Vivian stood in the hallway outside her apartment, frowning at the man knocking on her best friend Lisa's door across the hall. She recognized him immediately—Jim. Lisa's go-to fuckboy. Tall, tattooed, and annoyingly good-looking, he was the kind of guy who made his intentions clear just by existing.

Vivian crossed her arms over her chest, irritation bubbling up as she watched him knock again, louder this time.

"She's not there," the redhead called out, her voice sharper than she intended.

Jim turned, his green eyes flicking to her. He raised an eyebrow, a lazy smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You sure about that?"

"Positive." Vivian stepped closer, her bare feet silent on the carpet. She wasn't about to tell him about her new guy, Peter. Lisa had moved on, and Jim didn't need to know the details. "Maybe try texting her next time instead of showing up unannounced."

Jim shrugged, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Texting's boring. I like the personal touch."

"Yeah, well, your personal touch isn't welcome right now." Vivian crossed her arms tightly, staring him down. She wasn't sure why she felt so defensive. Maybe it was the way he looked at her, like he was already imagining what she would look like underneath her oversized sweater.

Jim chuckled, low and throaty. "You're protective of her. I like that. Friends looking out for friends."

"Something like that," Vivian muttered. She glanced down the hallway, half-expecting Lisa to appear and diffuse the tension. But the hall was empty, save for the faint hum of fluorescent lights.

Jim straightened, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "So, what's new with you? You've been holding out on me."

Vivian blinked, caught off guard. "Excuse me?"

"You know," he stepped closer, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper, "you've got that whole mysterious redhead thing going on. I've always wondered what you're hiding under all that... reserve."

Heat crept up Vivian's neck, and she fought the urge to step back. "I'm not hiding anything. And I'm not mysterious."

"You sure about that?" Jim's smirk widened, and he tilted his head, studying her. "You blush when someone calls you on it."

Vivian swallowed hard, her heart racing despite herself. She did not know why she was engaging with him. Maybe it was the way he looked at her, like he saw something no one else did. Or maybe it was the way his tattoos peeked out from under his sleeves, hinting at stories she would never hear.

"You're full of it."

Jim laughed, the sound warm and inviting. "Maybe. But you're still blushing."

Vivian rolled her eyes, trying to regain her composure. "You're persistent, I'll give you that."

"It's part of my charm." Jim leaned against the wall, his gaze lingering on her. "So, if Lisa's not here, what should I do with my evening? Can't waste it standing in a hallway."

Vivian hesitated, her mind racing. She didn't know why she suggested it—maybe it was the way he looked at her, or the way his presence filled the hallway—but the words slipped out before she could stop them.

"You could wait in my apartment. Until Lisa gets back."

Jim's smirk softened into something more genuine. "That's... unexpectedly nice of you."

"Don't read too much into it." Vivian turned, heading toward her door. Her heart pounded as she felt Jim fall into step behind her.

She unlocked the door, stepping inside and holding it open for him. Jim followed, his eyes sweeping over her small apartment. It wasn't much—just a cozy space with a couch, a bookshelf overflowing with novels, and a kitchenette that barely qualified as a kitchen. But it was hers, and she suddenly felt self-conscious as he took it all in.

"Cute place," Jim said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

"It's home," Vivian replied, closing the door behind them. She gestured toward the couch. "Make yourself comfortable. I'll grab something to drink."

Jim sprawled on the couch, his tattoos on full display, as he stretched out. "You're full of surprises, Viv."

"It's Vivian," she corrected, heading to the kitchen. She opened the fridge, pulling out a bottle of wine and pouring two glasses. Her hands shook slightly as she carried them back to the couch, handing one to Jim.

He took the glass, his fingers brushing against hers. "Thanks."

Vivian sat down, leaving a respectable distance between them. She sipped her wine, trying to calm her racing thoughts. This was ridiculous. She did not even like Jim. Not really. Sure, he was attractive, but he was Lisa's... well, not anymore, but still.

Vivian shifted on the couch, her fingers tightening around the stem of her wineglass. Jim lounged beside her, his body taking up more space than seemed possible. She could feel his eyes on her, tracing the curve of her neck, the way her sweater hugged her hips. It shouldn't have made her feel anything, but it did. Heat pooled low in her stomach, and she took another sip of wine to distract herself.

