The hallway was quiet. Too quiet.

Layla clutched the white towel tighter around her body, her damp hair clinging to her shoulders as her bare feet padded softly against the cold dorm floor. She glanced down at the keycard in her hand — the one that had been working perfectly fine for months — and tried it again.

Red light.

She swore under her breath.

The storm outside had knocked out part of the building’s power earlier, and the system must have glitched. Great. Her roommate wouldn’t be back until morning, her phone was inside charging, and all she had was the towel she’d wrapped herself in after her quick shower in the shared bathroom.

She tried knocking softly on her door again. No answer. Layla was many things — quiet, introverted, always polite — but calm in a towel in a freezing hallway with no backup? Not one of them.

Her eyes scanned the corridor.

Most dorm rooms on this floor were empty — students either went home for the weekend or were out late partying. Only two other rooms had lights under the door.

She paused in front of the one directly across from hers: Room 303.

She’d never spoken to whoever lived there. Just glimpses. Sometimes late at night. A deep voice on the phone. Music with too much bass. Once, she thought she heard a moan — or maybe that was her imagination.

Her heart pounded.

“Okay,” she whispered to herself. “This isn’t a movie. Just knock. Ask to borrow their phone. Don’t make it weird.”

But she was dripping water. Her towel wasn’t very long. And the thought of standing in front of a stranger in nothing but this made her stomach twist.

Still… it was better than freezing all night in the hallway.

She took a breath and knocked.

Three short taps.

Silence.

She was just about to turn and flee when the door creaked open halfway.

And there he was.

Kai.

She didn’t know his name until now, but now that she saw his face clearly — God. Tall, toned, tousled dark hair, and shirtless. He looked like something out of a late-night drama: sleep-heavy eyes, sharp jawline, sweatpants riding low on his hips, and a single headphone dangling around his neck.

He blinked at her.

She blinked back.

“…Uh.” She swallowed. “Hi.”

His gaze dropped to her towel — and lingered.

Her skin burned instantly, and she tightened her grip on the fabric. “I—um—I got locked out. My keycard isn’t working and my roommate isn’t home, and I don’t have my phone—”

“You’re dripping,” he said, voice rough, half-asleep.

“I—I know. I’m really sorry. I just needed to ask if I could maybe use your phone or—”

He opened the door wider.

She stared at him.

“I’m not going to bite,” he said, almost amused. “Unless you’re into that.”

Her cheeks flamed.

She stepped inside.

His room was warm. Clean, but lived-in — textbooks on the desk, a hoodie hanging over the chair, the scent of soap and something darker she couldn’t place. Kai watched her from the side, scratching the back of his neck like he wasn’t sure why he’d just let a girl in a towel enter his room at 1:27 a.m.

“Uh… thanks,” Layla mumbled, shifting awkwardly.

“You can sit.” He nodded toward the bed. “Or steal the hoodie if you want.”

Layla blinked.

“Unless you’re comfortable in that,” he added, nodding at the towel.

She wasn’t.

At all.

She reached for the hoodie. It was oversized, soft, and warm from his body heat. When she pulled it over her head, it swallowed her frame, falling to her thighs and completely covering her. She exhaled, finally breathing again.

Kai stared a moment longer, then turned and tossed himself onto the bed, propping himself up on one arm.

“You can crash here if you want,” he said simply.

Her heart stuttered.

“…Are you serious?”

“Yeah.” He stretched. “Door’s locked. I don’t bite. Bed’s big.”

She hesitated. “I could just sit and wait… I don’t want to make things weird.”

“You’re wearing my hoodie,” he said. “We’re already past weird.”

He wasn’t wrong.

Carefully, she climbed onto the bed — far edge, hands clenched in her lap, trying not to look at his abs or how the waistband of his sweatpants dipped just enough to tease.

The silence stretched.

Then she heard it — the soft, low rumble of his voice.

“You always this shy?”

Layla stiffened. “Only when I’m half-naked in a stranger’s room.”

