EXTRA CREDITS

Chapter 4: Too Hot for Ethics

Lexie gasped, spinning around.

The guy standing behind her was younger than Roman—maybe around twenty—with a sharp, clean-cut face, tousled brown hair, and the kind of lazy grin that screamed trouble in a very charming British accent. He was tall, but not intimidating. Lean in the way a swimmer might be, with long fingers tucked into the front pockets of his jeans.

And oh, he was cute. Like annoyingly cute. The kind of face you’d want to punch and kiss at the same time.

"Whoa there, love," he said, c*****g an eyebrow as he released her arm. "Didn’t mean to scare you. A bit bold sneaking around a professor’s house at night, isn’t it?"

Lexie’s heart was still thundering. "I—I wasn’t sneaking. I was just... passing by."

"Right," he said, dryly amused. "Because most people ‘pass by’ dark ivy-covered houses tucked behind the chapel at night while wearing all black and looking guilty as sin."

Lexie narrowed her eyes. "Who are you, anyway?"

The grin widened. "Leo. Leo Wolfe. I’m Roman’s cousin. Just moved in from London."

She blinked. Her mouth opened, closed, and then opened again. "Wait—Wolfe?

"That’s the one," he said, then tilted his head toward the house. "You must be one of his students. Let me guess... Media Ethics?"

Lexie tugged on her hoodie, cheeks warming. "Guilty."

Leo leaned in a bit, lowering his voice as if letting her in on a joke. "Are you all like this? Showing up outside the house in the dead of night? You’re the fifth girl I’ve seen in 48 hours. I didn’t know Roman was such a heartthrob.”

Lexie laughed nervously. "Fifth? Seriously?"

"Well," he shrugged, "technically one was a driver, but she lingered."

Lexie tried not to smile. Leo was magnetic in that effortless way—opposite of his cousin’s icy distance.

"I’m just... I had to talk to him. About my grade. It’s not what you think."

Leo raised both brows. "You sure about that? Because I’m thinking exactly what it looks like."

She sighed. "Look, I already embarrassed myself today in front of him. Twice. I wasn’t trying to creep. I just... I don’t know. I wanted to understand what kind of person he is. Maybe talk to him without the whole classroom watching."

Leo paused. Then held the door open.

"Well, I think this is a terrible idea. Which means it’ll be fun. Come on in."

Lexie stared. "Seriously?"

He smiled, boyish and wicked. "Absolutely. Let’s annoy him together."

Inside, the house was a contrast to Roman's intense personality: clean, sleek, masculine, but not sterile. Dark wood floors gleamed in the soft lighting. The furniture was minimalist—black leather, gray accents—but lived in, with books and papers scattered across surfaces and a faint hint of bourbon in the air.

Lexie followed Leo into the kitchen, where he casually pulled down two glasses and filled them with sparkling water.

"So," he said as he passed her a glass, "are you trying to ruin his career?"

Lexie choked. "Excuse me?!"

"Just covering the spectrum," he said innocently. "I mean, from what I hear, Professor Wolfe is sort of a campus legend. Cold. Unattainable. Mysterious. You’d think he was a vampire if he weren’t so tan."

"That is not what I’m doing," Lexie huffed.

Leo stared at her. Then slowly grinned. "But you do."

She threw a throw pillow at him. "Stop."

"Okay, okay," he said, laughing. "Look, I don’t know what Roman’s into. We haven’t seen each other in years. He’s always been the deep, broody type."

Leo leaned back against the kitchen island. "Honestly, I haven’t lived here long enough to know much. But Roman... he’s complicated. And stubborn as hell. So, I hope you’ve got a lot of patience."

Lexie snorted. "I don’t. I just have great boobs."

"That might help."

The front door creaked.

Leo froze. "Uh-oh. Showtime."

Roman Wolfe walked in wearing a charcoal coat over that same tight black button-up, dark eyes sweeping over the entryway—and locking on her.

Lexie stood instantly. Her stomach dropped.

"What the hell is she doing here?" he barked, voice sharper than ice.

Leo raised a hand like a kid caught playing video games after bedtime. "Don’t blame me. She was creeping outside. I figured I’d invite her in before she tripped the alarm system."

Roman’s stare could have set the house on fire.

"Lexie," he said tightly, "leave. Now."

Lexie held her ground. "Professor Wolfe, please—just hear me out. I made a mistake, okay? I'm sorry. I just wanted to—"

"Out," he said again, moving toward her. "You don’t show up at my house. You don’t speak to my family. This is not appropriate."

"But I—"

"Leave, or I swear I will report you to the Dean. And the next person you speak to about this will be campus security."

Lexie’s lips trembled. She stared at him, feeling a mixture of shame and fury build in her chest.

"Fine," she spat.

She stormed out, slamming the door so hard the floorboards vibrated.

Leo whistled softly. "Well. That escalated."

Roman glared. "What were you thinking?"

Leo shrugged, too casually. "She was curious. You know how girls are. And she is hot. Like... really hot. The thighs alone—"

"Leo," Roman growled.

Leo held up both hands. "Alright, alright. I remember London. I remember the scandal. I’m being good."

Roman poured a drink. "Stay away from her. You don’t want that kind of attention. And I don’t need a repeat of your London ‘adventures’ here."

"Noted, boss."

Back at the Sigma Pearls House, Lexie threw open Tiffany’s bedroom door with a huff.

"He kicked me out. Like literally kicked me out of his house."

Tiffany didn’t even look up. She was painting her nails bubblegum pink. "Wait, wait—back it up. You went to his house?"

"Yes. And met his cousin. British. Hot. Kind of a flirt."

Tiffany’s eyes widened. "Did you get his number?!"

Lexie flopped onto the bed. "No. I was too busy being humiliated. "

Tiffany sighed, blowing on her nails. "Okay, but like... maybe you should try doing the actual work. Like that essay. You keep chasing Roman, and he keeps chasing you out. Maybe try Plan B."

Lexie rolled over. "Fine. I’ll write the stupid essay."

In her room, Lexie settled at her desk, pulling her laptop toward her and staring at the blank page with a sigh.

*“The Role of Media Ethics in Modern Journalism.”*

Ugh.

A ping from her phone lit up her screen.

Unknown Number: So who’s the stalker now?

Lexie smirked.

Lexie: OMG rude. I was researching.

Leo: Research, huh? That’s what we’re calling it now?

Lexie: You interrupted me, FYI. I could’ve found something juicy.

Leo: You want juicy? Video call me.

Lexie didn’t hesitate.

The screen filled with Leo’s grinning face.

"Well, well, look who it is," he said. "Still stalking?"

Lexie leaned back in her chair, giving the camera a view of her lacy pink bra and leggings. "Well no am actually doing an essay."

Leo’s eyes darkened slightly, his grin turning roguish. "I see you’re good at... visual presentations."

"That’s my specialty. “She giggled. "So, what are you doing? Besides creeping on struggling students."

Leo stretched back and yawned lazily. "I'm studying. Or trying to, anyway."

Lexie arched a brow. "Oh yeah? What’s your major?"

"Arts," he said, with a small smile. I've always been the 'messy hands, tortured soul' type. Well, minus the soul part."

Lexie grinned. "You give off brooding artist energy."

"And am unpacking. Still trying to make this house feel like home. It’s weird sharing space with someone who keeps their emotions in a vault."

Lexie tilted her head. "Do you like it here?"

Leo’s smile softened. "I think I will. Especially now."

Her heart did a stupid little flutter.

She rolled her eyes.