~Nicole~

I knew that voice.

And my body knew it, too...judging by the way every nerve went on high alert.

Landon.

He strolled up like he owned the pavement, broad shoulders cutting through the morning air, the same cocky grin plastered on his annoyingly perfect face.

His uniform blazer was hanging off one shoulder like rules didn't apply to him.

Spoiler: they didn't.

"Well, well," Landon drawled as his gaze landed on me. It swept down my body, and stopped at my boots. "Look who the wind dragged back."

I folded my arms, glaring up at him. "Unfortunately, the wind didn't blow you away in the process."

His grin widened. "Fiesty this early in the morning? You must've missed me."

I rolled my eyes and scoffed. "Like a root canal."

Liam shifted beside me, his hand brushing my arm in a subtle, grounding way. "Ease up, Landon," he said.

"Ease up?" Landon's brows arched, and he stepped closer. "Why? She looks like she can handle it."

"I can," I snapped. "What I can't handle is your ego taking up all the oxygen out here."

Landon chuckled, a deep, dangerous sound.

He leaned in slightly, close enough for me to feel the warmth radiating off him. "You know, I was gonna be nice," he said, "but you've got a smart mouth. Makes me wanna..."

"...what?" I cut in, tilting my head with a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "Try and tame me? Good luck, egoistic jerk."

His smirk deepened at the word. "Oh, I'm scared, didn't see that coming."

"Hard to miss," I shot back. "The cockiness gave it away."

Landon didn't flinch, stepped in just a bit more, close enough that I had to tip my head back to hold his gaze.

"Careful, Winter," he murmured. "You play with fire, you'll get burned."

I leaned in too, my lips curling into a smile that matched his. "That's cute. But I'm not afraid of a little heat."

Liam cleared his throat, stepping forward "Landon, let the girl be," he said.

But Landon just laughed, the sound sliding over me like he knew exactly how much he was getting under my skin. Which... yeah, he was.

"Relax, Liam," Landon said, clapping him on the back. "I'm just saying hi to your... friend."

"Doesn't look like it," Liam responded.

"Oh, I think it is," Landon said, eyes flicking back to me.

"I'm just wondering...why you're hiding out here two blocks from campus instead of strutting through the gates like everyone else"

I stiffened.

Liam immediately stepped in. "Drop it, Landon."

But I wasn't about to let this jerk think he'd cornered me.

I forced a smile and stepped close...enough my chest brushed his when I tilted my chin up. "Why don't you worry less about where I walk," I said sweetly, "and more about the fact that your zipper's halfway down."

Landon blinked.

Then, for the first time, his cocky grin faltered as his hand dropped to check his zipper.

It wasn't down.

"Gotcha," I whispered, smirking as I stepped back.

Liam chuckled under his breath, and Landon's eyes snapped to me, heat blazing there now. But I didn't back down.

"You won this time," he said.

"And I'll win again," I fired back.

He smirked again. "Oh, Winter... you and I are gonna have fun."

I rolled my eyes, brushing past him.

Liam followed close behind, still chuckling softly as we walked toward the gates.

I didn't have to look back to know Landon was watching.

"Sorry about him," he said. "Landon's... well, Landon. You just gotta learn to match up to him and I think you're doing just fine"

I snorted. "Thanks.. How do you handle him?"

Liam chuckled. "Trust me, I try. But once you get to know him, you'll love him."

I scoffed.."You sound like you know him too well.."

"More like brothers"..he answered.

"Wow, such a thorn in your side"..I said.

"C'mon, I might be the one that needs handling".. he teased.

"Who knows. But don't worry, you'll do just fine"..

I rolled my eyes. "Figures. Just my luck that I'll be stuck seeing more of him now."

Liam arched a brow. "Why's that?"

I groaned, tossing my head back. "Because... lucky me..I guess."

I couldn't tell him the reason..I'd been assigned to tutor Landon freaking Hockman...and no one could know.

"Oh." Liam's lips quirked. "That's going to be... interesting."

