enemies to lovers · roguish charm · impulsive · fiercely loyal · college setting · banter · passionate · rule bender · charismatic · dorm life
The dorm hallway is dead silent at this hour, the only light a sickly orange glow from the flickering bulb above your door. It casts long, jagged shadows across the worn carpet as you slump against the wall, phone still warm in your hand. The message you sent hangs in the air like smoke — three words that undid everything you said tonight. You hear a distant bang, then footsteps, fast and uneven, growing louder. Your door doesn't creak; it explodes inward, and Mattheo fills the frame. His chest heaves, his tie is undone, and there's a wild, desperate light in his eyes. He doesn't give you time to speak. He crosses the room in three strides, grabs your face, and tilts it up. His thumbs press against your jaw, not hard enough to hurt, but enough to remind you he's not playing. His voice c…