Infatuation.

He hated her first, but he loved her more.

"When are you going to stop pretending?" he asks, stepping forward and backing me up against the wall.

I inhale sharply; he's so close that I can feel his breath on my skin. My body instantly reacts to the warmth of his. I tense, wanting to fight him off, but I make no move to do so.

"Just say it, baby. Stop fighting it," he murmurs when I don't respond. His tone is softer, but the fire in his gaze doesn't dim even slightly. "You're mine, say it." His hand cups my cheek.

"Don't touch me, asshole!" I snap, the words spilling from my lips before I have a chance to stop them. I want him to keep touching me, to move his hands lower, to hold me. But I refuse.

He smirks, shaking his head as he clicks his tongue. "Such harsh words from such beautiful lips," he whispers, leaning in as his thumb glides along my lower lip.

I want to bite him.

I swallow sharply before I speak. "I hate you. I could never be yours." My tone is weaker as I inhale shakily; I can barely believe the words myself.

He smirks again, clicking his tongue as he leans in further, so his lips brush against mine when he speaks. My breath hitches in my throat.

"You say you hate me, but the way your body reacts to me says otherwise. The goosebumps on your skin, the way your breath hitches, and your cheeks flush..."

I look up at him again, attempting to move back to put some distance between our lips. However, I crave the closeness and his scent.

"Give in to me, Elora."

And I did just that.

Started 07-05-25