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Chapter 7: The Pressure Mounts
Last Updated:
2025-03-17 13:46:23
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The Price of A Bet Chapter 8: First Date Setup
Ethan Carter wasn’t used to waiting. He was the kind of guy who snapped his fingers, and things fell into place. Girls, parties, favors—it all came easy. But Vivian Hayes? She was different. And that difference made him restless, made him itch with the need to push further, to see how far he could go before she broke.That was the real game now.After their last heated exchange, he knew he had to be smart. Vivian was strong, disciplined, always in control. If he came on too strong, she’d shut him down immediately. But if he played it just right, if he gave her a reason to spend time with him outside of class, she wouldn’t even realize what was happening until it was too late.He needed an excuse. And he found one in the most unexpected place.The next day in class, Ethan took his usual seat at the back, twirling a pen between his fingers as he watched her. She was dressed in a fitted blouse and a pencil skirt, her hair neatly pinned bac
Last Updated : 2025-03-18The Price of A Bet Chapter 9: A Moment of Weakness
The air between them was thick with something unspoken, a slow-burning fire that neither of them dared to acknowledge outright. Vivian sat across from Ethan in the dimly lit café, her fingers gripping the spine of her book a little too tightly, her breath just a little too uneven.She had been careful. She had told herself that their interactions were nothing more than tutoring—a professional obligation. But there were moments, fleeting and dangerous, when she wasn’t so sure anymore.And Ethan? He could sense the crack in her resolve.“Ms. Hayes,” he murmured, his voice like velvet, smooth and rich. “You seem distracted.”Vivian cleared her throat and forced herself to focus on the open book in front of her. “I’m not distracted. Maybe you should be focusing on the material instead of whatever game you think you’re playing.”Ethan leaned in slightly, elbows resting on the table, his proximity making it harder for her to ignore the pull
Last Updated : 2025-03-18The Price of A Bet Chapter 10: Crossing the Line
The night air was cool against Vivian’s heated skin as she stepped outside the café, but it did little to calm the storm raging inside her. Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched her bag, her heart still pounding from the moment she had fled.Ethan Carter had nearly broken her.And the most dangerous part? A part of her wanted him to.She pressed her fingers against her temples, inhaling deeply. This had to stop. She had to be the adult, the professional, the one in control. If she let herself slip, even for a moment, everything would crumble.But as she turned to head toward her car, she found herself face to face with the very temptation she was trying to escape.Ethan.He had followed her outside, his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his leather jacket, his dark eyes gleaming with something unreadable beneath the streetlights.“Running away, Ms. Hayes?” His voice was smooth, teasing, but there was someth
Last Updated : 2025-03-18The Price of A Bet Chapter 11: Avoidance
The morning after the kiss, Vivian walked into the school building with her head held high, her spine rigid, and her pulse hammering against her throat. She had spent the entire night berating herself, dissecting every moment, every mistake. She had sworn to herself—sworn—that she would not let it happen again.And the only way to ensure that was to stay as far away from Ethan Carter as humanly possible.She clutched her coffee cup like a lifeline as she made her way to her classroom, her heels clicking against the tile floor in a determined rhythm. She ignored the curious stares of students who noticed her slightly frazzled demeanor, the way she seemed to move with more purpose than usual. No one could know. No one could suspect.Especially not him.She stepped inside her classroom, shutting the door behind her with a relieved sigh. Safe. She was safe here. She could lose herself in lesson plans, in literature, in anything but the dark eyes
Last Updated : 2025-03-19The Price of A Bet Chapter 12: The Apology
The tension between them lingered like an unspoken secret, an invisible thread pulling them together no matter how hard Vivian tried to sever it. Avoidance hadn’t worked. Indifference had failed. And now, as she sat at her desk long after school had ended, grading papers with a half-hearted focus, she wasn’t prepared for what came next.A soft knock at her door startled her. She looked up, expecting another teacher or maybe a student needing help. But when her eyes met Ethan’s, her pulse stuttered.He stood in the doorway, not with his usual smug confidence, but with something softer, something careful.“Ms. Hayes.” His voice lacked its usual teasing lilt.Vivian inhaled sharply, forcing herself to remain composed. “Ethan, what are you doing here?”He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “I needed to talk to you.”She set down her pen and folded her hands neatly on the desk, ignoring the way her palms felt clammy. “Etha
Last Updated : 2025-03-19The Price of A Bet Chapter 13: More Than a Game?