“You’re not half-naked anymore.” His eyes met hers. “You’re wearing me.”

Oh god.

Her thighs pressed together involuntarily.

He didn’t move closer. He didn’t touch her. But the tension between them was thick — slow-burning, like kindling ready to catch fire.

“You live right across from me?” he asked, voice low.

She nodded.

“Cute,” he murmured. “Quiet girl. Never expected her to be this bold.”

“I’m not,” she said quickly. “I—I just didn’t have a choice.”

“Mm.” A beat. “But now you do.”

She turned to him slowly. “What do you mean?”

Kai’s eyes were darker now. His voice softer, more dangerous.

“You can sleep. Or,” he said, his gaze dropping to her legs curled under his hoodie, “you can stop pretending you’re not curious.”

The air left her lungs.

“I—”

He reached up, just one finger, and brushed a damp strand of hair behind her ear.

“I don’t want anything you’re not ready for, Layla,” he said, whispering her name like it tasted good. “But if you’re wondering what would happen if you stayed a little closer tonight…”

He paused.

“…I could show you.”

Layla didn’t move.

The room felt hotter than it had a moment ago, even though her skin was damp and the storm outside still raged.

She could feel Kai’s eyes on her, but he didn’t push.

Just that one sentence. That one offer.

Her breath came out shakier than she expected. “And… what happens if I stay closer?”

He tilted his head, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly — not a full smile, just something dark and knowing.

“Then I won’t pretend either.”

Her heart thudded. Her knees bent tighter under the oversized hoodie, which now felt far too warm against her bare skin. She didn’t even know this man 30 minutes ago. She had no reason to trust him. No reason to want him this badly.

Except she did.

Something in the way he looked at her — like he saw everything she tried to hide — pulled her forward before her mind could catch up.

She shifted on the bed, inching closer.

Just a little.

Kai didn’t reach for her. He waited — letting her come to him.

And when her thigh brushed his… he exhaled, long and low.

His hand moved first — resting lightly on her knee, warm and heavy through the soft fabric of the hoodie. She tensed, and his touch stayed gentle.

“You can still say no.”

“I don’t want to,” she whispered.

That was all he needed.

His hand slid up, fingers grazing the bare skin of her thigh beneath the oversized hoodie. Her skin prickled at his touch — goosebumps spreading like wildfire as he leaned in, voice brushing her cheek.

“Tell me what you want, Layla.”

She turned her head slowly, meeting his eyes.

“I don’t know,” she breathed. “I just… don’t want to stop feeling this.”

He kissed her.

Not hard — not yet. Just enough to taste.

His lips brushed hers once, then again, deeper this time. She melted into it. Soft, slow, and impossibly warm — like her mind went quiet and only his touch mattered now. Her hand slipped up to his chest, feeling his heartbeat under her palm.

He kissed her harder.

Her back hit the mattress as he guided her down with surprising gentleness. He hovered above her, his hand sliding under the hoodie to explore skin — bare thighs, then higher, pausing just at the hem of her underwear.

He looked down at her.

“You’re shaking.”

“I’ve never—”

He kissed the corner of her mouth. “We won’t rush.”

But his hand didn’t stop moving.

His fingers slid along the waistband of her panties, teasing the edge but never pushing inside. She arched instinctively, needing more — and he smiled against her neck.

“Already so responsive,” he murmured, his voice like silk and smoke.

She gasped as one finger dipped just below, stroking her gently.

“Kai—” Her voice broke.

“Shh,” he whispered. “I’ve got you.”

The hoodie rode up as his hand moved between her legs, slow and firm, rubbing soft circles until her thighs trembled and her hips lifted into him. He swallowed every moan with his mouth, kissing her deep, possessive, patient.

She was unraveling beneath him — her body slick, warm, open.

And then his mouth trailed lower.

Layla's breath hitched as Kai’s fingers slipped beneath the band of her panties. His movements were slow, precise , exploring her folds with gentle strokes that had her thighs trembling.

