Too late for a second chance (Lila and Dorian)

Kieran looked down at Lila, and she lifted her head slightly to meet his gaze. Her soft, moonlit eyes were filled with quiet concern, and after a brief moment of eye contact, she smiled.

Lila reached out, taking his wrist and pulling him closer. She wrapped her arms around him, her hand lightly patting his back. Her voice, tender and warm with a hint of playfulness, slipped into the air. "Rough day?"

Kieran dipped his head, burying his face into the curve of her neck. His voice came slow and low. "A little."

"Why's that?"

Landon watched the affectionate scene between the two and felt like a total third wheel. "Hey, you two, if you want to get all lovey-dovey, take it home, yeah? You're blocking the entrance and scaring off my customers."

The teasing shot a flush of color to Lila's ears. She pulled back from Kieran and gave Landon a quick nod of thanks. Then, slipping her hand into Kieran's, she led him to the car, helping him into the passenger seat and fastening his seatbelt.

Kieran refused to let go of her hand. Lila had no choice but to coax him. "Be good now. You can hold me all you want-after we get home, okay?"

The soft coaxing seemed to work. Slowly, reluctantly, he let go of her hand. The smile on her face widened. "You're such a good boy, Kieran."

Kieran, leaning back in the seat, closed his eyes. He was quiet, but

the driveway, Lila didn't want to wake him, but she had to gently shake him awake. "We're home." His eyes opened slowly, the initial frost of his gaze melting into something warmer as he

his seatbelt, she helped him out of the car, their fingers lacing together as she guided him to the house. "Watch your step." She couldn't help but think

lips and, without a word, bent down to brush a kiss against the corner

helped him upstairs. "Go take a shower. I'll make you

darkened. "Don't

regret it. You'll wake

remedy you make... it's

a loss for words. "Fine. I'll go easy on the sour plums this time. Now go shower. Or better yet, I'll

the time she finished making the remedy, Kieran was still in the

the remedy, she asked, "Why are you in such a bad mood today? Is work being an ass

"Then, what is it?"

to hers with a seriousness that made her heart skip a beat. "Lila... do you

her chest like a sudden wind. "Why

answer, she cupped his face, her palm warm against his cheek. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, and she stood before him, making him tilt his head slightly