Awkward Puppy, Roses, and Reversals

It was Mason’s roommate, Caleb.

He looked at me with a blank, almost bored expression—like I’d just asked him for gas money.

I’d come over so many times, and Caleb always acted like I was the plague.

No clue what I did to set him off.

I’m not the type to chase after people who act cold, so I just turned to head back to my room.

But then the comments popped up again.

[LOL, the second guy just saw the main girl in a silk nightgown—his brain’s about to fry, but he’s still playing it cool. Awkward puppy alert!]

[Girl, why can’t you see the second guy? Every time you come for your childhood friend, the poor roommate’s left taking cold showers.]

[He’s got it bad, but just silently watches her. When she leaves disappointed, he gets all moody. Tragic.]

I stopped in my tracks.

So these comments meant that Caleb, the guy who always looked at me like I was radioactive, actually liked me?

And...

I’d heard rumors about guys with certain...equipment...

Images zipped through my mind—maybe a little too vivid, but hey, curiosity’s a thing.

I swallowed, checking Caleb out from head to toe.

Handsome face, long legs...honestly, I was just curious about the rest of the package.

I mean, his abs. Definitely his abs.

I leaned against the bedroom door, shifting so the nightgown slipped a little—just enough to tease.

Openly teasing him, just to see if he’d crack.

"Caleb, does this nightgown look good?"

He was quiet for a second, then turned his head away, voice cool as ever.

"No. It’s a lot."

I pouted, dragging it out for effect.

I let my lower lip stick out, giving him the full sad-puppy routine. "Oh...really..."

My eyes landed on his fists, clenched so tight his knuckles were white.

Damn, his veins were about to burst.

Seriously, he was like an awkward little puppy who didn’t know where to look.

But...I love training puppies the most.

I swayed my hips as I walked closer, locking eyes with Caleb.

A flicker of surprise crossed his face, and he froze, caught off guard.

I didn’t stop until I was so close I could feel his breath on my skin.

I could practically hear his heart pounding—thump, thump, thump.

A flush crept up his neck, making him look even more tempting.

The comments flashed again.

[Wait, is the main girl actually seducing the second guy? Is she going to use him to get back at her childhood friend?]

[Omg, she smiled and he’s already blushing.]

[Look closer, the second guy’s not just blushing...]

I looked down, checking him out, taking my time.

Not bad.

Just to clarify, I was definitely looking at his abs.

And yeah, I was very satisfied.

"Caleb, I have a two-million-dollar project. Want to work on it with me?"

Desire was already darkening Caleb’s eyes, his voice suddenly rough, low, and a little shaky.

"Don’t do this...you’re Mason’s girlfriend..."

It was the first time I’d ever heard Caleb speak this close, his breath warm against my ear.

Didn’t expect it—he always seemed so cold, but that voice was pure velvet bass. Almost too much.

I really wanted to hear him lose control.

My excitement spiked, and honestly, if I had a tail, it would’ve been twitching.

Luckily, my succubus side isn’t some fragile little bunny.

So I could still keep my cool—barely.

Otherwise, I might actually scare Caleb off.

But then again, my succubus nature can get pretty pushy when I’m in this mood.

[Is this really a useless female lead? She’s so bold—I love it!]

[Girl, you’re just picking up a random guy after getting dumped?]

[Don’t be so judgmental! The guy can date the campus queen, but the girl has to stay pure?]

[Second guy, stop pretending. After this, your chance is gone! Even if she’s just using you, you won’t regret it!]

[Girl, to handle an awkward puppy, you gotta be bold!]

So, yeah, I went for it—I grabbed Caleb by the collar.

With a twist, I pushed him down onto the couch, taking charge.

His skin was even hotter than mine, like he was running a fever.

I couldn’t help but run my hand over his abs, just enjoying the feel.

"I fought with Mason, and I’m not his girlfriend. Right now, I just want you..."

Caleb tilted his head back, his neck flushed, Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed hard.

I couldn’t resist, so I leaned in and kissed him—just a light, teasing brush.

Caleb immediately let out a muffled gasp, his whole body tensing under my touch.

I whispered his name: "Caleb."

"Mm..."

I bit his lip as a reward, then undid the silk belt on my nightgown, letting it slip free.

I pressed his hands above his head and tied them loosely with the belt, just enough to make him squirm.

I leaned in and whispered in his ear:

"Caleb, you know, names are the shortest spell in the world."

"Now that you’ve answered my call, you’re bound to me forever."

[Yes! Main girl is killing it!]

[Girl, tie me up! My name’s not even Caleb, but I volunteer!]

[Are you done yet? Get to the good part!]

[Second guy’s holding back so much—he’s probably scared his wild side will scare her off.]

[Maybe he knows she’s just using him, so he doesn’t want to go further. She never paid attention to him before.]

I was barely holding it together, my voice a whisper: "Help me..."

Just then, the apartment door creaked open, and footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Crap, I got so into it I forgot to lock the door. Smooth move, Autumn.

Could Mason be back already?

Caleb snapped to attention, his whole body tensing like a guard dog.

He suddenly flipped us, putting himself between me and the door, ready to play bodyguard.

"Uh...hey, I’m here to deliver flowers..." the delivery guy stammered from the doorway, eyes wide as he took in the scene.

The delivery guy stood there, clutching a massive bouquet, looking like he wanted to melt into the floor under Caleb’s glare.

"Mr. Mason sent these flowers to Miss Autumn. Um...the card says...uh...Happy Valentine’s Day."

That idiot Mason, still trying to play games? Seriously?

So shameless.

The delivery guy’s eyes darted around, probably already drafting a group chat update: Bro, you will not believe what I just saw.

I half-expected him to text Mason the second he left: Dude, you just got played.

Caleb took the huge bouquet of roses without a word and slammed the door in the guy’s face.

I tilted my head, watching him. Why was he so pissed? He looked like he wanted to throw the flowers out the window.

[This delivery guy really picked the worst moment—the second guy’s eyes cleared right up, haha.]

[Looks like the main guy still cares—he even remembered to send flowers.]

[Nah, if he didn’t care, there wouldn’t be a ‘chasing her to the ends of the earth’ plot later.]

[Such a mood killer—come on, keep going!]

You want a mood? Please. That’s my specialty.

Are we succubi called that for nothing?

I lounged back on the couch and called out, "Come here, Caleb."

Caleb hung his head, expression stormy, like he was fighting some epic internal battle.

His bangs were damp with sweat, and with his head down, he looked like a soggy puppy left out in the rain.

He even whimpered, voice tiny: "Did I...ruin your Valentine’s Day with Mason?"

Oh, so he was jealous. Cute.

I shifted on the couch and crooked a finger at him, inviting.

"I already told you, I’m not Mason’s girlfriend. Just toss the flowers—I don’t care."

"Come here, awkward puppy. Don’t say anyone else’s name right now..."

I was already at my limit, my voice dropping to a low, hungry purr.

No one can say no to me.

Caleb wasn’t wearing a shirt—narrow waist, broad shoulders, abs you could bounce a quarter off.

The red roses in his arms made his pale skin pop, like something straight out of a steamy movie.

He tossed the flowers aside, crossed the room, and caged me in his arms.

His tongue parted my lips, stealing my breath and making my head spin.

The rush of oxygen deprivation just made me want him more. My brain went blank—just pure sensation.

Trembling, I whispered, "Want...more..."

A beat passed, the air between us buzzing like a live wire. For once, the comments faded into white noise, and all I could feel was the heat of his skin and the way his hands shook against my waist. Maybe this Valentine’s Day wasn’t such a bust after all.