Ryan Winters stared at the scrawled notice pinned to the corkboard outside her dormitory room. "Maintenance Issues: All Respective Tenants Must Relocate Immediately." As if dealing with being dumped by her ex weeks before finals wasn’t enough, now she had to pack up and move out.

“Great, just what I needed,” Ryan muttered, swinging her backpack over a shoulder and kicking the door open with a little more force than necessary. Inside, her neatly arranged room felt like the only stable thing in her chaotic life. She ran a hand through her wavy auburn hair, her blue eyes scanning the room, almost as if committing it to memory.

Ryan picked up her phone, scrolling through her contacts to find a sympathetic friend who might give her a place to crash. No luck. Most of her friends were already scattered for the beginning of summer break.

The housing office suggested she temporarily room with an athlete off-campus. The idea seemed less than appealing, but with nowhere else to go, what choice did she have?

A heavy, deliberate knock broke her reverie. She opened the door to see Ethan Russell, in all his toned, athletic glory, leaning casually against the doorframe. With his windswept brown hair, piercing green eyes, and an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance, Ethan was everything Ryan tried to avoid. He arched an eyebrow at her, his taut jaw shifting as he observed her disarray.

“Ryan Winters?” His voice was like velvet over steel. She nodded wearily, not trusting herself to speak just yet.

“Looks like you’ve been assigned to me,” he said, a hint of annoyance mingling with curiosity on his face. “They didn't tell me I'd be playing babysitter. Let’s get you moved.”

He walked in, his muscular frame easily maneuvering the narrow space of her dorm. He scooped up one of her suitcase as if it weighed nothing, while Ryan scrambled to gather her most essential belongings.

As they left the dorm, she couldn’t help but notice the glances of admiration—and some jealousy—thrown his way by passersby. Ethan was not just any athlete; he was a campus celebrity, captain of the hockey team, infamous for his prowess both on and off the rink. She had heard the rumors of his numerous flings and wasn’t keen on becoming part of that sordid history.

###

The drive to Ethan’s apartment was filled with awkward silence. Ryan watched the city blur outside the window, her thoughts racing faster than the scenery. When he finally spoke, it startled her.

“So, what’s your story?” He asked, his tone implying he was merely being polite, but Ryan heard the slight curiosity underneath.

“Nothing much. Just a student trying to make it through finals. I wasn’t aware housing relocations included impromptu interviews,” she replied, trying to keep her voice neutral.

Ethan chuckled, a sound like a low rumble. “Fair enough. Just don’t mess up my place.”

She didn’t dignify that with a response and turned back to watching the city. They reached his apartment complex, a sleek, modern building that screamed luxury. This was clearly out of the housing budget for regular students.

Ethan led her through the lobby, all polished marble and glass, up to his high-rise apartment. She glanced around the spacious living room, taking in the expensive furniture, the glistening kitchen, and the floor-to-ceiling windows offering a spectacular view of the city.

“This is…nice,” she admitted reluctantly. Ethan smirked.

“You can have that room,” he said casually, pointing to a door at the end of the hallway. “It’s the only other bedroom, so don’t expect too much privacy. The walls are kinda thin.”

Ryan’s mouth went dry. They were to be neighbors, with only a thin wall separating them. She took a deep breath and nodded, dragging her suitcase inside the designated room. At least it was furnished. She could handle this; it was just temporary.

After settling in, she wandered back to the living room where Ethan sat on a leather couch, scrolling through his phone. He barely looked up as she entered.

“Is there a rulebook I should be aware of, beyond standard roommate etiquette?” Ryan asked, trying to sound unruffled.

“Just one,” he said, finally meeting her eyes. “Stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours.”

###

Over the next week, the tension between Ryan and Ethan was almost palpable. She focused on her studies and avoided him as much as possible, but it was hard when they shared the common spaces. She caught glimpses of him post-shower, his hair damp, a towel slung low on his hips, exposing enough of his sculpted physique to make her stomach tumble. She hated herself for noticing, but Ethan was just too magnetic.

One evening, she came home to find Ethan hosting a party. The apartment was filled with boisterous hockey players and glamorous girls all vying for his attention. Ryan tried to sneak past them to her room but was intercepted by Ethan himself.

“Join the fun, Winters,” he said, his breath warm against her ear. She shivered involuntarily.

“I have a project to finish,” she responded, attempting to retreat to her room. But he caught her wrist, his grip firm.

“You’re always working,” he murmured, pulling her closer. “Take a break for once.”

Ryan was about to snap back when she felt the searing heat of his body against hers. Conflicting emotions swirled inside her—part of her wanted to break free, but another, deeper part, yearned to stay close, to explore this forbidden attraction.

