LOGINI pulled my hand back slowly, feeling the lingering warmth of his touch fade as I wrapped my fingers around my coffee cup. I took a long sip, letting the familiar bitterness ground me, trying to steady my thoughts. The reality of what I’d just agreed to was starting to sink in, and I could feel my cheeks flush slightly under his watchful gaze. Zayren didn’t say anything, just watched me with that soft smile still playing on his lips, as if he knew exactly what I was feeling. I focused on the warmth of the coffee, hoping it would calm the whirlwind inside me. After we finished our coffee, Zayren drove me home in comfortable silence, his presence feeling strangely reassuring. As he pulled up in front of my place, he turned to me, a soft smile lighting up his face. “Goodnight, princess,” he said, his tone warm, that familiar teasing edge softened somehow. I couldn’t help but smile back, a mix of nervousness and something else I couldn’t quite name bubbling up inside me. I nodded, mum
“I don’t want any of your help from now on,” His eyes widened instantly, and for a moment, he just stared at me, completely taken aback. “Why?” he asked, his voice soft but edged with something I couldn’t quite place... surprise, maybe, or maybe confusion. He leaned in slightly, as if trying to gauge if I was serious, or if I was just saying it out of frustration. I glanced down at my hands, trying to steady my racing thoughts. “The way you pay for my things, and tutor me... you probably think I’m shameless, that I’ll just take advantage of you,” I continued, my voice shaking slightly despite my best efforts to sound confident. “I’m ashamed of that, honestly. So please, I don’t want you to do it anymore.” The words felt heavy as they left my mouth, and I looked up to see his reaction. His expression had shifted... his brows furrowed, a trace of something unreadable in his eyes. I couldn’t tell if he was hurt, confused, or just shocked. “I never thought that, and I don’t wan
I shot him a look, my cheeks heating up. “I wouldn’t exactly call it enjoying,” I muttered, crossing my arms. “You just dragged me along for your personal shopping spree.” “Dragged?” he said, feigning hurt. “You looked like you were having the time of your life.” I turned away, rolling my eyes. “Whatever you say.” “I think you secretly enjoyed it.” He leaned in, his voice low. “Please.” I scoffed. “I just wanted to see if you’d actually wear something normal for once. No one wants to look at ripped jeans every day.” He chuckled, as though I’d just challenged him. “Is that so? Maybe I’ll start dressing up more often,” he mused, his gaze locking onto mine. “If it’ll keep you interested.” I stared out the window, pretending his words hadn’t affected me. But my heart thumped loudly in my chest, each beat hammering home the undeniable attraction I felt toward him. He was always so insistent, always pushing boundaries, and it was maddeningly irresistible. We pulled up in
I hesitated, chewing my lip before finally caving. “Zayren,” I admitted, rolling my eyes as I said his name. “He was helping me with a question, and then he somehow convinced me to go shopping with him... for himself, of course.” I tried to sound casual, but I couldn’t hide the irritation creeping into my voice. Sria’s eyes lit up with amusement, and she gave me an exaggerated gasp. Sria and I have become friends in a short time, she is a really sweet girl. “Wait... shopping with Zayren?” She smirked, nudging my shoulder. “That sounds almost… romantic.” I scoffed, crossing my arms. “He had me picking out clothes for him like I was his personal stylist or something,” I muttered, though my cheeks betrayed me with a faint blush. Just as I was about to say more, the professor walked in, and the chatter died down, signaling the start of class. After classes ended, I went to the library and secretly waited for him to come. I know I pretend I don't like his presence but he has
He pushed himself up from the edge of the table and walked around to stand behind me, his arms on either side of me, trapping me between him and the table.I could feel his presence behind me, his chest practically pressed against my back. My heart skipped a beat at his sudden closeness, but I tried to keep my cool.“Do you have to invade my personal space like that?” I grumbled, keeping my voice steady.“I wouldn’t have to invade your personal space if you weren’t so tempting,” he murmured, his breath tickling my ear. “Now shh, I need to concentrate,” he added, his arms brushing against my sides as he looked down at my notebook.He stepped back, finally giving me some breathing space. I glanced down at the notebook, my eyes widening as I saw that he had actually solved the question.“Wait, you really solved it?” I asked, a hint of surprise in my voice. He shrugged, a smug grin on his face. “Told you I was good at math,” he said, sounding all too pleased with himself.I couldn’t hel
I flinched at the touch, my heart skipping a beat before I pulled my hand away from the table. I shot him a glare, irritation bubbling up within me. “What do you want?” I snapped. “I’m trying to study, in case you can’t see.” He chuckled again, clearly amused by my reaction. He leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips. “Can’t a guy just sit next to a pretty girl while she studies?” he asked, his eyes roaming over my face. “I promise I won’t distract you.” I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks at his words, but I quickly pushed it down. I refused to let him see how he affected me. “You’re already distracting me,” I retorted, scowling at him. “Why don’t you go and bother someone else?” He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low murmur. “But you’re the only one I want to bother,” he said, his eyes never leaving mine. “Besides, I have something to ask you.” He leaned back in his chair, a lazy smile on his face. He looked at me intently, waiting for my response. “So, ar







