My roommates were going to completely lose it when they saw this.
Elise’s POV
It was late, far later than I meant to stay, yet I was still trapped in the library. My nerves buzzed so badly I could hardly focus on a single word. The reason sat right beside me. Damien.
He lounged in his chair as if he owned the space, stretching out like boundaries meant nothing. He had claimed the last slice of pizza too, eating as if it belonged to him. The closer he leaned, the smaller I felt, and every breath in my chest grew tighter. Why did he always have to sit so close?
I glanced at the clock and nearly groaned. Hours had slipped by. I should have been home already, wrapped in quiet safety. Instead, I was stuck here, jittery and exhausted, with barely any progress on our project. Relief should have come with the thought of leaving him behind, but frustration burned hotter. Nothing about tonight felt like an accomplishment.
Why did the professor have to pair me with Damien Lancaster? He contributed almost nothing, while I thrived on staying ahead. Now even my thoughts sounded messy, lazy, like him.
“Talking to yourself again?” Damien’s voice slid in, rough and teasing, as he peeled a banana like he had all the time in the world.
I clenched my teeth. He was impossible. Too handsome for his own good, but impossible all the same.
I refused to look at him. He already knew he rattled me, and he enjoyed every second of it. Damien was the kind of man who thrived on discomfort, especially mine.
“I do not talk to myself,” I muttered.
“Sure you do.”
“I am serious.”
He took a slow bite, chewing loudly, and I knew it was just to get under my skin. Then his deep voice pushed further. “I have another question for you, Elise.”
My shoulders sagged. “What is it now?”
“Do all men scare you, or is it only me?”
My eyes flicked to his broad shoulders, the solid frame that made me feel caged. My throat closed. “W-what makes you think I am afraid of men?”
He shrugged casually. “You were fine chatting with the librarian. But the second those boys walked by, you shrank into yourself like you wanted to disappear. It was written all over your face.”
Laughter slipped from him, careless and cruel, while a heavy ache pressed against my chest.
Why did he always turn my fear into entertainment?
“It is not fair to mock someone for that,” I said quietly. “You do not know what they might have lived through.”
His grin spread wider, taunting. “Then tell me. What have you lived through? Let me guess. Bullying?”
His careless words cut deep. How could he throw them so lightly, when he had no idea?
My teeth pressed into my lip, holding back tears. He did not need to know. He would not care. Still, one word broke through before I could stop it. “No.”
Not bullying. Worse. So much worse.
But I would never say it aloud.
Damien leaned his cheek into his palm, watching me like I was some puzzle he meant to solve. “Then what was it? Say it.”
I tore my gaze away. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
“Say it,” he pressed again.
My chest burned. Who gave him the right to pry into wounds that did not belong to him? Damien was not my friend, not someone safe. He was my partner, nothing more.
“It is none of your business,” I muttered.
“Sorry?” His grin stretched, sharper now. “Louder. I did not catch that.”
“I said it is none of your business!” The words burst out, my voice breaking as tears pricked my eyes. My hands shook where they rested on the table.
“Holy hell.” Damien laughed, loud and careless. “You look like you are about to lose it again.”
My heart thudded painfully, my lips trembling despite everything I tried to hide.
“You are such a weirdo.” He shook his head slowly, almost like he pitied me. “Not a single bold bone in your body, huh?”
The words sliced through me. I stayed still, clinging to silence, hoping he would finally stop. But Damien never stopped. He liked to press harder.
“Hey. I asked you a question,” he pushed again.
I swallowed hard, my voice barely escaping. “Why do you always have to be so cruel?”
“Cruel?” His brows lifted like I had offended him. “Excuse me?”
Anger bubbled beneath my fear, slipping out despite myself. “Yes. You could try being kind. Instead, you choose to be mean.”
“Nicer?” He gave a low scoff. “No. I just tell the truth. That is not cruelty, Elise. That is honesty.”
I bit down on my lip, desperate to keep the sting in my eyes from spilling over. Damien wasn’t just difficult. He was a bully.
He straightened to his full height, towering over me with a look that made my stomach twist. “Whatever. Grab your stuff. We are leaving. I am driving you home.”
My head snapped up. “You are driving me home?”
“Are you deaf? That is what I said. I saw you walking earlier, so just tell me where you live.”
He had noticed me? Before today? The thought sent my mind into a spiral of questions I could not ask.
“Um…”
Damien groaned, dragging a hand through his hair. “Unbelievable. Fine. Just type it into your phone and hand it over.”
With shaky fingers, I pulled out my phone, typed my address, and reluctantly passed it to him.
He glanced at the screen, humming under his breath. “That’s a bit far.” Without waiting for me to respond, he turned and started walking away, with my phone still in his hand.
My mouth fell open. Was he seriously just stealing my phone? His broad shoulders moved with unbothered confidence, like some immovable wall I could never fight.
Before panic fully set in, he glanced over his shoulder. “Well? Are you coming or not?”
Oh.
Heat shot through me as I scrambled to pack my things, shoving everything into my bag. Damien whistled while he waited, loud enough for people to stare, though no one dared to say anything.
I hurried after him, but the shiny floor betrayed me. My shoes squeaked, and I gasped as my balance slipped away. The humiliation of falling flat in front of him loomed, until strong arms caught me.
My breath caught as I looked up. Damien’s gaze locked on mine, and for once, the teasing smirk was gone. In its place was something I couldn’t name. His grip was steady, solid, warm.
He had caught me. He had saved me.
My stomach fluttered helplessly.
“Are you hurt?” His voice was low, almost gentle.
I shook my head quickly, my chest pounding. “No.”
“Good.” He steadied me before letting go. “They should put up a sign when the floor’s wet. Idiots.”
A small smile tugged at me before I could stop it. “There usually is one.”
“Not today. Looks like someone slacked off.” He straightened and then held out his hand. “Give me your bag.”
My eyes widened. “W-why?”
“Because it’s heavy for you. Your arms look like twigs.”
Oh.
Damien Lancaster offering to help me. That was not something I ever expected.
Wordlessly, I slipped the strap off my shoulder. He swung the bag over his back like it weighed nothing, then reached for my hand. The warmth of his palm against mine sent heat racing up my arm, and I had to fight to keep my breathing steady. He tugged me along as if it were natural, as if he had always held my hand.
Calm down, Elise. Just breathe.
“Do you live alone?” he asked casually.
“Uh… no. I live with two roommates.”
They were going to lose their minds when they saw me walk in with Damien Lancaster of all people. He might be arrogant, but there was no denying how devastatingly handsome he was.
“Good,” he said simply. “You need people around. You’re defenseless.”
His blunt words stung, but I didn’t argue.
“From now on, I’m driving you home when you stay late at the library. Walking at night isn’t safe.”
For a second, I just stared at him. That almost sounded… kind.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
He didn’t smile, but his tone softened. “No problem.”
When we reached his car, a sleek black BMW, I nearly laughed at the absurdity. I was actually about to be driven home by Damien Lancaster.
My roommates were going to completely lose it when they saw this.





















