Chapter 2: Licked Clean

~Nicole~

“Thank goodness,” I muttered, pulling back.

Landon’s expression twisted before settling into a lazy, satisfied smirk. “Not bad, newbie. Better than I expected.”

That was the breaking point.

Before I could think, my hand closed around the open coca-cola can behind me.

I flicked my wrist, sending the dark liquid flying straight into his face.

The second it left my hand, I froze.

‘I…shit… I’m sorry,’ I stammered.”

He didn't move, just dragged a slow hand through his dripping hair, his chest heaving.

The soda soaked into his shirt, making the fabric cling to every inked muscle.

He looked hot… but pissed.

And yet, watching a drop of liquid trail down his chest, made my throat dry for all the wrong reasons.

“I see what this is,” he muttered. “You’ve got a thing for pissing me off, don’t you?”

He stepped forward, I stepped back.

“I don’t..”

“Shut it.” He backed me toward the desk, his eyes dark. “First wine. Now Coke. What’s next?”

My breath hitched.

“You’re practically begging for it,” he growled, “and you don’t even realize it.”

I dropped my gaze, my hands trembling against my thighs. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, bracing for the fallout.

Instead of a shout, Landon let out a low half-growl, half-frustration.

Then, he moved forward, I moved again until my back hit the wall with a small thud.

Before I could breathe, he was there.

One hand slammed into the wall, the other caging me.

I opened my mouth to plead, but his hand locked around my waist, flushing me to himself.

My body jerked at the contact, and I squeezed my eyes shut, every nerve screaming as he leaned in.

His other hand snapped up, gripping my jaw and forcing my face to meet his.

“You know what happens to girls who throw drinks at me?” he murmured, smirking.

I blinked my eyes open “What?” I whispered.

“They make up for it,” he said, his voice dropping low “Properly.”

My breath caught.

Before I could find my voice, he gestured to his soaked chest. “Start there.”

“Landon…” My voice was thin, unsure.

God, why did I do that?

I bit my lip, frustration stinging in my eyes.

“You can fix this,” he continued, “Or I can handle it myself. But I wouldn’t push me if I were you.”

I sucked in a sharp breath, my thighs pressing together on instinct.

I’d heard the rumors….the classic fuck boy who got what he wanted and walked away without a second thought.

I thought I was prepared for that.

But this?

Heat crept up my neck, my skin prickling.

“Take your shirt off,” he ordered, his voice terrifyingly calm. “Use it to wipe me clean.”

My eyes snapped. “You’re not serious.”

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

Before I could move, his fingers caught the hem of my top, tugging it upward.

“What the…” I slapped his hand away, but he caught my wrist instantly.

“You really want to make this harder?” he asked, his voice falling into a warning. “Because I can.”

“Let go of me, Landon!” I snapped.

“I already apologized. I’m not one of those girls obsessed with you. Stop this, or..”

“Or what?” he cut in. “You’ll find another 'accident' to get my attention?”

My jaw tightened.

“You’re unbelievable. You actually think every girl on this campus is desperate for you.”

He leaned in, his lips brushing the curve of my jaw…not a kiss. “Or maybe,” he murmured against my skin, “you just keep finding reasons to touch me.”

My stomach twisted.

“And for someone pretending she’s above it all…” His gaze dragged over me. ”This? is desperate. I wouldn't even look at you if I had the choice.”

Ouch.

That landed harder than it should have.

My chest tightened, a sharp, unexpected ache.

Why did that sting?

I swallowed, forcing my expression to harden even as my pride fractured.

I hate him.

He seemed to notice the shift, backing away slightly, though his eyes never left mine.

“What did I do?” I blurted out, the question escaping before I could stop it. “Why are you so mean to me?”

His brows drew together, a flicker of something crossing his face before he looked away, refusing to answer.

“I admit it,” I pushed. “Every time you touched me in here... it got to me. More than I wanted. But that doesn’t give you the right to talk down to me like I’m nothing.”

A heavy silence stretched between us.

I watched his fist curl at his side, the knuckles white.

For a heartbeat, I thought I’d reached him, and actually expected an apology.

Instead, he let out a low, grin.“You came on to me, and now you’re trying to twist the narrative. How tragic,” he mocked.

“If you’re really sorry and aren’t just trying to seduce me…then prove it.”

His eyes darkened. “And if you’re struggling… I’ll help you.”

Before I could move, his hand clamped around my wrist.

“W-what are you doing…” I tugged, panic rising in my throat.

“What? Isn’t this what you want?” he whispered, his voice vibrating. “I’m just going to make you feel it.”

