🔞HOT! HOT!Do not read in public！👉

001 — THE DARE

APRIL

      Tonight I'm confessing my feelings to my best friend. My palms are sweating as I grip the tickets in my hands tighter.

I thought Valentine's night would be the perfect night. We'd watch a romcom, walk home, and I'd finally say the dreadful words.

He gave me a necklace for my seventeenth birthday with our initials and a little heart. I wear it every single day. It has to mean something. Don’t raise your eyebrow at me.

Releasing a shaky breath, I lift a hand to knock on the door, only for it to fly open before I can touch it. And the first thing I see is abs. Holy—

Since when did Kent get this ripped?

My eyes greedily travel up those hot zones, landing on the butterfly tattoos fluttering towards his shoulder, starting from his right pec...

Hold on a sec.

"Are you done staring, firefly? Close your mouth, you're drooling."

My heart plummets when my eyes finally collide with a pair of intense pale blue eyes. Black long hair falls to his shoulders, dark strands dipping over his eyes and cheekbones.

It's him!

The evil twin.

I take a step backwards, annoyance bubbling inside of me.

Seeing Knox Knight tonight is bad luck.

It always is.

Like sophomore year, when he mocked my costume and everyone laughed. Like my first date, when he scared the guy off. Like the bleachers, when Kent almost kissed me only for Knox to show up.

He's always there when things go wrong.

And tonight... is no different.

I can tell he's judging me with those soulless eyes.

"What are you doing here?" I demand, and the corner of his lips lifts slightly.

"I should be asking you that question," he deadpans.

I clench my fists, nearly crumpling the tickets in my grip.

"This is Kent's dorm. I come here all the time. He's my—"

"Best friend, I know. I'll save you the trouble of explaining the obvious, firefly. Unfortunately, your precious light isn't here. What's wrong? Did you get lost following him around?"

Jerk.

"You're just jealous. Stop being a pain in the ass," I grit out.

He cocks his head. "You're a little too hard to notice. Why should I waste jealousy on you?"

My cheeks heat up, blood rushing to my head. His jab at me hurts worse than usual. Deep down, I've always been self-conscious. Always wondering if I'll ever score myself a boyfriend.

If even Knox thinks I'm not good enough, perhaps I don't stand a chance with Kent after all. Tears prick my eyes, my hands trembling as I take another step backwards.

Knox's gaze seems to soften just for a second. Or maybe I'm just imagining it.

"Why are you here, April?" he asks, and my eyes go wide.

He's never called me by my name before. Ever.

"W-we were supposed to go see a m-movie," I find myself stuttering, my cheeks on fire.

He stares at me for a moment. Then he steps out, shutting the door behind him.

"Are you sure?" He utters, and I frown.

What does he—

"Because he really isn't here. He's at the bonfire with Cindy."

The words hit me like a slap to the face. She was the cheerleader back in high school and now the it-girl of our sophomore class.

And if he's with her, knowing that we were supposed to hang out tonight, what does that make me?

No...he wouldn't do that to me.

Maybe he forgot. That's it. I just have to remind him. My hands shake as I take out my phone from the pocket of my jeans, fumbling with it to send my best friend a message.

[Me: Hey, what's up? Where are you? We were supposed to see a movie, remember?]

I wait for his reply, chewing on my bottom lip as my eyes blur with unshed tears.

I'm counting the seconds under my breath, on edge. Kent usually answers my text right away.

Why does it feel like I've lost my chance?

I'm being pathetic, I know that. But I've... I've loved him for three years.

"April," Knox's deep voice crashes through my thoughts.

I look up, startled. I'd actually forgotten that he was right in front of me all along.

"Do you want me to take you there?" He asks, and I gulp.

Why is he suddenly being nice?

I stare at his face, my heart racing. He looks so much like Kent, it hurts.

If there's even the slightest chance that things might be different if I go to Kent, I'll take it. By all means.

Squaring my shoulders, I lower my phone.

"Yes."

And because my pride doesn't matter, I breathe out one more word, desperate. "Please."

...

Sitting beside Knox is awkward. I always thought he hated me. Maybe I was wrong?

I shift in my seat, opening my chat with Kent. My stomach drops when I see that he left me on read.

"Firefly," Knox sighs, and I freeze.

"What?" I snap, irritated by that nickname.

