Selena’s P. O. V.
After a quick nap, I wake up to find James working on his laptop, sitting beside me. His brows are furrowed, his sharp jawline clearly noticeable in the glow of the screen.
How does he always look so effortlessly hot and handsome?
I shake my head, trying not to stare, but it’s impossible.
As my phone vibrates, I pick it up from beside me.
It’s a text from Stella.
Stella: Bonfire and dinner are ready.
“Let’s go, Mr. Luther. Dinner is ready,” I tell him, getting up. He shuts the laptop and sets it aside after nodding.
As soon as we step outside the tent, the mountain night air hits me, and I realise my hair is a mess from sleeping.
Before I can fix it, James stands in front of me and smooths it down. A shiver runs down my spine, not because of the chilly breeze, but because of his touch. I gaze at him in admiration.
The walls I’ve built around my heart-he’s breaking them so effortlessly.
The words he said to me during trekking constantly ring in my head. ‘You don’t have to sacrifice your happiness or what you truly want to be perfect in someone else’s eyes. You just have to be yourself.’
“Now perfect.” He steps back, dropping his hands to his sides after fixing my hair.
I smile at his words, but my cheeks grow redder-not just from the cold.
He’s dangerous-not in the sense that he’d hurt me, but because he’s starting to feel like everything I’ve ever needed.
“You’re freezing.” After noticing me shiver, he turns and disappears back into the tent.
Moments later, he returns with my stole and wraps it around my shoulders from behind. His sweet gesture brings a smile to my face. No man has ever cared for me like this or noticed such little details. But James does. He notices everything.
“Thank you,” I utter, feeling both shy and touched.
He smirks, brushing his thumb across my cheek, where the cold has painted it a rosy red. “No need to thank me. Besides, these cheeks of yours are giving away all your secrets.”
I stare at him, startled. “What secrets?”
“That you’re cold.” His smirk deepens.
He is such a teaser.
I let out a laugh. “I probably look like a monkey with these red cheeks.”
“No. You’re not even close to a monkey.” He shakes his head, locking his eyes with mine. “You’re adorable, Little Miss. Don’t doubt that for a second.”
For a moment, all I can do is stare at him, my heart beating so fast. What is this man doing to me?
“I’m going to meet my friends.” I immediately turn away and head toward Zoe and Stella, who are chatting near the bonfire.
As soon as I reach them, Zoe teases me, “Look at you, all red! What happened inside the tent with Mr Hottie?”
“Nothing happened. My face turns red because of the cold.” I respond, rolling my eyes.
“Sure, sure.” Stella joins in, poking my arm. “You’ve been stealing glances at him all day, and now you’re all flustered. Something’s going on, Selena.”
I glare at them. “Stop it.”
Oh, God! Will they just stop teasing me? Don’t they have any other work? Anyway, I also used to tease them a lot when they were falling in love. Love? Where the hell is my mind going? Don’t you dare go there, Selena. Stop it. You’re just attracted to him, and that’s all.
And Wait! I can still tease my friends.
With a mischievous smile, I look at Stella. “Besides, let’s talk about you. What did you do alone with Alex?” I pull the scarf off her neck, revealing the faint mark on her skin.
Her eyes widen, and cheeks turn crimson as she quickly hides it.
Fuck! I was only teasing her, but I hadn’t expected her to actually be hiding love bites beneath her scarf.
Perfect. Now I’ve something to tease her in real. Wow!
“Well, well,” I tease, crossing my arms. “Looks like Alex got wild with you, huh?”
“He is always wild.” She admits, her face now the colour of a ripe tomato.
Zoe bursts into laughter, clutching her stomach. “Oh my God, Stella. I didn’t expect you to just admit it!”
“It’s the truth.” Stella shrugs and moves closer to us before whispering, “And I love his wildness.”
We all freeze at the sound of Alex’s voice from behind us. “What are you guys talking about?”
We spin around to see him standing there with a suspicious smirk on his face. His hands are casually stuffed into his pockets, but his intense gaze is locked onto Stella, who looks like she’s just been caught red-handed.
“We’re just… talking about the view! Isn’t the bonfire beautiful tonight?” Stella responds with an overly innocent smile.
He walks closer to her and leans in before whispering something in her ear, which makes her blush harder.
Although it’s been a year of seeing them together, it’s still hard to believe that the same two people, who never missed an opportunity to fight with each other, are now deeply in love.
After dinner, drinks, and plenty of laughter, someone suggests we play truth or dare.
I turn to Mr Luther excitedly. “You should join us.”
“What? No. I’m not a kid, Selena.” As he denies, I roll my eyes.
Typical Mr Luther! But I’ve my ways to make him agree to play.
“Come on, Mr. Luther. It’s just a game. You’re not scared, are you?” I try hard to hide my smirk.
He raises an eyebrow. “Scared? Of a game? Hardly.”
“Then prove it,” I challenge, crossing my arms. “Join us.”
My plan is working. You’re so good, Selena.
James sighs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Fine. But if this turns into one of those ridiculous games where I have to embarrass myself, I’m holding you personally responsible.”
I chuckle. “No problem. Now come.”
I pull him toward the circle around the bonfire, where everyone else is already seated. Zoe and Stella exchange knowing looks as we sit down, and I can tell they’re ready to pounce with teasing remarks.
These girls! Whatever it is, I love them so much. Now I can hardly imagine my life without them.
The game begins, and the bottle spins, landing on random people. The game is lighthearted at first, filled with silly dares and confessions.
But when the bottle spins and lands on Mr. Luther, all eyes turn to him.
“Truth or dare?” Zoe asks with a mischievous grin.
“Dare,” James replies in his calm and confident voice.
Zoe leans forward, glancing at me and smirking. I wonder what is going in her mind.
“Okay, Mr. Luther. We dare you to… kiss someone here.” As Zoe tells the dare, my heart skips a beat, and I freeze, unable to look at him.
I feel everyone’s gaze flicker toward me as if they’re expecting it to be me.
God! Why am I suddenly feeling so hot in this cold weather?
As Mr Luther’s piercing eyes fixed on me, my breath becomes heavy. The intensity of his stare makes my skin tingle.
Is he going to kiss me? In front of everyone?
Fuck! My heart is beating so fast that I can hear it thumping in my ears.
Mr Luther is going to kiss me in front of all the students.
This moment reminds me of our first kiss. But it was different. We weren’t around the students. We were at the club, and nobody knew he was my father’s friend.