LOGINNIRVANA'S POV I slowly opened my eyes, disoriented by the darkness filling the room. The space beside me on the bed was cold. I reached out and my fingers brushed against the empty, wrinkled sheets where Adrian had been lying just hours ago. A soft ache settled low in my pelvis as I sat up. My body was sore, a reminder of the way he had pounded into me, making me forget the terror of the switchblade in my car. But the comforting haze of his touch vanished the second I looked at the clock glowing on the nightstand. It was late in the evening. I had slept for hours while my stalker was still out there.I slid out of bed, my bare feet hitting the cold floor. I picked up one of Adrian’s discarded button-down shirts and pulled it over my shoulders. The fabric still smelled like him, carrying the scent of expensive cologne and masculine heat. Buttoning it quickly, I stepped out into the hallway. A low murmur of voices drifted up from the lower level.I walked down the staircase, keepin
ADRIAN'S POVI cut the engine and parked outside the manor. Swinging off the bike, I reached back and helped Nirvana down. She trembled against my side, her small frame vibrating with a terror I couldn't simply erase.The adrenaline in my veins demanded violence. Someone had invaded her car, cut a lock of her hair, and left a switchblade on the driver's seat. I wanted to tear the city apart to find them and make them bleed for terrifying her.Iris stood waiting by the door. I needed someone to guard her when I left, and he was the only one I trusted. But Nirvana shuddered at the sight of him, her fingers digging into my jacket. The stalker had ruined her nerves, and Iris’s cold, ink-covered presence only pushed her closer to the edge.I pulled her flush against my chest, blocking her view."Stay put. Nobody gets past this door," I ordered.Iris nodded. I guided her inside and took her to the secure suite beside my room.She stood rigid in the middle of the carpet, her eyes red and puf
Nirvana's POV My mind spun violently. How could she possibly know about that? We were locked inside. We were entirely alone. The realization that someone had been watching us terrified me. It felt like I was losing my breath.I did not say a single word. I shoved hard past her shoulder and rushed out of the room.I walked fast across the campus. The cold morning wind hit my face but I felt numb. I just wanted the quiet sanctuary of my car. I needed to be alone to process what just happened.The garage was empty. My boots echoed in the damp air. I found my car parked in the far corner on the second level and pressed the unlock button on my keys.I pulled the heavy driver's door open and I stopped dead in my tracks. I gasped loudly, taking a fast step backward.Sitting dead center on my driver's seat was a small, square art canvas. The white fabric was splattered with dark bloodied ink or blood or ink. The metallic smell of copper hit my nose.A silver switchblade was thrust directly t
The TokenNIRVANA'S POVI walked across the campus yard with two cups of coffee in my hands. The morning air was freezing but the bright sun warmed my face. I felt grounded for the first time in weeks. The suffocating anxiety I usually carried in my chest was finally quiet.I spotted Leo sitting on a bench outside the main library. I walked over to him, ready to complain about our upcoming midterms. The words died in my throat the second I saw his face.Leo was hunched over with his elbows resting on his knees. He was staring blankly at the dirt between his boots. He had dark circles under his eyes and his entire posture looked defeated."Hey," I said softly, stepping in front of him. I held out the warm paper cup. "I brought caffeine."Leo jumped slightly. He looked up at me and blinked several times, as if I had just pulled him out of a different world."Oh, thanks, Nirvana," he said. He reached out and took the cup. His fingers shook slightly.He forced a smile onto his face but it
LEO'S POVI kicked the flat tire with my boot but the thud did absolutely nothing to solve my problem. I was stranded on the empty road miles away from the university. My late shift at the campus library had ended an hour ago. All I wanted was to crawl into my dorm bed and sleep, but a loud pop had derailed that plan.I was so frustrated. I had no idea how to change a tire. I gripped the metal iron from my trunk, staring blankly at the tight lug nuts and feeling useless.I let out a harsh sigh.Then, a low rumble cut through the silence. A blinding headlight swept across the dark asphalt as a black motorcycle slowed down and pulled onto the shoulder, parking right behind my car.It was Ronan.He kicked his stand down and killed the engine. The sudden quiet on the road was deafening. He stepped off the bike, clad in his usual dark leather jacket and boots. He looked deeply exhausted. When the red glow of his taillight illuminated my face, a flash of annoyance crossed his features imm
NIRVANA'S POVThe kiss was a slow, punishing burn. He parted my lips, sliding his tongue into my mouth to claim the space as his own. He tasted of sharp mint and dark desire. I twisted my trembling fingers into his messy hair, pulling his face closer. I kissed him back with a starving hunger. I wanted to forget Sienna’s cruel taunts. I wanted to forget the terrifying stalker hunting me in the shadows. I just wanted the heat of his skin pressed against mine.Adrian kissed his way down my jawline. He dragged his open mouth down my neck, sucking a dark mark right above my collarbone. I arched my back off the soft mattress, offering him more.He moved lower, his chest hair brushing against my sensitive skin. He kissed the center of my chest before taking my aching nipple into his hot mouth. He sucked firmly, his teeth grazing the peak. A sharp jolt of pleasure shot straight to my core. I gripped his broad shoulders, my nails digging deep into his tattooed skin.He reached down blindly
Nirvana's POV The next morning, I walked to campus feeling drained of all my energy. I had barely slept a single hour. My mind kept replaying Adrian's indifferent expression and the brutal way he walked out of the kitchen last night. My body still carried the phantom weight of his hands gripping
Nirvana's POV I opened the front door and pulled Leo inside. I was very relieved to see him. After spending the last few hours alone in the quiet house, I just needed someone to talk to. We walked into the main living room and sat down on the large leather sofas. I offered him a drink, but he
Nirvana's POV I rushed out of the car immediately it stopped. The lingering tension back at the manor made the ride to the university feel long and tiring. I needed the fresh air. I needed the loud noise and the chaotic distraction of the crowded campus to stop my mind from replaying Adrian's bl
Nirvana's POV The silence in the dining room was so heavy it actually made my ears itchy. I sat at the long dining table and stared blankly down at my untouched food. My appetite was totally gone, replaced by a tight, burning knot right in my chest. Adrian sat directly across from me, wearing a ta







