Part 2Seducing The Grumpy Campus Coach

I had no idea what I had done to incur his constant antagonism.

I spent my evenings soul-searching, but aside from my desire to escape the suffocating camp—which was a perfectly rational desire—I couldn't identify any other transgression.

I simply did not understand.

In a fit of pique, I spent a week reworking the toxic male antagonist in my current novel, giving him Lachlan’s exact name and an equally infuriating personality. I had been struggling to name the character, but now the inspiration flowed freely.

Even my readers seemed to pick up on the vitriol. A comment on the latest chapter read: “Something’s up with this 'Lachlan Shaw.' Did the author hate this guy in real life? Usually your villains are complex, both pitiful and awful, but this one is just pure awful.”

My readers understood me completely.

I didn't reply, but my best friend, Tess Sullivan, commented on my behalf: “Haters to lovers, anyone?”

I tried to stop her, but it was too late. Disaster.

My readers instantly started shipping us.

Every day, the comments were flooded with: “How's the real-life Lachlan doing?”

Wait! What about my status? Where did my authority go?

I was even more determined to despise him.

I rested my chin on my palm, gazing out the window of the off-campus coffee shop (a rare, illegal indulgence), nursing my iced latte. I sighed a long, dramatic sigh.

Only two more weeks left of camp. Under Lachlan's watchful eye, I didn't dare slack off; in fact, I had to work even harder than everyone else.

To mess up would be both humiliating and painful. When you're dependent on a tyrant, you have to walk on eggshells.

Tess took a long sip of her bubble tea, seeing my distress. She laughed. "What? Still thinking about Lachlan?"

I gave a short, noncommittal sound.

"I knew it." Tess's eyes crinkled with smug success. "Lachlan is hot. Of course you're hung up on him."

"No!" I finally protested, gently pinching her arm, my cheeks feeling warm. "I'm just annoyed that training isn't over yet. I want to escape his grasp."

"Are you sure you don't feel anything?" Tess leaned closer, pressing me. "He's the campus heartthrob. Soccer captain. The girls who like him could circle the entire field."

"Look." Tess pointed to the campus field a short distance away. The air was filled with cheers and shouts. "Most of those girls are here for Lachlan."

I barely heard Tess. A different thought was forming in my mind: If I couldn't escape his grasp, maybe I could disarm him. How could I make him go easy on me?

What if… I made Lachlan like me?

The idea settled into my mind. It was brilliant. This was a much better solution. I had never failed to get a guy's attention. A tiny challenge like Lachlan Shaw couldn't possibly be my match.

I'd make him regret ever messing with a girl like me.

No sooner had the thought solidified than I sprang to my feet. Tess was startled. "What is it?"

"Back to the dorm to put on some makeup and a killer outfit," I announced, finishing the last of my latte and tossing the cup. "I'm going to pursue Lachlan Shaw."

Tess was stunned. She hurried to catch up. "You figured that out fast!"

I looked toward the field where Lachlan was running a drill, and a new wave of determination solidified. I nodded.