EXTRA CREDITS

Chapter 5: The Deal

The next morning, the Saturday sun streamed through campus like it had something to prove. Lexie stood outside Roman Wolfe’s house again, heart hammering. This time, though, she wasn’t here to stalk. Not technically.

She clutched her essay against her chest, freshly printed and stapled—5,000 painful words of pure nonsense and desperation. Her hair was in a high ponytail, her cropped hoodie clung to her chest, and her yoga shorts were probably too tight for early morning.

But she needed to do this.

She pushed open the wrought-iron gate and stepped into the garden.

That’s when she saw him.

Roman Wolfe. Shirtless.

He was standing in front of a bed of lavender, garden hose in hand, water misting into the warm air. His body was like something out of a Greek sculpture—broad shoulders, arms carved with muscle, a firm chest dusted with dark hair. Tattoos ran down from his shoulder and wrapped around one arm like inked vines. And his abs...

Lexie’s mouth went dry.

His shorts hung low on his hips, and he didn’t notice her at first. She stood frozen on the path, trying not to drool, staring at every inch of exposed skin like it held the answers to her academic future.

Then he turned.

And caught her staring.

Without missing a beat, Roman lifted the hose and sprayed her—water splashing across her front in a cold, shocking burst.

Lexie shrieked. "*What the hell?!*"

He arched a brow, the corner of his mouth twitching. "You were zoning out. Figured you needed a reset."

She stood there dripping, her white hoodie and tank top soaked through, clinging to her skin. Her bra—pink, lacey, and practically transparent when wet—was now fully visible.

"Oh my God," she muttered, arms crossing over her chest.

"Why are you here, Miss Monroe?"

She held up the essay, cheeks flushed. "I came to drop this off early. My Media Ethics paper."

Roman’s expression didn’t soften. He turned off the hose and nodded toward the house.

"Come inside."

His bedroom was massive—sleek, clean, with deep navy walls and minimalist furniture. A huge king-sized bed sat in the center with dark gray sheets that looked freshly made.

Lexie stood awkwardly on the rug, shivering slightly in her wet clothes. Roman handed her a fluffy white towel.

"Dry off."

"Thanks."

He took the essay and sat on the edge of the bed, flipping through the pages with a red pen in hand.

Lexie watched him. The way his brow furrowed. The way his fingers gripped the paper. He didn’t speak for what felt like forever.

Then: "This essay is terrible."

Lexie’s heart sank. "Wait, what? I tried. I even Googled everything."

"That’s the problem. You Googled. You didn’t think. It reads like you copied from three different blogs."

Lexie bit her lip. Then she took a step forward. Then another. Until she stood between his knees.

"Okay. So... what if I tried something else?"

His eyes didn’t leave the paper. "Like what?"

She reached down and tugged her wet hoodie off, letting it fall behind her. She was now in just her leggings and that soaked-through pink bra.

"Like this," she whispered.

Roman looked up at her slowly. His gaze trailed from her eyes to her chest, then back.

"Why are you doing this?"

Lexie’s voice was quiet. Honest. "Because I want good grades. And because I don’t want to leave this school."

"Then offer me money," he said flatly. "Offer me a favor. Don’t offer me *yourself.*"

Lexie swallowed. "Everyone at my sorority thinks I’m some bimbo slut who sleeps with anything that breathes. But I’ve never... I’ve never done it. I’ve never had s*x with anyone. Not really."

Roman blinked. "You’re a virgin?"

She nodded. "I act like I’m not because it’s easier. Because if people think you’re experienced, they leave you alone. But I’m not. And I came to you because... I don’t just want to pass. I want you."

Silence.

Then Roman stood.

He stepped in close, cupping her jaw with his hand.

"You really want this?"

"Yes."

"Then here’s the deal," he said slowly. "You help me keep an eye on Leo. He’s trouble. And I don’t need another scandal. You keep him out of trouble, keep his grades up, and I’ll help you. We don’t tell anyone. Especially not him."

Lexie nodded. "Deal."

And then he kissed her.

It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t gentle. It was hungry. His mouth crashed into hers like he’d been holding back for years. His hands were rough, gripping her waist, lifting her onto the bed as if she weighed nothing.

Lexie gasped into the kiss, wrapping her legs around his waist.

Roman’s mouth moved to her neck, his fingers slipping under her bra strap. "You’re soaked."

"You sprayed me, remember?"

He growled. "And now I’m going to ruin you."

Their bodies tangled—heat, teeth, hands roaming. He moved with strength and control, every touch calculated, every grip possessive. Her back hit the pillows as his hands roamed down her sides, gripping her thighs with a hunger that made her moan. His lips moved from her mouth to her collarbone, down to the edge of her bra. He kissed the tops of her breasts, tongue flicking teasingly over the lace.

"Tell me to stop," he whispered.

"Don’t you dare?"

Her leggings peeled away slowly, and his fingers traced the inside of her thighs, pressing gently. She arched into his touch, hands grabbing his shoulders as he laid her bare beneath him.

Every movement was deliberate—his hands worshipping her curves, his mouth devouring her moans, his breath hot against her skin.

Lexie had never known it could feel like this.

He slid between her legs, gaze burning into hers.

"You’re mine now, Monroe. You know that, right?"

She nodded breathlessly. "Yes, Professor."

Lexie lay there a long moment after, breathing hard, her entire body humming with sensation. Roman sat on the edge of the bed, running a hand through his hair, as if trying to settle the storm they had both just unleashed.

"You should shower," he muttered, not looking at her.

Lexie sat up slowly, pulling the sheet to her chest. Her body ached in ways she never expected, and yet, something deeper was buzzing inside her—like something dangerous had been set loose.

She slipped off the bed, bare feet padding to the attached bathroom. Inside, the water steamed as she turned it on, and she stood under the heat for several long minutes, letting it wash away the sweat, the nerves, the thrill.

By the time she stepped out, wrapped in one of his thick, dark robes, her hair was damp and clinging to her shoulders. The robe clung to her hips, pulled snug at the waist, and fell just enough to tease her thighs.

She padded down the stairs quietly, barefoot, just wanting her phone and maybe an exit before things got weirder.

"So that’s what you wanted from my cousin."

Lexie yelped.

She whirled around, nearly dropping the glass she was holding from the kitchen counter. Standing there, leaning lazily against the doorway, was Leo.

Same tousled hair, same amused expression—but this time, his gaze dragged over her robe-clad form with unmistakable interest.

"Leo," she said, trying to sound casual. "I didn’t hear you come in."

"Clearly."

She held up the glass like a shield. "It’s not what you think."

He arched an eyebrow. "Isn’t it?"

Lexie cleared her throat. "We’re just... friends. With benefits. That’s all."

Leo chuckled, pushing off the doorframe and walking slowly into the kitchen. "Totally normal. Happens all the time."

She narrowed her eyes. "You don’t believe me."

"I believe you think that’s what it is." He smirked.

Lexie tried to change the subject. "There’s a party tonight. On campus. Big one near the quad. You should come."

"Oh?"

"Yeah," she said, sipping from her glass. "Could be fun. You might even meet a girl who isn’t your cousin’s student."

Leo grinned. "Tempting. But you’ll be there, right?"

She nodded slowly. "Yeah. I will."

He leaned in a little closer, voice dropping. "Then I’ll come."

Lexie laughed, a bit too nervously. "I’ll hold you to that."

But the way he looked at her before turning and walking off left her wondering—what the hell did I just get myself into?