I accidentally slept with my nemesis, and now he's having nightmares every night, completely distracted.

Well, isn't that a form of revenge in itself?


In this world, the person I hate most is Kane Lyons. He's my childhood friend, three years older than me, and the last person I want to see.

But now, here we are, lying naked together. I turn my head to stare at Kane, still passed out beside me, his annoyingly handsome face peaceful in sleep as I struggle to piece together my fragmented memories of last night.

Shit! How did I end up sleeping with him?


Oh, I remember now. Last night at the party, I got tired and slipped away to rest in a room on the second floor, tucked away at the back.

I'd barely taken a few sips of my drink when the door creaked open.


"Lucy Leahy?"

"Kane Lyons?"

Enemies meeting face to face—instant hostility crackled between us.

He was still as tall and handsome as I remembered. His sweat-dampened hair casually pushed back from his forehead, giving him that effortless look I'd always hated.

My heart wouldn't stop racing. Damn it.

He closed the door with a click, sauntered in with his hands on his hips, and provocatively snatched the wine glass from my hand. Looking me up and down, he smirked. "Seriously? Haven't you developed at all these past few years? Why do you still have the body of a child."

I bit my lip, glaring up at him. He towered over me, seeming almost twice my size.

"Well, well," I replied with exaggerated sweetness. "Look at you all golden and shiny. Just get off work at the circus? Or did they kick you out for scaring the lions?"

"Ha—" Kane refilled the glass and took a few gulps. "Whatever. What are you doing here? Why do I run into you everywhere I go? Don't tell me you followed me to this college on purpose?"

I widened my eyes, both angry and amused. I snatched the glass back and took a defiant sip. "Is this your private school? Are you the only one allowed to attend? I had no idea you were here, okay? If I'd known, I wouldn't have applied here even if they paid my full tuition! Just seeing you ruins my day!"

He grabbed my wrist and took back the glass. "Who ruins whose day?"

"You! You're like a bad penny that keeps turning up! What, afraid I'll tell everyone about all the embarrassing things you did as a kid? Always pretending to be Mr. Perfect—" I don't know what came over me, but my emotions flared and I couldn't stop the words pouring out.

Kane's expression darkened. "Lucy, do you always have to pick a fight the moment you see me?"

"Who started it?" I refused to back down. "What's wrong? Did I hit a nerve? The golden boy Kane Lyons is actually a narrow-minded bully who enjoys tormenting others! What else can you do besides wearing that fake mask to deceive people?!"

He suddenly pushed me backward. I stumbled against the wall, but he followed, pressing close, his breath hot on my face: "Oh? You hate me now? What about when we were kids? Following me around everywhere like a lost puppy I couldn't shake off. Who's the one that wouldn't leave who alone?"

I froze, humiliation washing over me like ice water. My eyes burned, tears threatening to spill.

Kane stopped, his expression shifting as he stared at me.

After that... I'm not sure what happened. One minute we were arguing, the next our lips crashed together in a fury.

The memories become more vivid, flashes of heat and skin...

I shake my head violently, trying to dislodge those burning images. I need to get out of here before he wakes up.

I quickly slide off the couch, but my legs turn to jelly and I collapse to my knees.

Damn you, Kane Lyons! You absolute beast!

Fighting through the aching pain radiating through my body, I frantically pull on my clothes and flee the scene like a criminal.