"Nightmare," I corrected. "I'm already regretting it."

I gave him a pointed look and sighed dramatically. "I wish he could be more like you."

His gaze flicked down to me, warm and unreadable. "Me?"

"Yeah," I muttered. "You'd actually listen. You wouldn't drive me insane, and I wouldn't have to threaten you every five minutes."

His smirk deepened just a little. "And how do you know I wouldn't drive you insane?"

I opened my mouth, ready with a snarky comeback...then stopped.

Because my brain, traitorous as it was, decided to go there.

Liam. Sitting across from me at a desk, his hoodie sleeves pushed up, his forearms flexing as he leaned in.

That lazy grin tugging at his lips every time I got flustered.

God... I wanted him to grab me, slam me against the nearest wall and fuck the attitude right out of me...

One hand around my throat, the other between my thighs, dragging every moan I'd never admit out of my mouth.

"Arrrgh!"

The sound burst out of me before I could stop it.

Liam blinked. "Uh... you okay?"

"No," I muttered, rubbing my temples. "Why does he have to pop in when I'm having a moment in my head?"

"'He' meaning...?" Liam asked..

"Landon!" I snapped. "It's like his stupid face is tattooed in my brain. One second I'm thinking about..." I cut myself off just in time.

Liam's brow lifted. "About...?"

I glared at him. "Don't push it."

He laughed, soft and low, and it did things to me I wasn't ready to admit.

"Relax," he said, bumping my shoulder lightly.

"If it helps, I'll keep Landon off your back when I can. No promises he'll stay away completely, though. He's like a bloodhound when he finds something intriguing."

Intriguing.

I shivered at that, though I didn't let Liam see it.

"Great," I muttered. "Exactly what I needed this semester...."

Liam just smiled like he knew more than he was saying.

"This is gonna be interesting ," I muttered, trying to sound tough even though my heart was still racing from just thinking about Landon's stupid grin.

I was so lost in my own head I didn't notice Liam had stopped walking...until I turned and crashed right into his chest.

"Whoa..."

His hands caught my waist before I could stumble back.

Big. Warm. Strong.

And then... they didn't move.

I froze.

Every nerve in my body lit up like I'd been plugged into an outlet.

My breath hitched, my knees went weak, and I swear I could feel the heat of his hands through my clothes.

I tilted my head up slowly, my face way too close to his.

Liam's eyes were on me...steady, dark, and way too hard to read. His thumbs brushed the sides of my waist, sending another shiver through me.

"Y-you can let go now," I whispered, my voice barely there.

One corner of his mouth lifted, but he didn't move his hands.

"Can I?" he said almost dangerous like he meant something else.

I swallowed hard.

His hands stayed on my waist, thumbs brushed my sides in slow circles, making me squirm in my mind.

"W-what do you mean?" I whispered.

He looked straight into my eyes, his voice low. "I mean... do I really have to let you go?"

I should've stepped back. But I didn't.

I just stood there, staring up at him, his breath on mine..mine on his.

He leaned even more slowly, enough that I could feel his breath on my cheek. "Because I don't want to."

"Oh my world... Nic." A sweet, high-pitched voice rang out behind me.

And just like that...I was out of Liam's embrace.

Damn it, Lulu.

Seriously? Right now?

We were this close. Like, lips-parted, breath-mingling, knees-weak kind of close.

But now.. it was..

Gone.

Cockblocked by my bestie.

She came running like she was about to win a damn marathon, arms wide open like this was a freaking reunion.

I barely had time to blink before she crushed me in a hug.

"Oh my god, girl, it's been forever!" she squealed, squeezing tight.

Yep. Definitely tighter.

Rounder....Her boobs felt like they hit the gym and never came back.

What was she feeding them? Protein shakes? Testosterone?

She pulled back, eyes roaming all over me like I was her next outfit. "Look at you! You literally murdered this red"... she flipped my hair.

"Damn, are you trying to get your ass UNWOUND this year or what?"

I cleared my throat...loudly.