"You really shouldn't get your hopes up," he tells me, and I instantly get defensive.

His words sting. I want to tell him he doesn't know anything about how I feel, about the three years I've liked Kent, about all the times I've replayed that almost-kiss in my head. But I just bite my thumb instead. It's an old nervous habit I haven't been able to shake off.

"We're here," he finally tells me in a low voice.

My hands are shaking harder now. I try to unbuckle my seatbelt, but my fingers are too unsteady. Knox reaches over, the intoxicating smell of his cologne swarming around me. I hate that I notice how good he smells.

Once I open the door, I literally tumble out of the car. Knox steps out to join me, towering over me.

I spot them instantly. Kent and Cindy. Seated side by side. She has his denim jacket around her shoulders, and she's smiling at something he's saying.

Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I muster the courage to approach. I'm only a foot away when it happens.

Cindy and Kent turn to each other, kissing hard.

My breath catches in my throat, a wave of dizziness washing over me.

Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't—

I hear the others cheering, only to realize that it's a game. Spin the bottle.

I have the strongest urge to run. But before I can move, a large hand settles on my back. It's Knox, I can feel it.

Damn him.

"Oh, lookie! We've got newcomers! Come play!" An unfamiliar girl with dyed blue hair in a pixie cut says, and everyone cheers.

Kent's eyes go wide. He starts to speak, but someone has already spun the bottle. And now, it's pointing straight at me.

"Oh! It's fate! April, truth or dare?" Cindy says, and I freeze.

Everyone is chanting, excited.

My brain glitches. And the next word that slips from my lips shocks even me.

"Dare."

Cindy beams, her eyes glimmering.

"In the spirit of Valentine's," she says sweetly, "I dare you..."

Her eyes dart to Knox.

"...to kiss Knox Knight."

002 — FIRST KISS

APRIL

        Kent stares at me from across the circle, his lips parted as if he wants to say something but can't get the words out.

Cindy tilts her head, that sweet smile never leaving her face. "Rules are rules, April. Seven seconds. Make it count."

Seven seconds. My first kiss.

I look at Knox. His pale blue eyes are locked on mine, still unreadable in the firelight.

"I—I can't—" My voice comes out small and weak.

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" The chanting starts.

My cheeks are burning at this point.

Knox leans down close, his breath brushing my ear so only I can hear. "Scared, firefly?"

That damn nickname sends a shiver straight down my spine. I glare up at him. "Shut up."

He shrugs, casual as ever. "Your call. But they won't let you leave until you do it."

Cindy claps her hands once. "Clock's ticking!"

Before I can back out or run, Knox moves closer. My heart hammers in my ears.

I hate him.

But the crowd is watching. Kent is watching.

And the image of him kissing Cindy is still fresh in my mind. Anger ignites in my chest.

Fine.

If Kent can kiss her like the world is ending, I can survive seven seconds with his brother.

I push up on my tiptoes. He's so tall, I have to grab the front of his shirt to steady myself. My hands are shaking as I fist the fabric.

Knox's eyebrows lift slightly, surprise flashing across his face.

I expect it to be quick and awkward.

It's not.

His lips move instantly, deeper and hungrier, like he's been waiting for this. One hand slides to my waist, pulling me flush against him. My breath catches as his thumb brushes the bare skin of my back.

Heat rolls through me.

A soft sound escapes my throat before I can stop it, and Knox groans thickly, tightening his grip.

The cheering fades. Everything fades.

It's just him and me.

Seven seconds feel like forever.

One... two... three...

His hand on my back pulls me even closer, his hips pressing against me just enough for me to feel how affected he is.

He's so...oh heavens.

This is so wrong.

Four... five...

I should pull away. I need to.

But my body betrays me.

Six...

Seven.

I rip myself away, gasping for air. My lips are swollen and tingling.

The crowd goes wild, shouting, laughing, and whistling louder.

"Damn, Knight!"

I can't even look at Kent.

Knox licks his bottom lip slowly, his eyes dark.

"Happy Valentine's, firefly."

"Shut up," I whisper, but it comes out shaky and breathless, like I've been running a mile.

I finally glance at Kent.

He's on his feet now, his fists clenched tight at his sides. Cindy's hand rests on his arm, but he looks hurt, angry, and jealous all at once.

