Chapter 6

I couldn’t wait to tell them. The moment I spotted Mia and Zara at our usual bench near the fountain, I practically skipped over, my short skirt swishing with every excited step. My cheeks were still warm from the encounter with Professor Damien Vale, and for the first time in days, I felt something other than dread.

“You guys will never believe what just happened,” I said breathlessly as I dropped onto the bench between them. Mia looked up from her notes with a curious smile, while Zara raised an eyebrow, already sensing my energy.

“Spill,” Zara demanded, leaning forward. “You look like you just won the lottery.”

I bit my lip, grinning like an idiot. “I helped Professor Vale carry his books to his office this morning. His car is insane, like a super expensive flashy sports car. And when we got there… he took off his coat and I was just staring, and he noticed my skirt.”

Mia’s eyes widened. “He noticed your skirt? What did he say?”

“He murmured something about it violating the dress code,” I whispered, cheeks burning brighter. “But the way he said it… it wasn’t just a warning. There was this look in his eyes. Like he was seeing me. Really seeing me. He even said my name — Ava not Miss Blake. And when our fingers brushed while I gave him the books… God, I’m still shaking.”

Zara let out a low whistle. “Damn, girl. So the ice king is finally thawing? About time. You’ve been fantasizing about him long enough.”

I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. “It was probably nothing. He’s still so cold and professional, but… there was a moment. I swear there was. I keep replaying how he looked at my legs and how close he stood. I wanted him…”

“Wanted him to do what?” a deep, arrogant voice cut in behind me.

I froze. Julian Hale stepped around the bench like he owned the entire courtyard, his expensive watch glinting in the sunlight. His jaw was tight, eyes narrowed on me with that possessive glare I’d come to dread. He didn’t even acknowledge Mia and Zara.

“Julian, not now,” I said quickly, trying to turn back to my friends. “We’re in the middle of something.”

He ignored me and moved closer, grabbing my arm and pulling me up from the bench in one smooth motion. His grip was firm, bordering on painful. Mia started to protest, but he shot her a warning look that made her go quiet.

“Walk with me, Ava,” he said, voice low and dangerous. “Now.”

Zara stood up sharply. “She doesn’t have to go anywhere with you.”

Julian barely glanced at her. “This doesn’t concern you.” He steered me a few steps away from the bench, toward a more private spot under the trees, his hand still locked around my upper arm. I tried to pull away, but he held tighter.

“Julian, let go,” I protested, keeping my voice steady. “I was just talking to my friends.”

He stopped and turned me to face him, backing me against a tree trunk. His body crowded mine, one hand planted beside my head. Up close, his handsome face looked colder than usual.

“I heard what you were saying,” he growled, eyes dropping to my short skirt with clear disapproval. “Running to carry books for that professor like a desperate little puppy. And wearing this?” His free hand brushed the hem of my skirt, making me flinch. “You think parading around in something this short is going to get his attention? Or are you trying to make me lose my mind?”

My heart hammered. “It’s just a skirt. Let me go.”

He leaned in closer, breath hot against my ear. “You’re mine, Ava. I’ve told you that. Stop embarrassing yourself chasing after a professor who doesn’t give a shit about you. If I see you wearing anything like this again, or running after him like some whore in heat, I’m going to do something about it. Something you won’t like.”

His fingers dug into my arm as he warned, “I can make your life even harder than it already is. Or I can make it easy. Your choice. But this little game with Vale ends now.”

I swallowed hard, refusing to show fear. “You don’t own me, Julian.”

His laugh was low and dark. “Not yet. But I will.” He finally released my arm, stepping back with a satisfied smirk. “See you around, Ava. And change that fucking skirt before someone else decides to teach you a lesson.

He walked away without another word, leaving me shaking against the tree.

I took a deep breath and returned to my friends. Mia looked worried, Zara furious.

“What did he say?” Mia asked gently.

“The usual,” I replied, forcing a smile even though my arm throbbed. “Just trying to control me.”

But inside, my mind was still replaying the morning with Professor Damien Vale, the brush of his fingers, the way he murmured about my skirt, the heat in his eyes. Julian’s threats felt distant compared to that single charged moment in the office. Even as danger circled closer, Damien was becoming my secret light in all this darkness. And I couldn’t stop running toward it.