Chapter 1 Chapter 1 A night with him

"You've got to be fucking kidding me! Caden! You didn't wear a condom?!"

After one heated round with her boyfriend, Caden, in the prop room behind the theater, Alora was shocked to discover he hadn't used any protection.

"Oh my God," she gasped, "When did you take it off? The campus health center is already closed. Fuck! I'm screwed! Why did you finish in me?!"

Alora immediately grabbed her sweatshirt from the floor, eager to get out. She had to get emergency contraception from a 24-hour store.

"Babe, relax." Caden stood up and pulled her close to his rock-hard abs, speaking casually. "What's the big deal? If you get pregnant, we'll handle it ourselves."

Alora's body trembled again as his lips moved to her neck, his breath hot against her skin.

"Baby," he whispered hoarsely, voice thick with desire, "you're so fucking sexy. Don't tell me you didn't prefer it raw? I can't help myself."

His large hand slid down her waist, reaching toward her core, and Alora's legs weakened again.

"No, Caden, we can't." She fought to stay clear-headed.

But his fingers had already slipped inside her.

He smirked and whispered, "You sure you don't want more?"

"I." Alora struggled to stay rational, but he suddenly flipped her onto the cabinet, lifted her skirt, and thrust in hard.

A low moan escaped her lips. "Mmm."

"Looks like your body's more honest than your mouth." Caden grinned and drove deeper, Alora clung to him as he pushed further inside.

"No rush, babe. We've got all night," Caden murmured.

******

By morning, they'd gone four rounds.

Exhausted, she dragged herself back to the dorm, relieved she didn't have afternoon classes. After a quick shower, she collapsed on her bed.

Just as she lay down, her phone lit up.

"Sweet Caden" as she had saved his name appeared on the screen.

They had just parted, so she didn't think much and answered, "Hello?"

There was only static, like it was an accidental call.

She was about to hang up when a familiar male voice came through the noise.

"Bro, the Tisch early admission list is dropping soon," it was Mason, Caden's midfield partner.

"You really planning to knock up the ice-cold drama queen before the list comes out?"

Alora froze, phone pressed to her ear, mind snapping awake. She could hear the disdain in Mason's tone and silently hoped Caden would refute him.

"Why would I change my mind?" Caden replied coldly. "Brielle needs that Tisch spot. She's always been top-tier and she deserves it."

Alora felt like she'd been struck by lightning. She couldn't breathe.

What was Caden saying?

A burst of crude laughter erupted.

"Man, Steele's such a Romeo!" Logan, the team captain, jeered. "Brielle dumped you ages ago and you're still playing prince charming? You're scared Alora will steal her Tisch spot, so now you're betting your dick on it!"

Caden's voice grew cold. "Brielle didn't dump me. She just said she didn't want distractions before auditions."

More laughter followed.

"Whatever you say," Mason mocked. "You're Caden Steele, star striker, stadium god. Bet if Brielle knew you sacrificed your dick for her and went this, she'd be crying on her knees to suck it!"

"I believe it," Chase added playfully. "Even 'never been kissed' Alora is losing her mind for you, man! Your dick must be something else!"

"Wow." Logan whistled exaggeratedly.

"Caden, you're insane! But honestly, Alora's innocent vibe is hotter than Brielle's. After chasing her this long, you sure you're not falling for her?"

Mason punched Logan playfully. "Come on, everyone knows Steele only cares about Brielle. Hooking up with Alora's just to help Brielle win the Tisch spot. Knock Alora up, and Brielle's got it. That's the plan, right, Caden?"

A brief silence.

Then Caden answered firmly. "Exactly."

On her end, Alora's blood ran cold. Her phone nearly slipped from her hand.

She stared at the ceiling, throat tightening, unable to breathe.

She couldn't believe it. Caden had approached her just to sabotage her Tisch recommendation. Everything was for Brielle.

Tears fell, and she quickly wiped them away. She couldn't cry.

She knew exactly how hard she had worked to make a name for herself in theater. Even after her car accident, she hadn't missed a single rehearsal. She had never dated.

She'd poured everything into the stage and rehearsal rooms, which left her with few friends and the label of "weirdo."

That was why she'd been so easily charmed by Caden.

They'd met at a frat party last fall.

That night, the party was wild when he suddenly stood by the fountain with a drink in hand and shouted:

"Alora Harper! Be my girlfriend! I'm Caden Steele, Miller U's star striker! No one's taking you tonight!"

The crowd burst into cheers and laughter. All eyes turned to her.

Alora's face flushed deep red. Though she could command a stage, in real life, she was slow to warm up, not as quick or bold as Caden. Her heart nearly burst as she fled in a panic.

She'd told herself not to get distracted,

she had a career to chase.

She thought it had been a party stunt, but he didn't given up.

In the days that followed, he was everywhere-outside the library, near the rehearsal hall, even at her favorite café. The staged "coincidences" didn't impress her. If anything, they annoyed her.

Until one night, after an exhausting rehearsal, as she headed backstage, she saw him leaning by the door-holding her script.

She turned to leave, but Caden's deep voice echoed behind her:

"With love's light wings did I o'er-perch these walls;
For stony limits cannot hold love out,
And what love can do that dares love attempt;
Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me."

He was quoting the male lead from her play.

Alora turned, stunned, breathless, meeting his blue gaze.

When she didn't respond, Caden scratched his neck, voice a little nervous. "I watched your rehearsal videos...figured I'd at least learn this line to match your scene."

In that moment, her defenses crumbled.

Back then, she'd truly believed he was her Romeo.

Now she knew-the true Juliet was Brielle.

Enough.

She wiped her tears, grabbed her bag, and hailed a cab to the pharmacy.

She bought emergency contraception and took it on the spot.

Sitting outside the convenience store, staring at her reflection in the glass, she whispered:

"Never again."

She pulled out her phone and called her mom.

"Mom, I've made up my mind... I'm accepting the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts offer."

Caden had completely miscalculated.

She was never planning to compete with Brielle for Tisch.

She'd already secured offers from several top international drama schools.

At one point, she'd hesitated, wondering if she should stay in the U.S. for him.

But now, she wasn't staying anymore.

On the other end, her mom sounded surprised but quickly supportive.

"Sweetheart, I didn't expect this change, but it's wonderful! The international programs start early, and you've finished your credits at Miller's U. It's perfect to go early. You can leave next week-what do you think?"

Alora lowered her head, voice cool and resolute.

"The sooner, the better."