The New Student

~Kai

I stepped out of the bathroom with a huge, satisfied grin on my face, still half hard from leaving Rhea desperate and dripping on my bed.

She was probably cursing my name right now, and that thought only made me smile wider.

I quickly got dressed, grabbed my bag, and headed downstairs. Rhea was nowhere in sight, probably still fuming in the bedroom or planning how to murder me later. Good. Let her stew a little.

I drove to campus with the windows down, music blasting, still riding the high from this morning.

By the time I reached the usual spot outside the lecture hall, Trent and Amanda were already waiting for me.

Trent had that knowing smirk on his face, while Amanda leaned against the wall, arms crossed under her chest.

“Yo, Kai!” Trent called out, bumping my fist. “You disappeared last night at the club like a ghost. How’d it go with your hot bodyguard? Did she finally loosen up or did she just glare at you the whole time?”

Amanda raised an eyebrow, clearly curious. “Yeah, spill. You were acting weird when we left. Did she cockblock you all night or what?”

I couldn’t help the slow, smug smile that spread across my face.

I leaned against the wall, crossing my arms as I remembered Rhea moaning my name, begging me, then screaming “Fuck you, Kai!” when I left her hanging this morning.

“Let’s just say… I dismantled her,” I said, voice low and cocky. “Completely. That tough, ice queen bodyguard? She was screaming my name and begging like a good little slut by the end of the night. Multiple times.”

Trent’s eyes went wide before he burst out laughing. “No fucking way! The assassin lady? You actually fucked her that bad?”

Amanda looked equal parts impressed and jealous. “Damn, Kai. She looked like she could kill someone with her thighs. How the hell did you pull that off?”

I shrugged, still grinning. “What can I say? She acts all professional and boundaries during the day, but the second we’re alone… she melts. She turns into the neediest little thing. You should’ve seen her this morning, I left her soaked and frustrated on my bed while I came to class.”

Trent shook his head, still laughing. “Bro, you’re playing with fire. She’s five years older and literally gets paid to protect your ass. If your dad finds out, you’re dead.”

“Worth it,” I replied without hesitation. “Best mistake I’ve ever made.”

Amanda stepped closer, running a finger down my chest. “So… does that mean you’re done with me now? Or is there still room for fun?”

I chuckled and gently moved her hand away. “Let’s just say my hands are pretty full with Rhea right now.”

The bell rang for the next lecture. As we started walking inside, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

It was a text from Rhea.

Rhea: You’re a dead man when you get home, Lennox.

I smiled at the screen, already imagining her waiting for me later, angry, turned on, and probably still wet from this morning.

This was going to be an interesting day.

I slid into my usual seat in the lecture hall just as the professor started talking. That’s when I noticed her.

A stunning blonde girl sitting two rows ahead, near the window. She had long, silky golden hair that caught the light, perfect skin, and a face that looked like it belonged on a magazine cover, high cheekbones, full lips, and striking blue eyes.

She was dressed in a tight white top and a short plaid skirt that showed off long, toned legs. Sweet, sexy, and effortlessly pretty all at once.

I leaned over to Trent and nodded toward her. “Who the hell is that?”

Trent grinned, following my gaze. “Oh, you haven’t met her yet? Since you’ve been skipping half your classes playing house with your bodyguard, you missed the new arrival. That’s Seraphina Ashford. She transferred in last week. Hands down the prettiest girl in school right now, maybe even the whole campus. Sweet face, killer body, but she’s proud as hell and arrogant as fuck. She doesn’t talk to anyone unless she feels like it.”

I watched Seraphina tuck a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, completely ignoring the guys who kept stealing glances at her. She had that untouchable, ice queen energy that made my competitive side wake up instantly.

A slow smile spread across my face.

“You know that’s exactly the kind of girl I like to dare,” I murmured to Trent, eyes still locked on her. “The ones who think they’re too good for everyone else. Breaking them is the best part.”

Trent laughed quietly. “Dude, you already have a deadly bodyguard waiting at home who can probably snap your neck. You really trying to add another complicated woman to your list?”

I shrugged, still smiling as I leaned back in my chair. “What can I say? I like a challenge.”

Seraphina turned her head slightly, as if she could feel someone watching her. Our eyes met for a brief second.

She raised one perfect eyebrow, gave me a cool, dismissive once over, then looked away like I was beneath her notice.

That little look only made me grin wider.

Game on.

The lecture dragged on, but my mind was already spinning with ideas. Rhea was going to be furious when she found out I was entertaining thoughts about another girl… but that only made it more exciting.

By the time class ended, I had already decided.

I was definitely going to introduce myself to this mysterious Seraphina Ashford.

The moment the lecture ended, I didn’t waste time. I grabbed my bag and cut through the crowd straight toward Seraphima Ashford.

She was packing her things slowly, moving with that effortless grace that screamed money and attitude.

Up close, she was even more stunning with her porcelain skin, full lips, and those icy blue eyes that looked like they could freeze someone on the spot.

I leaned against the desk beside hers, flashing my most charming smile.

“Seraphina Ashford, right?” I said smoothly. “I’m Kai Lennox. I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure yet.”

She paused, slowly lifting her gaze to meet mine. For a second she just studied me, like she was deciding whether I was worth her time. Then her lips curved into a small, condescending smile.

“Kai Lennox,” she repeated, voice smooth and silky, but dripping with arrogance. “The billionaire heir who’s been missing half his classes. I’ve heard about you. Daddy’s money and a reputation for charming girls out of their panties. How… predictable.”

I grinned wider, completely unbothered. “Predictable? That hurts. I was hoping for devastatingly handsome or at least intriguing.”

Seraphima closed her notebook with a soft snap and stood up, slinging her designer bag over her shoulder. She was tall in heels, almost eye level with me, and she used every inch to look down on me.

“Handsome?” She let out a soft, mocking laugh. “You’re cute, I’ll give you that. But I’ve seen plenty of cute boys with trust funds. They all think throwing money and a pretty smile around will get them anywhere. Spoiler alert, it doesn’t work on me.”

I stepped a little closer, lowering my voice just for her.

“Then maybe I should try something different,” I murmured, eyes dropping deliberately to her lips before returning to her eyes. “Like showing you what a real man can do instead of these little boys you’re used to. Dinner tonight? My treat. I promise I’ll behave… mostly.”

Seraphina tilted her head, that arrogant little smile never leaving her face. She looked me up and down once more, then leaned in just enough that I caught a hint of her expensive perfume.

“You’re bold, Kai Lennox. I’ll give you points for that too,” she purred. “But I don’t do dinner with boys who think they can charm their way into my bed on the first try. Come back when you’ve actually earned my attention.”

She brushed past me, her shoulder lightly grazing mine, leaving a trail of her scent and that dismissive energy hanging in the air.

I turned to watch her walk away, hips swaying in that short plaid skirt.

Trent appeared beside me, whistling low. “Damn. She shot you down harder than I expected.”

I laughed softly, still staring after her.

“She didn’t shoot me down,” I said, eyes gleaming. “She just raised the stakes. And I love a good challenge.”

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw a text from Rhea, I gotta go.