"You’re already so wet," he murmured against her throat, his voice low, hungry. “You’ve been aching for this, haven’t you?”

She whimpered, unable to answer.

Her hips lifted to meet his hand, instinct overriding any lingering doubt. She barely knew him — and yet her body responded to him like it had been waiting.

One finger slipped inside her.

She gasped.

His thumb pressed softly against her clit, teasing circles as he worked her open — slow, patient, maddening. Layla clutched the hoodie still covering her chest, but he gently pulled her hand away.

“Don’t hide from me,” Kai whispered.

He pulled the hoodie up and over her head, leaving her bare beneath him.

He froze for a second — not out of hesitation, but reverence. His gaze swept over her skin like he was memorizing it, his pupils blown wide with desire.

“You’re so damn beautiful.”

Her breath caught as he leaned down and took one of her nipples into his mouth, tongue circling slowly while his fingers kept working between her legs. The combination of wet heat from his mouth and the slick, sinful rhythm of his hand had her arching, moaning without care.

He moved lower.

Kai hooked his fingers under the waistband of her soaked panties and tugged them down her legs, kissing her thighs as he went.

And then he kissed her there.

Layla's eyes widened, her entire body jerking as his tongue slid between her folds — slow at first, savoring her, then faster as her moans filled the room.

She reached for the sheets, twisting them between her fingers, panting his name. His hands gripped her hips, holding her down as his mouth worked pure magic on her clit — licking, sucking, teasing.

When his fingers slipped back inside her while his tongue continued its assault, she broke.

Her orgasm hit like lightning — sharp, consuming, full-body. Her back arched off the mattress, thighs clamping around his head as she cried out.

He didn’t stop.

He licked her through it, drinking in every sound she made until she was trembling, spent, breathless.

When he finally pulled away, his lips were wet, his eyes dark with desire.

“I’m not done with you,” he said hoarsely. “Not even close.”

Kai climbed back up her body, kissing her deeply — letting her taste herself on his tongue. She could feel how hard he was, straining against his sweatpants.

“Do you want me, Layla?” he asked, brushing her cheek with the back of his hand.

“Yes,” she whispered. “I want everything.”

He didn’t hesitate.

Kai slipped his sweatpants down and kicked them off, revealing the thick length of him — hard, heavy, flushed. Layla stared, lips parted, nervous and turned on all at once.

He reached into his drawer, tore open a condom, and rolled it on with a hiss through his teeth.

Then he lined himself up between her legs, pressing the head against her slick entrance.

“Last chance,” he whispered.

She cupped his cheek, heart racing. “I want you.”

Kai pushed in slowly, inch by inch, stretching her open.

She gasped at the pressure — the fullness — the way he filled her completely.

“Fuck,” he groaned, his forehead pressing against hers. “You feel like heaven.”

He held still, letting her adjust, his control clearly razor-thin.

Then he began to move.

Slow thrusts at first — deep and measured — his hips rolling into her with perfect rhythm. Layla clung to him, her legs wrapping around his waist, her nails digging into his back as he set a pace that had her moaning with every breath.

Their bodies moved together like they already knew each other — like this wasn’t the first time, but the hundredth.

“Look at me,” Kai said, voice rough. “I want to see you come.”

And when he reached down to rub her clit again in perfect rhythm with his thrusts, she shattered for the second time — clenching around him, crying out his name like a plea.

That undid him.

He groaned her name as he came, thrusting hard and deep, his body trembling above hers.

For a moment, they didn’t move — only the sound of their breaths filling the room.

Then he collapsed beside her, pulling her into his chest, her bare skin sticky against his.

“You okay?” he asked, brushing her hair from her forehead.

She nodded, eyes half-closed. “Better than okay.”

Kai smiled against her temple.

“You can stay the night.”

Layla nestled into his side, her body still humming, and whispered, “Good. Because I don’t think I can walk.”

The first thing Layla felt was warmth.

