As Laura explains the stakes, I can't help but internally smile. Not only do I get to do what I want with whomever I want if I win, but it will be all in front of her, which will make her feel uneasy, and I'm going to love watching her squirm.

Ace splits the deck and begins to pass the cards. I look at mine and smile, then look at her. With each round, both of us hit a hard hand. I shake my head. Counting cards is simple. I need to win this.

Ace deals again, and I pick up my cards. I look at Star, her eyes on the cards in front of her. Ace deals the last hand. A smile crosses her face, and I know she's going to hit.

"Hit me," she says.

She lays her cards across the table and says, "Twenty." She says with a smile. I put my head down.

"I guess I have to—" I place my cards down, "pack my bags. Twenty-one baby." I watch as her eyes shift back and forth, confusion taking over. "What the hell happened?" Laura asks her.

"I.. I don't know," she mutters. "What the fuck?" She leans back and rubs her face.

I get up and smile, saying, "I'll see you soon, roommate." I head inside and pack my bag with everything I will need for my stay. I know I can always come back over to grab whatever I need. I head out back and see that she has left. Laura informs me she will grab some things tomorrow, but she warns me, "Hurt her and I will hurt you." I nod and smile as I walk away. I walk to her door and knock. She answers, anger covering her face.

"Where shall I put my stuff?" I ask.

"Oh, stop acting like such a jerk!" She says as she walks to her room. "I'm not." I laugh. "It's not my fault I can count cards better than you," I say.

I enter her room and place my bags down. She turns to me and gives me the ground rules. No girls while she is home, and definitely not in her room. I nod my head in agreement and assure her that I understand. She then hands me the Wi-Fi password and tells me to make myself at home.

She heads to the bathroom to change, then walks back out with an oversized t-shirt and shorts. She places a pillow in the middle of the bed as she lays down. "Don't cross this. You stay on your side. I'll stay on mine," she says.

"Yes, ma'am." I say as I strip down into my boxers. As I lay there, her phone goes off. She grabs the phone and then sighs as she reads whatever text came through. She shows me her phone.

One more thing. You guys aren't allowed to leave the house except for parties that will be hosted at our place. The text reads.

"So we can't even leave to go get food?"

"Apparently not; we have to order in." She says. "Great, now my living room is going to smell like sex. Gross." She tosses her phone. "This is going to be a fun summer." She turns over and covers herself with the blanket.

☾

The morning sun shines through the window, and I quietly get up in hopes of not waking her. I head to the kitchen and brew myself some coffee. Last night was torture; all I wanted to do was hold her in my arms. I know I won the bet, and I can have any girl over, but the only girl I want is her. I look over to see her walk into the kitchen. She tells me she is going to shower, and then I can shower after her. I nod and watch as she walks away.

Time passes, and she walks out with just a towel wrapped around her. I look her up and down and feel myself getting hot for her. She grabs a mug, and I watch as her naked legs stand on their tiptoes as she reaches up, my mind wanting the towel to fall. I quickly avert my gaze, feeling guilty for objectifying her. I remind myself that she is a person, not just a body to be desired.

I head to her room and jump in the shower. I let the hot water calm me as I feel my primal instincts wanting every inch of her. This is going to be the worst summer ever. I quickly shower and step out. I head to her room with a towel around my waist, and she waits with her clothes in hand so she can get dressed. She walks into the bathroom and shuts the door. I pull out some jeans and a t-shirt. Star emerges from the bathroom, dressed in shorts and a tank top. She looks me up and down, and I can sense the heat that arises in her body. I smirk, and she looks away as I pull my shirt over my head.

I head to the living room and turn the TV on. She takes a seat on the opposite side and scrolls through her phone. I can feel the tension between us, but I try to ignore it and focus on the TV. After a few minutes, she clears her throat and asks if I want something to drink. "Sure,"

"What do you want?"

"Anything strong," I say.

"Coming right up." She heads to the kitchen and comes back with two shot glasses and a bottle of vodka. I pour us each a shot and say, "To summer."

She downs her drink and sits back. Her phone goes off, and she rolls her eyes. She tosses it to the side and sighs. "What's his deal?" I ask her.

Her eyes narrow in my direction. "Do you really want to know, or are you so bored that you're just asking?"

"I'm actually curious." I tell her the truth.

"That's for another time," she says as the front door opens and Laura and Ace walk in. "Dude, can you please bring my Xbox?" I'm fucking bored," I tell him.

"Sure thing." He says as he walks back out and heads back to our house.

"So how was your first night?" Laura questions us.

We both grunt and she put her hands up. She smiles and says there is one more thing she forgot to mention. She informs us that if either of us gives in to temptation, between us, the bet is off. We get to go back to the regular plans we had for the summer. If not, we are stuck together until the school year starts.

"And what if we don't give in? What happens?" I ask her. Laura sits there and thinks for a moment. "You get to brag about being the hottest, most wanted girl or boy on campus." I look at her, confused.

"I'm already that." I let out a low laugh. "Yeah, but now you're competing with Star for that title." She smiles. Ace walks back in, and I thank him. I hook it up, and Star leaves for her room. Laura grabs some things and heads out with Ace.

☾

I sit there and play video games until the sun goes down. I eventually shut it off and knock on her bedroom door. She tells me to come in.

"Want pizza? It's on me."

"Sure," she replies. I take out my phone and order delivery. Forty minutes later, the pizza is here, and I take it to her room. We sit on the bed and watch a horror movie. As the movie progresses, I notice she's getting more and more scared. I put my arm around her to comfort her, and she leans into me. Eventually she falls asleep, and I just watch her.

☾

The night finally gets to me, and I drift off into a deep sleep. I wake to the sun shining in her room, and I grunt. This girl really needs some blackout curtains. I look over to see her fast asleep. I stop myself from kissing her forehead. I slowly get up and head to the kitchen to make coffee.

I take a step outside and sit on the porch, sipping the hot drink, thinking about how desperately I want her. The sun rises, casting a warm glow over the neighbourhood. As I sit there, lost in thought, I can't help but wonder if she feels the same way about me. Maybe one day I'll find the courage to tell her how I feel. Until then, the bet is the only way I can get close to her.

"Hey," I hear her voice. I turn to see her standing at the door. Her eyes looking me up and down, and her face turns red before she speaks. "I'm going to make breakfast. Want some?" She asks.

"Yeah, but I was thinking I would just get us something to eat." I tell her, and she smiles and says, "Okay. But the rules state we can't leave, remember?"

I nod my head and point to my house, and on cue, Ace walks out. She begins to laugh as I call him over. He makes his way toward us, and I tell him to grab coffee and bagels for us. I hand him some money, and he walks away.

While licking my lips, I watch her walk away in nothing but an oversized tee. She's going to be the death of me. I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I need to focus on the bet, not on her. But it's easier said than done when she's always on my mind.