Chapter 9

Damon POV

I don’t know why I’ve spent the last two weeks watching her. Maybe it’s because she’s the only one who doesn’t fall all over herself just to get my attention. I don’t even need to try with most women—just look at them, and they’re already coming up with reasons to fall into my arms. But Seri? She’s different. She’s the kind of woman who doesn’t give a damn about me—or at least that’s how it seems.

She doesn’t wear those tight skirts or high heels like the other girls around here. No, she sticks to jeans, sweaters, and sensible shoes. The kind of stuff that screams ‘leave me alone’ before I even say a word. And it’s working. It’s worked every damn time so far.

But today, I’m done playing nice.

I’ve been hearing all about her from the other pledges. Apparently, she’s made it through the first stage of Alpha Phi’s initiation. Not a surprise. She’s always been a bit of an enigma. But that doesn’t mean I’m letting her get away without saying something to me. Without acknowledging the fact that we share the same air in this classroom every damn day.

I find myself sitting in the back of the lecture hall, watching her scribble something in her notebook. Her brow furrowed, lips slightly pursed. She’s focused on whatever she’s doing, not even looking up at the professor. And while everyone else is either tuned out or fawning over their phones, my eyes are on her.

My mind starts to wander. I’m used to being irresistible. I’m used to women wanting me, and I’m used to getting what I want when I go after it. But Seri? She doesn’t even look at me half the time. It’s infuriating. No, it’s worse than that. It’s… intriguing. The way she keeps her distance, like there’s something about her that refuses to be seen, refuses to be touched.

I can’t stand it.

The class ends, and I wait for everyone to filter out. Most people are in a rush, glad to be done for the day, but I’m in no hurry. I’ve got all the time in the world now.

I stand up, straightening my jacket, walking over to her desk. She’s still focused on whatever it is in front of her, unaware of the fact that I’m approaching. I can’t decide whether I want to annoy her or just see if she’ll finally look up at me. So, I try both.

“You’re making it look easy in class,” I say, my voice smooth, a little teasing. “I can’t decide if you’re a genius or just really good at pretending.”

She doesn’t look up. Not right away. But I can tell she hears me, feels my presence. It’s almost like she’s trying to ignore me on purpose, and that only makes me more determined.

“Got a lot going on in that head of yours, huh?” I add, leaning just close enough to see her face. I want her to feel me there, to feel the weight of my words, my attention.

She finally looks up, her eyes briefly meeting mine, but she doesn’t say anything. Her gaze is steady, almost too steady, like she’s looking right through me. And for a moment, I think she might just ignore me completely.

But she doesn’t.

I tilt my head slightly, a smile playing at the corner of my mouth. “You’ve been hard to read, Seri. I’ve been trying to figure you out for weeks, and so far, all I’ve managed to do is get a glimpse of what’s behind those walls you’ve built.”

I wait for her to respond. I’m testing her, trying to make her break. But she’s different. So damn different from every other woman I’ve met. I want to know why she’s built these walls. I want to know what’s behind them. But she doesn’t give me anything.

She packs her stuff up slowly, as if she’s in no rush to get away, but doesn’t offer any words. I can feel the tension, the pull, the unease in the space between us. But she won’t say a damn thing. It’s like she’s testing me back, and that only makes me more frustrated.

I take a step around the desk to get closer, my voice quieter this time. “I hear you made it through Alpha Phi’s first stage. Pretty impressive. Doesn’t seem like your style, though. I thought you’d be the type to skip that whole thing.”

She looks up at me again, but this time, there’s something in her eyes. Not surprise—more like recognition, like she’s figured me out before I’ve even said it. It pisses me off, but it also makes me more intrigued.

“I didn’t know you were the type to keep tabs on sorority pledges,” she replies, her voice cool, almost challenging. She leans back in her seat, not backing away but not leaning in either. She’s measured, deliberate. “But I suppose that makes sense, given your… connections.”

She’s quick. I like that. I don’t even bother trying to hide the slight smirk that forms on my face. “Connections? I’m not the only one who knows about the most recent pledges, Seri. Word gets around.”

She doesn’t seem impressed by that, but she’s not backing down either. Her gaze sharpens, and she lowers her voice just a little, like she’s letting me in on something. “So you know I’m not exactly what you'd expect in a sorority, huh? Maybe im too busy to play the game, I guess. But that’s alright. Some people like to chase after what’s easy. Others? Not so much.”

The way she says it makes my chest tighten. There’s more in her words than she’s letting on, more than just her dismissing me. She’s reading me, and that’s… new. I’m used to being the one doing the reading.