The guy I've loved for three years just watched me kiss his twin. I just want to disappear into thin air.

Cindy laughs. "Wow, April. Didn't know you had that in you. Ready for round two?"

"No," I choke out, my voice cracking. "I'm done."

I turn to leave, my legs unsteady, the heat still lingering on my lips.

A warm, strong hand catches my wrist.

Knox.

"Need a ride home?" he asks, loud enough for the whole group to hear. His thumb strokes slowly over my racing pulse.

Kent steps forward. "April, wait—"

But I yank my arm out of his brother's grip and keep walking, tears blurring everything.

Confusion swirls in my head, mixed with the lingering taste of Knox and the sting of everything I just lost.

...

Back in my dorm, I can't sleep. I toss and turn, the sheets tangled around my legs, trying not to replay that kiss.

But it's useless. My body still feels too aware of every place he touched me.

My phone vibrates on the nightstand. I snatch it up with trembling fingers. My vision blurs with fresh tears when I see the notifications.

Fourteen missed calls. Twenty-four texts. All from Kent.

My stomach flips. Maybe I'm being too hard on him. The kiss with Cindy probably didn't mean anything. Maybe he got pulled into the game and couldn't say no. He's always been the nice one.

Another text lights up the screen.

[Kent: Come downstairs. Please. It's cold out here.]

I stare at it for a long moment, my heart racing again for a completely different reason. Part of me wants to ignore him and bury myself under the covers. The other part—the one that's loved him for three years—wins.

I pull on a hoodie over my pajamas, slip on my shoes, and head downstairs. The dorm lobby is quiet this late, but when I push open the side door, the cold night air hits me.

Kent is standing under the streetlight near the entrance, his hands shoved in his pockets, his shoulders hunched against the chill.

He looks up the second he sees me. Relief flashes across his face, but it's mixed with something else... guilt?

"April," he says, moving closer. "Hey."

I stop a few feet away, my arms wrapped around myself. "What do you want, Kent?"

He runs a hand through his hair, the same dark strands that look so similar to Knox's but somehow softer. "Look, about tonight... the spin the bottle thing. It was just a stupid game. It didn't mean anything."

My chest tightens. "It didn't mean anything? We were supposed to hang out tonight. Just us. And instead you were with Cindy—"

"It wasn't like that," he cuts in quickly, his voice gentle but dismissive. "Cindy and I... we're just friends messing around. You know me. Tonight was dumb, but it's not a big deal."

Not a big deal?

Three years of me waiting and hoping, only for him to stand there and downplay it all.

I swallow hard, my eyes stinging. "Right. Not a big deal." My voice cracks.

I turn away, ready to go back inside before I embarrass myself more.

"April, wait—"

Warm arms wrap around me from behind before I can take another step. Kent pulls me back against his chest, hugging me tight. His chin rests on top of my head, and he sighs.

"I don't want to lose you," he murmurs into my hair.

His body is solid and familiar, smelling like the same cologne he's worn since high school.

I melt into the hug despite everything. My cheeks heat up, a blush spreading fast. This is it. This is the moment I've imagined a hundred times.

I wait, my heart pounding, barely breathing.

He presses a soft kiss to the top of my head. "Promise me something, okay?"

My stomach flutters with hope. "Yeah?"

His arms tighten a little. "Promise me you'll stay away from Knox."

The warmth drains out instantly.

I pull out of the hug slowly, turning to face him. The blush is still burning on my cheeks, but now it feels stupid.

He just wants to keep me in the safe "best friend" box while warning me off the one person who actually made me feel something electric tonight.

"I... I need to go back inside," I mumble, stepping away.

"April—" He reaches for me again, but I shake my head.

"Goodnight, Kent."

I turn and walk back into the dorm, my legs heavy. The cold air follows me inside, but it's nothing compared to the chill settling in my chest.

Back in my room, I lock the door and lean against it, touching my lips without thinking. Knox's kiss is still there, more intense than anything Kent just gave me.

My phone vibrates again in my hand. Another text.

This time it's not from Kent.

[Want to do something fun, firefly?]

003 — THE PROPOSAL

APRIL

        The next morning, my eyes are puffy from barely sleeping, and every time I blink I feel Knox's hand on my waist again. Structural Analysis lecture is already half full when I slip into my seat.

