Shades of Desire

Ivy

Ever since "that"  interaction with Ethan, I've been riding this wave of happiness. College feels like a new life, a fresh start.

"You and Ethan are the talk of the whole college," Mia teases, smirking.

"Someone saw you guys drooling over each other in the locker room," Jess chips in.

I can't help but smile, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Are you guys like a couple now?" Mia asks, raising an eyebrow.

"We're just keeping it casual," I reply, though I'm not exactly sure where we stand. We've made out twice now—what does that make us? I really don't want to think too much about it. I'm happy with keeping things casual. A relationship is the last thing I want right now. They just don't work. I've never seen one that actually does. Look at my mom and dad for instance—nothing lasts forever.

My phone buzzes, pulling me out of my thoughts. It's a notification from an unknown number.

"Hey, down for tonight?"

"Ethan?" I reply.

"Who else? Wanna go out somewhere?"

Out somewhere? Is he asking me out on a date? God, I don't want that.

"Umm, how about we skip all that and get to the main part?" I text back, feeling bold.

"I must say, Ivie, I didn't think you were the naughty type. Not complaining, though."

"Tonight then?"

"Done. See ya."

Well, damn. Looks like I'm getting bolder. Two years ago, I wouldn't have been able to say anything like that. But my determination to change is stronger now. This is college, after all.

"Mia, do you mind lending me a dress for tonight?" I ask, eyeing my pathetic wardrobe. I really need to buy some decent clothes.

Mia grins and pulls out a sleek black mini dress, low-cut with thin straps and a thigh-high slit. "This should do the trick," she says, tossing it to me.

At 8, Ethan shows up at the dorm, greeting my friends casually before taking my hand and leading me out. He opens the car door like a gentleman, but we both know where this night is going.

"So, where are we headed?" I ask, sliding my hand down his thigh as he drives.

"I have a frat house nearby. It's usually empty. We could go there."

I look at him, my eyes tracing the sharp line of his jaw, the way his blonde hair falls effortlessly, the subtle scruff along his chin. He's beautiful in that all-American, boy-next-door way—dangerous but not too dangerous. Perfect for a fling.

"Ethan, we're just having fun, right?" I ask, feeling a bit hesitant. "I kinda want to keep it casual."

He glances over at me with that cocky smile. "You don't have to worry, Ivie. We're just having fun. It's college, after all."

"Exactly," I say, relieved.

We pull up to the frat house. It's big, almost eerily quiet, and we head inside. I barely have time to look around before Ethan hands me a drink, and in no time, we're all over each other. His lips crash into mine, and suddenly, our clothes are a distant memory, scattered across the floor. We stumble toward the bed, not breaking the kiss, his hands all over me, claiming every inch of my skin.

The sun blazing through the window wakes me. I glance over to see Ethan sleeping peacefully beside me. A smile tugs at my lips as I remember last night. It was... fun. No strings, no worries.

I slip out of bed, grabbing one of Ethan's shirts, and head downstairs, debating whether I should make something for breakfast. Isn't that a girlfriend thing? But I'm not his girlfriend. I push that thought aside and head to the kitchen.

As I walk down, I see someone sprawled on the couch, fast asleep. A guy—dark hair, sharp jawline, with a dangerous edge that Ethan doesn't have. His chest rises and falls steadily as he sleeps, and I can't help but stare. There's something familiar about him, something that tugs at the back of my mind.

His eyes snap open suddenly, locking onto mine. For a second, I'm frozen. Those eyes... why do they feel so familiar?

He stands up, his gaze never leaving me, intense and unreadable.

"Hi, um, I think you're in the wrong house?" I say, trying to break the awkwardness.

He doesn't reply. Just stares at me, his expression unreadable. That look... it sends a chill down my spine.

Just as he opens his mouth to speak, Ethan walks down the stairs, shirtless, still in his boxers.

"Jace. Didn't know you were gonna be here," Ethan says, looking between the two of us.

I glance at Ethan, confused. "Who's this?"

"Oh, Ivie, this is Jace. My stepbrother." He says it casually, as if it's no big deal.

"Hey, I'm Ivy. Nice to meet you," I say, extending my hand. Jace just stares at me for a moment longer before brushing past me and heading out the door without a word.

What the fuck? Who does he think he is?

"Don't mind him, Ivie. He's a bit of a prude," Ethan says, pulling me into a kiss, his hands running down my back.

"You look beautiful, even in the morning," he murmurs against my lips.

I smile, but I can't stop thinking about Jace—how he looked at me, how he just walked away.

Something about him... I don't know what it is, but I can't shake the feeling that I've met him before.