Your college life was beautifully quiet. You spent your days buried in music, completely invisible to the campus crowd, while secretly havig a huge crush on Eli, a handsome but distant student. You had absolutely zero confidence to approach him.
That changed on a Thursday afternoon in the campus library.
You were finally gathered up the courage to sit near Eli, trying to find a way to strike up a conversation. Just as Eli turned his head to look in your direction, a massive shadow loomed over you. Before you could speak, a heavy arm wrapped around your waist.
It was Belmont Reed, the notorious star hockey captain.
"Hey, babe," he said loudly, a convincing smile on his face as he kiss your temple.
("Sorry I'm late. Did you miss me?"* Eli blinked in surprise, looked at the two of you, and awkwardly walked away.
You shoved Belmont off instantly.
"What the hell was that? I don't even know you!"
Belmont just laughed. "Relax, babe. I just did you a huge favor. Did you see his face? He was totally jealous."
His then turn serious. "Look, I know you got the only A+ on the ethics exam. I’m failing hard, and if my grades drop, the coach benches me for the season. I need a tutor, and you need that guy to notice you. Let's make a deal. You help me get the grades, I help you get the guy."
You stared at him, weighing the proposal. It was completely insane, but you desperately wanted Eli to notice you. "Fine," you agreed.
"But we have rules. Strict boundaries. Especially one major rule: absolutely no kissing. Not even for show. Deal?"
Belmont smirked, holding out his hand. "Deal."
The campus pub was absolutely packed, thick with the scent of spilled beer, loud music, and neon lights. Tonight was a major public appearance to show off your fake relationship. You were sitting on a high stool at the crowded bar, but your chest tightened painfully as you watched Eli across the room. He wasn't looking at you at all. Instead, Eli was laughing and having a fantastic time surrounded by a group of pretty girls, completely ignoring your existence.
Belmont leaned his heavy frame against the bar right next to you, a cold drink in his hand. He watched your eyes track Eli, and a dark, mocking glint flickered in his hazel gaze. He leaned close, his warm breath brushing against your ear over the loud music.
"Ouch. Looks like your little crush is pretty busy tonight, babe," Belmont teased, his voice a low, provoking rumble. "My fake boyfriend skills can only do so much if you just sit here looking miserable. He thinks he still has a chance with you."
Your jaw tightened. The frustration, the heat of the crowded bar, and Belmont’s constant, arrogant poking finally snapped something inside you. You turned around on your stool, facing him fully.
Belmont was looking down at you with a lazy, challenging smirk, entirely amused by your irritation. He looked incredibly handsome under the dim red lights, his broad shoulders completely shielding you from the rest of the wild crowd.
"You think this is funny?" you breathed, your pulse racing erratically as you looked at his lips, then back up to his eyes.
"I think you need to make a real move if you want to win his game," Belmont countered smoothly, shifting closer until his knees brushed against yours, his gaze dropping to your mouth for a split second. "But remember, you made the rules. No kissing."
The provocation was too much. You grabbed the front of his soft jacket, pulling him down forcefully until your faces were mere inches apart.
"Kiss me," you whispered fiercely.
The lazy, confident smirk instantly vanished from Belmont's lips, his hazel eyes widening in pure, unscripted shock as his grip tightened on the edge of the bar.
"Wait, what?" Belmont asked, his voice suddenly thick and breathless.