Ethan and Lila walked side by side, hand in hand, as they made their way out of the theme park.
The evening air was crisp, carrying the lingering scent of popcorn and cotton candy, blending with the distant hum of laughter and chatter from lingering parkgoers. It had been a beautiful night, that much was undeniable.
Lila was beaming, her chestnut brown hair catching the soft glow of the streetlights.
Her other hand held an ice cream cone, the remnants of vanilla and chocolate swirled together as she absentmindedly licked the melting treat.
The theme park had been an absolute blast — wild rides, fun games, and endless teasing from Ethan that had left her giggling more times than she could count.
But, like all good things, the night had to come to an end.
Ethan led her toward his motorcycle, a sleek black beast of a machine parked under the streetlamp. The chrome gleamed under the city lights, and the low rumble of distant traffic made the moment feel surreal.
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Lila stopped just a step behind him as he swung his leg over the bike, settling onto the seat with an ease that spoke of familiarity.
He gave the handlebars a light rev, the deep purr of the engine sending vibrations through the air. She gulped, her grip tightening around the now-empty cone.
"You’re not scared, are you?" Ethan teased, glancing at her over his shoulder with a smirk. His eyes gleamed with amusement.
Lila huffed, crossing her arms. "Of course not!" But the way she shifted her weight from foot to foot gave her away.
"Then hurry up and get on." He patted the seat behind him. "Unless you’d rather walk home?"
Lila narrowed her eyes at his teasing tone, but the warmth in his voice made her stomach flutter.
She quickly finished off the last bit of her ice cream, wiping her fingers on a napkin before hesitantly swinging her leg over the bike.
The moment she settled in, she felt how close she was to him — his broad back right in front of her, his scent a mix of fresh cologne and something undeniably Ethan.
"Hold on tight," he murmured.
She barely had time to process before the bike gave a powerful rumble, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist.
Ethan chuckled. "Good girl."
Lila’s cheeks burned instantly. "Shut up," she mumbled, burying her face against his back as the bike surged forward.
The city stretched out before them, alive and glowing with neon signs and flickering billboards.
The streets were still bustling despite the late hour, people walking in groups, couples strolling arm in arm, laughter and music spilling out from open café doors.
From the back of the bike, Lila saw the world in a new light.
Everything was dazzling — the way the buildings towered like giants adorned with flashing lights, the distant honks and hums of the city blending into one mesmerizing melody.
The wind rushed past them, cool and crisp against her skin, and for a moment, she felt utterly weightless, as if they were flying.
Ethan maneuvered the streets with ease, his grip firm, his posture relaxed. It was obvious he was in his element.
He never once hesitated, weaving through traffic with an effortless confidence that left Lila breathless — not from fear, but from exhilaration.
"Enjoying the view?" His voice reached her over the roar of the engine.
Lila peeked up, her chin resting lightly against his shoulder. "It’s… beautiful."
Ethan grinned. "Told you."
She hadn’t expected a simple motorcycle ride to feel this freeing.
It was different from anything she’d experienced before — different from walking, from driving in a car, even more different from a bus.
It was raw, real. There was no barrier between them and the world. Just the two of them and the open road.
The thought made her heart race.
After a while, Ethan slowed the bike as they neared his place.
The towering mansion stood at the edge of a quiet street, its modern design and sleek exterior standing in contrast to the chaotic energy of the city they had just left behind.
Lila blinked. "This is… your place?"
Ethan smirked. "Surprised?"
She let out a small laugh. "A little."
Ethan parked the bike and turned off the engine. As the vibrations died down, Lila reluctantly loosened her hold on him, her arms slipping away.
The warmth that had been between them vanished, replaced by the cool night air.
She hesitated for a moment before hopping off, stretching her legs. Ethan followed suit, pulling off his helmet and running a hand through his dark hair.
"You alright?" he asked.
"Yeah," she replied, still slightly breathless. "That was… really fun."
He grinned. "Told you to trust me."
She rolled her eyes but smiled nonetheless.
Ethan led her toward the entrance, the automatic lights flickering on as they approached. The security guards at the gate nodded in greeting, stepping aside as the two made their way inside.
The mansion’s grand doors opened with a soft click, revealing the warm, spacious interior.
Lila looked around in awe. She had seen glimpses of mansions before, but actually stepping inside felt different.
It was sleek and modern, yet there was a personal touch to it — like it was truly lived in.
Ethan stretched lazily. "Make yourself at home," he said casually, tossing his keys onto the nearby table.
Lila hesitated. "Are you sure? I don’t want to — "
"You’re my guest," he interrupted. "I’m not gonna throw you out."
She bit her lip, then nodded. "Okay… just for a little while."
Ethan smirked, plopping onto the couch and patting the seat beside him. "Come on then. I don’t bite."
Lila hesitated for only a second before joining him, the warmth of his presence immediately making her feel at ease.
The night had been perfect. From the theme park to the ride home, to now — sitting here with Ethan, sharing this quiet moment.
Maybe, just maybe… she didn’t want it to end just yet. And the night was still young, it wasn’t ending.
"Netflix and chill?" Ethan asked while holding forward a remote.