Instead, she tore herself away, marching towards her room, looking back only once to catch Ethan’s surprised, almost disappointed, expression. She closed the door, leaning against it, her heart racing as though she had sprinted a mile. What is wrong with me? she thought, shaking her head to clear the fog of arousal.

Another sleepless night followed, with distant music and muffled conversations seeping through the walls. She imagined—no, she knew Ethan was entertaining multiple women, his prowess not just a rumor. She clenched her jaw and turned up her music to drown out the troubling thoughts.

###

The next morning, Ryan was roused by the smell of fresh coffee. Groggy and irritable, she stumbled to the kitchen to find Ethan making breakfast. He looked infuriatingly fresh and unaffected, his smile a disarmingly charming mask.

“Morning,” he greeted, handing her a cup of coffee. “Truce?”

“What do you mean truce?” Ryan asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

“I may have been a bit of a dick last night. So, truce?” He repeated, this time with an outstretched hand.

Ryan bit her lip, debating internally before accepting the handshake. “Fine. Truce.”

Ethan’s next words threw her off guard. “You’re an enigma, Winters. Most girls would kill to be invited to my parties, yet you avoid them like the plague.”

“I prioritize my studies, and besides, not everyone falls for your charm,” she retorted, taking a defiant sip of her coffee. Ethan laughed, a genuine, hearty sound.

“That’s what makes you interesting,” he said, his green eyes twinkling with something like respect. “Maybe I misjudged you.”

Ryan didn’t respond, but she couldn’t deny the butterflies his words stirred. As much as she wanted to keep him at arm’s length, Ethan was more than just a distraction; he was a dilemma, a puzzle she felt compelled yet cautious to solve.

###

A couple of weeks in, Ryan had almost adjusted to her new living situation. Her interactions with Ethan remained mostly civil, albeit charged with unspoken tension. She occasionally found herself watching him from the corner of her eye—a habit she loathed but couldn’t break.

One late evening, while Ryan was buried in her laptop, she heard a soft knock on her door. It was Ethan, looking unusually serious.

“Can I come in?” He asked, sounding surprisingly vulnerable.

Ryan nodded, curiosity piqued. He entered, closing the door behind him. There was an odd mix of determination and regret in his eyes.

“I need your help,” he confessed, breaking the silence. “I’ve been scouted by a professional team, but my grades are dropping. If I can’t pass my finals, I’m screwed.”

Ryan blinked in surprise. The charismatic, overconfident Ethan she knew seemed shook—the stakes were evidently high.

“Why should I help you?” she countered, trying to keep her tone neutral.

“Because you’re the smartest person I know and because…” he faltered for a moment, “I don’t trust anyone else.”

His confession caught her off guard, melting some of her resolve. She took a deep breath, weighing her options.

“Fine,” she said, finally. “But you owe me.”

Ethan's face lit up, a genuine smile breaking through the mask of worry. "Deal."

They began their study sessions, drawn closer by a shared goal. Nights spilled into dawns, with books and notes scattered around them as they pushed through the dense subjects. Ethan’s appreciation grew, not just for her academic prowess but for her as a person—stubborn, dedicated, and unyieldingly principled.

Ryan, on the other hand, found glimpses of a different Ethan—vulnerable, earnest, and fiercely determined, far from the playboy image he projected. It confused and intrigued her.

One evening, after hours of intense study, they decided to take a break. Ethan suggested they watch a movie, and though Ryan was hesitant, she agreed. They settled on the couch, and halfway through the film, Ryan found herself leaning into Ethan’s shoulder, her fatigue softening her guard.

As the movie ended, they stayed in that intimate silence, their proximity bringing a rare comfort.

“Ryan,” Ethan murmured, turning to face her, his eyes locking onto hers. Her breath hitched as he leaned closer, his intentions clear. This was a line—no, an entire boundary—they’d be crossing.

Before she could overthink, Ethan’s lips brushed against hers, softly at first, then deepening into a kiss that unravelled her feeble defenses. She surrendered to the moment, her fingers tangling in his hair as his hand rested on her waist, pulling her closer.

Their kisses grew more urgent, more demanding. Ethan’s hands explored her back, his touch sending shivers down her spine. Ryan’s breath came in short gasps, matching Ethan’s intensity.

“Ethan,” she whispered, barely able to form words. “Maybe we shouldn’t…”

But her protest died as he captured her lips again, his need and desire matching her own. For the first time in weeks, Ryan stopped fighting her feelings and let herself get lost in Ethan's embrace.

As their kisses became deeper, their connection felt undeniable, and even if it was bound to complicate things further, in that moment, nothing else mattered.