To Caleb, this whole situation wasn't nearly as complicated as they were making it out to be.

Orion fell silent for a moment, gently adjusting the bridge of his glasses. Finally, he caved. "Fine. Text me the address."

He desperately wanted to see her anyway, to clear the air once and for all.

That evening, Lemira, Stella, and Caleb headed out for dinner.

Janice had already left for the gaming base to train, leaving the three of them to eat together.

They picked a spot just a short walk from campus.

As they walked, Lemira suddenly remembered something and turned to Stella. "That lawyer, Sebastian? It turns out he's a massive foodie. He took me to this incredible restaurant the other day. I'll have to take you guys there sometime."

"Sounds great. I've heard he has a pretty ruthless reputation in legal circles-too arrogant, crosses a lot of lines. It's kind of hilarious that his secret passion is food. Total contrast."

Walking beside them, Caleb chimed in. "Everyone needs a vice."

Stella glanced over at him. "And what's yours?"

Caleb paused, his dark eyes locking onto her face with an intensity that made the air suddenly feel thick. He didn't answer her out loud, but Stella instantly understood exactly what he meant.

Her face burning, she quickly averted her gaze, grabbed a menu, and pretended to study the appetizers.

Right before the food arrived, Stella's phone buzzed. It was a text from Caleb: *Come outside with me for a second.*

*Why?* she typed back.

Caleb didn't reply. He just stood up and casually walked out of the room.

Worried he had news about Orion's testimony that he didn't want to share in front of

Lemira, Stella excused herself and followed him into the hallway.

Before she could say a word, Caleb grabbed her hand and pulled her into the

vacant private dining room across the hall.

Through the crack in the door, Stella saw a familiar figure slipping into their original room. It was Orion.

Caleb blocked her path back to the door. "Let them talk it out alone."

Stella glared up at him. "Why didn't you tell me this was the plan?"

"If I told you, we wouldn't be standing in here right now. This is between them; we need to stay out of it."

Stella fell silent. He was right.

"If they can clear the air about the testimony face-to-face, it saves everyone a massive headache down the line."

Stella nodded obediently. "You actually thought this through."

Caleb leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of her mouth. "Don't I get a reward for that?"

Stella instinctively leaned back, her heart racing. "We're in public."

"I booked the room. No one is coming in."

With effortless strength, Caleb lifted her onto the edge of the dining table, boxing herin with his arms. He looked down at her, his voice dropping to a low, husky register, You've been toled up in those dorms for weeks. Have you even considered how I feel?"

Stella tried to slide off the table, but his unyielding grip on her waist pinned her in place.

Her pulse hammered in her throat. "You're just my bodyguard, not my boyfriend."

"You're the one who proposed this arrangement because you wanted me. I put in the physical labor, and I get zero benefits in return?"

A wicked, predatory gleam flashed in his eyes as he leaned in and captured her lips.

Stella suddenly felt like the contract she had so confidently drawn up was entirely backfiring on her.

His hands moved with practiced precision, tracing the curve of her waist before slipping beneath the hem of her shirt.

A subtle tremor ran through her

`sheer, radiating heat ret

body. The

AN

his tanned chest was intoxicating, and despite her weak protests, she found herself melting against him.

The truth was, she was deeply attracted to him.

When she was with Caleb, she didn't have to pretend. She could just be herself.

Giving in, Stella wrapped her arms around his neck. But just as she surrendered, he suddenly pulled back His warm breath ghosted over her ear. "Don't go back to the dorms. tonight."

Her entire face went crimson. She pushed against his hard chest, whispering frantically, "I can't."

"Why not?"

"I have to be there for Lemira."

Caleb let out a frustrated breath. *Damn it.*

Right now, he aggressively hoped Orion would just fix things with his woman so she would stop ruining his night.

Here he was, throwing away his pride, offering himself up on a silver platter, and he was still getting rejected.

Meanwhile, in the dining room across the hall, the atmosphere was dead silent. Lemira and Orion sat directly across from one another, neither speaking a word. She truly hadn't expected him to show up.