Jason leaned back in his chair, staring at the notification window that hovered before him.
[Sign-In System Condition Unlocked: Intimacy Required for Activation]
His eyes narrowed. Intimacy? The system only worked when he had physical contact with Lila or Amelia. He thought back to the kiss with Lila at the hotel—that had triggered his parkour skills. Now, he understood. But this realization made things even more complicated.
Both women were dangerous: Amelia with her cunning manipulations and Lila at the center of Damon's possessive protection. Damon was already hunting for the mysterious man who'd kissed Lila, and Jason knew if he slipped up, it'd be game over.
Still, Jason needed those sign-in rewards. This world was full of danger, and the more power he could gather, the better chance he had at surviving. But how could he get close to Lila again without pushing too far?
A message from a local informant Damon had hired broke his thoughts:
"Extra bodyguards deployed. High alert."
Jason's jaw tightened. Damon had upped security around Lila, making it almost impossible to approach her. Almost.
Later that night, Jason crouched on a nearby rooftop, peering at Lila's apartment through a pair of binoculars. The building was heavily guarded, with men stationed at every exit and floor. But Damon hadn't considered one thing—Lila's eighth-floor balcony was unguarded.
Jason smirked. Damon's paranoia worked in his favor.
After making sure the coast was clear, Jason descended the side of the building, scaling it with ease, thanks to his parkour skills. His movements were smooth and effortless, as though he'd been doing this for years. Within minutes, he was perched on Lila's balcony, peeking through the curtains.
Inside, Lila sat on the couch, her long, chestnut-brown hair cascading down her back. She looked deep in thought, completely unaware of Jason's presence. For a moment, he hesitated. She was so peaceful, caught in the quiet of her own world.
He pushed the balcony door open slowly, grateful that it was unlocked, and slipped inside without a sound. But as he took his first step forward, the floor creaked beneath him.
Lila whipped around, her eyes widening in shock when she saw him. Before she could scream, Jason moved swiftly, closing the distance between them. Lila scrambled back, but her foot caught on the edge of the rug, and she tripped, falling directly into his arms.
Jason caught her just in time, his strong hands gripping her waist to steady her. For a brief moment, their bodies pressed together, and he could feel her racing heartbeat through the thin fabric of her dress. Her breath hitched, and her wide, green eyes locked onto his.
She was trembling, but not from fear. The moment seemed to stretch, the tension between them palpable."Careful," Jason whispered, his voice teasing as his grip on her tightened slightly. "Wouldn't want you to hurt yourself."
Lila opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything, Jason dipped his head down and captured her lips with his in a sudden, electrifying kiss. It wasn't like the rushed one at the hotel. This time, it lingered—his lips soft but firm against hers, sending a jolt of heat through them both.
Lila stiffened in surprise, her hands instinctively gripping his arms as if unsure whether to push him away or pull him closer. Jason held the kiss for just a moment longer before pulling back, his lips curling into a playful smile. Her face was flushed, her eyes wide with confusion and something else—something unspoken.
Jason's hand lingered at her waist, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin. He winked at her, his voice low and filled with playful confidence. "That's two kisses now. You should probably keep count."
Lila blinked, still too stunned to respond. Her breath came in shallow gasps, and Jason could see the mix of emotions playing across her face—surprise, confusion, and maybe even a flicker of attraction.
Just as quickly as the moment had happened, Jason released her, stepping back toward the balcony. Lila reached out, as if to stop him, but she hesitated, her hand dropping back to her side.
"You can't just show up here like this," she finally managed to say, her voice trembling slightly. "Damon has people watching…"
Jason gave her a grin, his hand already on the door. "Don't worry about them. I'm good at slipping in and out unnoticed. But if anyone finds out, well, it'll make things more interesting, don't you think?"
Lila opened her mouth to respond, but Jason was already halfway out the door. He paused just long enough to give her one last, lingering glance. "By the way, I'm on your side, Lila. Whether you believe it or not, I'm the only one trying to keep you safe. We'll talk again soon."
With that, he leaped from the balcony, disappearing into the night like a shadow. He moved quickly, leaping from ledge to ledge with the ease of someone who had mastered the art of escape. His mind raced with thoughts of Lila's reaction, the kiss, and what would come next.
But one thing was clear: things were about to get far more complicated.