It sure was just another ordinary university weekday. Much too in the middle of the week to be doing stupid shit like this. Even if it was late afternoon. But John was out of the ordinary. According to Redcrest University denizens anyway.

John leaned against the rough bark of one of the many oak trees. The position affording him a strategic view of the library entrance. Beside him. Mark was nervous. God. This kid was a mess of anxious energy. Seriously. Mark looked like he'd jump if a mouse fartd too loudly.

Mark kept fidgeting anxiously. "Are you sure this is a good idea. John? If Lydia catches us..."

John let out a low chuckle (this is a stupid idea. You're right.)

"friend. Relax. That's the whole point. Isn't it? For Lydia not to catch us or at least not catch you" he smirked.

A flash of perfect white teeth in the dim light. Anna and Mark. Like a plot from one of those cheesy rom-coms he aften devoted. A girl forbidden from dating until her older sibling did. A secret boyfriend. And him. John cost as their only hope.

( To think i actually agreed to this.) he still wasn't entirely sure why he'd agreed to this ridiculous scheme. Mostly he found himself with a lot of free time now that his reputation had tanked... For very bizarre reasons since his return to Redcrest. That he never bothered to correct. And then there was now genuine curiosity about this enigmatic Lydia the sibling who was now apparently the living obstacle between Anna and Mark's romance. Besides. Anna and Mark were his friends. Who needed his help with a backward family law that prevented them from going public with their relationship. They were also the only people in this entire fucking campus who weren't afraid of John. And he got fond of them.

John's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out. The screen illuminating his face. Speak of the Devil. It was a message from Anna.

**Anna ** you guys in position? Mark. Stop looking like you're about to rob a bank. Lydia's heading to the library!!! Join. Try not to traumatize my sister too much or I will really kill you.

John ( she can see us and Lydia? At the same time? That's some talent. Perhaps she should be on the actual spy mission)

John snorted. Showing the screen to mark. "see? She has faith in us. Especially you"

He clapped a hand on Mark's shoulder. A little harder than necessary. "just stick to the plan. You see Lydia you disappear. I handle.. How to say."

Mark gulped. Nodding quickly "Right. Disappear. Got it" he paused " wait. Anna can see everything we are doing? I mean how deas she know..."

John laughed. He was about to make a comment when there was a flash of movement by the library entrance.

There. Entering the building just as Anna had noted was Lydia. Right on schedule.

" alright. Mark " join said. Giving mark a light shove that sent him stumbling a few steps away into an alcove "Disappear. My turn"

Mark stumbled. Catching himself and then. With a final. Panicked glance at John. Hurried off like a startled rabbit. At least he tried. John thought with an inward shake of his head. But a smile tugged at his lips.

John pushed off the tree and entered the library. Stretching languidly like a cat ready to play. He smoothed down his already immaculate clothes. The expensive fabric taut against his skin just for a moment before he relaxed.

John ( time to make a fucking entrance) or more accurately. An accidental yet utterly captivating. Encounter. Hopefully.

And there. Lydia was.

The library's dim lighting seemed to gather around her like a personal spotlight. That light simmered across her hair. Like a halo. There was a certain contained energy in the way she held herself. Even in the mundane act of browsing for a book

( Beautiful) He couldn't help himself. His breath hitched. John's gaze swept over her. Whether as if someone appreciating a work or art. Or as someone who was appreciating prey. He wasn't sure yet.

His eyes lingered on the curve of Lydia's neck as she tilted her head to read a spine. The line of her jaw. The way her clothes... Whatever she was wearing. He barely registered the specifics... Draped over her frame. There was an undeniable allure that tugged at something within him. It wasn't just physical. God she was attractive. And was also interesting. This wasn't just a game anymore. A new far more interesting objective was taking shape. All he knew was that he wanted to investigate this more.

He timed his approach perfectly. Stepping out from behind the section of shelves. Just where he knew Lydia was.

( perfect) he feigned a casual interest in a nearby volume before turning as if he's only noticing her.

A slow delicate smile spread across his lips. The kind that had a habit of making people either melt. Feel free distinctly uneasy or even both. His voice when he spoke. Was a subtle caress of sound in the library's stillness.

"excuse me." he began. His gaze locking onto hers. Dark and direct. Holding a spark of something more than just politeness.

 "????" Lydia just gazed at him. un bothered.

"you dropped something" he opened his palm. As if returning an item. Expect nothing was there. No. Just his own phone number was screwed just under his name. JOHN WILLIAMS. Onto his skin with a blue ballpoint pen. One that he happened to have in his pocket.

Of course. Such a reversal would result to nothing. The follow up was just a as important. So when he cought Lydia's gaze again. That smile on his face became wicked soft. Almost teasing. And a fire smoldered in his dark eyes.

Lydia "......" ( isn't this Anna's friend?)

He tilted his head ever so slightly. " now I know how beautiful you are up close"

He didn't look away. He waited ( i could look at her all day)

"mmm... Nice pick up line handsome. But you'll have to try harder than that to get your number into my phone" she smirked.

John's grin widened. Something feral and delighted flicking in those dark eyes.

That wasn't the response he expected. Most people either melted or ran. But this? This was a fucking challenge wrapped in a smirk. He liked it. A lot.

"Harder?" he let out a low chuckle. The sound running from deep in his chest. His poster shifted...still relaxed. But suddenly more present. Like he had just been issued a personal invitation to play.

" careful what you wish for. I'm very good at rising to expectations." He leaned back his shoulder against the bookshelf. Casual as hell. But his gaze never left Lydia's. The pen-marked palm closed slowly. Deliberately. Before he tucked his hand into his pocket.

" so that didn't work. But that was too easy. Lazy even ". He tilted his head. Studying her like she was the most fascinating puzzle he had encountered all year.

"SO?" she tilted her head.

"so let me try again. " His voice dropped lower. Intimate despite the public space. " i don't want your number in your phone. No yet. What i want is your you to wander why the hell you're still talking to me instead of walking off like you probably should "

" so you think I'm staying... Because I'm interested in your looks ?" she asked.

The corner of his mouth quicked." isn't that it? "

He straightened. Taking one slow step back giving space. But not retreating." I'm John Williams. Finance and Accounting. And you are? "

" oh. Hi... I'm Lydia. As for the rest... You'll know once you stop looking so tempting. But nice to meet you. Though I don't think it was really accidental." she grinned.

(shit) John's eyebrows shot up. Genuine surprise flashing across his features before that wolfish grin returned. Wilder than before. Lydia was sharp. And bold... She just called him tempting while simultaneously calling out his bullshit.

He was absolutely fucked. In the most possible way.

"Lydia" he dragged her name out like he was tasting it. Savoring every syllable. His dark eyes gleamed with something. " You're right. It wasn't accidental at all. I saw you walk in and thought shit. I have to meet her... So i did"

Lydia's gaze traced over John's face slowly. She tilted her head. That playful challenge returning. "Oh"

He stepped closer. Crashing that careful distance he'd just created. Not invasive. But definitely intentional. His voice dropped to that low. Intimate register that seemed to wrap around words like velvet. " You can't just call me tempting and expect me to behave"

John's traced her gaze. Openly... Appreciative. "Though. I'll be honest. After seeing how beautiful you are. It's making it very hard for me to remember why I came to the library in the first place."

He tilted his head. His playful challenge returning. "SO what should we do about it?"

"Oh. I'm going back to my reading while you try to remember what you came here for. But.... Next time bring sweets with you and maybe i will take that phone number" she winked at him.

John watched Lydia turn away. And for a moment... Just a moment he stood there like an absolute idiot. Mouth slightly open.