tired, so I drove her back."

He walks toward me. "Did something happen?" I shake my head. "Okay," he says. "Goodnight."

"Night." I respond and feel the weight in my chest disappear.

I run my hands through my hair and take a deep breath. I feel a sense of relief and start to calm down. I grab a bottle of water and make my way back up to my room. What I love about this house is that mine and Luca's rooms are on the opposite side of the house from everyone else's. Meaning at every hour of the night, I love to play music at high volume without disturbing anyone else, except for Luca.

I press play and head to my shower. As the water cascades over me, I can feel the stress of the day slowly melting away. I close my eyes and go back to earlier tonight, when I had Luca in my arms. I can still feel her lips against mine. I want all of her. I want to taste every inch of her body.

I step out of the shower and wrap myself in a towel. I head into my room and begin to get dressed for bed. I slip on a pair of blue boxer briefs and lie down on the soft mattress, longing for the moment when she'll be in my arms. I laugh; I like the cat and mouse game we are playing. She may not know it, but she's falling for me, or at least wants a taste of me.

The music continues to play in the background, creating a soothing ambiance as I drift off to sleep. But before I can fall asleep, my phone rings loudly, jolting me awake and interrupting the peaceful atmosphere. I groan in frustration and reach over to see who it is. It's an unknown number.

"Hello?"

"You can't keep her safe." A voice whispers ominously from the other end before hanging up.

I feel a chill run down my spine. My heart starts pounding, and a sense of unease washes over me. Who was that? And what did they mean by "you can't keep her safe?" My mind races with questions, and I can't shake off the feeling of impending danger. I quickly glance at the clock; it's 3 a.m. I jump out of bed and turn the music off.

I walk down the hall and enter Luca's room. She's fast asleep, but I can't help but worry. "Luca?" I try shaking her gently, but she still doesn't wake up. "Fuck it." I scoop her up into my arms and carry her to my bedroom, gently laying her down on the bed.

I tuck her in, making sure she's comfortable, and sit on the edge of the bed, watching her sleep. The words from the phone call echo in my mind, replaying over and over. "You can't keep her safe." Who would say something like that? And why? Thoughts swirl in my head, my heart pounding with fear and confusion. What could possibly pose a threat to Luca?

She turns over, and I see the scar on her back. My finger gently traces its jagged edges. "What happened to you?" I whisper.