an

le bod

rom heat - from memories I couldn't shake. The ki

still buzzed, and no matter how many times I told myself to stop thinking

supposed

pposed to me

wn my face. "Ge

to the bathroom, brushing my teeth like i

th, my phone began to b

rabbing it and steppi

right, light, carefree. She sounded happy

orcing a small smile.

Honey, you know colleges are resuming soon. I think you should apply for Northvie

mach d

like I planned on staying home doing nothing. Ma

ht, th

re no

should I

consulting you," sh

I replied softly, then add

go get ready. The dean take

ll to tell you

, honey.

es

you o

ittle deeper than she meant it

, darlin

ended, I exh

Let's preten

e kitchen doorway. Ivan was there - calm, collec

ht now stood there scrolling his phone. No guil

e briefly. "Did y

registrat

ready. We'll l

ke that, he

t night. No ackno

thing, just the heat. We needed to ease the pai

gh

hower, a fitted black dress that stopped above my knees

needed to

ne sharp, hair slightly messy, the sleeves of his black shir

t for the low hum of the music he played, an

turned to me. "I'll wait at the car. If

have your

d him my phone, and when his finge

," he said, voice

ean seemed impressed, and I was almost smil

ey

ht catching his blonde hair and green eyes. H

new here

ea

m C

ia

er and thought I'd come say

said, trying

eading

ea

und the library if yo

walked off. It was...

ted two

eached the parki

v

g on t

etween h

his hair. His

through me - sharp, burning, unreasonable. My

ld he care? It mean

apart. "Don't mind me," I said, forcin

but before I could walk off

going? Aren't

'll be fine. Beside

tubborn. I need to

e already, Iv

lked off before I s

sitting on a bench, earbuds in. He

k you'd chan

ivileged," I said,

, I

was easy to be around, and for a moment, I didn't fee

ti

ann

fr

cou

s smile fading

ne, sharp and stor

ng home in the s

ia

o Cole. "Y

then nodded

laugh a few times. It helped - the air, the distraction

er," he said, turning to me

er," I sai

He bli

ch other." I said remembering Col

tory for an

get to hear

clutching his c

ng. Thanks

t'd be fair to giv

"Just because I had a good day." I

night

ight,

o crumble. His scent hit me before

ed into my r

sitting o

hat the hell, Ivan! You can

id you go with

" I cross

ook a step closer, anger

f he di

voice dropped low, dangerous.

s brushed my waist before settling there, possessive. I hated h

The taste of him flooded my senses, intoxicating and familiar in a way that scared me. Bu

't kiss me," I hissed, breathless. "Not after your tong

, eyes burning with something wild. "You

ed like

idea what it's like, Gianna. Your scent is everywhere, every damn cor

n't gentle-they were a confessio

se I needed to forget. Because if I didn't do s

ay he said it wasn't tender, but it sti

m me," I said weakl

ss laugh. "If only it w

ave. But then he stepped closer again, his hand b

on't feel it,"

re. The heat period was clawing at me,

uld think-before I could talk myself

ire. I wanted to hate him. I wanted to slap him. Instead, I gra

f resistance I had left. His touch made my body tr

is way? It's just th