Heat Between The Lines

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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.

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