"You sure she's not coming back anytime soon?" Jim asked, his voice casual but his gaze intense. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

Vivian's throat tightened. "Positive. She's... busy." She didn't elaborate. The last thing she wanted was for Jim to go looking for Lisa. Something about his persistence bothered her—no, it irritated her.

"Busy," Jim repeated, drawing the word out like it was a joke. "That's vague."

"It's not vague. She's just... not here." Vivian set her glass down on the coffee table, her fingers trembling slightly. She needed to keep him here, keep him from making things complicated. "Why are you so obsessed with her, anyway?"

Jim chuckled, leaning back again. "Obsessed? That's a strong word. I'm just... curious. You know how it is."

"No, I don't," Vivian shot back, her voice sharper than she intended. She glanced at him, watching the way his lips curved into that infuriating smirk. He was so confident, so sure of himself. It should have been annoying, but instead, it was... intriguing.

Jim tilted his head, his gaze lingering on her. "You've got a fire in you, Viv. I like that."

"It's Vivian," she corrected again, her cheeks warming. She didn't know why she kept saying that. Maybe it was the way he said her name, like it was a tease. Or maybe it was the way his eyes darkened when he looked at her, like he was seeing something no one else did.

Jim raised his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay. Vivian. Got it." He leaned back, stretching his arms across the back of the couch. His tattoos shifted with the motion, ink swirling across his skin like a story she could not read.

Vivian's breath hitched. She did not mean to stare, but she could not help it. There was something about him that drew her in, something she couldn't quite resist. She crossed her legs, trying to distract herself, but it wasn't enough. Her heart raced, and she could feel the flush creeping up her neck.

Jim noticed. Of course he did. His smirk widened, and he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low, teasing tone. "You okay, Vivian? You look... flustered."

"I'm fine," she snapped, her voice sharper than she intended. She glanced at him, her pulse quickening. "You're just... distracting."

Jim's grin widened. "Distracting, huh? That's a new one." He leaned back again, his eyes never leaving hers. "You're not so bad yourself, you know."

Vivian's heart skipped a beat. She didn't know what to say. She wasn't used to this kind of attention, not from someone like Jim. He was Lisa's type, not hers. But the way he looked at her, the way his voice dropped when he spoke... it was doing something to her.

She reached for her wineglass again, needing something to do with her hands. "You're full of it, you know that?"

"Guilty," Jim said, his tone teasing. He stretched again, his muscles rippling under his shirt. "But you're not exactly complaining, are you?"

Vivian glared at him, but there was no heat behind it. Her heart raced, and she could feel the tension building between them. She didn't know what she was doing, but she could not stop herself. She needed to keep him here, keep him from going after Lisa. And if that meant flirting... well, she could handle that.

"Maybe I should check real quick," Jim said, shifting like he was about to get up.

Vivian's hand shot out, grabbing his wrist before she could think better of it. "Don't."

Jim froze, his eyes locking with hers. "Why not?"

"Because..." Vivian hesitated, her mind racing. She didn't have a good reason. Not one she wanted to admit, anyway. "Because I said so."

Jim chuckled, leaning closer. "That's not a reason, Viv.”

"Vivian," she corrected again, her voice trembling. She didn't let go of his wrist. "And it is a reason. You just... You don't need to go."

Jim's smirk softened, and his eyes darkened. "You're not making this easy, you know."

Vivian's breath caught. She did not know what he meant, but the way he looked at her... it was doing things to her. Things she couldn't ignore. Her grip on his wrist tightened, and she leaned closer, her heart pounding in her chest.

Jim stared at her, his expression unreadable. "Vivian..."

She did not let him finish. She kissed him, her lips crashing against his in a rush of pent-up frustration and her own needs. It was impulsive, reckless, and completely unlike her.

Jim froze for a moment, his body tense under her touch. Then, slowly, he relaxed, his lips moving against hers. His hand came up to cradle her cheek, his touch surprisingly gentle.

Vivian pulled back, her face burning. "Sorry."

