After a horrifying week with my father, and trying to get him to give up on making me the heir of his company, I finally returned back to the dorm.

It was the start of a new year and today was the day of the entrance ceremony and competition. So naturally I would be skipping it and sleeping in my bed.

I didn't need to beat William and Dante this year. I was still more than satisfied to have beat them last year.

Plus, I probably wouldn't be able to beat them anyway. They would know it was me this time and they wouldn't go easy on me.

So today I just decided to take it easy in my room. I had to recover from my father's never ending discussion on how to run a company and how to successfully market a product.

I'm already running an underground operation on blackmail and illegal -and legal- weapon dealings. I can't handle a large company on top of that.

And I don't even really do the business dealings with my underground organization. I assign that to Bertram who assigns that to others. In short, I'm too lazy to have this many responsibilities!!

Ugh... I'm getting a headache just thinking about it..

Luckily, one of favorite series is releasing another book today. I'm sure I will feel better after a trip to the red light district.

I grabbed my stuff and rushed out of the dorm. I went straight to the red light district. When I was close, I slipped on my hood and mask. I walked into the bookstore and slapped the counter.

"Oi! I'm here for my book!"

The bookstore owner had seen me walk in and already had my book ready and wrapped in discreet packaging. He handed it over, "There you go. I had it waiting, but you really should get a better hobby. You're in here way too much."

I frowned, "Your job is to sell books. Not to judge. Haven't you heard the phrase: Don't judge a book by it's cover?"

He sighed, "Yes. You tell me almost every time you come in."

I paid for the book and held onto it with excited fingers. "Well I'm surprised you keep forgetting it."

The man wanted to curse at me, but I had already slipped out. I skipped down the alley and tossed my mask into my bag. I was so excited when I left the red light district, I kept looking at the book in my hands.

Ahh! I can't wait to read it! This will surely get my mind off of my prior embarrassment and the stress from my father.

I slammed into someone causing me to fall over and drop the book in my hands. The person I collided into also dropped his items.

I growled rubbing my forehead, "WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING YOU MOTHAF*CKER- EEP!"

I shrieked as I saw Dante blink in surprise from the sudden collision. Before this, he had left the event to purchase a few books for class. He had been talking to a group of ladies with a fake smile when someone suddenly body slammed him.

Dante stood back up and held his hand out to me. His once smiling face was now cold and expressionless. I, on the other hand, was anything but expressionless.

The one person I wanted to avoid was now standing in front of me. I couldn't help but remember how everyone said I had kissed him while in my crazy spell.

I blushed from head to toe and felt as if my brain was short circuiting.

One of the girls at his side spoke in a rude tone, "What do you think you're doing?! You ran into Dante and won't even accept his help to stand up?! How disrespectful!"

Another squawked, "Who do you think you are?!"

Another spoke, "Wait... Is that Seri?"

"Oh! It is!"

"I thought she would drop out after that embarrassing display where she kissed Dante without his permission..."

"How disgraceful.."

I blushed more after hearing their taunts. It's not like I was hurt by their words, but I couldn't help but think about how I stupidly kissed Dante!! Not to mention how flustered I am at that fact!!

I scrambled to grab my book and took off in a sprint, leaving behind the gossiping groupies and Dante.

Dante picked up his book as he watched my retreating figure. His heart was pounding after having seen Seri and seeing her rare, but beautiful, blushing face. He couldn't help but touch his lips as he considered running after her.

I made it back to my room and slammed my door. I breathed heavily in a panic as I tossed my stuff down.

F*ck F*ck F*ck.

I can't believe I was unlucky enough to run into Dante. What was he doing out shopping?! More importantly... What was he doing with that group of girls!?!

Should I kill them?! Destroy their reputations?!?

No.. No.. I just need to destress and unwind.

I pulled out the book and took off the packaging. I laid on my bed and sighed. This is what I need. Just reading a nice adult romance novel.

Let's see... The Pervu Kingdom was established in the blah blah era and it's major exports were spices and teas...

Wait... Is it me, or is this book either extremely kinky or extremely boring?!

I sat up in a panic and flipped through the pages. Boring. Boring. More history. Boring.

What. The. F*ck.

There's no way the shop owner could have mistakenly sold me a history book. His store didn't even sell any!!!

Wait... Does that mean...

I dropped the book from my hands and started shaking. Please no...

_____

Dante returned back to his dorm room after entertaining the group of ladies. He had wanted to chase after Seri, but ultimately decided against it.

What would he even say?

No. It was better to let her calm down first. In the meantime, he planned on enjoying her embarrassed face while it lasted.