It's crazy how I picked structural engineering because of Kent. He switched to architecture. Figures.

Knox walks in minutes after I settle, his dark hair in a half ponytail. He's dressed in black as usual.

He drops into a seat two rows ahead and glances back.

Our eyes lock. A chill runs down my spine.

I look away quickly, my cheeks heating.

My roommate, May, slides in beside me, already talking before her bag even hits the floor. She'd slept over at her boyfriend's place last night.

She's the complete opposite of me. Bubbly, chatty, and always in everyone's business.

"Girl, you look like you got run over by a truck. What happened last night? I heard there was a bonfire thing and spin the bottle. Did you actually play? Tell me everything."

I mumble something about it being nothing and open my laptop, pretending to review my notes. May keeps whispering questions the entire lecture, but I barely hear them. My eyes keep drifting to the back of Knox's head.

After class ends, I don't let myself think. I grab my bag and push through the crowd before I can chicken out.

Knox is already heading down the hallway, unbothered. I hurry after him, blocking his path.

He stops, staring down at me with that blank expression. My mouth goes dry.

"Can we... talk?" I manage.

He hums.

I swallow hard. "Come with me."

Before he can say no, I grab his arm and start walking, dragging him towards the quieter stairwell at the end of the hall.

His skin is warm under my fingers, solid muscle shifting as he lets me pull him along. My heart is racing so fast I feel winded by the time we stop on the landing, away from prying eyes.

I let go and step back, breathing hard. "I need you to fake date me."

Knox blinks slowly. Then the corner of his mouth twitches. It's not quite a smile, more like amusement at something ridiculous.

"How cliché," he says, his voice flat. "Why? You want to use me to make my brother jealous?"

Heat rushes to my face. He sees right through it. Damn him.

"I'm not interested," he adds, already turning to leave.

Desperation hits me right away. I lunge forward and grab the front of his shirt before he can walk away.

He stops and turns back to face me. Those pale eyes drop to my hand, then they rest on my face.

"I won't fake date you," he deadpans.

My stomach drops. "Then—"

"I want something else."

I cock my head, confused. "What?"

He comes closer, crowding me against the wall without touching me. His voice drops lower. "I want you for myself."

My head spins. "You... what? But you hate me."

"When did I ever tell you that?"

The question throws me completely. I open my mouth, then close it. All the times he called me 'firefly' like an insult, all the moments he ruined... was that really hate? Or something I completely misread?

Knox reaches down and gently takes my hand off his shirt, but he doesn't let go. His fingers wrap around mine, surprisingly careful.

"Be my girlfriend, April."

Oh my...

My stomach flutters despite myself.

"I don't feel things the way other people do," he says, his deep voice raspy.

His thumb brushes my knuckles.

"But with you... it's loud. Messy. I don't understand it."

My heart stutters.

"If you teach me," he continues, "I'll do whatever you want.”

His eyes darken.

I stare at him, completely lost. Teach him? Emotions?

Me?

He's offering exactly what I thought I wanted. A tool to get Kent's attention. But the way he's looking at me right now, his empty eyes somehow burning, makes it feel like I'm stepping straight into the inferno I was afraid of.

"You have until tonight to make your decision," he says softly and walks away, leaving me flabbergasted.

Holy shit.

...

By evening, I'm exhausted from overthinking. May bursts into our dorm room wearing a tight black top and too much glittery eye makeup.

"Get up. We're going to Jake's house party. His place is off-campus, and it's supposed to be huge tonight."

I don't even look up from my notebook.

"Pass. I'd rather study for Structural Analysis. Midterms are coming."

May rolls her eyes and starts digging through my closet. "You've been moping since last night's bonfire disaster. Kent is not worth this. You deserve to have fun, April."

I argue the whole way to the front door of the party house. "I'm serious, May. I don't want to be here. One drink and I'm leaving."

She loops her arm through mine and pulls me inside anyway. "You're twenty, still so freaking young. Tonight you're going to drink, dance, and remember there are other guys on this campus who aren't emotionally unavailable."

Deep down I know she's right. Moving on from Kent isn't as easy as she makes it sound. Three years of feelings don't vanish because someone says, "Just get over it." But I let her drag me through the crowded living room anyway.

