Chapter 1: Introduction
Mia's eyes darted over the throngs of people gathered in the quad, all passionately shouting their commitment to equality. She smiled as a frisson of excitement zinged up her spine. It was electrifying to be a part of something so powerful, so moving. The sun began to dip, casting the area in the warm glow of a late summer's day—and as her gaze swept across the knots of fervent believers, she caught sight of his cocky grin.
Brad, standing with a few other guys she vaguely recognized from class.
Her stomach roiled, already irritated with the sight of him. He was a man who thought he could use his charm to win over anyone, especially when it came to women. Men like him were the target of her activism—and she couldn't help but feel the irony deepen as he made his way toward her, arms wide for an embrace.
"Mia, I'm glad I found you!" His voice boomed through the crowded quad. "You have no idea how inspired I've been by your speeches!"
Her eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms.
"I sincerely doubt that, Brad. I remember all too well how you treated me in the past."
"Aw, come on, Mia," he whined, puffing out his cheeks. "I was young and stupid back then. I've changed, I swear. Besides, this isn't about me—it's about the cause, right?" He smiled broadly as he tried to bat his eyelashes flirtatiously.
"Oh, please." She sighed, trying to suppress a laugh. "Not this again. You don't give a damn about women's rights, Brad. You're just using this cause to try and get in my pants."
He chuckled, his smug smile never wavering. "Come on, Mia. Don't be like that. You know I like you. And sure, maybe I'm not schooled up on the finer points of politicking, but I have respect for your mission."
She rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"Seriously, Brad, you need to learn some respect." But before she could say anything more, he grabbed her ass with both hands, squeezing hard and pulling her close. She gasped, stunned by the audacity of his actions.
"Brad, what the fuck?" She hissed, trying to wriggle free. "Let go of me!"
But he didn't seem to hear her. Instead, his grip on her tightened, and she felt his hot breath against her ear. You know you want it," he whispered.
Rage bubbled up within her, fueled by a potent mix of anger and disgust. She couldn't believe he was doing this to her, in front of all these people he was openly degrading her, what if a friend of Jamies saw?
She shoved him away, hard.
Her heart pounded in her chest, and she felt the heat of anger coursing through her veins. But as she glared at him, her anger morphed into something else—something unexpected. A desire that she had long buried, but could no longer ignore.
She closed her eyes, savoring the sudden surge of wanton need that took hold of her. She wanted him—badly. And though she knew it was wrong, she couldn't deny the power of the desire that had awakened within her.
She opened her eyes and stared at him, her breath coming in shallow gasps.
"Brad," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Please get your hands off me."
He smirked, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
She stared at him, eyes wide, unable to comprehend what was happening—a confusion made all the more potent by the desire that had her in its grip.
Brad leaned in, his lips curling into a wolfish smirk. "No need to play coy, Mia. I can see how much you want me."
She shook her head, attempting to clear the fog of want that had descended upon her. "I may want you, but I hate you," she murmured, feeling the weight of her conflicting emotions.
The proximity of his body ignited something deep inside her, an animalistic craving she could hardly suppress.
He raised an eyebrow, studying her intently. "Sounds like foreplay to me, darlin'."
His words sent a chill down her spine, a feeling that was equal parts terror and exhilaration.
Before Mia had the chance to step away, he crashed his lips onto hers, bruising and raw with lust. She groaned, hesitating for just a moment before letting herself fall into the kiss.
With all the strength she could muster, Mia tried to ignore the gnawing guilt in her stomach. He was her ex, her former lover, a man who had already hurt her before. But why couldn't she resist when he kissed her like this, as if she were the oxygen he needed?
As he plunged his tongue into her mouth, tasting of liquor and cigarettes, she couldn't help but feel a sense of betrayal to Jamie.
But she couldn't deny the way her body responded to his touches either. Years had passed since the last time they had been together—but it seemed her body remembered him all too well.
Their tongues danced in a primal rhythm, each stroke of his tasting buds against hers setting off a spark of pleasure that ran down to her core. She reached up and tangled her fingers in his short blonde hair, pulling him in closer.
She knew this was wrong, that she shouldn't be doing this.
But her traitorous body couldn't help but respond to every brush of his lips and touch of his hands. Instinctively, she arched into him, her nipples hardening into tight beads under her shirt.
With a groan of approval, he slid his hands down to her waist, gripping her hips tightly. He began to grind against her, and she couldn't help the gasp that escaped her lips as she felt the aroused length of him pressed against her belly.
Her own body responded instantly, sending sparks of desire racing through her veins as she felt his erection.
"Fuck, Mia. It feels so good to have you again," Brad whispered roughly in her ear.
"Fuck you," Mia hissed back, pressing herself back against him, thriving on the power struggle that seemed to exist between them.
Her lips found his neck, and she bit down hard, savoring the taste of his skin.