Ethan Carter had never been one for complications. Life had always been a game—one he played well. He knew the rules, the strategies, the risks. Women, in particular, were predictable. They swooned at his charm, melted under his touch. There had never been a woman who posed a challenge he couldn’t conquer.Until now.Until Vivian Hayes.As he sat in class, watching her from his seat, something felt different. It wasn’t just about the bet anymore. It wasn’t about the challenge of seducing her or proving to his friends that he could do it.It was her.The way she brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear when she got lost in a lecture. The way she pursed her lips when a student gave a particularly insightful answer. The way she looked at him—not with admiration, not with amusement, but with something deeper, something she was afraid to name.And damn it, he was afraid to name it too.Vivian was at the front of the room
Last Updated : 2025-03-19The Price of A Bet Chapter 14: Vivian’s Loneliness
Vivian Hayes sat in her dimly lit apartment, staring at the untouched glass of wine on the coffee table. The city skyline stretched beyond her window, lights blinking like distant stars, but none of it comforted her. The silence pressed against her, heavy and suffocating.She had always known loneliness, but tonight, it felt unbearable.With a deep breath, she leaned back against the couch, closing her eyes as memories clawed their way to the surface. She had spent her entire life under the careful orchestration of her parents. Every decision, every move, every step had been mapped out for her before she even had a chance to choose.She could still hear her mother’s voice—cold, clipped, full of expectations.“You are a Hayes. That name carries weight. Do not tarnish it.”Vivian had lived by that rule her entire life. She had attended the finest schools, learned to walk with poise, speak with precision, and smile when
Last Updated : 2025-03-20The Price of A Bet Chapter 15: Another Chance
Vivian had told herself she was making a mistake. That allowing Ethan another inch into her life was a dangerous game—one she wasn’t prepared to play. Yet, here she was, standing in the quiet corner of a downtown café, waiting for him.The air smelled of freshly ground coffee and vanilla, the low hum of conversations blending with the soft jazz playing overhead. She exhaled slowly, fingers gripping the ceramic cup in front of her, wondering how she had let herself get to this point. She should have never answered his call. She should have ignored his persistence. But despite all logic, she was here, giving him another chance.Then, the doorbell chimed.Ethan walked in, looking both casual and confident, dressed in a fitted black shirt and jeans. His eyes found hers instantly, a small smirk tugging at his lips as he strode over. His presence was overwhelming in a way she didn’t want to admit, like he belonged anywhere he set foot. Vivian’s heart did
Last Updated : 2025-03-20
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The Price of A Bet Chapter 35: Desperate Measures
Ethan's fingers drummed anxiously on the steering wheel as he sat outside Vivian's house, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios. He had watched her enter, seen the tense exchange through the large living room window, and now, he could feel the weight of something slipping away—something he wasn’t willing to lose.His phone buzzed. A message from Ethan's friend.Did you do it? Got proof?Ethan scowled and shoved the phone aside. None of that mattered anymore. This wasn’t about a bet. It hadn’t been for a long time. He had fallen for her, hard, and now she was being ripped away from him.His grip tightened around the wheel. He needed to see her. Needed to talk to her. Needed to do something before it was too late.Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the car door and stepped onto the damp pavement. The night air was cool, and a slight breeze carried the scent of rain from earlier. He moved toward the side of the house, search
The Price of A Bet Chapter 34: Confrontation
Vivian’s hands trembled as she gripped the steering wheel, her father’s voice still echoing in her ears. She knew she had to face him, but she wasn’t ready for what awaited her at home. Every step toward the front door felt heavier, her heart pounding in her chest. The moment she stepped inside, the weight of the atmosphere crushed her.Daniel Whitmore was already waiting in the living room, his arms crossed, his face set in an unreadable expression. Their father sat nearby, his expression one of disappointment and quiet fury. The room felt colder than usual, and Vivian instinctively knew this wouldn’t be just another lecture."Where were you?" Daniel demanded, his voice sharp as a knife, slicing through the tense silence.Vivian hesitated, forcing herself to remain calm. "I told you. I was with a friend."Daniel’s eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. "Don’t lie to me. I know exactly where you were. Do you have any idea what you’ve done?"