Jim stared at her, his eyes dark and unreadable. "Nothing to be sorry about."

They stared at each other, the air between them thick with tension. Vivian's heart raced, her mind spinning. She didn't know what she was doing, but she couldn't stop herself. She needed this. Needed him.

"Wanna..." she started, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jim raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a slow smile. "What?"

Vivian rolled her eyes, her cheeks burning. "Fuck!"

Jim's smirk widened, and he leaned closer.

Vivian kissed him again, her hands tangling in his hair as she climbed into his lap. Jim's hands settled on her hips, pulling her closer.

Vivian's lips crashed against Jim's with a hunger she hadn't realized she was carrying. His hands slid up her back, fingers pressing into her skin through the thin fabric of her sweater.

She pulled away just long enough to yank the sweater over her head, tossing it to the floor. Her chest heaved, bare and exposed, her nipples already hard from the intensity of the moment. Jim's eyes darkened, and he didn't hesitate. His mouth found her skin, lips trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses across her collarbone, down to the swell of her breasts.

When he took one nipple into his mouth, sucking gently, Vivian gasped, her fingers tangling in his hair.

"Jim," she breathed, her voice trembling. She did not mean to say his name like that, had not meant to sound so desperate, but it slipped out anyway.

Jim smirked, pulling back just enough to look at her.

"So eager," he said, his tone playful. His hands slid down her sides, settling on her hips as he leaned in to kiss her again. This time, it was slower, deeper, his tongue brushing against hers in a way that made her head spin.

Vivian shifted, straddling his lap as they kissed. She could feel him beneath her, responding to her movements. Rocking her hips, she ground harder against him, a low groan escaping his lips. His hands tightened on her hips, guiding her movements as she rode him through the fabric of his pants.

She laughed breathlessly, the sound bubbling up from somewhere deep inside her. "You're so—"

He cut her off with another kiss, his tongue sliding against hers as his hands wandered lower, gripping her hips and pulling her closer. Vivian could feel the hard length of him pressing against her through his jeans, begging to be freed.

"Tease," he muttered. His fingers sliding down, teasing the furrow of her sex, prominently visible in her tight leggings. His fingers glided over the fabric, tracing the outline of her slit with maddening precision. She tried to steady herself—really, she did—but the moan escaped before she could stop it, her head falling back as her hips arched toward his touch.

God, why does he have to be so good at this? she thought, her body betraying her resolve with every shuddering breath.

His fingers hovered just above her slit, teasing, taunting. Vivian's breath hitched, her hips shifting forward in desperation, but he pulled back with a low chuckle. "Patience," Jim murmured, his voice dripping with amusement.

"Hey," the word tumbled from her lips as a breathless gasp, her hips shuddering forward before she could stop them, chasing the featherlight glide of his fingers.

Jim grinned, his fingers finding her clit again, circling it slowly. "How about this?”

"Hmm...," she breathed, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Her knees pressed tight against his hips as she arched into him, catching his mouth in another heated kiss. Need coiled low in her belly, pulling her closer, clinging to the rough scrape of his stubble against her parted lips.

Their kisses grew sloppy, desperate, as Jim worked her over with his fingers. Vivian's hands fumbled with the button of his jeans, popping it open and tugging the zipper down. She shoved his pants and boxers down just enough to free his cock, already hard and throbbing against her palm.

Vivian broke the kiss, breathless, and pushed Jim back against the couch. Her hands pressed against his chest as she stood, her thighs trembling slightly. She stared down at him, her heart pounding, her pulse roaring in her ears. Jim reclined, lazy and amused, his tattoos stark against his skin, his cock hard and ready against his stomach.

His grin was all teeth, cocky and expectant, and Vivian could not decide if she wanted to wipe it off his face or kiss it away.

Without a word, she hooked her thumbs into the waistband of her leggings and pushed them down over her hips in one swift motion. The fabric pooled at her feet, leaving her bare except for the faintest shadow of red curls between her thighs. She was not prepared for this, had not planned it, and the raw vulnerability of it made her chest tighten. But she didn't let it show. She stood tall, defiant, letting Jim's hungry gaze rake over her body.

