Chapter 4: The Point of No Return

His question left me speechless.

My mind was a blank slate, wiped clean by the heat and the hunger I couldn’t name. I searched his face for a hint of what I was supposed to say.

How should he help?

The words I wanted tangled on my tongue, impossible to say out loud.

Chat bubbles:

[I’m dying here, hurry up! I even paid for premium. Just kiss her, then do this, then that...]

[She doesn’t know how, but Iceberg, don’t you? Stop pretending to be pure! I saw how skillfully you drew those pictures of her—didn’t you secretly practice with her dress every night?]

[It’s her first time coming to him—he’s probably so happy he’s dazed, afraid his darker side will scare her off. Where’s my head-pushing squad? Glue their mouths together first!]

I wanted to laugh at their ridiculousness, but my body ached for something real.

"Melissa, do you see clearly who I am?"

His words were gentle, but there was an edge there—like he needed me to be sure. His thumb traced lazy circles on my hip.

I saw clearly.

I nodded, looking him straight in the eye. I knew exactly who he was—and who I wanted.

He was Evan Carter.

He was the one I’d sought from the start.

All the years of silent longing, all the stolen glances and unsent texts, led to this moment.

"Melissa, once you cross this line, there’s no going back."

He searched my face, looking for any sign of regret. His hand tightened on my waist, as if bracing himself.

I bit my lip, unable to resist.

Desire won out over fear. I leaned into him, my heart pounding.

"Evan, can you help me faster? I don’t regret it..."

I barely recognized my own voice—so vulnerable, so raw. My hands fisted in the fabric of his pajama shirt, wrinkling it beyond repair.

Tears spilled down my cheeks.

I tried to wipe them away, but Evan caught my hand, gentle and reassuring. He didn’t let go.

Evan’s cold eyes darkened, like a predator lurking in the shadows.

The change in him was electrifying—something wild flickered just beneath the surface, ready to break free.

The calluses on his fingertips brushed away my tears, then traced my lips, smudging blood.

The roughness of his skin grounded me. I shivered, the tension between us snapping tighter.

He lowered his head, his lips meeting mine.

The kiss was tentative at first, then hungry, then all-consuming. For a second, all the noise—party music, chat bubbles, even my own doubts—just faded out. It was just his mouth on mine, and the world could’ve ended right then and there.

The cool scent of his aftershave overwhelmed my senses.

It mingled with my own perfume and the taste of blood and tears—an intoxicating mix I’d never forget.

Fireworks exploded behind my eyes.

My whole body lit up, every nerve ending sparking with need.

[Iceberg, truly skilled—a kiss of blood and tears.]

[How could big brother be wrong? He just loves her too much. Rather than let the crazy main guy steal and hurt her, better to act first and make her his.]

[Kiss her until she faints, so she’ll never think of anyone else.]

The comments were nonsense, but for the first time, I almost agreed with them.

My legs gave way. I clung to Evan’s collar, wrinkling the fabric.

His hands steadied me, holding me up as if I were the most precious thing in the world. My fingers twisted in his shirt, anchoring me to reality.

"Evan, can we go to the bed? Standing like this... I’m uncomfortable."

I blushed fiercely, but I didn’t let go. I needed him—needed this—more than I’d ever needed anything before. Outside, the party raged on. But in this room, with his arms around me and the world spinning out of control, I finally knew exactly what I wanted—and who I’d risk everything for.