---
I tried everything.
The bend-over-without-looking-back trick?
Nothing.
He just walked past me like I was adjusting a shoelace.
The towel-drop-after-shower move?
Barely a glance. And even that felt polite.
By now, I was frustrated. No, worse—curious.
It wasn't like he was clueless. I knew that look in his eyes. The one he wore when I brushed too close. When I "accidentally" leaned in and my breath touched his neck. There was heat. Tension.
But he didn't break.
He didn't smirk. Didn't tease.
Didn't flirt.
He just watched… quietly.
Like I was playing a game, and he'd already memorized the rules.
So I changed tactics.
I walked out of my room in just an oversized shirt—his, to be exact. I let it hang loose, let it sway when I walked past the couch where he sat.
Still… nothing.
I laughed too loudly at his jokes. Let my fingers graze his shoulder a little too long. Dropped things just so I could bend over near him.
Still… nothing.
He was either immune, or in control.
And both possibilities were driving me insane.
Because now, I wasn't just doing this to seduce him.
I wanted to know what he was thinking.
Was he resisting me?
Was he winning this little war?
Or was he silently… waiting?
---
His friend came over that afternoon — tall, charming, and just flirtatious enough to be dangerous.
Perfect.
I was dressed for war. Short shorts, loose tank top, bare feet. I didn't plan on being subtle anymore. Not today.
I laughed too easily at the friend's jokes. Let my fingers linger when I passed him a drink. Once, I even rested my hand on his arm for just a beat too long.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watched him.
No reaction.
But I knew better.
His jaw was just a little tighter. His voice, when he spoke, had dropped a few degrees colder. And when I leaned in close to his friend to whisper something meaningless and flirty?
He stood up.
Didn't say a word. Just… walked to the kitchen.
Retreat or regroup?
I wasn't sure. But I followed.
He was rinsing a glass, too slowly, too calmly.
"You okay?" I asked innocently, leaning beside him.
He didn't look at me. Just said, "Your little performance—impressive."
"Performance?" I raised a brow, feigning innocence.
Now he did look at me. And the heat in his eyes was no longer restrained.
"If you're trying to make me jealous," he said, stepping a little too close, "you might want to remember something."
I swallowed. "What?"
"I don't get jealous."
He walked past me, but not before letting his fingers graze my waist—slow, deliberate, and filled with silent warning.
And I enjoyed every bit of it.
---
He was lying on the couch, reading — calm, distant, unreadable as always.
I wandered over with a yawn, stretching lazily in front of him, letting my shirt rise just a little too far above my waist. He didn't even blink.
Okay.
I sat down beside him. Too close. Close enough for our thighs to brush. Still nothing.
So I leaned sideways, pretending to peer at the book in his hands.
"Whatcha reading?"
He tilted the book slightly, letting me see — but didn't say a word.
I leaned closer. My shoulder touched his. My chest just barely grazed his arm. Still nothing.
So I rested my head on his shoulder.
He didn't move.
But his grip on the book tightened.
I smiled.
"Do you mind?" I asked, softly.
He didn't answer. He just turned the page, but slower this time. I let my hand fall casually onto his thigh — innocent enough, just relaxed posture.
He tensed.
Finally.
I shifted slightly, the tiniest adjustment, enough for the side of my breast to press against him. Pretending it meant nothing. Pretending I didn't feel the spark.
He still didn't say a word.
But his breath?
It hitched.
Victory.
Almost.
---