The music is loud, bass thumping through the floor. People are already drunk and laughing too hard. I grab a red cup of something that smells like cheap vodka mixed with fruit punch and take a long sip. The burn helps a little.

May spots her boyfriend Jake and waves me over, but I shake my head. "I'll be right back," I lie, and slip away before she can stop me.

I wander through the house, avoiding eye contact with anyone I know. The alcohol warms my stomach, but my chest still feels tight. I need air. Or quiet. Or both.

The hallway bathroom door is cracked open. I hear voices inside and the unmistakable sound of kissing. I should keep walking, but then I hear Kent's voice, muffled but clear enough. "Fuck, Cindy... you feel so good."

My stomach drops. I freeze, my cup forgotten in my hand.

Cindy laughs softly, the sound flirty. "Tell me again why you keep that little pest following you around all these years. She's always there, like a shadow. It's kind of pathetic."

Kent doesn't deny it fast enough. He just chuckles. "She's harmless. I don't want to hurt her feelings, you know? But yeah... she's been clinging pretty hard lately."

Harmless. Clinging. Pathetic.

Each word stings.

The cup shakes in my grip as the full weight of three years crashes down.

I was never the girl he wanted. I was just the safe, convenient best friend he didn't have the guts to shake off.

Tears roll down my cheeks before I can stop them. I turn away, my shoulders hunched, and fumble for my phone with trembling fingers.

I open the last text from Knox, trying to muffle my sobs.

[Want to do something fun, firefly?]

My thumbs move quickly, spurred on by pure spite.

[Me: I'm in.]

I hit send, trembling. I just said yes to the devil. I hope it's worth it. Because something tells me...there's no going back after this.

004 — CRAVING HIM

APRIL

     The shrill ringing of my phone jerks me awake and I jolt up, blinking blearily. My eyes feel swollen from all the drunk crying I did when I returned to my dorm earlier.

Reaching for my phone in the dark, my eyes go wide when I see the caller ID.

Knox.

My heart slams against my ribs. I almost drop the phone. For a second I consider ignoring it, then, I remember the deal I stupidly agreed to.

"Hello?" I croak.

"Come downstairs," Knox says. "I want to see my girlfriend."

My stomach flips. 'Girlfriend.'

The word sounds so weird coming from him.

"I... I'm not—"

"Downstairs. Now."

He hangs up.

I sit on my bed in complete disbelief, still a little buzzed from the alcohol. This is actually happening.

I should ignore him. I should block him. Instead, I find myself rushing to the mirror, smoothing down my messy hair, and swiping on some chapstick because my lips feel dry and cracked from crying. Pathetic.

I pull on a hoodie over my pajamas and slip downstairs. My heart is pounding so hard I can hear it in my ears.

The moment I push the door open, I shiver as a gust of icy breeze hits me.

And there he is.

Knox is sitting on a sleek black motorcycle, his long dark hair slightly messy from the ride. His pale blue eyes lock on me instantly. He looks illegally hot and completely out of place waiting for someone like me.

My stupid heart races anyway.

He doesn't smile as I approach. He just tilts his head slightly and tosses a helmet toward me. I catch it clumsily.

"Get on."

I stand there with the helmet in my hands, my mouth opening and closing like an idiot. "I have assignments due soon and—"

He flicks my forehead with his finger, the touch surprisingly gentle. "Tomorrow's Saturday, Firefly. Stop overthinking."

My cheeks burn. I feel ridiculous. But I still put the helmet on and climb onto the bike behind him, careful not to touch him too much.

Knox reaches back, grabs both my arms, and pulls them tightly around his waist.

"Hold on properly," he tells me. "I'm not going slow."

Before I can protest, the engine roars to life. The bike shoots forward, and I squeal, instinctively tightening my arms around him. My chest presses against his back, solid and warm through his shirt. The wind whips past us as we tear into the night.

...

I'm still clinging to Knox when the bike slows down and stops in front of a sleek apartment building on the quieter side of campus. My legs feel shaky as I climb off. He takes the helmet from me without a word and leads me inside.

The moment we step into his place, my stomach tightens. This apartment is entirely him. Minimalist, dark furniture, and clean space.

"You... live alone?" I ask, my voice small.

"Yeah." He doesn't elaborate.

He walks into the open kitchen as I nervously lower myself on the couch.

My phone vibrates with a text from Kent.

