Chapter 1

I fell in love with my brother's roommate at first sight.

I spent over two weeks being cute and flirting with him, only to find out that he did not have a thing for cute girls.

I completely lost my shit and took it out on him during his livestream.

"What a joke, I don't really have a thing for guys like you anyway," I had said.

"Fake ass, I've got a new boytoy now. He's much gentler than you and looks much better!" I had claimed.

That night was the first night that this gaming heartthrob had ended his livestream midstream.

In my attempt to run away, I barely made it halfway before he caught up to me. I cried and begged, but the delicate pink bow in front of my chest still got crushed in that man's hands.

"Lilly, young girls who do bad things need to get punished…"

*****

My brother, Wesley Carter, was a total player, but lately, it seemed like he'd retired from that.

He was just holed up in his apartment every day. There was no more clubbing, no more bar-hopping, and he'd even turn down gorgeous girls who were practically throwing themselves at him.

My parents suspected Wesley was hiding a girl in his place and were worried some innocent girl might get played by their troublemaker son.

So, they sent me over to his apartment to check things out.

I rang the doorbell, but no one answered.

Frustrated, I gave the door a couple of hard knocks.

"Wesley, seriously, just how many takeout orders did you get?" The voice that came from behind the door was deep and icy.

My heart skipped a beat.

Moms really do know their sons best. Does Wesley actually have someone hiding out in his apartment?

"This girlfriend does not seem very easy to approach, though..." Just as I was silently grumbling, the door was suddenly yanked open from the inside.

I looked up, expecting to see a gorgeous older girl, but instead, I was hit with a face so handsome it literally left me speechless.

He was at least six foot three, with cool, pale skin and sharp, striking features. He also had an aura that just told you to keep your distance.

His body was all lean muscle, and there was a certain...bulge you just couldn't ignore.

Even dressed casually, he had this effortless sense of class that you just couldn't miss.

I was so spellbound, I couldn't even bring myself to blink.

At the same time, I was kind of stunned.

Did Wesley actually hit the jackpot and bring home a roommate who's basically a walking wet dream?

Seriously, every inch of this guy was just my type.

He had me so flustered that my brain short-circuited, and all I could think of was that I had to make a perfect man like him mine.

My life would be a total waste if I didn't get him.

If he really is my brother's new partner, then hey, may the best Carter win.

"Hi, I'm Wesley's sister, Lilly Carter," I said, giving him my sweetest, most innocent smile as I introduced myself.

My mom's a total sucker for good looks. She's drop-dead gorgeous herself, and she married my dad, who's basically an absolute knockout.

Lucky for me, I scored the best of both worlds and got all their good genes.

Growing up, everyone, relatives, classmates, you name it, always gushed about how my eyes turn into little crescents when I smile, saying it could melt anyone's heart.

But right now, even though I was smiling so hard my cheeks hurt, the guy still looked at me with that icy, unbothered expression.

He gave my pink pleated skirt and white knee-highs a quick, indifferent glance, then stepped aside to let me in, saying briefly, "Wesley's in the shower. I'm his friend."

Friend, huh...

I let out a long sigh.

At least he's not my brother's boyfriend.

Once I sat down, he handed me a can of coffee.

I seized the moment, letting my hand casually graze his palm as if it was nothing, my voice slipping into that sweet, girlish tone.

"You're so handsome. Does your name sound as good as you look?" I asked, batting my lashes at him.

"Aaron Scott," he replied after a brief pause, his tone cool and indifferent.

He looked a little surprised, clearly not expecting someone who seemed so quiet and innocent to be this blunt.

"No way, what a coincidence! The fortune-teller said my future husband would have that exact name," I said, my eyes practically sparkling.

"Wow, Aaron, guess we're really fated, huh? Maybe we should exchange numbers..." I said, flashing him my sweetest grin.

Aaron hesitated, then took out his phone to get my number, a slight frown on his face.

"You really shouldn't buy into all that fortune-telling nonsense. That guy's totally off. Don't waste your time on him," he said.

Wow, he just killed the flirty vibe in one shot.

Still, I wasn't about to back down. With a teasing smile, I said, "You're so amazing, Aaron. Do girls have to line up just to chase after you?"

Aaron didn't look the least bit flattered or smug. He just replied in that same flat tone, "Not really."

"Then can I be first in line?" I said, softening my voice and giving his arm a playful shake, my eyes full of genuine sincerity.

Aaron barely glanced up at me, his voice cool. "Getting into relationships too early can mess up your grades..."

This was ridiculous.

After all that flirting, this guy seriously thinks I'm just some kid in middle school?

Man, this is straight-up humiliating!

I sat up straighter, subtly pushing my chest forward. "Aaron, I'm in college now."

I made sure he caught that I emphasized the word 'college'.

Then, blaming the heat, I shrugged off my pastel blue jacket with a cute bunny on it.

His gaze followed my little show, landing exactly where I wanted.

But he quickly looked away, not showing much emotion. "I'll go grab the aircon remote," he said.