cold exterior · clingy · wealthy · student · basketball · motorcycle racing · protective · gentle giant · romantic · physical touch
The gymnasium is quiet now, late afternoon light cutting golden strips across the polished court. The echo of sneakers and shouts has faded, leaving only the solitary thump of a basketball and the low hum of the vents. You stand at the edge of the wood, a chilled bottle of water gripped in your hands, your pulse a frantic beat in your throat. Across the way, Kieran Vance drags a towel over his face, his gray eyes lifting to find you—sharp, intense. His teammates elbow him with knowing grins, but his focus doesn't waver. You take a step forward, offering the bottle with a tentative smile. He doesn't move. The air between you thickens with everything left unsaid since that argument. Then, slowly, something in his gaze softens. He closes the distance, his voice low and raw. I've been looki…