ELI
The moment I got that teasing, reluctant "fine" out of Damir's lips, I didn't waste another second. I literally skipped to my room with the widest grin stretched across my face. Victory had never tasted so sweet. I didn't even wait a full minute before grabbing my phone to message Lian and Adam.
Me: "It's on! Damir said yes! Pack your things. You're sleeping over tonight, cuties."
Lian's response came in with a voice note that was basically a high-pitched scream followed by something in rapid Chinese I didn't understand but I felt the excitement. Adam just replied with a simple thumbs up and a "Cool." Typical Adam. Always chill, but I knew he was looking forward to it too.
I couldn't stop myself from bouncing around the house the whole afternoon like some overexcited puppy. I even did another skincare routine out of pure anxiety and giddy nerves. I knew Lian would bring his whole glam aura, and I needed to look just as radiant. My outfit? A pastel pink shirt and white shorts so tight it felt like they were painted on. Sue me…I felt cute. And Damir could deal with it later.
As the sun began to set, the golden glow bathed the estate, casting long shadows and turning the driveway into something out of a movie. That was when I heard the sound of tires crunching against the pristine gravel. I dashed to the door, flinging it open and stepping outside just in time to see Lian's sleek black car gliding through the estate gate like it belonged there.
I stood on the porch, eyes glued to them. Lian was driving, his shades still on despite the dusk, his messy dark hair blowing slightly from the half-open window. I swear, if I didn't know any better, I'd have thought he came to seduce Damir. That boy looked sinful. I caught myself narrowing my eyes for half a second before shaking it off with a confident smirk. Nah, I trust my man.
The car came to a gentle stop, and both of them stepped out like they were stepping onto a runway. Lian immediately squealed when he saw me and jogged over, arms wide.
"Oh my god, Eli! Baby! Look at you! You're glowing like a K-pop star in heat!"
I laughed as we hugged, his long nails brushing the back of my neck. He pulled back to look me up and down, hands on his hips.
"These shorts? This shirt? Baby, you came to slay. Damir must be crying himself to sleep every night."
I giggled and rolled my eyes as Adam joined us, quieter, his gaze slightly intense. He didn't say anything at first, but his eyes lingered on my thighs… then lower. Then quickly back to my face.
I arched a brow. "What?"
"Nothing," he muttered. "You just look… different."
Lian burst out laughing. "He means your ass looks amazing and he's too repressed to say it."
I threw my head back and laughed, taking both their hands and dragging them toward the entrance.
"Come on! You haven't even seen the inside yet."
As we stepped through the massive double doors, their reactions were priceless. Lian gasped so loud it echoed.
"Is this a palace?"
Adam ran his hand along the marble railing. "No way this is just a house. This is a kingdom."
I puffed up proudly. "Only the best. Come on, you've got to see my room."
They followed me up the staircase, Lian's heels clacking dramatically while Adam stayed quiet, drinking everything in. The chandeliers. The gold detailing. The ridiculous number of doors.
We had just reached the top of the stairs, and I was giggling about how Lian was probably going to get lost in the hallways, when I saw him.
Damir.
He had just stepped out of his study, sleeves rolled up, one hand brushing through his hair as he looked up and locked eyes with me.
I barely got out a breathy, "Babe…" before running toward him.
He didn't say a word. Just opened his arms and caught me, lips crashing against mine as I wrapped my legs around his waist. The kiss was deep, slow, and left me panting when he pulled back.
His hands found my ass, gave it a firm squeeze, and I yelped.
"Damir!"
He smirked, eyes flicking past me toward Lian and Adam who were awkwardly hovering.
"I see your friends are here."
I nodded, still a little breathless.
"This is Lian," I said, pointing to the dramatic boy now fanning himself. "And that's Adam."
Damir nodded politely but his gaze sharpened the moment it landed on Adam. Adam just gave a tiny, nervous smile.
Damir's voice was calm, but I could feel the possessiveness underneath. "I'll be back in 30 minutes. You'll change before then."
I blinked. "What?"
He leaned in again, kissed me on the cheek, and whispered, "Shorts like that aren't for anyone else's eyes, solnyshko."
And just like that, he was gone.
Lian waited until the door shut before screaming, "Okay but WHOA!!!. That was so hot. Eli, your man is unreal."
Adam, however, looked weirdly tense. Like he wanted to say something but didn't.
Too bad. My man had just kissed me breathless in front of them, and that was all I cared about.