[Wattys 2023 Grand Prize Winner] [coming to ebook, KU and paperback September 9, 2026] Preorder available now (link in my bio) --- After an eight-hour flight sitting next to her high school nemesis Jackson Carter, fashion designer and barista Isabelle Curtis thought that would finally be the last she would see of him. But as the saying goes, famous last words. * * * Isabelle Curtis and Jackson Carter were fierce academic rivals in high school, up until Jackson moved to the UK in junior year for boarding school. Eight years later, Jackson has returned from abroad to take on the role of CEO at his late father's company. When Isabelle and Jackson meet again, there's a war of words, banter and a passionate dislike towards each other. Throw in a high school reunion, some more chaos, and a 'deal' in the mix-one that might just involve a little faking and pretending. It's all fun and games and tit for tat, almost just like in high school, until real feelings become involved...

'Fuck you,' I breathed, pulling away from the kiss, searching his eyes. He was enjoying it. 'If you keep saying that, maybe you will someday,' he teased, his fingers going into the waistband. Feeling his smooth, long fingers on the skin of my pussy sent shockwaves through my body. He was staring at me, watching my every reaction, and I dared not to look away. I won't give him the satisfaction that I'm enjoying this. 'Feisty, huh?' he taunted, before his fingers slipped to my folds. I could feel my wetness coating his fingers, and I hated myself for getting so wet because of him. ──── ୨୧ ──── Four years ago, he shattered her dignity with a joke at a pool party Not just anyone - her brother's best friend. At fifteen, heartbroken and humiliated by Nolan Delacroix, Liselle left for Spain on a scholarship. Now nineteen, she's older, colder, and has no interest in making peace, especially not with him. She was supposed to spend her last summer in Spain, soaking in the sun with friends. But thanks to her mum's honeymoon plans, she's forced to return home -well to Nolan's home. Living under their roof she's determined to ignore him. Until his swim partner gets injured. Until he begs her to help train for the biggest swimming competition in Spain. She says no then she says yes. Hate turns out to be a really good motivator. So does lust. They agree to keep it physical, a distraction for the summer. Just skin to skin. But the water isn't the only thing heating up. Tension rises, so do the feelings she thought she buried. She swears she hates him, and he swears he hates her, then why can't they keep their hands off each other? Now, Liselle is torn between the country that freed her and the boy who ignites everything. She must decide: Will she dive into the past or swim toward the future? 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄: ❥mature/sexual themes/smut ❥alcohol references ❥language Started- July 19th, Finished- July 31st