All Chapters of The Rogue Next Door: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

MayaThe sound of running water wakes me slowly.For a few seconds I’m confused.This isn’t my room.The ceiling looks different.The bed feels different.Then it hits me.I’m in Cole’s bed.My heart flutters for a moment as the memories from last night come back.Working on the paper.Talking.That kiss.And somehow ending up sleeping here because my own house turned into a hockey team circus.I roll over slightly and stare at the empty space beside me.Cole kept his promise.He didn’t touch me all night.Part of me appreciates that.Another part of me…kind of wishes he hadn’t been such a gentleman.The shower shuts off down the hall.I sit up quickly and run my fingers through my messy hair.A second later the bathroom door opens and Cole steps out.Wearing nothing but a towel around his waist.Water droplets slide down his chest and shoulders, catching the morning light.And for a moment my brain just…stops working.Cole Ryder’s body should honestly be illegal.“Thought you were

MayaI walk into the house knowing the house meeting is about to happen.Honestly, I’m expecting a fight.Last night had been completely out of control.When I walked into the living room this morning it looked like a hurricane of beer bottles, pizza boxes, and random strangers had blown through the place. There had been hockey players passed out on the couch, girls I didn’t even recognize sleeping on the floor, and the smell of alcohol hanging in the air like it had soaked into the walls.My house.The place that was supposed to feel safe.Instead it felt like someone else’s party house.And the worst part?I hadn’t even been able to come home.I had to spend the night next door because I didn’t feel comfortable walking into whatever that mess had become.So yeah.This meeting is happening whether Logan likes it or not.When I step into the living room, both Logan and Bree are already there.Bree is sitting in the armchair with her legs tucked under her, looking nervous.Logan is pac

Maya I don’t know what’s going on with me when it comes to Cole. I don’t know why I feel like I can open up to him. And I definitely don’t know why I actually did. Told him things I don’t tell anyone. Things I don’t even like thinking about. It’s too late now. He knows. I glance over at him, sitting there like none of it shook him the way it did me. “You know,” I say quietly, “you’re actually a nice guy when you’re not being… you know… The Rogue.” His mouth lifts slightly. “Careful,” he says. “Don’t let that get out. I’ve got a reputation to maintain.” I let out a small laugh. “Yeah, wouldn’t want the campus legend exposed as something… human.” His eyes flick to mine. And something shifts. Before I can overthink it, his hand comes up, fingers brushing along my jaw, tilting my face toward his. Then his lips are on mine. It’s not rushed. Not like the first time. It’s slower. Intentional. Like he’s actually thinking about it this time. And tha

MayaI don’t know what just happened.One minute I was sitting in a Chinese restaurant across from Logan, trying to convince myself that everything was normal.That dinner was just dinner.That Cole showing up didn’t matter.That the way my heart flipped when he walked in didn’t mean anything.And now—I’m standing in the middle of O’Jays with Cole Ryder’s hands on my waist, his lips still lingering on mine, and half the football team just watched me kiss him like I lost my mind.Maybe I did.He pulls back just enough to look at me, his hands still warm against my sides.“Okay,” he says, voice rough, “what the hell was that?”My heart is pounding so hard I’m surprised he can’t hear it.I lift my chin anyway.“I didn’t like her touching you.”His mouth twitches like he’s trying not to smile.“And?”“And I didn’t want her going home with you.”That does it.He grins.Full. Dangerous. Satisfied.“Wow,” he murmurs. “That sounded a lot like jealousy.”“It wasn’t—” I start, then stop.Becau

MayaI shouldn’t have kissed him.That’s the first thought that hits me the second Logan walks out of the bar.The second the door closes behind him.The second the tension he brought with him lingers in the air like something unfinished.I exhale slowly, staring down at my drink like it might somehow explain what the hell I just did.Because that—That was not part of the plan.There was no plan.There hasn’t been a plan since Cole Ryder walked into my life and decided to make himself a problem.“You okay?”His voice is lower now.Closer.I don’t look at him right away.Because if I do—I already know what’s going to happen.I’ll forget every logical thought in my head.Again.“I shouldn’t have done that,” I say quietly.There’s a pause.Not offended.Not angry.Just… waiting.“Done what?” he asks.I finally look at him.“Kissed you. In front of everyone. In front of him.”His jaw shifts slightly at that.“You regret it?”That question lands harder than it should.Because I don’t.An