Chapter 4: Flirting Games

The air inside Ms. Hayes' classroom was charged with something unspeakable, something neither of them were ready to name. Vivian could feel it the moment Ethan Carter strolled in, his usual cocky smirk in place, his movements slow and deliberate as if he owned the space around him.

She hated that her pulse quickened when he entered. Hated the way he looked at her like he was already undressing her in his mind. But what she hated most was the way her body reacted, betraying her completely.

“Ethan,” she warned, not even looking up from the stack of graded papers on her desk. “I need to speak with you.”

He smirked, tossing his bag onto a nearby desk before sauntering toward her. “That sounds serious.”

“It is.” She finally lifted her gaze, leveling him with a stern look. “Your behavior in class is inappropriate.”

Ethan placed a hand over his heart in mock offense. “Inappropriate? Ms. Hayes, all I do is ask questions.”

She exhaled, leaning back in her chair, fingers threading together. “You know exactly what I mean.”

He took another step forward, his tall frame now looming over her desk. His scent—something woodsy and sharp—filled her space, and she clenched her fists to keep from reacting.

“Maybe I just like your attention,” he murmured, voice lower now, dangerously smooth.

Vivian’s jaw tightened. “You need to stop.”

“Stop what?” He leaned down, just a little, his eyes dark with something wicked. “Looking at you? Talking to you? Thinking about you?”

Her breath hitched, and she hated that he noticed. The slow curl of his lips told her he was drinking in every single one of her reactions.

“This isn’t a game, Ethan,” she managed, voice firmer than she felt.

“Isn’t it?” His voice dropped another octave, sending something unwanted and warm through her veins. “Because it sure feels like one.”

Vivian swallowed hard, pushing her chair back abruptly to put space between them. “Go sit down. Now.”

For a moment, she thought he’d press further, that he’d take this dangerous dance one step too far. But then he straightened, smirk still in place. “As you wish, Ms. Hayes.”

She exhaled once he turned away, but deep down, she knew this wasn’t over. It was only just beginning.

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Ethan didn’t sit right away. He took his time, moving to his seat with a slow confidence, dragging his fingers across a nearby desk as he passed, as if to remind her that he wasn’t finished playing with her yet. He slid into his chair, leaning back lazily, his piercing gaze never leaving her.

Vivian busied herself with her papers, but she could feel his eyes on her, burning through her composure. The room wasn’t full yet—just a few early students scattered around, oblivious to the silent war waging between them.

When she finally looked up, she regretted it instantly. Ethan was watching her with an intensity that sent a flush up her neck. He smirked when he saw it.

“You look flustered, Ms. Hayes,” he said smoothly, voice pitched just low enough for only her to hear.

Vivian’s jaw clenched. “And you look like you’re trying too hard.”

He chuckled, tilting his head. “Trying? Oh no, Ms. Hayes, this is effortless.”

Her fingers curled around the edges of her desk. “I don’t have time for your games, Ethan.”

He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his desk. “Then why are you playing?”

Before she could answer, more students filed in, forcing her to pull away from the moment. She straightened, smoothing down her blouse, trying to ignore the way Ethan’s gaze lingered on the movement.

Class began, but the tension didn’t fade. Every time she looked up, Ethan was already watching her. Every time she turned, she swore she could feel his presence like an invisible force pressing against her.

Halfway through the lesson, she called on him for an answer, hoping to break his focus.

“Ethan, what’s the main theme of this passage?”

He grinned, resting his chin in his palm. “Temptation.”

Her breath caught. He wasn’t wrong—the passage did touch on that theme—but the way he said it, the way his voice dipped just slightly, told her he meant something else entirely.

She forced herself to nod. “Correct. Now, let’s move on.”

Ethan just smirked, clearly enjoying every second of this. And Vivian knew, with absolute certainty, that this was only going to get worse.

Because the more she fought it, the more he would push.

And deep down, she wasn’t sure how much longer she could resist.