All Chapters of Ruthless Temptation: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Emma’s POVThere were two types of students at Westbridge University—the elite and the desperate.The elite, like me, walked these halls as if we owned them because, in many ways, we did. We were the sons and daughters of CEOs, politicians, and old-money aristocrats. Our names carried weight. Our futures were guaranteed.Then there were the desperate—the ones clawing their way up from nothing, grasping at scholarships, hoping to breathe the same air as us. They studied late into the night, fought for every grade, and believed that intelligence alone could level the playing field.Killian Thomas was one of them.I watched him now, sitting at the front of the lecture hall, focused as ever while the professor droned on about economic structures. His jaw was sharp, his dark hair falling into his eyes as he scribbled notes like his life depended on it. Maybe it did.He was an enigma at Westbridge. He had no wealth, no connections—just a mind that refused to be ignored. Professors admired h

Emma’s POVKillian Thomas thought he had won.I saw it in the way he looked at me—like he had figured out the secret to not letting me get under his skin. Like he was immune to me.I hated it.For years, I had dictated the social landscape of Westbridge. I knew how to make people crumble, how to get inside their heads, how to control every situation to my advantage.But Killian? He was the first person I couldn’t manipulate.And that made him irresistible.Not that I’d ever say it out loud.But the more he fought back, the more I wanted to push him. To see how far I could take it before he finally snapped.So when I spotted him leaving class alone, I followed.I didn’t call his name. I didn’t announce my presence. I just walked, letting my heels click against the tiled floor until he finally turned.His expression was flat, unimpressed. “Are you seriously following me?”I stopped a few steps away, tilting my head. “What, can’t handle a little attention, prince?”He exhaled sharply. “W

Killian’s POVThis was getting out of hand.I told myself that after the last time, I’d stop. That I wouldn’t let Emma Scott pull me into her twisted little game again.But here I was.Again.My hands gripped the edges of my textbook so tightly my knuckles turned white. Across from me, Emma sat at the library table, twirling a pen between her fingers, pretending to study.Except she wasn’t reading a damn thing.Neither was I.How the hell was I supposed to focus when just an hour ago, I had her pressed up against a desk, my lips tracing every inch of her skin, her gasps still ringing in my ears?This was dangerous.It wasn’t supposed to keep happening.But I couldn’t stop.Every time I told myself I’d walk away, she found a way to pull me back in. A smirk, a brush of her fingers against mine, a whisper in my ear that made my blood heat.I hated her for it.I hated myself more for letting it happen.“You’re not even reading,” she said suddenly, breaking the silence.I clenched my jaw,

Emma’s POVI wasn’t supposed to enjoy his presence outside of sex.But here I was.Lying next to Killian Thomas in the middle of the abandoned library, the first rays of morning light filtering through the high windows. His breathing was slow and even, his chest rising and falling steadily. He looked… peaceful.It was infuriating.Because for the first time since this ridiculous arrangement started, I wanted to stay here a little longer.I wanted to just exist with him.And that was dangerous.I turned my head slightly, taking in his features—his sharp jawline, the faint shadow of stubble that made him look less like the perfect student and more like the man who had spent the night dragging me through every sinful act imaginable.Last night had been different.It wasn’t just sex.It felt like something more, something that lingered even after the pleasure had faded.Something that made my chest tighten in a way I did not like.I forced myself to sit up, pulling the librarian’s old swe

Killian’s POVWe weren’t supposed to be in here.The faculty lounge was strictly off-limits to students—especially after hours. But Emma didn’t give a damn about rules. That much had become crystal clear since the first time she dragged me into an empty classroom and kissed me like she hated me for breathing.Now, she’d gone and swiped the keycard from her father’s assistant—of course she had—and was perched on the long leather couch with a smirk that could bring any man to his knees.“Are you seriously dragging me into another illegal hookup?” I asked, shutting the door behind us and locking it.Emma leaned back, crossing her legs slowly, her short plaid skirt rising scandalously high. “You didn’t seem to complain last time.”“Yeah, because last time was a supply closet and we got away with it.”She raised a brow. “You’re scared now?”I stepped closer, tension sparking between us like flint on steel. “Of gettin