Tui_Tion

College was supposed to save her. Instead, it broke her in ways she didn’t know were possible.
She’s nineteen, broke, bleeding between classes, and hiding bruises under oversized hoodies. Her mother’s fists still echo in her bones, and her heart’s still tangled in a mess she swore she’d outgrow.
Zayne is the last person she should’ve fallen for—tattooed, arrogant, and always two steps from destruction. He’s her best friend’s cousin. He’s her f*ck buddy. And he’s the only person who’s ever made her feel anything other than invisible.
But Zayne doesn’t love. He ruins.
And somewhere in the shadows of their toxic, pull-you-back-in connection is Luca—his quiet, brilliant cousin, an engineering major with soft hands and secrets behind his eyes. The one who sees her. The one who waits.
As midterms close in and her life unravels, betrayal and obsession crash into long-buried family secrets—and the things that are supposed to stay hidden won't stay quiet for long.
Raw. Addictive. Unapologetically steamy.
 Burn Me Gently is an 18+ college romance that dives headfirst into emotional damage, toxic lust, healing love, and the kind of choices that leave scars.

Burn Me Gently

The party was louder than it should've been. The kind where bass made your chest rattle and everyone pretended to like each other just enough to survive until the liquor ran out.

Lea didn't want to be there. She didn't even know why she came. Maybe to feel normal. Maybe to prove to herself she wasn't falling apart.

Maybe because Zayne would be there.

She told herself she was just showing up. Just existing. Just drinking.

But she wore mascara. Tight jeans. The black crop top she didn't feel brave enough to wear outside most days.

And when she walked into that frat house, she felt every stare like a hand on her body.

Zayne was in the kitchen, solo cup in hand, half-laughing at something some other girl said, until he saw her.

He didn't move at first. Just lifted his chin like he was giving permission to approach.

Instead, she turned the opposite direction—straight into Luca.

He blinked at her, surprised, then smiled slowly. He had on that gray zip-up she liked. His curls were damp. His skin smelled like soap and cinnamon gum.

"You look good," he said, voice low so it didn't get lost in the noise.

She didn't answer. Just sipped from the drink someone had handed her and looked over his shoulder—right where Zayne was still watching.

"Lea," Luca said gently. "You don't have to do this."

"I think you're pretending you're not."

But her body went cold when Zayne pushed through the crowd toward them.

He didn't stop. Just came up behind her, slid a hand around her waist like he owned the place—and her.

"Didn't think you'd show," he murmured, breath hot against her neck.

"I'm talking to her," Luca said, his tone calm but laced with steel.

Zayne looked up. Smirked. "Yeah, I see that. Cute moment. Now scram."

Lea turned, stepped between them. "Don't."

"You really can't stand the fact that she still wants me," he said.

Zayne's smile didn't fade. "Wanna bet?"

The words were a throwaway. A taunt. But something in Lea froze.

The way he said it—too casual, too rehearsed.

Luca stepped forward, chest to chest with his cousin now.

"You need to stop using her like she's a game."

"Oh, don't be so dramatic. She's not a game. She's a—"

The party got quiet around them. Not silent, but tense. Like everyone could feel the air shift.

Then he laughed. "Nothing. Inside joke. Calm down."

Because her stomach was already twisting.

Zayne tried to kiss her then. Tried to lean in like it would reset everything.

Luca was still watching. Quiet. Holding his breath.

Zayne turned away, muttering something under his breath. Disappeared back into the party like nothing happened.

And Lea felt it like fire under her skin.

She shook her head. "No. I need to be alone."

He hesitated. "Text me when you get home."

The Rules That Burn