: Chapter 1
‘Fuck, don’t stop.’ I moaned as he continued his deep thrusts inside me. I gripped the bed sheets beside me, finding my release over his enormous shaft. His mouth continued to suck at my breast as he forced me to ride out the ecstasy he caused. A few thrusts later and he followed closely behind, spurting his seed deep inside me.
His long blonde hair, that was once gelled back, was now dangling over his face. He stood up, sliding out of me, while simultaneously pushing his hair back. He shaved the sides of his head so short, leaving the top long. He had this intimidating aura about him, with a firm jaw and serious brown eyes. The tattoos all over his arms and the side of his neck did little to appease it. The man was fucking hot, so I couldn’t understand why he agreed to do this with me.
I’d never been one to have a one-night stand. I stayed a virgin throughout high school, barely losing my virginity six months ago to my long-term boyfriend, Julius. The same boyfriend who I walked in on as he was slamming into my friend and roommate, Clover. The sound of their skin smacking against each other still echoes in my mind, with Clover’s loud groans as a melodic accompaniment. She sounded like a stupid car alarm. What hurt the most was she saw me and smiled at me as Julius came inside her. When he opened his eyes and found me standing there, he froze.
Pursuing me out of the apartment, he swore it meant nothing and was only a mistake. He admitted he was stupid and, in his world; I was the only one that mattered. He pleaded for me to stay and forgive him, but I’m not one to forgive unfaithfulness. With tears streaming down my face, I ran to my best friend, Hailey. She and her family are the proud owners of a stunning penthouse apartment in the heart of Manhattan, which they use as a vacation home. She graciously invited me to stay with her there.
Hailey was also the one that dragged me out to the nightclub where this sex-god caught my eye tonight. Through nothing but sheer luck and liquid courage did I find myself here in his room. Now the act is over, what the hell do I do?
Remember, I’ve never done this before. What are the rules exactly? I didn’t figure you cuddle after. As he went to the bathroom to wash up, I began collecting my clothes. An overwhelming urge to run away filled me before he came back, not wanting to experience the humiliation of being asked to leave. I recognize this for what it is, and I don’t want him to think I misinterpreted the situation. We both got what we needed, and now it’s time for me to leave. I heard the door creak open and quickly pulled my shirt down as he emerged from the bathroom.
‘Leaving already?’ He leaned against the doorframe, arms and legs crossed. His eyes were so intense I felt like I was burning up, melting away into nothingness on his floor. We’d just fucked for about two hours and my legs felt like jello, yet I’d never felt so alive before. He knew exactly what he was doing, making me have multiple orgasms I’d never felt so intense before. With Julius, it was always quick and half the time I would never find my release. Lucas was different. He was skilled and knew the right spots to touch.
‘Yeah, I have an early class tomorrow morning. I need to get back so I can actually get some sleep before then,’ I lied. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.
‘Sleep here, and I’ll take you in the morning,’ he offered, but I shook my head no.
‘No, it’s fine. I’ll get an Uber. Thanks for…this.’ I said awkwardly, reaching for the door. He grabbed my hand before I could turn the knob, pulling me back towards him. I crashed into his chiseled abs and powerful muscles.
‘I don’t get to know the name of the woman I made scream my name for the last couple of hours?’ He held my chin as he spoke, making me look into his eyes.
‘Why do you need to know? That wasn’t part of the game, Lucas.’ I smirked teasingly at him.
I chose him not because he was the most handsome man I’d ever laid my eyes on, but because I figured I would never run into him again in this large city. I didn’t want to know his name, and I didn’t want him to know mine. This was a distraction. It was my revenge to show Julius he didn’t mean shit to me anymore. I had made a game out of tonight, leading us here. He broke the rules telling me his name so he could hear me yell it, and yell it I did.
‘I told you mine.’ His lips tickled my jawline as he spoke. I had to fight off the effect he was having on my body. I’d never reacted in such a way to someone before. It was exhilarating.
‘That was your choice. You broke the rules, but I like to follow them.’ I winked at him as I stepped back out of his reach.