Her eyes flicked up, confused for a sec.

I tilted my head slightly.

"Lucy," I said with forced calm. "Liam."

She turned.

Oh, crap.

I watched her mouth part, already bracing for the chaos she was about to unleash. I knew that look.

I'd seen it way too many times...right before she spilled my secrets like free candy.

Thankfully, by some miracle, she swallowed whatever filth was about to escape.

Instead, she smiled..sweet.

"Nice to meet you," she said, holding out her hand.

But oh no. Not just any handshake.

That dramatic, slow blink... the head tilt...

This bitch.

Full-on seductress mode unlocked.

She was the classic bad girl. Lipgloss always glossy....Attitude sharp....Straight A's like a saint, body like temptation or even sin itself.

Liam took her hand, and I swear I saw a smirk twitch at the corner of his lips.

"My pleasure," he said in that lazy, deep voice of his. "I'll leave you two. See you around, Nic."

He winked.

Wait..

Why?

But my entire system short-circuited.

God.

I watched him walk away, his back muscles flexing under that damn white shirt.

Nope.

I wasn't okay.

My lips were tingling from the way that lip ring called my name.

I needed a cold shower... Or a slap. Or both.

Lucy turned to me the second he disappeared around the corner.

Her grin was wide and her eyes sparkled like she knew everything.

"Oh," she said, dragging the word like a tease. "So... what did I interrupt?"

I groaned, covering my face.

"You ruined it."

"Ruined what? That slow, tension-filled almost kiss that probably would've had you screaming his name later tonight?"

I slapped her arm. "Lulu!"

She laughed. "Don't act shy. That boy wants to eat you alive. And honestly? You should let him."

"Speaking of eating," I shot, turning to her with narrowed eyes, "where the fuck did you zoom off to during the fresher's welcome party?"

She blinked, dramatic like always, lips twitching with amusement.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me," I pressed. "If you'd been by my side, maybe things with Landon wouldn't have gone so downhill."

God.

I could still feel the heat from that disaster. The stares. The whispers. And the worst part, he made me suck his nipples."

"And to crown it all, you ghosted yesterday. First day of school and my best friend's MIA? Real supportive."

"Relax," Lulu said, rolling her eyes with a playful shove. "Why you lashing out like I'm your cheating ex?"

I gave her a flat look.

She knows I've never had a guy.

She grinned. "C'mon, a girl's gotta spread her wings, baby. You'll survive. You probably handled yourself just fine."

I scoffed. "Yeah. Sure. You could say that."

I handled myself right into a steamy nipple-kiss."

And now? My whole system was still vibrating from it.

We strolled toward our lockers, mine creaking open with that familiar annoying screech.

Hers was just two down, close enough for the usual side-eye exchanges and whispered gossip.

I leaned in closer. "Where the hell have you been, you slut?" I hissed, keeping my voice low but very much not joking.

She gave me a devilish grin, glanced both ways, then slowly lifted her shirt.

Just a few inches, enough to show the new belly ring glinting on her smooth, tan skin.

Oh. My. Damn.

"You finally did it!" I squealed, barely stopping myself from jumping her. "You got the piercing!"

We had been planning it for years. It was our "twin baddie" move.

But of course, I chickened out because of H.P. That woman would've strung me up by my ears if I came home pierced like a rebel.

"You should ha..." Lulu started.

But just as she was about to go into details, the shrill bell rang through the hallway.

9:00 AM.

Fucking great. Class.

At least one silver lining... I got to be in the same class level as her. Thank you, scholarship clause. They let me stay in my current level as long as I keep my GPA shining like a virgin halo.

And best believe, I was grinding harder than ever. I wasn't about to let them bump me down to Freshman year.

Ugh. Just the name sounds tragic.

"Let's head to class," Lulu said, slamming her locker shut. "I'll fill you in later, promise."

I nodded and turned back to mine, shoving my books in...when something slid out and hit the floor.

A letter.

Pink.

I frowned.

Bent and picked it up.