The Price of A Bet Chapter 33: The Consequences of Passion
Ethan lay beside Vivian, their bodies still tangled beneath the sheets, the heat of their passion lingering in the air. He traced slow circles on her bare shoulder, his fingers reverent as if memorizing every inch of her. Vivian sighed, her head resting on his chest, her heartbeat gradually slowing from the intensity of their night together. "This is crazy," she murmured, her voice laced with contentment and dread all at once. "We shouldn’t have done this." Ethan shifted, lifting her chin with his fingers so she would meet his gaze. "But we did. And I don’t regret a damn thing." She searched his eyes, and for a brief moment, she allowed herself to believe in the illusion that this could be more than just a mistake. That this could be something real. Then the sound of a car door slamming outside shattered the illusion. Vivian's body tensed instantly. "No..." She bolted upright, dragging the sheets over her chest as she listened. Ethan sat up too, brows furrowed. "What is it?" F
The Price of A Bet Chapter 32: Waking Up in His Arms
Vivian stirred as the first rays of dawn filtered through the sheer curtains, casting golden streaks across the rumpled bed. The warmth enveloping her wasn’t just from the sun—it was from the solid, sculpted body beside her, the heat radiating from Ethan’s bare skin pressing against her own. A deep inhale filled her lungs with the lingering scent of him, an intoxicating blend of his cologne and the musk of last night’s passion. Her body still thrummed with the echoes of pleasure, each movement reminding her of the way he had worshiped her with his hands, his lips, his body. She shifted slightly, and immediately, a strong arm tightened around her waist, pulling her closer. A deep, husky groan rumbled against her neck as Ethan stirred behind her, his lips pressing instinctively against her shoulder. “Where do you think you’re going?” His voice was thick with sleep, yet still laced with that ever-present teasing edge that made her shiver. Vivian felt her breath hitch as his fingers
The Price of A Bet Chapter 31: The Night That Changed Everything
Vivian's breaths were uneven, her body still trembling from the way Ethan's touch had unraveled her. She was pressed against the couch, his weight a comforting pressure, their lips still ghosting over each other’s in slow, lingering kisses. The heat between them was undeniable, the tension thick enough to suffocate. "Vivian," Ethan murmured, his fingers tracing a delicate path along her jawline. "Tell me to stop." She couldn't. Her fingers slid into his hair, pulling him closer, silently giving him the answer he needed. He let out a soft, shuddering breath, his hands pressing into her lower back as he leaned in, deepening the kiss. His lips moved against hers with urgency, tasting her, consuming her. The warmth of his breath sent tingles down her spine, making her knees weak beneath him. His hands roamed down her arms, his touch featherlight yet electrifying. Every inch of her skin awakened under his fingertips, and she arched into his touch, her body betraying her mind, urging h
The Price of A Bet Chapter 30: Giving In to the Fire
Vivian couldn’t shake the weight of Ethan’s presence no matter how hard she tried. Every look, every word, every stolen moment between them felt like an invisible force pushing her closer to the edge of a dangerous abyss.She knew she should be stronger, that she should fight harder against whatever this was. But deep inside, she was already losing the battle.That evening, as she stood in front of her bathroom mirror, her reflection showed a woman who was struggling with something she couldn't name. Her fingertips ghosted over her lips, still tingling from the way Ethan had looked at her that morning. It was ridiculous how much power he had over her, and yet, she wasn’t running away. Not really.A sharp knock at her door startled her out of her thoughts. Her heart skipped a beat. No one ever came to her place unannounced. With a shaky breath, she walked to the door and hesitated before unlocking it.The moment she pulled it open, her breath caught in her throat. Ethan stood there, hi
The Price of A Bet Chapter 29: The Push and Pull
Vivian had spent the entire night tossing and turning, replaying Ethan’s words in her mind. You can fight it all you want, but sooner or later, you’ll come back to me. The worst part was, he wasn’t wrong. The more she tried to distance herself, the stronger the pull became.She sat at her desk the next morning, sipping her coffee, willing herself to focus on her work. The school day had barely started, but she already felt exhausted. The sleepless night had done little to help her resolve. She needed to put an end to this, once and for all. She couldn’t keep getting caught in this dangerous cycle. But deep down, she knew—she was already in too deep.A knock on the door broke her thoughts. Before she could respond, Ethan stepped inside, closing the door behind him."You’re not supposed to be here," she said, her tone firm but lacking the conviction she desperately needed.He leaned against the door, arms crossed over his broad chest, a smug grin playing on his lips. "Since when do I fo
The Price of A Bet Chapter 28: A Game of Resistance
Vivian stood in front of her mirror that evening, studying her reflection as if searching for answers. Her lips were still tingling from the ghost of Ethan’s words, his presence lingering in her mind like an intoxicating whisper she couldn’t shake. I’ll wait, Vivian. For as long as it takes.Her hands clenched into fists. She couldn’t allow this to continue. The longer it did, the closer she came to the edge of something dangerous, something irreversible. She needed to put distance between them before it was too late.Avoidance and TemptationThe next morning, she was determined to act as if nothing had changed. Her resolve was ironclad as she strode into the classroom, shoulders squared, face impassive. But as soon as she stepped through the door, her breath caught.Ethan was already there, lounging in his seat at the back of the class like he owned the world. His gaze locked onto hers the second she entered, a slow, knowing smirk tugging at his lips. Damn it.She ignored him and sta
The Price of A Bet Chapter 27: The Aftermath of Temptation
Vivian awoke to the soft glow of dawn filtering through the curtains, her body tangled with Ethan’s. His arm draped over her waist, his steady breaths fanning against the nape of her neck. For a moment, she allowed herself to revel in the warmth of his embrace, the sense of peace that had been so foreign to her for so long.Then reality crashed down like a tidal wave.Her breath hitched as she carefully slid out of his grasp, her heart pounding against her ribcage. What have I done? The weight of the night’s passion clung to her like a brand, searing into her skin, impossible to ignore.She hastily gathered her clothes, her hands trembling as she buttoned her blouse. Every nerve in her body screamed for her to stay, to allow herself just a little longer in the intoxicating haze of his presence. But she knew better. This wasn’t a fairytale—it was a disaster waiting to unfold.As she reached for the door, Ethan stirred behind her. "Running away again?"His voice was husky, laced with sl