Jim's smirk softened, his eyes darkening as he took her in. His chest rose and fell with shallow breaths, his fingers digging into the couch cushions like he was holding himself back. "Damn," he murmured, his voice rough.

Jim's hand slid up her thigh, his fingers tracing the curve of her hip. "Viv," he said, you are fucking stunning."

She didn't correct him this time. Instead, she stepped closer, straddling his lap once more. Her thighs bracketed his hips, and she could feel the heat of him, the hardness of his cock pressing against her lower belly. She hesitated for just a moment, her breath catching, before she reached down and guided him to her entrance.

Vivian's breath hitched as she lowered herself onto Jim, her body stretching to accommodate him. His hands gripped her hips, steadying her as she took him slowly, savoring the fullness. A soft moan escaped her lips, her head tilting back as she settled fully, feeling him deep inside her.

"Fuck," Jim hissed, his hands gripping her hips tightly.

Vivian moaned, her head falling back as she adjusted to the stretch. She rocked her hips slowly, savoring the way he filled her, the way his breath hitched with every movement. Her hands braced on his shoulders, and she started to move, rolling her hips in smooth, deliberate motions.

Jim's hands slid up her sides, stopping to tease her breasts as she rode him. His thumbs brushed over her nipples, and Vivian gasped, her movements faltering for a moment.

"Don't stop," Jim murmured, his voice low and pleading.

She smirked, her hands sliding down his chest. "Why would I?"

Jim groaned, his hands settling on her hips again as she picked up the pace. Her curls bounced with every movement, her light freckled skin glowing in the dim light of her apartment. Heat beaded on their skin, dampening every inch where their bodies met. Their breaths tangled in the charged air—short, sharp gasps that grew more ragged with each fevered thrust. His chest glistened beneath her palms as she arched, his breath hot against her parted lips.

"You like that?" she whispered, her voice teasing.

Jim's hands tightened on her hips, and he thrust up into her, making her gasp. "Yeah," he growled, his voice rough.

Vivian laughed breathlessly, her hands tangling in his hair as she rode him harder. Her rhythm faltered for a moment, and Jim took over, his hips meeting hers with every thrust. Their laughter mixed with their moans, the room filling with the sounds of their pleasure.

"Heyy... Not like that..." Vivian teased, her voice breathless as he slowed his movements.

Jim groaned, his hands gripping her hips tighter. "Fuck, Vivian," he muttered, his voice strained.

She grinned, leaning back to look at him. "Like this?" she asked, rolling her hips in slow, deliberate circles.

"Hmm... That's it," Jim breathed, his head falling back against the couch.

Vivian laughed, her hands sliding down his chest as she rode him. Her breasts bounced with every movement, and Jim's hands found them, squeezing gently. She leaned into his touch, her hips moving faster, harder.

It felt good, too good, Vivian thought as she closed in on her release. They must have been at it for fifteen minutes, as the sound of a sharp knock at the door froze them both in place. Vivian's eyes widened, her body going still. Jim groaned, his hands tightening on her hips.

"Vivian!" a voice called from the hallway. It was Lisa.

Vivian's heart skipped a beat, and she glanced at Jim, her cheeks flushing crimson. He smirked, his hands sliding up her sides.

"Looks like we've got company," he murmured, his voice low and teasing.

Vivian's eyes narrowed, and she swatted his chest. "Shut up," she hissed, quickly climbing off him.

Jim chuckled, leaning back on the couch as Vivian scrambled to find her panties.

Vivian tugged the panties up over the curve of her ass, the fabric clinging to her damp skin. Jim watched her with a lazy, lustful grin spread across his face, his cock still hard and glistening against his stomach. She shot him a glare, though her cheeks burned.

"Not a word from you," she hissed, pointing a finger at him. "I'll be back in a sec. Don't move."

Jim raised his hands in mock surrender, his smirk only widening. Vivian rolled her eyes while giving him one last smirk before turning toward the door. She hesitated for a moment, glancing down at her bare chest, her hands shaking as she tried to smooth her hair.

She took a deep breath and opened the door just a crack, peeking out into the hallway. "Lisa?" she called, her voice strained with forced casualness.