He sat down and pulled out the books, setting them neatly on his dresser. He paused when he pulled out a book in an unfamiliar packaging. It didn't escape his observant eye.

Although it looked similar to the packaging used on the book he had bought, it was in fact different. He didn't recognize this book. He undid the wrapping and read the title.

"The Untamed Desire... Book four..."

Just what kind of book was this? He flipped it open and began reading it.

As he traced his fingers along her spine she felt as if her skin was on fire....

*Skips ahead*

He dripped the melted chocolate on her skin taking the time to taste it tenderly....

*Skips ahead*

Passionate moans....

Dante closed the book and calmly put it on the table next to him.

"This isn't my book."

_____

I paced around my room. I had been up all night panicking.

F*ck F*ck F*ck.

Dante has my book. Did he read it? Does he know? WHAT SHOULD I DO?!

NO! I need to be calm. I have to think about this logically. There must be some way I can get my book back without arousing his suspicion.

Should I break into his room?

No. If I even tried I would be caught instantly. He's like an alert cat. Any noise would surely wake him up...

But what if I broke in after he left for class? Yes! Perfect! I will do that!

Okay, Plan A. Break into Dante's room to steal back my book.

I ran out of my dorm and hid in front of the boys dorm. I watched as everyone walked out talking to each other. William and Dante soon walked out looking fresh and handsome. My heart skipped as I watched Dante walk away.

D*mn. He's as good coming as he is going.

Okay, now that everyone's gone, I will just sneak in. I rushed into the boys dorm and froze. Wait. Which room is Dante's?

I ran around hectically trying to figure it out. Well, it has to be one of the better ones because he also lives with William. Naturally, they would get special treatment and have the biggest room.

I ran down the halls and slammed to a stop after seeing an elderly man looking at me. Noticing he had bad eyesight, I faked a deep manly voice.

"Excuse me. Which one is Dante's room? He has a... Uhh... He has a delivery."

The old man waved his hand, "Top floor. Second door on the right."

I blinked as he shuffled away. That easy? See William and Dante. This is exactly why you need me. It's way too easy to kill you guys.

I ran upstairs to his room and used a bobby pin to open the door. I broke into his room and began to throw stuff around in a panic.

"D*mnit! Where is it?!"

It's not here!! I've checked everywhere too! I've ripped everything to shreds, and I even looked in every possible hiding place.

Don't tell me... He has it on his person?! Or maybe, he threw it away?

I don't know which one I'd prefer! AHHHH!

I felt like ripping my hair out. I collapsed on his bed and took a deep breath. Ahhh... F*ck. It smells just like him...

I sat up abruptly. No! Now's not the time to get distracted. Hope is not lost!!!

Now to enact plan B. Casually ask him about it.

I left the dorm and went to class. I was late, but I didn't care. I was able to find my classroom after the headmaster beat me with his cane for running late. After class, I walked with Millie while being followed by Mary and Artie. We grabbed our food and went to the student council room.

Millie spoke, "I can't believe we only have one class together now... You'll be off taking classes to be a knight while I will be taking classes for becoming a teacher."

"Uhuh." I wasn't paying attention as I tried to come up with ways to get my book back.

Millie frowned, "Seri.. Are you okay? You seem absent minded."

I looked at her, "Oh, I'm sorry Millie. I'm just thinking about something."

Millie pouted, "Is it more important than me?"

I nudged her lovingly, "Nothing's more important than you!!"

She giggled, "Hehe. Good."

Mary spoke up, "What about me?"

I ignored her. We walked into the student council room and sat down. Millie spoke to me, "By the way, what were you doing over your break? I didn't hear from you." Her face twitched, "I thought you disappeared again..."

I shook my head, "No... My dad went and kidnapped me because of the... Incident..."

The room got quiet as everyone glanced away in embarrassment. I cleared my throat, "Anyway. He decided to work me at his company until I collapsed."

Millie nodded, "Oooh. I'm surprised he even let you come back. He's rather protective of you."

I chuckled lightly, "Well he didn't want to. But when I said I hated him, he let me come back."

Millie giggled, "That still works on him?"

"You have no idea."

William looked at me, "Why didn't you participate in the competition? We all expected you to show off again."

I shrugged, "I didn't feel like it."

Lucius mocked, "Maybe you didn't because you knew you would lose."

I flipped him off.

He shouted, "Hey!"

I continued ignoring him, "Anyways. I wanted to stay home and catch up on my much deserved sleep."

William frowned, "Then why do you look like you haven't slept at all?"

I cleared my throat and looked away, "You're just seeing things."

