Baited by Love

Without saying a word, Marcus handed me a black pen.

I flashed him a sweet smile and reached for it, deliberately letting my fingertips brush against his.

He pulled his hand back immediately, and a flush crept up his ears.

I had heard that Marcus only had eyes for studying and that any woman who came near him would cause him to go completely silent.

I hadn't believed it before. But seeing him now, I wanted to award him for being the world's most uptight guy.

And Caleb actually expected him to flirt with me? That was like asking a wallflower to suddenly become a Casanova.

Oh, Caleb… What kind of confidence did you have to think this was a good idea?

For the rest of the lesson, Marcus explained everything with complete focus, while I watched him just as intently.

When he finally stumbled his way through a problem, I bit the end of my pen, tilted my head, and blinked at him. "Hmm.. I still don't get it. Could you explain it one more time, Mr. Perfect?"

Even I could hardly stand how sweet my voice sounded.

Marcus avoided my gaze and lowered his head. "T-Then I'll explain it again."

Halfway through, I suddenly gave up. I tossed the pen onto the desk and slumped forward, resting my head on my arms.

"I don't feel like studying anymore. I just don't have the energy!" I whined.

Marcus paused with the pen in hand. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "W-What can I do to get you going?"

That was exactly the question I had been waiting for.

Without warning, I leaned in, so close our noses almost touched. "Wow! Your eyelashes are so long, and your skin is flawless!"

Marcus went rigid, his breath catching as his face flushed bright red. He gripped the corner of his notebook. When he spoke, his voice shook uncontrollably. "D-Don't get so close."

I batted my lashes and replied lightly, "Kiss me, and I'll have the motivation."

My words hit Marcus like a lightning bolt. His head snapped up, and the pen ripped a long line across the page.

"What?" he exclaimed.

A smirk tugged at my lips as I looked at him. "Didn't you ask what you can do to get me going? One kiss, and I'm fully recharged."

He froze completely. His eyes darted around, lashes fluttering behind his glasses. He swallowed hard, yet he couldn't get a single word out. The blush spread from his face to his neck.

Then, as if making a monumental decision, Marcus closed his eyes and forced out a single "Okay".

As he spoke, he leaned in, moving so fast it caught me off guard.

Right as his lips were about to touch mine, I feigned surprise and turned away. His lips brushed lightly against the corner of my mouth.

I immediately covered my mouth and shot to my feet, panicking. "Hey! I was just kidding. You didn't seriously think I meant it, did you?"

Marcus froze in place, completely dumbstruck and at a total loss.

A second later, I leaned in again and pressed my palms together. My eyes sparkled as I begged, "Please don't tell anyone, especially not Caleb!"

We were too close. Marcus couldn't stop his gaze from drifting to my lips. His Adam's apple bobbed before he finally hummed in response.

A sweet smile played on my lips as I slowly leaned closer. Then, I lowered my voice and said, "Thank you."

That seemed to snap Marcus out of his daze.

He jumped up, scooping his books off the desk and cramming them into his bag so messily that two fell to the floor. He even walked out stiffly and nearly tripped over his own feet at the door.

I watched him flee, whistling to myself in delight. Moments later, I glanced down at my phone and changed his contact name to "Pale & Touchy".

Before going to bed, I thoughtfully sent Marcus several flirty emojis. Sleep was probably off the table for him that night.