He narrowed his eyes on me for a second before he stood straight, reminding me of his 6’2 height. He was lean, not body builder type, but toned muscles like a fighter. His thick eyebrows furrowed the slightest as he crossed his arms again.
‘Fine then, I’ll call you Rose.’
‘Rose?’ I cocked my head to the side in confusion.
‘For your rosy red hair.’ He explained.
‘Real original.’ I rolled my eyes with a smile. ‘Goodbye, Lucas.’
I rushed out of his apartment before he could grab me again. My heart was racing with the memories of tonight. I’d never met someone as enticing as Lucas before. I still can’t believe he chose me out of all the girls that surrounded him at the bar. It definitely gave my self confidence a boost in the right direction.
I barely learned how to tame my curly red hair during my freshman year of college. The frizz was insane in high school, earning me nicknames like brillo head or flaming bush. The bullying was relentless. High school was rough, but I survived. I thrived in my studies, even though I lacked in my social skills. I made it into my dream school and am only a year away from graduating with my degree in engineering.
Hailey found me during my first year of college. We bonded instantly, and she popped me out of my bubble. She gave me a makeover like no other and showed me how to interact with others without being this awkward girl. Hailey was like my fairy godmother, or, I guess, god-sister. I dialed her number as I made my way to the elevator.
‘Oh my God, Olive! How was he?’ She screamed her excitement into the phone after the first ring, like she’d been waiting for my call.
‘Hailey! He was uh-mazing.’ I told her, stepping into the elevator. ‘Come get me. I’ll send you my location. I’ll tell you everything in the car.’
‘I’m on my way. You better not spare a single detail!’ I heard the jingle of her keys in the background.
Is it bad that a small part of me hopes I run into him again?
I woke up with a massive headache from the amount of alcohol I consumed last night on an empty stomach. I should have eaten before going out, but I was too depressed. Today, I’m more enraged than heartbroken about what Julius did. He wasted my time. He wasted me. I won’t spare him a brain cell. He can keep fucking Clover for all I care. They deserve each other.
I dragged myself out of bed, feeling my head spin, but determined to get to my Calculus III class. Knowing it would be chilly in the brisk September air, I put on my blue Columbia hoodie. I grabbed a pair of jeans and my favorite running shoes, needing to run off this hangover. I took my bag and jogged to campus. Bile rose in my throat twice on the way, making me think I would throw up, but I powered through it, feeling my head clear before I made it to class.
I opened the door, taking a seat near the back right as Professor Dune came in, setting his things down. I love calculus, but Professor Dune severely diminished my love. He wanted the problems solved his way only. Even though sometimes they were wrong. God forbid you prove him wrong, too. I need to get through this class.
Hailey: Lunch at the quad today?
Hailey sent me a text. She and I always ate lunch together as our schedules lined perfectly for it.
Olive: Sounds great! Professor moody pants here, is driving me insane.
Hailey: Drop his class. There’s still time. Or maybe see if you can switch professors?
Olive: Maybe. I’ll talk to my advisor. I can’t stand this ass clown.
The hour dragged on as Dune continued his stupidity. I know I couldn’t be the only one questioning how this man was a professor here. Finally, class was over, and I zoomed out of there, booking it to my advisor’s office in hopes she was there. I don’t think I’ve ever gone to her office before. We mainly communicate over email, or in her classroom, but never in her office. I went to open the door, staring at my phone was now flashing Julius’ name. I rolled my eyes, feeling annoyed when the door suddenly swung open, hitting me right in the face. The door knocked the phone out of my hands, crashing onto the floor.
Just my luck! I’ll need to buy a new one.
I grabbed my nose as it gushed blood down my mouth. What is with my luck this week? The guy, who was responsible for my misery today, looked at me, horrified. His dark circles and lingering sense of impending doom clued me in to his freshmen status. I remember feeling overwhelming pressure, needing to be perfect.
‘Are you okay? I am so sorry!’ He rushed to me, handing me tissues he had pulled from his pocket. They looked clean, so I took them, squeezing my nose and leaning forward. ‘Please let me take you to the on campus clinic.’
