Chapter 3: The Penthouse Bargain

Luke Sterling’s family owned half the city. The golden boy couldn’t stand living in dorms with the rest of us.

He had a penthouse near the school—more expensive than most houses. I found a way in. The doorman knew me from late-night snack runs.

I stripped and slid beneath the Egyptian cotton sheets, waiting for him. The city lights bled through floor-to-ceiling windows, painting gold stripes across the bed.

When Luke walked in, keys dangling from his hand, he didn’t look away. He just let his gaze roam, cold and assessing, like a snake tasting the air.

I shivered. "Can… can you please not let them bully me anymore…"

Luke smiled, lazy and sharp. "Sure. As long as you’re obedient."

I played the innocent rabbit—crying, begging him to be gentle, putting on a show of innocence while my eyes greedily traced every inch of him when he couldn’t see.

A face like a sculpture, broad shoulders, abs sharp as shadows. I’d never had something this good before. Girls like me didn’t get to touch boys like him.

In this universe, everything good was supposed to go to the female lead. But Madison’s cruelty became my chance.

So I took what I wanted. Every single moment.