Chapter 6: My Best friend's Daughter

Zander's POV

The moment Jonathan said her name, the world stopped.

Kiara.

His daughter.

The girl from last night. The one who'd kissed me with reckless abandon, her tongue sliding against mine like she was starving for it.

She was Jonathan's daughter.

"Zander?" Jonathan's voice pulled me back. "You alright?"

I forced a smile, though my teeth ground together. "Of course. Just a long morning."

Jonathan laughed, clapping me on the shoulder. "I know the feeling. But I'm glad you're here. This program means everything to these students. And to have you personally overseeing it..." He beamed with pride. "You're doing incredible work, my friend."

I nodded on instinct, but I wasn't listening.

My gaze was fixed on her.

Kiara stood beside her father, her face pale, her eyes wide with barely concealed panic. She looked like she wanted to disappear into the floor.

Good.

She should be terrified.

Did she know who I was when she kissed me? Was this some kind of game to her? Some twisted plan to destroy me?

The thoughts spiraled, dark and venomous.

She kissed me without my permission, without knowing what she awakened inside me.

And now she stood here, in front of her father, my best friend, pretending like nothing had happened.

"Kiara's one of our top students," Jonathan continued, oblivious to the circumstances under which we already knew each other. "Straight A's, leadership roles, the whole package. She applied for the mentorship program, actually.”

Of course she did.

My smile tightened. "Is that so?"

"Yes." Jonathan squeezed her shoulder, pride radiating from every word. "I have no doubt she'll be selected. She's worked incredibly hard."

Kiara's gaze shifted to mine for the briefest moment before darting away.

She was nervous and trapped.

Good.

"Well." I kept my voice smooth, fighting to maintain composure. "My team looks forward to reviewing all the applications. I'm sure the selection process will be... thorough."

The double meaning wasn't lost on her. My eyes followed the way her hands clenched at her sides.

"Dad." Kiara interrupted suddenly, her voice strained. "I need to grab my notes from the car. I'll be right back."

Jonathan frowned. "Now? But Zander's here."

"I know, but I really need them." She was already stepping away, her movements hurried. "I won't be long."

She was running.

And we both knew it.

Jonathan sighed. "That girl and her perfectionism." He shook his head fondly as she disappeared into the crowd.

I watched her retreat, my mind calculating. She thought she could avoid this conversation and escape me.

She was sorely mistaken.

"Anyway," Jonathan continued, "I wanted to thank you again for..."

"Dean Donovan?" A voice interrupted. An older man in a tweed jacket approached, his expression apologetic. "May I have a word? It's urgent."

Jonathan glanced at me. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all."

The man gave me a respectful nod. "Mr. Creed."

I returned it with a tight smile.

"I'll be right back." Jonathan was already being pulled away.

The moment he was out of sight, I moved.

People called out to me as I strode through the hallway. Faculty members, students, staff. I ignored them all. My focus was singular.

Her.

I spotted her turning a corner, her pace quick, almost frantic.

I lengthened my stride.

She glanced over her shoulder once, her expression panicked when she saw me. She walked faster.

Too late.

I caught up to her near an alcove tucked between two lecture halls.

The area was dim, secluded, away from the main corridor.

Perfect.

I grabbed her arm and yanked her into the alcove, spinning her around and pressing her hard against the wall.

Her eyes flew wide, her mouth opening to scream.

I covered her lips with my palm, pinning one of her wrists above her head with my other hand.

My body caged hers completely, blocking any escape.

She struggled violently against me, her free hand clawing at my chest. Her muffled screams vibrated against my palm.

Then her teeth sank into the flesh of my hand, biting down with vicious intent.

"Fuck." The curse ripped from my throat, but I didn't pull away. I took the pain, held her tighter, brought my face closer to hers. "Calm down. It's me."

Her eyes widened, recognition flooding her face. The fear morphed into anger.

"So you're Jonathan's daughter." My voice came out rough.

She nodded, her breathing uneven and harsh.

Then she straightened against the wall, finding her courage. "And you're Mr. Creed. His best friend."

I smirked despite myself. "The one and only."

"Let me go." She shoved against my chest, her palms flat and insistent.

I didn't move an inch. "You should be apologizing. For your reckless and shameless behavior last night."

Her face flushed deep red. "Shameless?"

"What would you call it?"

"A mistake." Her voice shot back at me. "One I'm trying to forget."

"A mistake." The words tasted bitter. "Is that what you tell yourself?"

"Yes." She lifted her chin, defiant. "And you need to let me go."

I shifted my weight, pressing my body more firmly against hers, ensuring she understood she wasn't going anywhere.

My hands moved to the wall on either side of her head, trapping her completely.

"Not until you answer my question." I leaned in closer, dropping my voice. "Did you know who I was when you threw yourself at me?"

"I had no idea." The words tumbled out quickly, desperately. "I didn't know who you were last night. And I need to leave."

I held her gaze, searching for any hint of deception. "I don't believe you."

She tried to push me off again, her hands shoving harder at my shoulders. My grip tightened around her wrists, pressing them back against the wall, pressing her deeper into the corner.

"You're not going anywhere."

She struggled against me, her breath coming in frustrated gasps. "What the hell do you think you're doing? Let me go."

I didn't budge an inch. "Tell me the truth."

My hand moved to her face, my thumb brushing across her cheek.

She gasped, and I felt the involuntary shiver that ran through her body despite the anger in her eyes.

"Who sent you?"

Her expression twisted in confusion. "What?"

"Last night. The kiss. Was it orchestrated? Did someone put you up to this?"

She stared at me like I'd completely lost my mind. "No one sent me." She shook her head vigorously. "It was just a dare."

"A dare." Disbelief dripped from every syllable.

"Yes. That's the truth. You were the hottest guy in the club, and my friends dared me to kiss you. That's it. I didn't know who you were."

Hottest guy in the club.

The words stroked my ego in a way I hated to admit, even as rage built inside me.

"And in your little mind." I spoke slowly, deliberately. "You thought kissing a man you know nothing about was a smart decision?"

"It wasn't my best decision." Her chin lifted higher. "But it doesn't matter now. It was just a stupid dare. I didn't mean anything by it."