I shook my head, trying to tell him I was fine, but I think I had bitten my tongue when he opened the door too. My nose didn’t feel broken, but looking at this poor guy, I figured it won’t hurt to be seen for his sake. It’s free for us, anyway. The guy looks nice enough, despite his accidental tendency. His jet black hair was parted down the middle, layered nicely to frame his face. He was pale and wore a black shirt with black pants. Stylish, black-framed glasses adorned his face over his clear blue eyes. He was pretty handsome for a freshman, and now I feel more embarrassed than anything. I pointed to my phone for him to grab, and he did.
‘Shit, it’s broken. God, I’m so sorry! I’ll get you a new one,’ he swore as he walked me to the clinic. I shook my head no. He was honestly saving me from Julius.
We arrived at the clinic, scaring the poor nursing students that had started their clinic hours. They hurriedly took me to a room down the hall, accompanied by the guy, so he could explain what had happened. He swore he would leave after he spoke to the doctor on my behalf. He must think I am mute now.
‘Good morning Ms. Brewer. What brings you in to-‘ The doctor stopped short as he looked up from the chart with my information. ‘Oh, my.’ He grabbed the rolling stool sitting in front of me, inspecting my nose carefully. ‘What happened?’ He looked at the guy beside me.
‘I wasn’t looking, and I opened the door hard, hitting her in the face. It was an accident I swear!’ He told him.
‘Well, good news is your nose doesn’t look broken. We’ll get it cleaned up. Are you hurt anywhere else?’ I stuck my tongue out, pointing to it. He wiped it several times, surveying it.
‘Bad news is you’re going to need a couple of stitches on your tongue. That’s a pretty big hole you bit into it.’ I sighed, rolling my eyes. Of course.
‘Let me go get a nurse or two.’ He told me as he tossed his gloves and left.
‘Dude, I am so sorry! I feel so bad. Give me your address, and I’ll bring you a new phone later today.’ He held his phone out for me to type my address in. I raised a brow at him, wondering if he was joking. He’s a stranger. I’m not giving him my address, even if he is hot. I shook my head at him as he continued to hold the phone out. ‘Okay, how about you tell me where and when you can meet?’ I typed in, quad at noon. That’s when Hailey and I meet. This way, I won’t be alone either. He read it and nodded. ‘I’ll see you there then, Ms. Brewer.’ He smiled, leaving as the doctor and his nurses returned.
I didn’t look up, feeling so embarrassed at the moment. I heard the doctor telling them what needed to be done as he took a seat in front of me again. He put his gloves on and got to work, leaving me with the taste of metal and rubber as he looked at how best to stitch it.
‘There we go. Good as new. It’ll be sore for a few days. Avoid straining it as much as possible. I’ll print some after care instructions for you.’
Great, I wonder if it’ll tell me when I’ll be able to use my tongue to talk again?
I found an empty table out in the quad, pulling my laptop out. I typed out the politest email I could manage to my advisor, hoping to switch my classes. It was only 11 now, with the sun high in the sky, warming my skin nicely. The door fiasco and the doctor’s visit made me miss my other morning class. I had to send my professor an email explaining what happened and asking for today’s assignments. I sent him a picture of my aftercare instructions with the date printed as proof.
I sighed, closing the laptop and my eyes. I let the sun soak into my skin, filling me with endorphins as I enjoyed the surrounding nature. The warmth of the sun was suddenly gone, so I opened my eyes to look at the cloud large enough to block it. Only it wasn’t a cloud. It was Julius standing in front of me. I scowled at him, cursing the freshman now. I can’t even yell at Julius. Instead, I have to sit and listen to him give me his shitty excuses. I opened my laptop, typing out my response to him already. I knew what was about to come out of his mouth.
‘Liv, I am so sorry.’
No, you’re not. I typed on my computer, turning it to show him. He furrowed his brow at me.
‘You’re not even going to talk to me now?’ He sounded mad.
Nope. I typed in front of him.
‘This is childish, Liv. We need to talk like adults.’ He whined.
Too bad
‘Are you serious? Liv, I love you. Please, let me explain.’ He leaned forward like he wanted to kiss me.
