Chapter 1032

Cloudscape Community.

After dinner, Juniper sprawled across the plush sofa, utterly devoid of motivation. The university's sports festival meant four days off, but her sadistic professors had piled on the assignments. She had spent two days competing and the next two doing absolutely nothing.

Now, she had three essays due tomorrow, and she hadn't written a single word.

Juniper tapped idly on her phone, her gaze drifting toward the man working diligently on his laptop across the room.

After a moment of contemplation, she set her phone down, poured a glass of water, and sauntered over to Shanley.

"Thanks, sweetheart," Shanley smiled, naturally reaching out to take the glass.

"Nope. Let me." Juniper dodged his hand and smoothly slipped into his lap, making herself comfortable across his strong thighs.

Shanley's entire body went rigid. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, his voice suddenly gravelly. "What are you doing?"

"Hydrating you," she purred, pressing the rim of the glass against his lips, her eyes batting innocently. "Drink up."

"Did you poison it?" he chuckled, though the sound vibrated deep in his chest. This level of unprompted affection was highly suspicious.

"Are you going to drink it or not?" She frowned, giving his broad shoulder a playful shove.

"I'll drink it." Defeated by her pout, he parted his lips and took several gulps.

"Alright, you drank my water, which means you owe me." Juniper slammed the glass down, reached over, and dragged his laptop closer. She looked him dead in the eye. "Three essays. Due tomorrow morning."

Shanley blinked.

"I'm tired and I don't want to write them," she continued.

"So..." Shanley wrapped a strong arm around her waist, pulling her flush against his chest. "You're bribing me to do your homework?"

"It's not a bribe." She started toying with the buttons on his shirt, her tone perfectly conversational. "It's an equal exchange. Three essays for a premium glass of

water."

Shanley was speechless.

"Mr. Schwartz, very few people have the honor of being served by me," she pointed

out, twisting the narrative with practiced ease.

"Oh? And who else is on this exclusive list?" he asked, amused and a little exasperated.

"My grandpa, obviously," she replied matter-of-factly, her fingertips tracing the line of

his jaw. "Don't tell me you're jealous of an old man?"

Shanley stared at her, his gaze

burning hot Jealous? She had

tormented him so much that he was

practically immune to the word,

grandpa by now Being in the Same tier of affection as her beloved grandfather was actually a win in his book.

"Mr. Schwartz, I expect to see my homework done by the time I wake up," Juniper murmured. She leaned in and pressed a lingering kiss to the corner of his mouth. "There's your advance bonus. Goodnight."

Before he could fully process the kiss and pull her back for more, she had already

slipped out of his grasp and vanished down the hallway.

*That girl,* he thought, shaking his head. *An absolute menace.*

A few minutes later, Dana peeked cautiously out of the kitchen. "Sir, would you still like your evening coffee?"

"No, thank you." Shanley pinched the bridge of his nose. That massive glass of water had completely filled him up.

"Understood." Dana quickly ducked her head to hide a smile. The poor man. He practically waited on Ms. Payne hand and foot, and now h was doing her college homework too

...

At 4:00 AM, Shanley saved the final essay, printed the stack, and carefully slipped them into Juniper's bag.

Not wanting to wake her, he showered in the guest bathroom before quietly slipping into their bed.

The moment he lay down, a warm, soft body rolled right into his arms.

"Shanley..." Juniper mumbled in her sleep, burying her face into his chest.

"I'm right here," he whispered, holding her tight, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Go back to sleep."