Hazel sat at her desk in the lecture hall, trying desperately to focus on the professor's words. Her mind, however, kept wandering to Ace—his touches, his talks, and the way he seemed to effortlessly disrupt her carefully constructed world of study and ambition.
It had been a challenging week. Despite her efforts to distance herself from Ace, he had persisted in seeking her out, his presence a constant distraction. He would drop by her study sessions, send her messages, and even surprise her with small gestures of affection. Each time, Hazel found herself torn between frustration and longing.
Today was no different. As the professor droned on about complex equations, Ace leaned over and whispered in Hazel's ear, his breath warm against her skin. "Hey, beautiful. Miss me?"
Hazel tensed,
