All Chapters of Rival Hearts: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Harper sat on the edge of her bed, hair damp from the rain that had seeped in earlier, body still tingling from every touch, kiss, and whisper she’d shared with Emery the night before. Her chest rose and fell unevenly, mind racing, heart hammering.What am I doing? she wondered, fingers twisting the edge of her blanket. I want her…more than I’ve ever wanted anyone. But what if this…what if I let myself feel too much?The memory of Emery’s lips on hers, the heat of her body pressed against Harper’s, the teasing, the whispered confessions—it all collided in her mind like a storm. She wanted to tell someone, to process it, but there was no one. No one who could understand Emery. No one who could understand the fire that Emery ignited inside her.And yet, despite the lingering heat, Harper felt a pang of guilt. Pride made her hesitate, whispering warnings in the back of her mind: Don’t get attached. Don’t let this control you. Don’t lose yourself.A soft knock at the door made Harper jump

The dorm room felt smaller than ever, the air thick with warmth and anticipation. Outside, the campus slept—lights dim, footsteps rare—but inside, everything was alive. Every breath. Every heartbeat. Every inch of space between Harper and Emery that no longer existed.They stood close, so close that Harper could feel Emery’s breath against her lips, could feel the subtle rise and fall of her chest. Neither spoke. Words felt unnecessary now—too fragile for what was about to happen.Emery reached out first, fingers brushing Harper’s wrist, then sliding slowly up her arm. The touch wasn’t rushed. It was deliberate, reverent, as if she were memorizing Harper rather than claiming her. Harper shivered, breath hitching, eyes fluttering shut as the contact sent sparks racing through her.“Tell me if you want me to stop,” Emery murmured softly.Harper shook her head immediately, hands gripping the fabric of Emery’s shirt, pulling her closer. “Don’t,” she whispered. “Please…don’t.”That was all

By the time Harper stepped into her first lecture of the day, she was painfully aware of everything.The room felt too bright. Too loud. Every laugh from the back row sounded sharper than usual, every whisper too close to her name. She chose a seat near the middle, dropped her bag at her feet, and tried to focus on the slides flickering onto the projector screen.She failed almost immediately.Emery slipped in two minutes late.It shouldn’t have mattered. It really shouldn’t have. But Harper’s attention snapped to her anyway, pulse quickening as if her body had recognized Emery before her mind could catch up. She watched—against her better judgment—as Emery scanned the room, eyes landing on her for the briefest second.The look they shared wasn’t dramatic.That was the problem.It was quiet. Loaded. Familiar in a way that made Harper’s chest tighten.Emery’s mouth curved slightly—not a smirk, not a grin. Somethi

The campus felt smaller today. Every corridor, every bench, every corner seemed to vibrate with danger. Harper’s chest was tight with anticipation—or was it dread? She couldn’t tell anymore.It started in the library.Harper and Emery had found a quiet corner to work on a group project. Their shoulders brushed as they leaned over the same textbook, fingers accidentally touching, sending jolts up Harper’s spine. It was natural. It was harmless. Or so she told herself.Until someone noticed.A voice broke the silence. “Harper?”Harper froze. She looked up to see Maya, her best friend, standing there with a raised eyebrow and a frown. “Are…you two…?”Emery stiffened beside her, sharp amber eyes flicking to Harper. Harper’s throat went dry. “Uh…we’re just…studying,” she said, too quickly.Maya tilted her head. “Studying like that?” Her gaze lingered on the way Harper and Emery were sitting impossibly close, leaning into each

Harper’s dorm room felt both sanctuary and prison. The sunlight filtered weakly through the blinds, highlighting the small clutter of books, papers, and half-empty coffee mugs—reminders of the day’s chaos.She sat on her bed, knees pulled up, replaying every moment from the quad and the library in her mind. Talia’s smirk. Maya’s disappointed glare. The whispers, the glances. Every time she blinked, it felt like the whole campus had seen her, judged her, dissected her.And then there was Emery.The amber-eyed woman was already in the room, leaning against the doorframe with that infuriating smirk, casual posture, but eyes alight with that rare mix of amusement and heat that Harper couldn’t resist.“Relax,” Emery said softly, stepping closer, but Harper felt tense instead.“I can’t,” Harper admitted, voice low. “Everyone…today. The looks. The comments. Talia’s not going to stop. Maya…she’s disappointed. I don’t know how to handle all of it.”Emery’s expression softened, and she crouched