Halsey's lashes fluttered. "What title would that be?""You really don't know?" Shaun asked. "Or are you just pretending?"Her heart skipped a beat. Of course, she knew exactly what he meant. Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she tried to get up. "Let me go!"Her skin was pale with just a touch of pink, soft and delicate. With her face glowing red, the tiny fuzz on her cheeks shimmered like glass in the light. It made him want to kiss her, or maybe even bite her, just to prove she was real.Shaun only held her tighter, his strong arms locking her against him no matter how much she wriggled. His lips curled into a teasing smile. "Your lecturer asks you a question, and you don't answer? Don't you think that's a little rude?"She arched a brow. "Isn't it even worse for a lecturer to be hugging his student right now?"Before she could say more, Shaun leaned down and caught her lips with his."Mmph!" She pushed against his chest, trying to shove him back. "Let go!"But as soon as she o
"Alright," Shaun replied with a smile. "I'll do whatever you say."Halsey pressed the button and answered her phone. On the other end, a girl's cheerful voice came through. "Did you already leave campus?""Yes, I was about to head out. Why?" Halsey asked."Do you have time tonight? Let's have dinner together."The girl was inviting her out.But Halsey already had plans for tonight, so she had to turn her down gently. "I'm sorry, I can't tonight. I've already got something planned. How about next time? Dinner will be on me then."The girl sighed, disappointed. "That's such a shame. We were all planning to find a way to get Mr. Lane's number tonight."Get Shaun's number?Halsey immediately looked up at him. He was already watching her, his dark eyes full of focus and intensity, and she felt herself falling straight into them."You all want Mr. Lane's number?" Halsey asked. "But doesn't he already have a girlfriend?""Yeah, but just because he has a girlfriend doesn't mean we do
Halsey stood outside the office door and knocked lightly.The door wasn't closed all the way, so she could see inside. Shaun was sitting in the professor's chair, his black suit jacket draped over the back. He wore a crisp white shirt and black slacks, eyes lowered as he flipped through a book. The sight of him—sharp, elegant, and completely focused—made it impossible for her to look away.At the sound of her knock, Shaun looked up. "Come in."Halsey stepped inside. "Close the door," Shaun said.She did as told, then walked over to him. "Why did you ask to see me?""Are you free tonight?" he asked.Her lips curved into a smile. "Why do you ask?""I'd like to take you out to dinner.""You? Taking me out? Are you sure that's okay?"He raised his brows, amused. "Why wouldn't it be?""You're a guest lecturer. If people saw us eating together, I can imagine the gossip flying around."Shaun reached out and caught her wrist, tugging her down onto his lap. "Let them talk. I don't
Shaun called out Halsey's name.Suddenly, every single person in the lecture hall turned their eyes to her like a spotlight.The girls next to her nudged excitedly, "Halsey, Mr. Lane is calling you!""How come he remembers your name?"Halsey just stood there, not sure what to make of it.Shaun looked right at her and asked, "Halsey, what do you think love is?"He wanted to know what love meant to her.She thought for a moment and then answered seriously, "I think love is the attraction between two people, like a rush of hormones. It's about appreciating each other and feeling that spark."Shaun's thin lips curled slightly, and his voice dropped low and smooth. "Actually, love is just oxytocin and dopamine. When people connect, hormones kick in, making us experience what we call love—but it's really just an illusion."Halsey blinked. She had heard a lot of takes on love before, but this was the first time she heard it described as oxytocin and dopamine.She raised an eyebrow.
Shaun just called Halsey's name!Halsey's heart suddenly started pounding. She looked up at him, and their eyes met across the crowded room.They didn't say a word, but that look said everything—like a sweet wave washing over her.She answered loudly, "Here!"Shaun's lips curled into a tiny, almost unnoticed smile before he kept calling out names.Thump, thump!Halsey could hear her crazy heartbeat.After attendance, Shaun started the lesson. Today was a culture class, and this handsome, confident guy spoke from the front with charm and knowledge. Even the driest stuff came alive when he talked, so everyone was hooked.Soon, Shaun said, "Alright, everyone. Let's talk about something. What do you think love is?"That was the interactive part, and hands shot up everywhere, all wanting to answer.Shaun picked a boy near the front. "You, answer the question."The boy grinned. "Mr. Lane, can I ask, do you have a girlfriend?"The question caused an instant uproar.The boy quickl
Shaun replied, [Is that so?]Just three simple words, but they carried his usual cool, commanding vibe—with a touch of something softer, more caring.Halsey answered, [Yes, I promise!]After that, Shaun didn't reply anymore.Putting her phone down, Halsey focused on her book. Before she knew it, it was time for class."Halsey, let's go. Class is starting."She stood up and said, "Coming."The lecture hall was packed this afternoon—everyone was there to see the rising business star.Halsey couldn't help but be impressed by just how popular this business star was.Right before class started, she pulled out her phone again and sent Shaun a text. [What are you doing right now?]No reply.Why wasn't he answering? Probably busy.Just then, one of her female classmates exclaimed, "Halsey, stop texting! Look, the business star is here!"The room buzzed. "He's here! Look!""Is he hot?""Where is he? I don't see him!"Then a tall, handsome figure walked in, and the whole lecture