Ashen's pov
I was going to drown.
Not in the lake. No, Dominic had me locked against him, strong and unyielding, holding me steady even as the water lapped around us.
I was drowning in him.
His mouth was insistent, demanding—like he knew exactly how to unravel me, how to steal the breath from my lungs and make me forget everything else. My fingers curled around the back of his neck, gripping hard, like letting go wasn't an option.
This was reckless. Stupid. Dangerous.
And I still didn't stop.
A shiver ran through me, but it wasn't from the cold. It was from the heat coiling in my stomach, from the way his hands gripped my waist, strong and possessive, like he needed me just as much as I needed him in that moment.
Fuck. I was losing control.
I should pull away. I should. But when his teeth scraped against my bottom lip, a low, satisfied sound rumbled in his chest, and my body betrayed me.
A sharp inhale. A slight tilt of my head. An invitation I never meant to give.
Dominic took it.
The kiss deepened, his tongue sweeping against mine, and my knees almost gave out. My grip tightened in his hair as heat flooded through me, a desperate, unfamiliar ache curling in my gut.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
I wasn't supposed to want this.
But against all reason, against every wall I'd built, I found myself leaning in. Pressing closer. Wanting more.
The realization hit me like a punch to the chest.
Panic surged in my veins, sharp and sudden. My body locked up, and I tore my mouth from his, sucking in a ragged breath.
Dominic stilled instantly, his hold steady but not trapping. His golden eyes burned into mine, unreadable, searching.
I couldn't breathe.
I was still holding him.
Shit.
I shoved at his chest, pushing back just enough to break free. My breath came hard and fast, my pulse a frantic drum against my ribs. The water felt colder now, the night air sharper against my flushed skin.
Dominic didn't move. Didn't speak.
He just watched me.
Waiting.
Like he already knew I was going to run.
My heart slammed against my ribs. The heat of Dominic's hands still lingered on my waist, the press of his lips burned into mine like a brand I couldn't shake.
I took a sharp step back, the water shifting around me as I forced distance between us. My breath came too fast, too uneven, and I hated it—hated him for making me feel this way.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
Not to me.
Dominic still hadn't moved, his golden eyes locked onto mine, heavy with something I couldn't name.
The worst part? He wasn't angry. He wasn't demanding.
He was waiting.
Like he already knew what I was about to do.
And fuck—he was right.
I turned without another word and waded toward the shore, my limbs stiff, my pulse a frantic drumbeat. My skin felt too tight, my chest too full, like I couldn't get enough air.
I didn't stop moving. Didn't look back.
Grabbing my clothes from where I'd left them, I yanked on my shirt with shaky hands, ignoring the damp fabric clinging to my skin. My fingers fumbled at my boots, my body still burning with leftover heat, and I hated it.
Hated how easily Dominic could pull me under.
Hated how much I wanted him to.
I clenched my jaw, forcing down the knot in my throat. This was nothing. It had to be.
Because if it wasn't?
I didn't know what the hell I would do. I'm.
I yanked my boots on, my hands unsteady. My pulse still hadn't settled, the memory of Dominic's mouth on mine playing on a loop in my head, relentless and unforgiving.
I needed to get out of here. Away from him.
But as I turned, I found Dominic had already waded out of the water.
Still shirtless. Still watching me.
Moonlight traced the hard lines of his body, droplets of water sliding over his skin. His expression was unreadable, but his golden eyes burned,sharp, focused, knowing.
I clenched my fists. "Don't look at me like that."
His brows lifted slightly. "Like what?"
"Like you know me," I snapped, my voice raw.
Dominic tilted his head, stepping forward. I took a step back on instinct, but he didn't stop. He just moved closer, slow and deliberate, until the heat of his body wrapped around me again.
I swallowed hard, my breath uneven. "This—" I gestured between us, ignoring how my fingers trembled. "This doesn't mean anything."
Dominic was quiet for a long moment. Then, in a voice too calm, too steady, he said, "Then why are you shaking?"
