Tiffany felt the world around her blur as she processed Jacob’s confession.

“Tiff? Are you okay? Your ice cream is melting,” he said and casually leaned against his chair.

Of course, she wasn’t okay!

“Are you… are you pulling some kind of prank on me?” she asked, her voice trembling. The thought was maddening, but she couldn’t shake the lingering doubt.

Jacob’s expression hardened for a moment and then softened as he shook his head. “No, Tiffany, I’m not joking. This isn’t a game.” His grey eyes pierced through her defenses, searching for something she wasn’t sure she could reveal. “I wouldn’t do that to you.”

Tiffany swallowed hard, still uncertain. “But why? Why now?” She felt like she was on the edge of a cliff, peering into the unknown, and the thought of falling terrified her. “You’ve always treated me like I was some kind of joke. What’s changed?”

“I was scared,” Jacob confessed, his voice lowering to a near whisper. “I didn’t know how to handle what I was feeling, and I thought messing with you would be easier than admitting the truth. But I can’t hide it anymore. I want you, Tiff.”

“I don’t understand,” she murmured, her brows knitting together. “What’s so special about me?”

“Everything,” Jacob replied, his tone earnest. “Your strength, your innocence—it’s refreshing. You have this way of standing up for yourself, even when I push you. I’ve always admired that about you.”

Tiffany’s heart raced at the unexpected compliment, but the weight of his confession was overwhelming. “But…I mean, I’m just Tiffany. The girl who sits in the back of the classroom, who doesn’t get out much.”

Jacob’s gaze darkened for a moment, and she could see the conflict in his eyes. He hesitated as if the truth was poised on the tip of his tongue. “Because you’re everything she wasn’t,” he finally said.

Tiffany looked at him, her confusion deepening. “Who?”

His eyes flickered away. “No one. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that I want you, and I will have you no matter what.”

“Have me?” Tiffany snapped, sobering out of her haze. “You can’t just decide to ‘have me,’ Jacob. I am not an object.”

Jacob grinned. “Try and stop me then.”

Tiffany stared at him in disbelief. She couldn’t believe how arrogant this boy was, as if her opinion didn’t matter.

Tiffany’s temper flared. She crossed her arms, glaring at Jacob defiantly. “You’re unbelievable. Just because you like me or something doesn’t mean I’m going to fall into your arms. I have self-respect, you know.”

Jacob leaned closer, his signature smirk playing on his lips. “Come on, Tiff. You can’t deny the chemistry between us. I see the way you look at me when you think I’m not paying attention.”

She scoffed, hating that he was right. As much as she tried to fight it, there was an undeniable attraction simmering beneath the surface. But she refused to let him win so easily.

“In your dreams, Jacob. I’m not one of your groupies who swoons at your every word.”

His eyes sparkled with amusement, clearly enjoying the challenge. “Oh, but you will. By the time prom rolls around, you’ll be begging me to be your date.”

Tiffany felt her cheeks flush with indignation. “You’re an idiot,” she huffed, her arms still crossed tightly over her chest. The audacity of Jacob to act like he had her all figured out was infuriating. She refused to be another notch on his belt, another girl he toyed with for his amusement.

“Oh, come on, Tiff. You know you’re going to think about this later,” Jacob teased, leaning back in his chair with that infuriatingly confident grin. “Just picture it: you and me, dancing at prom, everyone staring at us because we look so good together.”

Tiffany rolled her eyes, but the image lingered in her mind, uninvited. She shook her head, trying to dispel it. “That’s not going to happen. I’m not going to fall for your charm just because you think you’re some kind of prince.”

“I don’t think I am a prince. Far from it,” he shot back, his tone challenging. He leaned forward, his expression turning serious. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t win my princess.”

“Wow, now you’re really laying it on thick,” she replied, unable to suppress the flutter of excitement his words ignited. “And what if I refuse you? Are you going to force me? Because no amount of blackmailing me will convince me to be with you against my will.”

Jacob abruptly rose from his seat, his muscular frame towering over her as he sauntered around the back of her chair. He leaned in, his warm breath grazing her neck and sending shivers down her spine. Tiffany’s entire body tensed at the close proximity, unable to resist the alluring scent of his cologne that enveloped her. It was intoxicating and she felt dizzy.

“My sweet girl,” he said, his voice a near purr. “I won’t have to force you. You will give yourself to me willingly and I will make sure I’m the best you will ever have.”

Tiffany swallowed hard, her breath hitching at the intensity of Jacob’s words. Her heart raced, but she fought to maintain her composure, refusing to let him see the effect he had on her.

Jacob’s fingers grazed the delicate skin of Tiffany’s neck as he leaned in closer, his lips nearly brushing her earlobe. “I can’t stop thinking about you, Tiff,” he whispered, his deep voice sending shivers down her spine. “The way your eyes flash when you’re angry, the curve of your lips when you’re trying not to smile at my jokes. I want to know every inch of you.”

Tiffany’s eyes fluttered closed, her body betraying her as she leaned into his touch. “Jacob,” she breathed, hating herself for the way his name sounded like a plea on her lips.

“I want to kiss you until you’re breathless,” he continued, his fingers trailing down her arm, igniting a fire in their wake. “I want to feel your body pressed against mine, to hear you moan my name when I make you come.”

A soft whimper escaped Tiffany’s throat. She knew she should push him away and tell him to stop, but part of him wanted to hear more.

“Wha-what makes you think I’d ever let you have sex with me?” she whispered.

“I know you are curious about it, Tiffany,” he whispered, his voice rough with want. “You are too smart, too interesting not to be. You act like you are this shy girl, but I know…” he paused.

“You know what?” she asked breathlessly.

“I know there’s a fire inside you,” he said, grazing his lips on her earlobe again.

A shuddering sigh left Tiffany’s lips. “You don’t know anything.”

Jacob chuckled and stood up. “Maybe not, but I will.”