Shadowsflickeredacrossherface as the bright neon lights of the club danced and swirled overhead. She lifted her hand to flag down the bartender, but went unnoticed. Anger bubbled in my stomach as I watched him pass her by, heading toward a large group of college students. Their breasts peeked out from their low-cut tops, and their skirts left little to the imagination. She let out a huff of frustration and crossed her arms over her chest. Her face turned up in disgust as the bartender started flirting with one of the college students, ignoring the other patrons at his back.
I moved closer, keeping to the shadows, and hiding myself from her view. My cock hardened as she leaned over the bar top, the tight skirt she wore accentuating her every curve. Her ass was thick and round, her torso and hips dipping into an hourglass figure. Her full breasts strained against her black top as the straps tugged against their weight.
Having watched her for months, keeping myself hidden in plain sight, I knew every part of her—the way she laughed in awkward situations, the way her eyes lit up in a bookstore, the way she lost herself in watching horror movies, never afraid of the monsters on the screen, and the way she hummed at her first sip of coffee every morning. She was perfect in every way.
Caught off guard by my own mind, I didn’t see the man beside her until his arm was already wrapped around her waist. He pulled her close, leaningagainst her, and her body stiffened. My vision went dark as I saw his hand slide up her side to cup her breast in his palm. Before she could react, I lunged forward, yanking him away by the collar of his shirt. His body hit the ground with a loud crack as his head bounced off the tiled floor, and my fist crashed into his jaw. A loud crunch sounded as I continued to slam my fist into his face over and over, the bystanders around me screaming and running for the exit. I pulled back, seeing my hand slick with blood, and wiped it across my dark jeans. He writhed on the floor, cries of pain coming from deep within his chest. Two firm hands gripped my shoulders and dragged me back, and the heels of my combat boots squeaked along the floor.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her face, frozen in both fear and relief. I ripped myself free from whoever held me, my chest heaving with anger, and sank back into the shadows of the club before making my way to the exit.
Cold air hit me as I pushed open the door, and I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. I tried to calm myself, as images of him touching her flashed through my mind. Gripping the railing, I gritted my teeth and growled, my anger roaring back to life.
I hadn't planned on showing my face, but things escalated the minute I saw him touching her. When I saw him touching what wasmine.
A hand lightly touched my shoulder and I turned around, my knife grazing against their throat. My heart stopped when I saw her standing there, fear flickering in her eyes, though something dark hid just beneath. She glanced down at my hand, then back up to me, her throat bobbing against the sharp blade. Instantly, my hand fell and I backed away, trying to put space between us. She reached up and massaged the place my knife had been.
“I… I just wanted to say thanks,” she whispered.
She was more beautiful up close, her crimson hair clinging to her neck as sweat coated her skin, her bright blue eyes sparkling like the ocean. Shestepped forward and reached out her hand, waiting for me to take it. I hesitantly shook it and my chest tightened when she pulled her hand away.
“I’m Lila.”
“Jason,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
We stood in silence, neither one of us sure what to say. She sighed, mist forming in the air from the warmth of her breath, and started rubbing her arms aggressively. Her teeth began to chatter, and the urge to wrap her in my arms became unbearable.
“You should get back inside,” I said, nodding toward the club. “It’s cold out here, and I’m sure you’d like to continue your night.”
She shook her head and leaned against the wall, crossing her arms over her chest.
“I’m waiting for my ride,” she said, nodding toward the street below us. “The fucker in there kinda ruined the night. I’m not exactly in the mood to keep dancing.”
I gave her a slight nod before turning to leave. As I reached the bottom step, her hand gripped my bicep and I turned to face her. My muscles tensed under her touch, and she slowly pulled her hand away.
“Stay with me until they get here?” she asked. “I… I’m kinda spooked after what happened in there.”
My heart raced as I nodded and sat down on the top step. She sat beside me and her leg brushed against mine, making me shudder. I noticed her shivering and pulled off my jacket, hanging it around her bare shoulders. She pulled it tightly around her body, the piece of clothing swallowing her.
“Thanks,” she said, her voice hoarse. “Wasn’t expecting to be sitting outside at…” she glanced at her phone before continuing, “two a.m.”
We sat there in silence, her eyes fluttering open and closed every so often, until she finally rested her head on my shoulder. A chill ran down my spine asshe let out a contented sigh, her body relaxing against me. Warmth radiated from her, and I inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of her shampoo and body wash. She smelled like apples and coconut, a scent that was forever ingrained in me.
The day I saw her for the first time was fate. She was leaving a coffee shop—one I’d come to realize she visited every single day—with her best friend Casey. Their arms had been linked together, and Lila's head was thrown back as she laughed. She was wearing a black dress with skulls and flowers printed across it, the fabric barely reaching below her round ass. Her crimson hair cascaded down her shoulders and back and a few stray strands stuck to the sides of her neck and cheeks.
As she walked across the street to her car, I found myself unable to tear my gaze away from her. My heart hammered inside my chest as she passed me, and I turned to follow her. She gave Casey a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek before sliding into her car, and driving out of the lot.
The next day I went back to the coffee shop, and then the day after that, and the one after that, until she showed up again. I watched her for days before finally following her, finding out everything I could about her and her life. And… the rest was history.
A car honked, pulling me from the memory, and I knew it was Casey. Gently, I stroked her cheek, feeling her soft skin beneath my fingers. I wanted to scoop her up in my arms and take her, but instead, I cupped her cheek, rubbing my thumb along her lips.
“Lila,” I whispered, “your ride is here.”
Her eyes fluttered open, gazing up at me in a sleepy stupor. Before I could think twice, I kissed her forehead, letting my lips linger against her warmth. She let out a giggle before standing and handing me my jacket. I shook my head and refused to take it.
“Keep it. I have more.”
She leaned down and kissed me, her soft lips pressing against mine. My hands clenched into fists beside me as I fought the urge to pull her closer. When she backed away, her eyes were heavy with sleep, a goofy smile spreading across her lips.
“Thank you, Jason. For helping me tonight.”
