Reign moved further into the room, setting a stack of files on the desk. “I’m dropping off some materials for Professor Jow’s afternoon meeting.”

After his casual explanation, his eyes drifted down to her legs again, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. “Do you always carry yourself so… freely?”

Despite their past intimacy, the directness of his gaze made her feel self-conscious.

She quickly pressed her knees together, pointing at the chair and mumbling, “My pants… they got wet.”

“Hmm.”

His tone was impassive, but his gaze was decidedly not.

Gritting her teeth, she added, “I honestly didn’t know you’d be coming in.”

Reign nodded. “My mistake. Next time, I’ll be sure to check if the door’s locked before entering.”

Lydia’s mind raced. In Reign’s eyes, she must have been sitting there with her legs out, waiting for him to walk in, deliberately setting him up. To him, this was calculated seduction.

For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, Lydia sensed that Reign had a profoundly negative opinion of her, twisting every action she took into something improper. Perhaps the moment she’d shown up on his doorstep as Jayden’s ex-girlfriend, that negative impression had taken root, solidifying into an unshakeable belief that nothing she did could ever seem innocent to him.

She decided to skip the explanations, steeling herself as she boldly stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Reign’s waist. Before he could react and push her away, she brushed her smooth right leg against his calf, the fabric of his trousers the only barrier between them. “And what if I told you… I dressed like this on purpose, just to wait for you, Prof. Hawke?”

Tilting her head up, she gazed at him, eyes smoldering with intent as her lips brushed lightly, almost teasingly, against his chin—so close, yet withholding any real kiss. “As far as I know, Prof. Hawke isn’t exactly the virtuous type to… resist me…”

She paused, finally letting her lips press a soft kiss to his jaw. “…without giving in.”

Reign frowned, a hint of disdain flashing between his brows, but he didn’t push Lydia away. Instead, he tilted her chin up in a teasing grip, forcing her to meet his gaze. His tone was cold, devoid of any warmth. “What now? Not much you can do in here.”

With one hand still on her chin, he slid his other hand down her spine, stopping just at her lower back. His touch was light, barely grazing her through the fabric—a maddening tease that left Lydia’s heart racing and her thoughts jumbled.

Just as she started to get lost in the moment, there was a knock on the office door. “Prof. Jow? Are you in there?”

Lydia’s entire body went rigid with panic. If anyone saw her, half-dressed and tangled up with Reign in Elaine’s office, it would be beyond humiliating—not to mention how much Reign would hate her for it.

Without thinking, she ducked under the desk, pressing herself tightly into the small space.

The door opened just as she tucked herself out of sight.

Footsteps halted briefly, then someone said in surprise, “Prof. Hawke, what are you doing here?”

“Just dropping off some materials for Prof. Jow’s meeting this afternoon.” Reign replied smoothly. “Since she’s not here, I’ll leave a note.”

The person muttered an “oh,” and then added, “Actually, I’ll leave a note too—save myself another trip later.”

Lydia’s heart pounded as the footsteps moved closer. Elaine’s desk wasn’t large; if the visitor stepped just a few more paces, she’d be in plain view. She could only hope Reign would intervene.

But he made no move to stop them. He even glanced down at her, his face utterly indifferent, as if he was above it all.

Desperate, Lydia looked up at him, offering a pleading smile. When he remained unmoved, she bit her lip and, without thinking, reached her hand up his pant leg, tracing small circles on his ankle with her fingers. “Please,” she mouthed, eyes wide and helpless.

Reign raised a brow, a hint of mockery in his gaze.

To Lydia, his look seemed to say, Caught trying to seduce me, only to end up like this. But in truth, from where he was standing, all he could see were her long legs peeking out from beneath the desk—a view that stirred something darkly tempting in his mind.

He finally spoke. “What are you writing?” He stopped the visitor, tearing off a fresh sticky note. “I’ll write it for you.”

“Oh, sure,” they replied, dictating the message before leaving their materials and stepping out.

Lydia exhaled in relief and crawled out from under the desk.

She had barely gotten to her feet when Reign, with an air of nonchalance, asked, “Are you free tonight?”

She blinked in surprise, quickly realizing what he meant. Just as she was about to agree, she hesitated, then bit her lip. “I’m not sure.”

Reign turned to leave. “Then forget it.”

There was no way Lydia would let him go that easily. She still needed the medication for her father, and Reign was her lifeline. She wanted him to keep coming back, to feel he needed her too.

She reached out, catching his sleeve and leaning against his back, her lips grazing his ear. “Let’s add each other on WeChat,” she murmured with a soft smile. “I’ll reach out when I’m free.”

“No need.” Reign dismissed her, but Lydia wouldn’t take no for an answer. She slipped her hand over his shirt, lightly grazing his abs as she gave him a pleading look. “Prof. Hawke, don’t be so heartless. They say that once you’re acquainted, it’s natural to keep in touch. Isn’t adding each other as friends just… a small courtesy?”

Her plan was simple. Reign was surrounded by women who probably threw themselves at him; keeping him interested would take more than a one-night stand. If she could gradually work her way into his life, maybe he’d grow dependent on her. At least, until her father’s health stabilized, she needed this connection.

Adding him as a contact was the first step.

Irritated, Reign finally handed her his phone to scan the code, already planning to block her as soon as he left.

Both of them were focused on their phones when the office door opened again.

Elaine stood in the doorway, holding a brand-new pair of jeans, her eyes widening as she took in the scene. “You two…?”

Lydia and Reign?