“I didn’t say it’s easy,” I murmur, leaning in a bit closer. “But I like challenges. I like when something makes me work for it. And you? You’re a hell of a challenge, Seri. You make me work for every second of your attention. But it’s worth it.”

Her eyes flicker, the briefest sign of something behind that stoic facade. “You’re used to women who throw themselves at you, huh?” Her voice holds a layer of something I can’t quite place—curiosity, maybe? Or is it just amusement? “But I’m not one of them. I don’t play games for the sake of your ego. So, if you’re hoping I’ll just fall into your lap… you’ll be waiting a while.”

I chuckle softly, the tension between us only growing. “I don’t mind waiting. And the longer I wait, the more… interesting you become.”

She stands up now, clearly ready to leave, but there’s a slight hesitation in her step. Before she turns away, she glances at me, a final word hanging in the air. “We’ll see, Damon. But don’t mistake my silence for interest. I’m not here to entertain you.”

I smile, stepping aside to let her pass, but I’m not finished. I reach up to brush my fingers down the side of her neck, goosebumps erupting instantly on her skin. “Oh, trust me, Seri. I know exactly what you’re doing. And believe me, it makes you all the more irresistible.”

I watch her leave, the door clicking shut behind her. There’s something about her—something I can’t quite put my finger on—that pulls at me more than anything else ever has. Maybe it’s the mystery. Maybe it’s the challenge. But whatever it is, I won’t stop until I have her.

The Sigma Phi house is alive with its usual chaos—music thrumming through the walls, the scent of whiskey and expensive cologne lingering in the air. Someone’s laughing in the living room. A few of the younger members are throwing back shots in the kitchen. None of it interests me right now.

I push through the noise, heading for the second floor where I know I’ll find Marius and Tyrone. Our rooms are in the same wing, the part of the house that’s off-limits to the rest of the fraternity unless invited.

I step into the lounge just outside our rooms and find them exactly where I expected.

Marius is seated on the leather couch, a glass of something dark in his hand, his usual unreadable expression in place. Tyrone’s sprawled out in the armchair across from him, absently spinning a knife between his fingers. They both look up when I walk in.

“About time,” Tyrone mutters, catching the blade and setting it down on the table beside him. “I thought you’d be holed up in that art studio all night.”

Marius lifts his glass to his lips. “Or chasing something you can’t catch.”

I smirk, dropping into the chair opposite them. “Oh, I caught her.”

Tyrone snorts. “Yeah? She finally caved?”

I roll my shoulders, exuding the usual confidence, but something about it feels… forced. “Let’s just say I got her to acknowledge me. We actually had a conversation.”

Marius sets his glass down with a quiet clink. His gaze sharpens. “And?”

And? And I can’t stop thinking about her. And she’s gotten into my head in a way no one else ever has. And I don’t like it.

Instead, I shrug, keeping my expression controlled. “She’s sharp. Knows how to play the game. But she’s not immune to me.”

Tyrone watches me for a long second, then leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You sure about that? Because you look… off.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Off?”

Marius studies me now, his head tilting slightly, always the one to analyze before speaking. “You’re rattled.”

I exhale sharply, shaking my head. “I’m not rattled.”

Marius doesn’t blink. “She didn’t give you what you expected, did she?”

I lean back, my jaw tightening. “She’s playing hard to get. That’s all.”

Tyrone smirks, but there’s something knowing in his expression. “Or maybe she’s just not playing at all.”

That sits heavier in my chest than I want it to. I push the thought away. “She’s interested. She just won’t admit it yet.”

Marius runs a finger along the rim of his glass, eyes dark with amusement. “You think she’s interested? Maybe. But she’s also driving you insane. Admit it.”

I glare at him, but I don’t answer.

Silence stretches between us. Then, unexpectedly, Tyrone chuckles, shaking his head.

“Well, damn,” he says. “She’s doing the same thing to both of you.”

I blink, my focus shifting between them. Marius doesn’t react, but the way his fingers pause on his glass tells me everything. Tyrone leans back, a half-smirk playing on his lips.

“She’s in your head, Damon. And she’s in yours too, Marius. Hell, I’m not even gonna pretend she hasn’t been messing with my head either.”

Marius finally exhales, the closest thing to an admission I’m ever going to get from him. “She’s… unexpected.”

I scoff. “Understatement.”

Tyrone grins. “So, what the hell are we gonna do about it?”

Marius picks up his glass, swirling the liquid inside. “Find out exactly what game she’s playing.”

I let out a slow breath. “And if she’s not playing one?”

Tyrone’s grin sharpens. “Then that makes her the most dangerous person on this damn campus.”

And for some reason, the thought of that only makes me want her more.