I sucked in a sharp breath.
He saw it. He always fucking saw it.
I forced my body to still, lifting my chin defiantly. "I don't want this."
Dominic hummed, unconvinced. "You don't want it." He took another step forward, the warmth of his bare chest just inches from me. "Or you don't know how to want it?"
My stomach twisted. "Don't psychoanalyze me, Alpha."
Dominic exhaled, something dark flickering in his gaze. "I don't have to." His voice dropped lower, rougher. "I already know you, Ashen."
The words sent a violent shudder through me.
I hated how easily they cracked something open inside me,something raw and unprotected.
Something I couldn't let him see.
So I did the only thing I knew how to do.
I turned away. "We should get back."
Dominic didn't try to stop me. But as I climbed onto the bike, gripping the seat with white-knuckled hands, I felt the weight of his gaze settle over me.
Like he wasn't finished.
Like this wasn't over.
And deep down, no matter how hard I fought it
I knew he was right.
The ride back was silent.
The engine's steady hum filled the space between us, but it wasn't enough to drown out the pounding in my chest.
I refused to hold Dominic this time. My hands gripped the back of the seat, my body rigid, determined to keep even an inch of space between us. But every sharp turn, every dip in the road made it harder.
And Dominic he knew.
He felt it.
I could tell by the way his shoulders tensed, the way his smirk lingered just at the edge of my vision, smug and unreadable.
By the time we pulled into the garage, I was ready to bolt.
The second the bike stopped, I swung my leg over and strode off, my pulse erratic. I needed space. I needed to lock this down before it unraveled further.
Before I unraveled.
"Ashen."
His voice stopped me cold.
Low. Commanding.
I squeezed my eyes shut for half a second before forcing my body to turn. "What?"
Dominic leaned against the bike, arms crossed, his golden gaze steady. Too steady.
"You gonna run every time I touch you?"
I scowled. "I'm not running."
He tilted his head slightly, studying me. "Then what do you call this?"
"I call it having common sense." I exhaled sharply. "Look, whatever happened back there—it was a mistake."
Dominic didn't blink. "You think I regret it?"
My breath caught.
He stepped closer, slow and deliberate, eyes locked on mine like he could see everything I was trying to hide. "Because I don't."
My throat tightened.
No. No, no, no. He wasn't supposed to say that. He wasn't supposed to mean it.
I took a step back. "You're making this into something it's not."
He sighed, running a hand through his damp hair. "You always do that?"
I frowned. "Do what?"
"Lie to yourself."
The words hit deeper than I wanted to admit.
I clenched my jaw, ignoring the way my chest tightened. "Whatever," I muttered, turning on my heel. "I'm done with this conversation."
Dominic didn't stop me this time.
But as I walked away, I felt his gaze on my back.
Not angry. Not amused.
Just waiting.
Like he already knew this wasn't over.
And fuck,so did I.
I didn't stop walking until I was in my room, door shut, back pressed against it.
My chest rose and fell too fast. My skin still burned, every inch of me hyperaware, as if Dominic's touch hadn't faded.
Lie to yourself.
His words echoed in my head, digging under my skin like a splinter I couldn't get rid of.
I wasn't lying. I didn't want this. I didn't—
I dragged my hands through my hair, sucking in a shaky breath.
Fuck.
I moved to the bathroom, turning on the sink and splashing cold water onto my face. My reflection stared back at me, wild-eyed and tense, like I barely recognized myself.
This was stupid. He was stupid.
I needed to forget tonight.
I needed to forget the way he held me, the way he kissed me,like he knew me. Like he saw through every wall I had spent my entire life building.
I gritted my teeth, gripping the edge of the sink.
I wouldn't let him do this to me.
I wouldn't let anyone do this to me.
With a sharp inhale, I turned off the sink and straightened.
I just needed to keep my distance. Keep my guard up.
Because whatever game Dominic was playing
I refused to lose.