Chapter 5

I woke up in someone else’s hoodie with a mouth that tasted like sin and a body that remembered every touch.

The light filtering through the half-drawn blinds stabbed at my eyes. A low groan escaped me as I rolled over, the scent of lavender and lust clinging to the sheets.

Liv was already up, a towel barely clinging to her wet skin as she danced around the dorm, humming like last night hadn’t been a full-blown hurricane.

“You’re glowing,” she teased, throwing me a knowing smirk.

“You assaulted me,” I muttered, trying not to smile.

She pouted. “Assault? Please. That was mutual combustion.”

I wanted to argue but she was right. Last night wasn’t just hot. It was electric.

I hadn’t even gotten a chance to process it when a knock sounded at the door.

Liv tossed me a tee that smelled like her cherry perfume and sass. “Cover up. Your groupie’s here.”

I frowned, tugging it over my head as I opened the door.

Ryan stood there sweatpants slung low, two coffees in hand, and a strange look on his face.

“You didn’t answer my text,” he said quietly.

I blinked. “I was… asleep.”

His eyes flicked over me, taking in the oversized shirt that barely reached my thighs. “You sleep in her clothes now?”

I ignored the tone. “Is that coffee for me?”

He handed me a cup, his fingers brushing mine. A current passed between us, unspoken and heavy.

“I thought maybe we could talk,” he said, stepping inside before I could answer.

Liv raised an eyebrow but disappeared into the bathroom without a word.

Ryan’s eyes tracked her, then landed back on me. “Did you two…”

I tilted my head. “Why do you care?”

He set his cup down. “Because I like you, Lola. And I’m not sure how to compete with her.”

I looked at him messy hair, golden skin, that familiar dimple when he frowned. He wasn’t like Jace. He wasn’t intense like Theo. But Ryan… Ryan was honest.

“You don’t have to compete,” I said softly. “I’m not a prize.”

He stepped closer. “No, you’re a storm.”

Before I could respond, his mouth was on mine warm, soft, and entirely different from Liv’s fierce hunger. He kissed like he meant it, like he’d been holding back for too long.

I melted into it… until the door burst open.

Jace stood there, shirtless, with a towel around his waist and a bag of chips in hand. “Am I interrupting?”

Ryan stepped back, jaw clenched.

“No,” I said quickly, wiping my lips.

Jace’s eyes dropped to my thighs, still bare beneath the shirt. “Didn’t peg you for the early morning cuddler.”

“I’m not,” I snapped.

“Could’ve fooled me.”

I could practically feel the testosterone thickening the air.

Liv emerged from the bathroom with perfect timing, a towel wrapped around her body like she was born to wear it. “Relax, boys. There’s enough Lola to go around.”

“Liv,” I warned.

“What?” she grinned. “Just calling it like I see it.”

Ryan gave me one last look. “We’ll talk later.”

He left without another word.

I turned to Jace. “What is your problem?”

He raised a brow. “My problem? You’re the one who’s giving tongue tours to the entire dorm.”

“You’re not my boyfriend, Jace.”

“No,” he said, his voice low. “But I was inside you with my mouth three days ago. That has to count for something.”

The words hit me like a slap.

I stared, unsure if I was angry, aroused, or both.

“You don’t get to act jealous,” I said finally. “You told me you don’t do feelings.”

“I don’t,” he growled. “But I also don’t like sharing my toys.”

“I’m not a toy.”

He walked up to me, close enough that I had to tilt my head to look at him. “Then stop playing games.”

I didn’t know what came over me, but my hand shot up and slapped his chest.

And then his mouth was on mine.

This kiss wasn’t soft or careful it was pure fire. His hands grabbed my ass, lifting me until my legs wrapped around his waist and my back hit the wall.

I moaned into his mouth, grinding against the towel that barely held him in. I could feel him hard, hot, and wanting.

“Tell me to stop,” he rasped.

I didn’t.

Instead, I tugged his towel off, and he groaned as his bare skin pressed into mine.

“God, you drive me crazy,” he said, kissing down my neck, sucking hard enough to leave marks.

“Then do something about it.”

And he did.

He spun us toward the bed and tossed me onto it, stripping off my shirt with one yank. His tongue traced a line between my breasts as his hand dipped between my thighs.

But just as he slid a finger inside me, a loud knock slammed through the air.

“Room check in five minutes!” a voice called from the hall. “Everyone decent!”

We froze.

I stared up at him, panting.

He grinned. “This isn’t over.”