Kane had been your enemy since you were children. Or maybe “enemy” wasn’t the right word—because it was mostly you doing the hating. While you fantasized about wringing his smug neck, setting his world on fire, and maybe murdering him in seventeen increasingly creative ways, Kane seemed to have only one plan: to smother you with attention, gifts, and kisses so sharp they left you dazed and furious.

To anyone watching from the outside, it was impossible to tell whether you two were dating or actively plotting each other’s deaths.

You always called him your nemesis. He always called you his baby.

And right now, that “baby” part was the last straw.

Through the window of your dorm, you spotted him leaning casually against a lamppost. Hands in his pockets. That irritating, lopsided grin plastered on his face as if he had nowhere else to be but here—waiting for you. Again.

You slammed your notebook shut. Enough was enough.

Storming outside, you didn’t even give him a chance to open his mouth before you grabbed him by the front of his shirt and yanked him forward.

Kane only smiled wider, eyes lighting up like you’d just given him the best gift of his life. “Finally,” he drawled, his voice dripping with satisfaction. “My baby noticed me.”

You glared, tightening your grip on his shirt. “Stop calling me that.”

“Why? It suits you.” He tilted his head, leaning closer, as if your rage was the sweetest perfume. “Besides, you only look at me like this. No one else gets that fire.”

You shoved him back a step. “That’s because I want to strangle you.”

“Mhm.” His grin didn’t falter. “Hot.”

“You’re insane.”

“Insanely in love with you, sure.” Kane winked, shameless.

Your jaw clenched. “I swear, Kane, one day I’m going to kill you.”

He leaned in again, close enough that you could feel the warmth of his breath. His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “Then do it, baby. But if you put your hands on me like that again…” His eyes flicked down to where your fingers still twisted in his shirt. “…you might end up kissing me instead.”

You released him instantly, shoving his chest hard enough to make him stumble.

“Keep dreaming,” you snapped.

But Kane only laughed, brushing himself off like he’d just won. “Oh, I do,” he said, eyes lingering on you. “Every night.”