Then he crashed his lips hard against mine suddenly.

I froze, stunned by the sheer force of him.

My hands pushed weakly against his chest, my breath trapped in my lungs as the world narrowed down to the taste of him.

It was too much.

And yet, my body betrayed me, softening against him in a way I couldn’t understand.

For a second, I almost stopped fighting.

Then reality snapped back.

A muffled sound escaped me, and I bit his lower lip hard enough to draw blood, forcing him back.

“Fuck. What’s your problem?” he snapped, his fingers grazing the faint smear of blood on his lip.

I exhaled sharply. I hated how easily he got to me

“I warned you. Stop messing with me, Landon.”

“Messing with you?” He frowned, looking genuinely insulted. “God, I don’t even like you.”

“Oh, good. That makes two of us,” I shot back.

“I don’t give a shit about that. You’re going to wipe me clean. Right now.” His voice dropped into that low.

“Fine.” I tugged my shirt halfway up, just enough to expose the curve of my stomach.

“But you’re not worth the full show.” I reached into my backpack, shoved a stack of napkins into his chest, “Clean yourself. Before I change my mind.”

His eyes stayed locked on mine, rage, and something I couldn’t read.

But for a split second, I caught it…a flicker of regret so brief I almost missed it.

“Make sure I never set eyes on you again,” he finally said.

“I’ll make sure of it,” I promised, grabbing my bag.

I turned to go, but my eyes betrayed me.

One look down and there it was…the heavy, unmistakable ridge beneath his denim.

A silent, pulsing proof of what I’d done to him.

My thighs clenched on instinct.

“I hate you, Landon Hockman,” I muttered, shoving the sensation back down where it belonged.

Fuck it.

So much for getting close to the Alpha’s son.

I’d shave his head and dump the hair in the sea before I ever went near him again.

I turned the corner, grumbling under my breath. “Cocky, arrogant, nipple-brained jerk…”

I paused, my jaw tightening as the reality of the last ten minutes crashed over me.

No. I shook my head.

That isn’t possible.

Was I really falling for him... even for a second?

The Goddess forbid it.

I stormed away, desperate to scrub everything from my brain.

I was so busy spiraling that I didn't even see the wall of a chest in front of me, and slammed into him hard.

My body bounced back, but before I could hit the floor, strong hands clamped around my waist, steadying me.

Shit.

I looked up, my breath hitching in my throat.

Blue hoodie. Sharp jaw. The kind of clean-cut, boy-band face that belonged on a poster, not right in front of my messy self.

His grip tightened, just for a beat.

My lips parted, but my brain had officially left the building.

Caspian Joe.

Of all the freaking people in this school to see me like this.

“Nicole?” he asked, his brows lifting in mild surprise.

He knew my name.

My heart did a full gymnastics routine before crashing into a pile of pure embarrassment.

“Uh… yeah. Hi,” I snorted.

Brilliant, truly.

His hands dropped slowly, as if he’d only just realized he was still holding me. “You okay?”

“Yep. Totally,” I said, nodding like a bobblehead. “Just… fighting bad life choices.”

A soft grin tugged at his mouth. “You looked like you were about to punch a wall.”

“More like escaping one.”

He chuckled, and the sound sent an annoying, light flutter through my chest.

This was the first time I’d ever been this close…our very first actual conversation, and I looked like a disaster.

I hiccupped, smoothing my wrinkled shirt.

My hair was a wreck, and my lips probably still tasted like Landon, regret, and Coca-Cola.

Kill me. Now.

He tilted his head, his eyes searching mine. “You sure you’re okay?”

“Peachy,” I said, stepping back a bit too fast. “Anyway… I’ll, uh, see you around.”

I turned to bolt, but he didn't move.

Instead, he inhaled a slow, sharp pull of air.

My blood ran cold.

No. Don’t notice.

Don't smell him on me.

His gaze shifted, dropping directly to my mouth.

It wasn’t a polite look, it was heavy.

My throat tightened.

Could he see how swollen they were? Did he know exactly what I’d been doing in that classroom?

“No, Caspian. I only have eyes for you,” I muttered under my breath, then nearly choked.

Did he hear that?

I spun around to leave, the embarrassment curling in my chest.

“Nicole?” He called out, freezing me to the spot.

I turned back slowly. “Yeah?”

He studied me for a long moment, a small, unreadable smile playing on his lips. “Nothing,” he said softly. “Just… be careful where you’re storming next time.”

I nodded, my knees feeling like jelly.

I walked away fast, but I could still feel his eyes on my back.

Great. I just made the worst first impression in history on my crush.