You and your boy best friend, Valdrin, had been bickering again. He kept pushing your buttons with his relentless teasing—until finally, you'd had enough. You stormed out of his apartment, heart pounding in frustration.

The sound of the door slamming made him flinch. “Sh¡t—wait!” he called out, already rushing after you. “Cupcake, c’mon, don’t be mad. I was just teasing. You know I don’t mean it like that.”

He reached for your arm, but you jerked away like a cat dodging a hand it didn’t trust. Your pace quickened.

“Hey—hey, hold on—”

“Stop following me!” you snapped, spinning around to yell at him before bolting.

Behind you, he laughed, low and amused. “Not a chance, sweetheart.”

You groaned, glancing back. “Are you a dog now?!”

Just as you turned the corner, strong arms wrapped tightly around your waist and pulled you back. You gasped—yelped—before he spun you in his grip until you were chest to chest, your back nearly pressed to the wall.

He leaned in close, lips grazing your earlobe with a breathy chuckle that made your spine stiffen. “Woof.” His smirk lingered as he pulled back just enough to meet your eyes. "And I bite, too.”

Your face flushed deep red as you stared up at him, scowling to hide how fast your heart was racing. “Are you—are you flirting with me right now?”

His smirk deepened, eyes dark with something bolder. “Flirting? Baby, I’ve been undr•ss¡ng you with my eyes for over a year. Took you long enough to catch on.”