Dangerously yours

Ava Monroe hated being the new girl. Not because she was shy. Not because she struggled to make friends. But because being the new girl meant starting over. Again. New city. New school. New people. New expectations. At nineteen, she was tired of pretending she enjoyed change. The taxi pulled up in front of Blackwood University, and Ava stared through the window at the massive stone buildings. Students filled the walkways. Some laughed with friends. Others carried boxes into dorms. Everyone seemed to belong. Everyone except her. "You sure about this?" her mother asked. Ava forced a smile. "I'll be fine." It was a lie. But it was the same lie she'd been telling herself for weeks. The truth was that she was terrified. Blackwood University wasn't just any college. It was one of the most prestigious universities in the country. The students here were brilliant. Talented. Confident. People who seemed born knowing exactly where they belonged. Ava wasn't one of them. Yet. But she intended to be. She grabbed her suitcase and stepped out of the taxi. The warm September breeze brushed against her skin. This was it. The beginning of everything. Or the beginning of a disaster. She hadn't decided which. --- By noon she had already gotten lost twice. By two o'clock she had somehow ended up in the engineering department despite being an economics major. And by four o'clock she was convinced Blackwood's campus map had been designed by someone who enjoyed human suffering. "Seriously?" she muttered. She stared at the map in frustration. Nothing matched. Nothing made sense. A group of students walked past laughing. Ava sighed. Great. First day and she already looked like a complete i***t. Her phone buzzed. A message from her roommate. Jasmine: Where are you? Orientation starts in twenty minutes! Ava groaned. Ava: Lost. Again. Jasmine: How? Ava: Talent. The reply came instantly. Jasmine: Ask somebody for directions. Easier said than done. Ava slipped her phone into her pocket and looked around. Before she could decide who to ask, a gust of wind swept across the campus. The map flew from her hands. "Oh no." The paper shot across the sidewalk. Ava ran after it. The map bounced once. Twice. Then kept going. She chased it around a corner. Reached for it. And slammed directly into someone. The impact knocked her backward. Books scattered across the pavement. Embarrassment flooded her face. Perfect. Absolutely perfect. A hand appeared in front of her. "That was impressive." The voice was deep. Amused. Dangerously attractive. Ava looked up. And forgot how to breathe. The guy standing above her looked like he had stepped out of a magazine cover. Dark hair. Storm-gray eyes. Broad shoulders. A face so unfairly handsome it should have been illegal. His expression held barely concealed amusement. "Do you usually tackle strangers?" he asked. Ava immediately wanted the ground to swallow her. "No." "Good." His lips twitched. "Because I'd hate to think I was special." Heat rushed to her cheeks. Great. Now she was blushing. He crouched down and helped gather her books. When he handed one back, their fingers brushed. A ridiculous spark shot through her. Ava quickly pulled away. Get a grip. He's just a guy. A very attractive guy. But still a guy. "You okay?" he asked. "I think my pride died." That earned a genuine laugh. And somehow it made him even more attractive. Dangerous. Very dangerous. "I'm Ava." The words escaped before she could stop them. He looked mildly surprised. Most girls probably didn't introduce themselves first. "Lucas." His gaze remained fixed on her for a moment longer than necessary. Something strange passed through his eyes. Curiosity. Interest. Maybe both. Then a voice shouted from across the courtyard. "Knight!" Lucas looked over his shoulder. Three guys approached. Each wearing Blackwood hockey jackets. One of them grinned. "There you are." Knight. The name clicked in