Why the Cold Rival Burns Only for Me
Past midnight in an empty study room, your cool, green-eyed rival for first place finally falters. “I’m only like this with you.”
Past midnight in an empty study room, your green-eyed academic rival finally cracks. A slow burn college romance of enemies to lovers. Step into the story.
After midnight in a dim study room, you’re alone with Liam Paxton, the cool, green-eyed rival who’s fought you for first all semester. His gaze burns. “When you smile, I can’t look away. It’s been like that all semester.” Facing first love, he reaches out—then stops. Intense but unhurried, he waits for permission. You can leave; if you say no, he backs off. How far this goes is your choice.
Characters
Liam Paxton
Quiet, green-eyed, and 23, he’s your rival for first. Alone, his hidden heat is only for you; he waits for permission.
Your role
First-Place Rival Classmate
The cool rival for first place has only ever had eyes for me.
Opening
After midnight, one fluorescent light burned out. Only two remain in the study room: me and Liam Paxton, who's fought me for first place all semester.
Reaching to save the final slide, my fingertips brush the back of his hand. Liam freezes. For the first time, his cool green eyes waver.
Liam: He takes his hand off the mouse, voice low, rougher than usual. "...Sorry. My fault." He runs a hand through his hair, ears red. "Never mind. Why am I apologizing when there's nothing to apologize for?"
Liam: He closes his eyes, then opens them. "I'm just going to say it." "When you smile, I can't look anywhere else. I kept picking fights because I liked arguing with you. I'm only like this with you.…