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
My skin went cold after the girl turned back and disappeared down the hallway, into his room. His bedroom. My heart thumped against my ribs in uneven pulses. I jerked back from Alexander like I’d touched fire. “Who the hell is that?” “Kim,” Alexander said calmly, lifting a hand. “I—” “Don’t. Just don’t,” I snapped, stepping back further. My head was shaking before I realized it. “Is this what you do? You pull me in, say all the right things, make me think I’m the only one, and then parade some random girl around in your shirt after you had me almost cry on your chest.” His brows pulled together. “It’s not like that—” “Oh, really? Then explain, Alexander. Please.” I folded my arms. “I’d love to know why a girl like that is so comfortable, and walking around your apartment, freaking half-naked like she owns the place.” “I was going to—” “No,” I cut him off again. “You don’t get to talk right now. I’m done listening to your sweet nothings only to find out you’re just like the rest
The rest of the weekdays were tough. After my outburst to Alexander, it was like he became a ghost. I didn’t bump into him at school as I usually did, and I was starting to feel like I was being intentionally ignored. It’s Saturday and I’m not feeling the weekend as I normally do. Adrian has gone back into the arms of his girlfriend, and he’s been ignoring me as well. “You’re seriously just going to sit here like everything’s fine?” Sloane asked, one eyebrow lifted as she looked at me from across the room. I didn’t answer. I had been curled up on my bed for the past two hours, flipping through pages of a textbook I wasn’t actually reading. The words blurred into one another, and all I could hear was the echo of my voice yelling at Alexander. The look on his face and the quiet way he left. “I’m not acting like everything’s fine,” I muttered, turning a page. “I just don’t know what to do.” Sloane snorted. “You do. You’re just stubborn about it.” I glanced up at her, the guilt alre
Adrian froze above me. The knock came again. It wasn’t loud, but whoever it was knocked like they knew I was inside. My entire body tensed under Adrian’s grip, legs wrapped around his waist, lips parted and flushed from the heat we’d just been drowning in seconds ago. He tilted his head. “What the hell—” The knock came again. Slower this time. I shoved at his chest, squirming down and scrambling upright as my heart punched against my ribs. “Someone’s at the door.” Adrian grinned, leaning forward like he didn’t hear it as he took off my shirt. “So? Probably Sloane. Just ignore her.” “No,” I whispered, reaching blindly for my shirt that he had removed and tossed on one of my pillows. “If it were Sloane, she wouldn’t knock. She’d just come in. She has a keycard, and if she’s noticed that Alexander’s car wasn’t at the lot, which would mean he’s gone, she wouldn’t knock.” Adrian sighed, clearly annoyed. “Then maybe it’s your little boyfriend. Let’s ignore him.” I flinched at his wo
The room fell into a thick silence as Sloane left the room. Her excuse for leaving was something about grabbing snacks or catching up on a show. I didn’t care. Alexander still lay flat on my bed, his eyes tracing the ceiling, a faint smile pulling at the edge of his lips. He had just made a silly joke about us starting a self-defense club for students terrorized by people with emotional issues. I didn’t even hear the punchline. My eyes were too focused on the curve of his throat, the stretch of his broad chest under his shirt. And before I could overthink it, I moved. I climbed over him slowly on purpose. My legs straddling his waist. “Kim?” he said, blinking as he turned to me, confused. “What are you—” But I didn't let him finish. I dipped down and kissed his neck. It was soft at first, then with a lingering press of my lips. I could feel his heartbeat, but mine was frantic. I wanted him. I needed him. So, my lips moved along his jaw, my hands sliding up beneath the hem of his