“You thought you were smart.” Adrian’s brows twitched. “Excuse me?” “Sending that email to the campus blog anonymously,” Alexander went on, arms crossed tightly over his chest. “Dragging Kim through the mud. Using photos and footage like a coward who didn’t have the balls to attach his name.” Adrian scoffed. “You’re delusional.” “I’m right,” Alexander snapped. “You’re the only one who had access to her like that. You were with her in private. All those places—” “And how do you know all this?” Adrian asked, arms spreading. “Unless you were spying too. Which, I wouldn’t put past someone like you.” Alexander ignored the jab. “You’re the only one who had that footage. Those angles, those moments. There’s no other explanation.” “I didn’t send anything to anyone,” Adrian said. “You think I’d really expose myself by putting that out that?” “No,” Alexander said with a bitter smile. “You thought you’d be clever and go anonymous. But there’s no way you didn’t leave fingerprints, Adrian.
“I'll stay back,” Sloane said, holding the door as Alexander and I walked out of the dorm. “In case Tessa returns with any useful information.” “That’s a great idea,” I said, giving her a small nod, my chest still heaving with everything I had seen on the iPad. The second we stepped outside, the sun was blinding. Alexander opened the passenger door for me without saying a word. His jaw was tight, and his brows were furrowed. He was visibly angry. At Adrian, maybe at me. I slid in and he slammed the door shut, looked at me, and got into his seat at the driver’s side. “Now, directions.” I nodded, swallowing hard. “Head straight. He lives about fifteen minutes from here.” He pulled out onto the road, one hand on the wheel and the other resting on the gearshift. “Thank you,” I murmured. “For what?” “For not blowing up. For not yelling and for being here.” He didn’t say anything right away. Then, “Kim... you don’t need to thank me for anything. Let’s just get to his place.” I l
I rushed into the bathroom, my fingers fumbling against the fabric of his clothes as I peeled them off in record time. Alexander was already out in the living room when I stepped out fully dressed. His brows were knitted, the car keys twirling around his fingers. “You ready?” he asked. I nodded, tightening my ponytail. “Yeah. Let’s go.” We didn’t waste a second. Alexander didn’t say much, but his grip on the wheel spoke volumes. His jaw was clenched, knuckles pale against the leather. My stomach twisted the closer we got. When we arrived, I didn’t even wait for the come to a full stop before pushing open the door and jumping out. My legs carried me up the stairs in a half-run as I ignored the elevator. The moment I threw open my dorm room door, my heart dropped. Sloane was seated stiffly on her bed, and beside her was a girl who sat calmly. She was someone I’d seen in passing a few times in the journalism building. She had sleek, dark brown hair cut in a bob, wide eyes, and an iP
The morning light came through the curtains, almost blinding me. I groaned, squinting as I rolled over in Alexander’s bed, stretching out against the sheets that smelled like him. My legs felt weak, and every inch of me hummed like a harp string still vibrating, but when I turned to the side and saw the bed empty, my heart dipped a little. Alexander wasn’t here. Still wrapped in his oversized shirt, I slid out of bed and made my way into the hallway barefoot, brushing a few stubborn strands of hair out of my eyes. And then I heard it. Loud music. Somewhat kitchen music and a little off-key, thanks to whoever was singing along. I turned the corner and froze. Alexander and Celeste were in the kitchen, dancing and laughing with full energy. Celeste had flour on her cheek, and Alexander was wearing a ridiculously charming grin on his face. He was tossing pancake batter onto a skillet like a breakfast wizard, while Celeste danced behind him, mimicking his movements to the beat of the so
I didn’t even realize when the evening turned into night. All I knew was that I never wanted to leave this warmth. Alexander and I were under the duvet, tangled limbs and tangled hearts. His body curled around mine, his arms locked securely around my waist like he couldn’t bear to let go. And honestly, neither could I. His bare chest was pressed to my back, and I could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Alexander pulled me closer, his lips brushing the top of my shoulder before whispering softly, “I love whenever you’re here with me.” I turned in his arms, lying flat on my back, our faces inches apart. “Where else would I be?” I murmured. His eyes flicked down to my lips before returning to meet mine again. “Anywhere that doesn’t involve putting up with my moods... or cousin’s unexpected appearances.” I chuckled, snuggling in closer, draping my leg over his. “Celeste is fine. Well... now that I know she’s not your secret girlfriend or something.” Alexander gave a lazy smirk
I gripped the wheel so hard, I thought I’d snap it in two. I couldn’t believe this. I’d gone to Alexander’s to apologize. I went there to make things right, and somehow, I left feeling more humiliated than ever. That girl had the audacity to stop me, to try to explain, like I hadn’t seen everything with my own eyes. I jammed the key into the ignition and started the car. I sped out of his driveway, tires screeching against the pavement. I didn’t care how reckless it looked. Let the world think I was crazy. But as I merged onto the campus-bound road, my dashboard blinked. “Check engine.” I frowned. No, not now. I pressed harder on the gas, and the car sputtered, jerked forward, then died. “What the hell?” I slammed my hands against the steering wheel, leaning forward in disbelief. My foot tapped the pedal again, and still nothing. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” My voice cracked in the silence. And then I saw it. The black V12 Vanquish gliding down the road behind me. I hadn’t e