The envelope was thick, satin-textured. A whiff of something sweet...vanilla? No. Caramel?

From your well-wisher,

Anonymous.

My heart skipped.

"What's that?" she asked, trying to peek.

I ignored her and traced the handwriting again.

And then I saw it...tucked beside my chemistry book, almost hidden.

A box of chocolates.

No brand name. Just a smooth, sleek black box with a baby pink ribbon tied into a bow.

I blinked.

Looked around the hallway like the sender would pop out and wink at me.

Who is it from?

I shivered.

No idea if it was fear, thrill, or the slow, hot buzz crawling down my spine.

"Open it," Lulu whispered, eyes sparkling. "Who knows? Maybe your secret admirer finally decided to show up."

I swallowed.

But just then, our moment was interrupted by none other than Mr. Raymond.

The ever-popular math teacher.

Tall, sharp jaw, thick lashes.

Always smelling like mint and lavender.

Also known as: Lulu's major faculty crush.

And yep...we had his class right now.

"I suppose you both heard the bell go off," he said, clearing his throat.

His voice was deep, smooth, annoyingly attractive.

Typical.

Hot man with authority.

Lulu's weakness.

You should've seen how tight she gripped my wrist..like she was about to faint from sheer thirst.

"We're heading that way, Mr. Raymond," she said, flashing him her best innocent smile.

I tried to find my voice. "Y–yeah. Yes, sir."

And just like that, we zoomed off.

Fast.

The pink letter crinkled in my pocket with every step...

~Nicole~

4:10 PM.

Still no Landon.

I adjusted the collar of my cardigan and glanced at the door again, trying not to look like I was waiting...but I was.

The smoothie sat on the table like a peace offering. A peace pact wrapped in mango and pineapple.

Landon Hockman.

I needed to get close enough to finish what I started.

He was the key to my revenge plan..

I stirred the straw in the cup, ignoring how tight my chest felt.

One tutoring session, earbuds in, letting the soft piano of Confess to You bleed into my thoughts. It was the latest OST I was obsessed with.

A knock on the desk snapped me out of it.

I looked up, and there he was...leaning lazily against the desk..

White shirt, jawline cut like it had beef with the gods, and that annoying perfect piercing right at the edge of his eyebrow.

But something was off.

His steps were slower and his jaw tighter.

No smirk this time. Not like usual.

He didn't say a word, just stared at me. Long and hard.

Like he wanted to drag something out of me...Or like I owed him an answer to a question he hadn't asked yet.

I folded my arms. "You're late."

He raised a brow, sliding into the seat across from me."By thirty minutes," he replied, tone flat. "But who's counting?"

He glanced at the smoothie. "What's this?"

"A bribe," I said simply.

He snorted, taking the straw between his fingers but not drinking."Trying to poison me?"

"Please. If I wanted to kill you, I'd let you choke on your own ego."

"Funny," he said.

I scoffed, looking away. "Don't flatter yourself."

"I'm not the one bringing peace offerings," he said, nodding toward the smoothie.

His eyes flickered to mine...just for a second..and something shifted.

I cleared my throat, sitting up straighter, breaking the heat in the air before it swallowed us both.

You need to ace this course," I said stiffly. "So let's start."

"I changed my mind."

"What?"

He leaned forward. "Let's talk instead."

I crossed my arms. "About what?"

"You. Me. Whatever this is."

"There is no 'this.'"

"Sure there is," he said. "You don't buy guys smoothies just to be nice."

I swallowed hard. "Can you not try to pretend you want it?."

He didn't answer.

Good.

"So... let's get started. We don't have much time."

"Depends," he said. "Started with what?"

I tilted my head, ready to throw a sarcastic comeback when he suddenly walked slowly toward me, each step deliberate.

My body tensed instinctively, but I didn't back down.

He stopped at the table, his hand brushing the edge before he pulled out the chair across from me.

Then...without a word...he didn't sit.

He came around instead.

And before I could blink, he gripped the back of my chair and spun it, so I was facing him directly.

