[ MATURE CONTENT ] 

"Craig," she whispered, breath shivering, "please…"

It didn't matter what she was asking for…more, less, everything. The plea alone made them press hard against each other, like their bodies were trying to make up for all the time they'd been apart, like they could consume each other if they touched harder.

And still, she ached.
For all of him. And he did too.

She could tell by the way his grip on her thighs tightened, his fingers digging into her skin like he was holding on for dear life. His breath warm and uneven against her neck, as her hips rolled again, slower this time, more deliberate.

Then he groaned, head falling to her shoulder as his body pressed in, hard and hungry. "Shit," he whispered, voice ragged. "Merlina,"

And just like that, his mouth was gone.

She blinked, dazed, lips swollen, skin tingling everywhere he'd touched.

He stepped back, slow and heavy with restraint, hands gripping the edge of the sink on either side of her, like he needed to hold something that wasn't her.

Her voice came out in a whisper. "Why'd you stop?"

His eyes met hers, dark and wrecked. But then, he smirked. "Not with your siblings next door."

She stared, barely able to think.

He leaned in like he might kiss her again, then stopped just short, brushing his thumb over swollen bottom lip, "PG-13 remember?"


SYNOPSIS:

At an elite college, falling for the cold, narcissistic son of a bi-llionaire wasn’t part of the plan, especially when his brother is tied to her mother’s mysterious death. 

But from the moment Merlina steps into campus, the chemistry is undeniable. He’s detached, arrogant, and everything she should stay away from. Yet no matter how hard she tries, she can’t ignore the pull.

She’s here for a degree, but her real mission is uncovering the secrets of her mother’s past at this very school. As sparks fly between her and the guy she should keep her distance from, she’s torn between two things: exposing the truth and protecting her heart from falling for him.

The deeper she digs, the more dangerous things get. Anonymous threats, dark secrets, and a guy who’s starting to think her obsession with the past could ruin everything. 


TikTok | @officialffmeb

Merlina's spine stiffened, she didn't flinch or step back.


She just flicked a glance at Melissa, the calm, shared eye-roll they gave when someone spouted pure garbage.


Adriana moved closer, and six years folded into one heartbeat. The classroom. The projector. 


Adriana's speech back then. 'She figured the dead-mom card would make Craig fall harder'


Those memories came pouring in like a flood. 


Now, Adriana let out a soft, bitter laugh. "You know, I underestimated you, Merlina. Crazy part? I actually liked you. Thought we were tight. Never saw how deep your desperation ran."


"Uh-uh." Merlina lifted one finger off Cameron's shoulder, his weight steady against her hip. "Not interested in college reruns, especially not in front of my kid."


Chapter 167 - Breathing Out