When Alexis agrees to help the school's player, she must guard the secret that could unravel everything - even as unexpected feelings complicate the game. *** What happens when Alexis Dawson, the 'resident loser' of Redwood High, agrees to help the school's notorious player, Aaron Walker? How can she stop herself from falling for him? It isn't all love and romance - Alexis has a secret of her own. Join them on a journey of jealousy, betrayal, trust, friendship, and love. A little favour just got a whole lot more complicated. *** He was so close, his breath hit my lips. His eyes darted from my eyes to my lips. I stared intently, awaiting his next move. His lips fell near my ear. "Shut up and kiss me" He whispered roughly. A chill shot up my spine. I pulled back, staring at his eyes and leaned in...

"Tell me." He whispered, voice husky with amusement. "If I take this dress off of you and touch you here." His thumb traced slow circles over the tightening nub, rubbing gently, deliberately making it harder. "Would you be wet, Олонок?" Heat surged through me like wildfire. My breath hitched before I could stop it. My lips parted, and instinctively, I bit down on my lower lip, tasting my own flesh. His thumb continued its torturous dance over the areola, small circles that became firmer, coaxing every nerve to attention. I could feel the skin puckering under his touch, my body betraying me in slow, shuddering responses. I wanted to pull away, to stand, to breathe but the grip of his gaze held me captive. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Elara Sinclair came to Maryville to disappear. After fleeing the engagement her father arranged, one that would have chained her to a life she didn't choose. She only wants quiet, classes, anonymity, and a future of her own making. But quiet shatters the moment she enrolls in Russian during her third year. Her professor, Draven Volkov, is everything she should avoid. Commanding Magnetic Impossible to ignore. His dark eyes promise more than language lessons, and his words curl around her like silk. But behind the sharp suits and the accent is a man with secrets far more dangerous than she realizes. Because Draven Volkov isn't just a professor. He's Lucius Romanov, heir to a ruthless Russian mafia dynasty, hiding in plain sight. As Elara struggles to outrun her past, she finds herself entangled in his. Desire wars with fear, attraction with survival, and every step closer to him pulls her deeper into a world of power, deception, and sin. In Maryville, falling for the wrong man doesn't just break hearts. It can cost lives.