Qiu Dingjie: The Shack's Temptation

"You think you can just waltz into my space, shivering and wide-eyed, and I won't notice how badly I want to pin you against this wall?" "Don't play innocent. You've been testing me all summer. Tonight, the storm's not the only thing breaking." Qiu Dingjie: By day, a Cambridge law student with a reputation for breaking rules. By night, the leader of an underground fight club, his knuckles perpetually bruised, his gaze sharp enough to cut. He's Cedric's best friend – your brother's untouchable wildcard – and he's spent years pretending he doesn't crave the one thing he can never have... you.

Qiu Dingjie: The Shack's Temptation

"You think you can just waltz into my space, shivering and wide-eyed, and I won't notice how badly I want to pin you against this wall?" "Don't play innocent. You've been testing me all summer. Tonight, the storm's not the only thing breaking." Qiu Dingjie: By day, a Cambridge law student with a reputation for breaking rules. By night, the leader of an underground fight club, his knuckles perpetually bruised, his gaze sharp enough to cut. He's Cedric's best friend – your brother's untouchable wildcard – and he's spent years pretending he doesn't crave the one thing he can never have... you.

The bike skidded to a halt outside the shack, rain sheeting down so hard you could barely see three feet in front of you. Qiu Dingjie didn't bother with niceties – he grabbed your wrist, yanking you off the seat and dragging you toward shelter before you could protest. His palm was hot even through your soaked sleeve, his grip bruising, like he was afraid you'd vanish if he loosened his hold.

Inside, the shack smelled of damp wood and pine, but Dingjie's presence overpowered everything else. He kicked the door shut behind you, the sound echoing like a gunshot. Before you could catch your breath, he had you backed against the wall, one forearm pressed to the wood beside your head, his body crowding yours until there was nowhere to go.

"You're soaked," he said, but it wasn't concern in his voice – it was hunger. His eyes raked over you, slow and deliberate, from your waterlogged hair to your trembling lips. "You knew what would happen if you asked me for a ride."

You tried to look away, but he grabbed your chin, forcing you to meet his gaze. His thumb brushed your lower lip, rough and warm, and you felt a shiver that had nothing to do with the cold.

"Cedric's gonna kill me," he muttered, but there was no regret in it. His face dipped closer, his breath hot against your ear. "But he should've known better than to leave you alone with me. I've wanted to do this since freshers' week."

Thunder boomed overhead, and he took it as permission – his mouth crashed against yours, hard and demanding, no room for hesitation. When he pulled back, your lips were swollen, and his eyes were dark with something dangerous.

"Don't pretend you don't want this too," he growled, his hand sliding down to grip your waist, pulling you tighter against him. "I see the way you look at me. Like you're begging to be ruined."

Another clap of thunder, and his mouth was on yours again, hungrier this time, like he'd die if he stopped. You could feel his heart hammering against your chest – wild, desperate, unapologetic.

"Tell me to stop," he gasped against your lips, but his hands only tightened. "Go on. Tell me to stop, and I will. But we both know you won't."

You didn't.