CELINE

1

Chapter 1

TENSION

We were in the car—just him and i. His muscular hand gripped the steering wheel tightly, while the other deftly controlled the gear stick.

There was an intensity about his body language, a focus that seemed almost magnetic, yet he was simply driving. I nervously swallowed, feeling his gaze on me.
When I unconsciously turned my head to meet his eyes, he smiled kindly, revealing his pearly white teeth.
Mr. Anderson was my math teacher at the university that Chloe and I attended. He had recently resigned to take over the family company his father built.

As he shifted his focus back to the road, he cleared his throat to speak. “Are you okay, Celine?”
My first instinct was to shake my head, but then I hesitated.

He smiled again, this time without showing his teeth, but his cheeks still dimpled charmingly. He was undeniably beautiful. “Mr. Anderson…” I said quietly, “are you okay? Does your hand hurt?”

He sighed, and suddenly, the car accelerated. I murmured an apology, realizing I had inadvertently triggered his frustration. “Don’t apologize, Celine; it's not your fault,” he replied, his voice steady. “And I’ll be fine, so don’t worry about me.”

A wave of sympathy washed over me for Mr. Anderson. I wished he would open more, but he always seemed so guarded, quiet, and reserved. It only added to his mysterious allure.

I shook my head, trying to push away thoughts of what it might feel like to kiss him—or to feel his hands on me. His presence had an undeniable hold over me, and I bit my bottom lip at the mere thought of it.

As we approached a tall gate, Mr. Anderson rolled down the window and pressed a button.

A beeping sound followed, and he spoke in his smooth baritone voice. “Hey, it’s Dean! Open the gate for me.” A voice with a slight English accent replied, “Yes, sir,” and the gates swung open.
As we drove further in, my breath caught in my throat.

The small light showed manicured lawns stretched endlessly. As we approached, closer and closer, it slowly revealed a beautiful mansion. The lights beaming from inside made it look even more magical.

“This place is incredible,” I breathed, turning to him, my excitement palpable.
He glanced at me, a soft smile playing on his lips. “It’s been in my family for generations. I used to spend my summers here as a kid."