Taming the flames

Chapter 3: Collisions in the Classroom

**Killian's POV**

The minute I walked into that sociology class and saw her sitting there, I knew this was gonna be interesting. Maddox, sitting near the back, trying to blend in like she wasn't the most magnetic person in the room. She hadn't even noticed me yet—too focused on pretending the world wasn't spinning too fast around her.

But the second I said her name, her whole body stiffened. Yeah, she knew who it was before she even looked up.

Her eyes met mine, and there it was—the same spark I'd seen when we locked eyes at the bar. She wasn't happy to see me, but she couldn't hide the effect I still had on her. It didn't matter what she said or how hard she tried to ignore me; I could see it in her eyes. I always had that effect on her.

I made my way over and sat next to her, settling in like I belonged there. Because I did. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, I was still a part of her world, and I wasn't going anywhere.

"Didn't know we had class together," I said casually, keeping my voice low. I knew it'd get under her skin.

Her lips pressed into a tight line, her eyes flicking toward me before going back to the front of the room. "It's a big school, Killian. Just my luck, I guess."

I couldn't help but smirk. Maddox never could hide how she felt—not from me, at least. She might act all cold and distant, but there was fire underneath that calm exterior.

"You act like it's the worst thing in the world," I teased, leaning back in my seat, watching her out of the corner of my eye.

She glanced at me, giving me one of those looks. "I just don't like surprises."

And there it was. The barrier she put up, trying to keep me at arm's length. But I wasn't about to let her keep me out.

The professor started talking, and she turned her attention forward, but I could tell she was distracted. I could feel it. She was trying so hard not to think about me, but every time I moved, every breath I took, I could see her faltering.

Class ended, and Maddox bolted out of her seat. She thought she was getting away from me that easily? Not a chance.

I caught up with her in the hallway, falling into step beside her. "You know, we could grab lunch. I figure we've got some catching up to do."

She stopped, turning to face me. Her face was set in that defiant expression I remembered so well. "Look, Killian, whatever this is you're trying to do? It's not going to work."

I raised an eyebrow, playing it cool. "What am I trying to do?"

"You tell me," she snapped. "You disappear for two years, then show up at my job, and now you're in my class. What's your angle?"

For a second, I thought about telling her the truth. That there wasn't an angle, that I hadn't meant to leave things the way I had. But she wasn't going to believe me, not yet.

"No angle, Maddox," I said, my voice softer than before. "I just... I missed you."

Her expression hardened, and she threw the words right back in my face. "Well, that's too bad. Because I didn't miss you."

Ouch. I knew she didn't mean it, though. Not really.

She turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, but I wasn't mad. I knew her too well to take it personally. Maddox wasn't the type to let people in easily—especially not after what I'd done. But that didn't mean I was giving up.

---

**Maddox's POV**

Killian's words haunted me for the rest of the day. **I missed you.** The nerve of him. He had no right to come back into my life, acting like he cared after two years of complete silence. If he'd missed me so much, where the hell had he been?

I tried to focus on my classes, on anything but the nagging feeling that Killian was pushing his way back in. By the time I made it back to my apartment, my head was spinning. I tossed my bag onto the floor and fell onto my bed, staring at the ceiling.

Seeing him in class today—sitting next to me, acting like we were still the same people we used to be—it was too much. I wasn't that girl anymore. I had walls now, and I wasn't about to let him knock them down.

But then there was that stupid part of me, the part I hated, that couldn't help but wonder why he was doing this. Why now? What did he want from me?

My phone buzzed, and I glanced at the screen, my heart skipping a beat when I saw his name.

**Killian:** "You still haven't told me why you hate surprises. Coffee tomorrow? I'll buy."

I stared at the message for what felt like forever, torn between wanting to tell him to go to hell and this nagging curiosity about what he'd say next. Damn him for making me feel like this.

Rolling my eyes, I typed back before I could stop myself.

**Maddox:** "Fine. But don't think this means anything."

I hit send, tossing the phone aside with a groan. What was I doing? This was a bad idea. I knew better than to let him get close again.

But a part of me—a stupid, reckless part—wanted to see where this would lead.