Not just the soft cocoon of a blanket tucked around her naked body, but the quiet hum of another person’s presence—solid, steady, and close.

Kai’s arm was draped across her waist, his fingers curled gently against her skin as if even in sleep, he didn’t want to let go.

Her breath caught.

The room smelled like his cologne—clean, musky, and something darker beneath. Her thighs still trembled faintly, reminders of how he’d claimed her just hours ago. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, meeting the soft grey light of dawn spilling through the curtain.

For a second, she didn’t move.

She just watched him.

Kai’s face looked different in sleep—relaxed, almost boyish. His hair was messy, falling into his eyes. There was a faint bruise on his collarbone—her doing. Her cheeks flushed.

Last night wasn’t a dream.

His mouth, his hands, the way he made her beg...

She closed her eyes, trying to steady her racing thoughts, but his body was so close, so warm. Her mind replayed flashes of the night: her name in his voice, his mouth trailing down her stomach, the press of his body inside hers...

A soft gasp escaped her lips.

“Morning,” a voice murmured, rough with sleep.

Layla’s eyes snapped open.

Kai was awake. One eye barely open, but his mouth had curved into that maddening, lazy smirk.

“Did I just hear you moan?” he asked, voice thick and low, sliding through her like silk.

“No,” she said quickly. Too quickly.

He chuckled.

“Mmhmm.”

Kai rolled onto his side, propping himself up on one elbow. The blanket slid down his bare chest, revealing the toned ridges of his abdomen. Layla tried not to stare.

“You’re blushing,” he said, reaching to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Cute.”

“You’re—annoying,” she muttered, trying to hide her face.

He leaned in, his lips brushing her cheek, and then lower—to the curve of her jaw, the soft spot under her ear.

“You didn’t think I’d just sleep after that, did you?” he whispered.

Her breath hitched.

“You’re insatiable,” she whispered, voice catching.

He grinned against her skin. “Only when you’re in my bed.”

Before she could respond, he rolled on top of her, pinning her gently beneath him. His hands slid under the blanket, gliding over the bare curve of her hip.

“You can still say no,” he murmured, eyes dark but sincere.

She looked up at him, heart pounding. “I don’t want to.”

His lips crashed into hers.

It wasn’t like last night—slow and teasing. This kiss was hungry, messy, all tongue and heat. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders as he deepened it, the blanket forgotten, their bodies tangling again.

Kai kissed down her chest, over the faint marks he’d left last night, and smiled against her skin.

“I like seeing these on you,” he murmured. “Proof you’re mine.”

Layla whimpered, arching into him.

He didn’t stop this time. He devoured her all over again—slower, deeper. Exploring her with a gentleness that contrasted with the intensity in his eyes. Her fingers tangled in his hair as he murmured praises between kisses.

“You feel so good.”

“Like that?”

“God, yes—don’t stop…”

And he didn’t.

It was different this time—more intimate, as if now that they’d crossed the line, he wanted to memorize every inch of her. Their hands clasped. Their lips met again and again. His rhythm slow, deep, relentless.

By the time they came undone together, shaking and breathless, the sun had risen fully, painting the room in a golden glow.

---

They lay tangled in silence, only the sound of their breathing filling the space.

Kai brushed a kiss to her forehead.

“You okay?” he asked softly.

Layla nodded, nestling into his chest. “Yeah. Just… overwhelmed.”

He chuckled. “Same.”

They stayed like that for a while—skin to skin, nothing to say, everything said.

Until her phone buzzed on the floor.

Layla blinked, suddenly remembering the outside world.

Classes. Her roommate. Her towel.

“Oh god,” she groaned, pulling the blanket over her face.

“What?” Kai asked.

“I have to go back to my room sometime,” she muttered. “I was literally naked in the hallway yesterday.”

He laughed, pulling her close. “You can borrow my hoodie again.”

She peeked out from the blanket. “And pants?”

He winked. “Only if I get to take them off again later.”