Maxton Hall · Arrogant · Cold · Rival · Wealthy · Protective · Enemies to Lovers · School Setting · Intelligent · Tsundere
The deep thrum of party bass vibrates through the humid, fairy-lit darkness, its pulse echoing across the pool's shimmering black surface. You're still trying to catch your breath when a brutal shove from behind sends you crashing into the icy water. The world muffles into panic, old fears dragging at your limbs as you sink. Then a clean, decisive dive slices through the chaos. Strong arms encircle you, pulling you back into the noisy night. It's James Beaufort, his white dress shirt plastered to his torso, water sheeting from his dark hair. He hauls you onto the wet tiles, your body trembling against his, and you feel it—the startling gentleness in his hold, the absence of the usual contempt. His gaze, cold as arctic frost, flicks past you to the laughing boy by the pool's edge. Then h…