CHAPTER 212: WITH IAN, IT WAS FIRE. WITH REN, IT WAS GRAVITY[JUNE’S POV]

I was standing outside by the pool, staring at the water.

The lights from the house reflected off it.

It was beautiful. Calm and beautiful.

I didn’t even realize I was holding my breath until I exhaled. "Holy crap, I actually did it," I muttered.

I sang in front of Estrella’s elites. Literal business moguls.

And somehow, I didn’t pass out.

I rubbed my arms, trying to calm down. My heart was still beating.

Then I heard footsteps behind me, like whoever it was wanted to make an entrance.

"Found you," Ian’s voice came from behind, the kind of tone that made my stomach drop and flutter at the same time.

I didn’t turn. I could see his reflection in the water.... tall, broad-shouldered, tux slightly undone, loose tie. He looked like he’d just walked off a movie set.

"You looked unreal out there," he said, coming closer. "Like, the whole room stopped breathing when you opened your mouth."

I rolled my eyes, trying to hide my smile. "Well, I literally almost puked halfway through the second verse."

"Yeah, well," he leaned in a little, "if you puked, it would’ve been the hottest, most elegant puke ever performed."

I burst out laughing, smacking his arm. "You’re insane."

"I’m serious," he grinned. "You were...God, June, you were beautiful out there."

I tried to hide my smile. "You’re just saying that because I didn’t let you finish that dirty sentence earlier."

"Guilty," he said, smirking. "But also not wrong. He chuckled, stepping beside me.

"They were staring. I was staring."

I rolled my eyes. "You always stare."

"Can you blame me?" he said softly.

And then....his gaze dipped.

Straight to my lips.

I looked away quickly. "Don’t."

"Don’t what?" he smirked.

"Don’t look at me like that."

He tilted his head, grinning slightly. "Like what?"

"Like you’re..." I swallowed, "trying to start something."

"You’re shaking," he whispered.

I scoffed. "Because it’s cold."

"Right," he murmured, dropping his voice lower, "not because I’m this close."

I turned back toward the pool to hide my blush, but his reflection was still beside mine... tall, annoying, and perfect.

"Fine," I softened ny eyes. "Thanks... for being there."

He smiled.

"Always," he said quietly. "Even when you’re pretending not to need me."

"Ugh," I groaned, nudging him. "Stop being sweet, it’s messing with my sarcasm."

For a second, neither of us said anything. The music from inside drifted out.... slow, romantic.

The kind of song people dance to when they forget the world.

He reached out again, his hand found my waist, pulling me just a little closer. "You drive me insane," he whispered.

"Good," I said, even though my voice shook.

He grinned, leaning closer until his lips were a breath away from mine.

"Careful," he murmured, "or I’ll start thinking you like me.."

I smiled, flicking up to meet his eyes. "Who says I don’t?"

That shut him up.... just for a second.

"Keep looking at me like that," he whispered, "and I’m gonna forget we’re in public."

I raised a brow, fighting a smile. "You wouldn’t dare."

"Try me," he said.

I bit my lip to hide ny smile.

"God," he scratched the back of his head. "You have no idea what that lip bite does to me. It turns me on, I can’t have an erection in public. My dad is here."

My cheeks burned. "You’re one bad line away from getting shoved into that pool."

He laughed. "If that’s the only way you can get me wet right now, I don’t mind."

I turned sharply. "Ian!"

He laughed quietly. "Relax, I’m kidding." Then he paused. "Mostly."

My face warmed instantly. "You’re such a flirt."

I could feel the heat coming off him...the faint smell of his cologne, the mint on his breath.

He reached out, tracing his fingers along my arm. "You look insane tonight," he murmured. "You’re making it hard for me to control myself. How about we go somewhere private."

I turned slightly.... big mistake, and his gaze dropped to my lips, then lower...my boobs.

His hand found my waist, thumb brushing my exposed skin.

"Are you always this horny and seductive?" I rolled my eyes, biting my lower lip.

"Whenever I’m with you. Come with me," he whispered. "Just for a bit."

"Ian..."

"Please." His tone shifted....not cocky anymore, just low, desperate. "Ten minutes. You and me. No eyes, no noise. Just us."

For a second, I saw us reflected in the pool...him leaning close, me looking up. My pulse, my breath, everything felt like it belonged to him.

He was dangerous. The kind of dangerous that made me forget who I was supposed to be, what I was supposed to care about.

And I hated that I liked it.

I was right on the edge of saying yes when a voice cut through the moment.

"Ian!"

We both turned. Nari stood at the door, with her phone in one hand. "Dad’s looking for you. Now."

He cursed, then sighed. "Of course she’d show up right when things get good."

I smiled, trying not to laugh. "Go before she tells him you were corrupting his guests."

He grinned, brushing his thumb against my jaw before he pulled back. "This isn’t over," he said, then jogged off toward the house.

And just like that, he was gone.

The door slid shut behind him, and silence poured back in.

My heartbeat finally slowed.

I exhaled, staring back at the water. My skin still felt warm where his fingers had been.

But then, another familiar voice.

"Hey."

My chest tightened immediately.

Ren.

He stood by the sliding door, with one hand in his pocket, watching me like he was trying to read my whole soul.

"You were amazing out there," he said. "I knew you could do it."

"Thanks," I murmured, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Still can’t believe I didn’t choke halfway through."

He smiled softly. "Nah. You didn’t just sing. You felt it. That’s rare."

His tone was so casual, but it hit deeper.

With Ian, it was fire.

With Ren, it was gravity.

He stepped closer, and I could smell him. My stomach twisted. But it wasn’t the same rush I had with Ian.

With Ren, it was steadier, quieter.

With Ian, it was dangerous, seductive.

I tried to keep it light. "You sound like a music producer."

"Maybe," he said with a grin. "But I meant it. You’ve got something... special."

His soft eyes flicked over me.

And my heartbeat stuttered again.

Before I could think, I blurted, "What about Jackie?"

He blinked. "What about her?"

"Yeah," I said quickly, pretending to look at the pool. "Your girlfriend."

"Oh." He scratched the back of his neck, smiling faintly. "We broke up. For good this time. It’s been two weeks."

"Oh."

Just that.

But inside me, something stupid, traitorous...lit up.

I bit my lip, forcing my face to stay neutral. But my chest felt too tight.

Shit.

Why was I happy about that?

I turned back to the pool, trying to cool the warmth spreading under my skin.

Ren was still watching me, the corners of his mouth lifting a little.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing," he said, voice lower now. "Just... you’ve got that look again."

"What look?"

"The one that makes people fall."

And my pulse exploded.

Is he flirting with me?