The room got quiet and I attempted to eat my meal peacefully and properly. Everyone watched me without falling for my fake meek attitude.

I cleared my throat trying to remain calm and collected. "By the way... Dante..."

He glanced up at me, "Hmm?"

"I don't suppose you have something of mine..."

"Hmm?"

I tried to swallow my embarrassment, "My book..."

"What book?"

My face twitched, "You know... My book..."

He continued staring at me coldly, "You need to be more specific."

Everyone watched our exchange in confusion. I clenched the fork in my hand and spoke in a low voice, "When I ran into you last night, it seems I accidentally took your book by mistake..."

Dante leaned backwards pretending to be deep in thought, "That... Hmm... I remember someone running into me so hard they knocked me over... You mean that?"

I spoke through my clenched jaw, "Yes..."

He shook his head, "Nope. Don't remember."

I felt like slamming my head into the table. Is he tormenting me?!? He's definitely tormenting me!!!

I felt like crying and couldn't bring myself to bring it up again. After I finished class for the day, I walked the halls despondently.

Plan C... Plan C... I don't have a Plan C!!! I honestly thought that Plan A would work!! I didn't think this far ahead...

Mathias approached me and tapped my shoulder. I looked at him with a defeated expression. He handed me a note and I took it, "What's this?"

"Dante asked me to give this to you."

He turned around and left as I opened the letter. It read: Meet me behind the school in the courtyard I brought you to before.

I crumpled the note. That sadistic f*cker.

I hurried off to the meeting spot. I saw Dante standing by a tree. He turned around noticing my presence. As we squared off, the wind blew our hair in a dramatic fashion. He stared at me with cold expressionless eyes as I stared at him in determination.

I could almost hear the western music play in the background. Too bad I don't have a pistol.

Dante pulled out a book from his bag, "Looking for this?"

My face turned pink as I saw my book in his hands... Unwrapped...

I gulped, "Yes..."

His sharp golden eyes never left mine, "I will give it to you, but I want something in return."

I pulled out his book, "Right. I have your book. Now let's trade already."

I went to reach for my book, but he abruptly held it up. I frowned and started jumping to try and grab it, but he held it out of my reach.

I felt like crying, "You bastard!!! Give it!!"

He only blinked, "I said I wanted something in return."

I glared at him and shoved his book at him, "I said I have your book!"

He shook his head, "Not that. I want something else."

I frowned impatiently, "What?!"

A cruel sadistic smile covered his once cold expressionless face. I couldn't help but feel petrified looking into those predatory eyes. I gulped.

He spoke, "I want a kiss."

I nearly fell over. "WHAT?!"

"A kiss."

I covered his mouth blushing head to toe, "I DIDN'T MEAN THAT YOU SHOULD REPEAT IT!"

He licked my hands covering his mouth and I pulled them back instantly. I felt my heart skip a beat as I looked at his tantalizingly handsome face.

He bent down to me, "So?"

My brain felt like it was smoking from being overworked.

Whaaaaaat?! He wants me to kiss him?! Why?! WHY!!? I can't kiss him!!!

Wait.. What if I just kiss him on the hand?!

Dante spoke as if he knew what I was thinking, "On the lips."

I felt like my eyes were burning from the heat on my cheeks. I was stuck between wanting my book back and wanting to run away and hide.

Dante smirked, "Well?"

"FINE!" I shouted.

I looked up into his cold eyes and felt my breath catch in my throat.

It's just a kiss. Just a kiss.

Just a kiss.

Just a kiss.

Just a kiss.

I squeezed my eyes shut and forcefully threw my face forward. I felt my lips hit something soft. I immediately recognized what it was.

Soft and warm. Moist, but not too moist.

I felt as if my heart was in my throat. I went to pull away, but I felt Dante's arms pull me in, refusing to let me go. My eyes snapped open and I looked up to see his cat-like golden eyes staring down at me.

This is no cat! This is a wolf!!

Dante deepened the kiss and I felt his tongue lightly trace my lips. My legs went weak. I leaned into Dante's arms.

Our lips parted and I panted trying to catch my breath. I stared into his eyes flustered at my own reaction.

Why am I acting like some maiden?! I'm no maiden!!!

I grabbed the book from his hands and jumped out of his embrace quickly. He watched me with hungry eyes. Although he was more than ecstatic at the kiss, he wasn't satisfied.

Curse his insatiable appetite!!!!

I held the book in front of my lips and tried to act calm, "You... You didn't read this book... Right?"

He chuckled, "I didn't know you were interested in such things."

F*ck.