I don’t love you anymore. Leave me alone!
‘Of course you still love me. You can’t stop loving someone overnight.’ He argued, reaching for my hand, but I pulled back before he could grab it.
I can and I did. Fuck you!
‘Liv! She meant nothing. She seduced me. Please, Liv, you have to forgive me!’
I don’t have to do shit. Now leave me alone before I scream. I threatened him.
‘You wouldn’t.’
Wanna bet?
He narrowed his eyes, trying to decide if I was bluffing or not.
‘You’re being ridiculous. We need to talk for real, Liv. You can’t avoid me forever.’ He huffed, walking away finally. When he was gone, I let the tears I had been holding back stream down my face. I was teetering between being pissed at him and feeling absolutely heartbroken. He took my virginity. He swore he loved me, but what love involves a third person in their relationship? What he did was unforgivable.
‘Olive, what’s wrong?’ Hailey’s voice reached my ears before my eyes found her. She tied her dark brown hair up today, showing off her natural beauty. I handed her my aftercare instructions so she could see I couldn’t talk to her yet.
Julius saw me.
‘Ese hijo de puta. Did he bother you?’ She asked, searching for him in the crowd. She wanted to go off on him. I could see it in her dark brown eyes. Her Latin flare was showing, and she was looking to beat him with her shoe. I shook my head no at her question, but then gestured with my fingers that he had a little. She almost growled in anger as she crossed her arms and sat back in a huff.
‘When I find him, he’ll never hear the end of it,’ she promised me. I nodded in appreciation. But she didn’t have to. Hailey ate while I drank a smoothie from a strawless cup with my stomach growling. I couldn’t eat yet with my tongue still numb.
‘Hey, I am glad you’re here. As promised, a new phone.’ The freshman from earlier appeared before our table. He handed me a box with the latest iPhone in it. I immediately rejected it, pushing the box back to him.
‘She won’t even let me buy her one. I doubt she’ll let a stranger do it.’ Hailey pointed to the phone with her fork. ‘Who are you?’
‘The idiot who did that to her.’ He pointed to my face.
‘Well, idiot who did that. How about you leave the phone and run? Then she won’t be able to give it back to you.’ Hailey laughed, making me narrow my eyes on her in anger. Lavish gifts are not my thing. I feel like I need to earn these expensive items myself. In order to prevent myself from feeling let down by life, I accept nothing I can’t give myself.
‘My name’s actually Leo.’ He smiled.
‘Well, Leo. She will not accept it,’ she informed him, making me nod my head in agreement.
‘Please, I feel so bad. I mean, look at you! I made you bleed. You literally can’t even talk right now.’ He shook his head. ‘Please, take it. It’ll help me feel better.’
After some time, I eventually nodded my head. I’ll take it, but only as payment for the pain and inconvenience he caused. I am not comfortable with it, but I also need a phone at the moment, considering he busted my other one. Perhaps I can trade it out for an Android I like. One more my style.
‘Yes!’ He smiled. ‘It’s programmed already. I had your old phone cloned, so everything is now on the new one. I put my number in there, too, in case you need anything.’ He added, making Hailey laugh again.
‘Leo, what are you doing?’ Another random freshman came out of nowhere. He had light brown hair, sun-kissed golden skin, and hazel eyes. Where are these new hot freshmen coming from?
‘Hey, Kade. Meet Olive. I was about to invite her out with us this weekend. What do you say, Olive? It’ll be a sizable group of us. Seniors and juniors will be there as well.’ Leo’s eyes were practically begging me to say yes.
‘We’ll be there, Leo,’ Hailey answered for me with a wide smile. I turned to face her with obvious annoyance written on my face, causing her smile to widen. ‘I’ll have her text you later for the details.’
‘Perfect. See you guys then.’
Olive: Here’s a text. I guess the phone does work.
I sent it to Leo before he left to see if he really left me his number, and not a fake one. Although I am not sure what the point of it would be. I trust men less and less.
Leo: Of course, it works. 🙂
Guess I’m going out again this weekend. I wonder if I’ll run into Lucas again?