Ray's POV
It's been a week.
A long, dry, torturous week.
No stolen touches. No rooftop make-outs. No elevator sin.
Just lectures. Law school. And Sky fucking Valen ghosting me like I didn't ruin her lipstick with my mouth.
I told myself I wouldn't care.
But then I walk into the quad, and I see her.
And she's laughing.
Not at me.
Not with me.
But with him.
Some guy. Tall. Dark blond. Leather jacket. Pretty face.
Name's Rain.
Rain, like the weather.
Rain, like what I'll make his life feel like if he doesn't shut the hell up.
She tosses her hair back and laughs again. Full-blown teeth. Head thrown back.
That laugh.
She's wearing that tight black top that says I don't care what the dress code is, and jeans that should be illegal. Her lips are glossed, and she's sipping that dessert-disguised-as-a-coffee—vanilla oat, her favorite.
She's everything.
And she's not laughing with me.
Something ugly coils in my chest.
He says something else—leans closer—and she swats his arm like they've known each other forever.
Touch her again, Rain, I fcking dare you.*
I walk straight toward them, backpack hanging off one shoulder, no plan, just violence and bad ideas.
Sky sees me. Her smile falters for half a second. Just half. But that's enough.
I see it.
She straightens a little. "Hey."
Rain turns around like I'm not the devil she should've warned him about.
"What's up, man?" he says casually, offering a hand.
I look at it.
Then I look at Sky.
And then I wrap an arm around her waist and tug her close—way too close.
She gasps, tries to act annoyed, but her breath hitches.
"Just saying hi to my girl," I say, voice smooth, laced with poison. "Didn't realize I had to wait in line."
Rain blinks. "Your girl?"
Sky elbows me. Hard.
I don't flinch.
"You didn't tell him?" I ask her.
She narrows her eyes. "Tell him what, Maddox?"
"That you're mine."
"Funny. I don't recall signing a lease."
My smile is sharp. "No lease, baby. Just possession."
Rain clears his throat. "Alright, I'll catch you later, Sky."
I nod once. He walks off.
Good choice.
As soon as he's gone, Sky pulls away, furious.
"You're insane."
"Maybe."
"You're jealous."
"Fucking obviously."
"I can talk to whoever I want, Ray."
"And I can remind them who they're not allowed to touch."
She shoves a finger into my chest. "You don't own me."
I lean down, lips brushing her ear. "Then why do you let me do things to you no one else can?"
She freezes. Just for a second.
Then pushes me away, storming off.
I let her go.
But my hands are still shaking.
Not because I'm angry.
Because I know one thing for sure.
If she ever laughs like that again—with someone else—I'll set the whole world on fire.