[Where are you? We need to talk. It's important.]

I swallow hard, about to type a reply when Knox strolls in. I blink when he hands me a bright pink mug. There's water in it. Just water.

The cheerful pink against his all-black aesthetic makes me giggle before I can stop myself. Knox raises an eyebrow but says nothing.

I sip slowly, trying to calm my nerves.

When he shrugs off his jacket, his shirt rides up. My breath catches in my throat.

Burn scars.

They cover part of his lower back and disappear under the waistband of his jeans. Pale, slightly raised marks against his skin. And just below that... I catch a glimpse of white Calvin Klein underwear.

Heat floods my face. I remember the way he felt during the dare, so hard and big, pressing against me. I quickly look away, my cheeks burning, and take another sip of water.

Knox turns and walks back towards the couch after draping his jacket on a chair. I scoot towards the far end like a scared rabbit. He sits down. I move again. He shifts closer. And I move until my hip hits the armrest.

Suddenly, his hand shoots out. He grabs my waist and pulls me across the couch, pinning me against the cushions. The mug vanishes from my grip in a blink of an eye.

Now he's hovering over me, one arm braced beside my head, his body caging mine without fully crushing me.

I can feel him everywhere. His heat. His scent. The solid weight of him. My pulse is racing so hard I'm scared he can hear it.

He stares down at me, those pale blue eyes boring into me. I blink rapidly, barely breathing.

"I can't tell," he whispers. "Are you afraid... or just shy?"

I open my mouth but nothing comes out.

"Do you actually want me to kiss you or not?" he asks, dead serious.

I sputter, my face flaming. "I— I don't—"

He leans closer, so close that his breath brushes my lips. "Think carefully, firefly. Because once I start, I'm not stopping at seven seconds. I'll crash through every single one of your walls. And I won't be gentle about it."

Oh my...

I can see the small mole just above his pink lips. His long hair falls forward, brushing my cheek. Everything about him feels overwhelming and dangerous.

I should say no. I should push him away. This is Knox. The guy I'm supposed to hate.

But right now, with his body heat surrounding me and his eyes piercing into mine, all I can manage is a shaky whisper.

"Kiss me."

Knox's eyes darken instantly.

"Good girl." The sound of his deep voice travels all the way down my spine, unleashing a wild heat.

Knox doesn't hesitate.

His mouth crashes down on mine. This kiss is raw and possessive, stealing the oxygen from my lungs.

I whimper into his mouth as heat explodes low in my belly. One of his hands slides into my hair as his wicked tongue drives deeper.

I'm drowning in him. Drowning in the pressure of his lips, the way he holds me in place.

My thoughts scatter completely.

I don't even realize I'm kissing him back until I'm leaning into him.

His other hand moves down my body, grazing over my breast, my waist, and then lower. When his palm slides between my thighs, brushing right over my core through my thin pajama pants, I gasp against his lips.

Knox groans softly, a deep, rumbling sound that vibrates through me. He doesn't stop. His fingers stroke along my slit through the fabric, pressing just enough to make my hips jerk.

A moan slips out of me before I can stop it.

We both freeze.

I'm panting hard, my chest heaving. Knox pulls back just enough to look at me, his pale blue eyes dark with lust. His breathing is ragged too, his lips slightly swollen from the kiss. I can feel the hard, thick length of him pressed against my thigh.

He doesn't say anything. He just stares, silently asking the question.

'Do you want this?'

I've only ever wanted Kent. But what do I do? I'm beginning to crave Knox like a drug.

Might as well enjoy this while it lasts.

My voice comes out shaky and breathless.

"Y-yes..."

The word barely leaves my mouth before Knox leans in again, kissing me harder. His hand slips past my waistband, and I gasp as his long fingers brush along my clit, sending a delicious spark through my whole body.

I can't believe it's happening.

I whimper as he strokes slowly, taking his time to drive me crazy.

He groans into my mouth as he pulls away, slowly pushing my pajamas bottoms down.

I squeeze my eyes shut, breathless. And that's when we hear the front door banging open. I scramble to pull my pants back up. But it's too late.

"What the fuck, April?" The voice slices through me like a blade.

I freeze.

Slowly... agonizingly... I turn my head.

Kent is standing in the doorway.

His eyes are locked on Knox's hand still between my thighs.