His body loomed, too close. My heart leapt.

"Landon...what are you..."

"You smile at every guy, don't you?" he said in a low tone,. "What is it? You like the attention?"

I blinked. "What the hell are you talking about?"

He crouched, coming eye-level.

His gaze dropped to my lips, then dragged back up.

"I've seen the way they look at you. The way you let them."

I swallowed hard, my brain tripping over itself.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Just wondering," he said, "how many of them have touched you like this."

His hand slid up my thigh.

I gasped, grabbing his wrist. "Landon...stop..."

"Why?" he asked, fingers stilling, but not leaving. "You let them, don't you?"

"No.." My voice was shaky, too breathy.

"Then why can't I stop thinking about it?" he growled. "About you. Letting someone else do what I didn't get to."

He stood.

Yanked me up from the seat.

Before I could stop him, he dropped into the chair and pulled me onto his lap, his hands gripping my waist, holding me there.

"Landon..."

"Don't." His grip tightened. "Don't pretend you don't feel it too."

I tried to push against his chest. "You're out of line."

"And you're still sitting here," he whispered, lips brushing my ear. "Still breathing hard."

I hated that he was right.

My hands trembled, my thighs were warm where his pants met skin.

You don't get it, do you?" he growled, pulling me closer until I felt him. Hard. "Do you have any idea what I see when I look at you? What I think about every fucking...?"

He swallowed the rest..

Every fucking what...?

But things didn't stop there, instead his hands roamed..up my waist, sliding under my top, grazing the curve of my chest.

Then-

He kissed my neck.

Slow, burning, possessive.

I sucked in a breath, hands on his shoulders, unsure whether to shove him away or pull him closer.

He sucked hard on my neck, and my hips bucked against him involuntarily.

"You like this," he whispered. "You want this."

"Stop..." I breathed.

But I clutched his hoodie tighter, thighs tightening around him, body humming like it had betrayed me long before I opened my mouth.

He groaned like the sound of me was driving him insane.

His hand cupped my boobs over my bra, thumb brushing my nipple until my back arched.

"Tell me," he rasped, lips swollen, breath ragged. "Tell me no one's touched you like this. Lie to me if you have to."

"Landon, this...this is wrong.."

"Nothing about this feels wrong to me."

He crushed his mouth to mine, tongue sweeping in, stealing every ounce of oxygen, like he needed me to breathe.

It slammed into me, raw and reckless, like my body had been waiting for it.

His kiss was punishing...angry, hungry, like I owed him something I didn't know I took.

His hand trailed between my thighs, teasing me through my lap.

I gasped.

He growled.

You're messing with my head," he murmured.

He kissed me again.

Harder.

This time...his hand slid under my cardigan again, thumb brushing bare skin. I clutched at his wrist.

"Stop," I said.

But it came out wrong-too soft, too breathless, like a plea and a prayer.

He didn't move.

Then...

SLAP.

My hand met his cheek before I could stop myself.

His head jerked slightly.

The sound echoed.

We both froze.

His chest rose and fell like he was seconds from either kissing me again or punching a wall.

But instead, he reached into his hoodie pocket... and threw a crumpled envelope at me.

It landed on the desk beside us with a dull thud.

"What's this?" I asked, voice still shaky, fingers tingling from where I slapped him.

He didn't answer.

Just leaned back in the chair, jaw clenched, eyes burning with something that looked a lot like betrayal.

I picked it up slowly.

Recognized it instantly.

I've been looking for this all day.

I thought I lost it.

"How did you even get this?" I demanded.

Still...no answer.

His knuckles were white around the edge of the seat.

His eyes stayed locked on me, as if daring me to open it in front of him.

"You read it, didn't you?" I said, my voice turning quiet. "That's why you're like this."

That's why he'd cornered me.

Why the fuck did he react like he owned me?

And worse, he just stole my first kiss.

I was too angry.

So I did the only thing I could do.

I straightened my top. Picked up the letter. Met his gaze, dead-on.

And walked out.