AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Hey. No, actually, I need to talk to Professor Geller. More like beg him to give me some extra credit. I’m worried I’m gonna fail.”
“Yeah, it helps to show up to class.” He eyes me playfully, pointing out my absences.
“Yeah, I’ve just been overwhelmed. Definitely need to re-evaluate my schedule for next semester. No more early classes,” I laugh. I’ve run into Evan here and there, and he never misses the opportunity to ask me out. I feel terrible for making excuses each time, and I don’t know why I just don’t come out and tell him I’m not interested. He’s super nice and has offered to send me his notes for every class I missed. It makes me feel bad to accept them, knowing I will always reject his advances.
“So, want me to wait? We can grab a coffee? You can tell me about your break plans. And maybe I can help you with some physics.” He wiggles his brows, and guilt washes over me as I conjure up another excuse.
“Sorry, I totally would, but I’m on a time schedule. I really need to get home. My dad has this big thing planned, and we have to leave so we don’t hit traffic.”
As always, he hides his disappointment with a half-smile, then shrugs and steps back. “No worries. Next time. Have a great break. Hey, why don’t I get your number? For real, I’d love to help you with physics. No pressure or strings attached. This is my second round. I should know it pretty well by now.”
I hesitate at first but figure there’s no harm. It’s for platonic reasons, and I may actually need his help.
“Yeah, sure,” I agree, and we swap numbers. He gives me a hug goodbye that lasts longer than necessary, and we go our separate ways. After speaking with Professor Gellar, he throws me a bone and assigns me extra work. I scan my phone for the time and realize I’m twenty minutes behind schedule.
Shit.
I race back to our dorm, only to find Violet not here. “Oh, come on…” I call her cell, and it rings in our room. She walks in seconds later, wiping at her face. “Hey, what’s wrong? You ready?”
She throws her hair into a ponytail. “Yeah, sorry. My stomach is suddenly upset. That cafeteria breakfast must not be—” She throws her finger up and races back out of the room toward the bathrooms.
Shit. Shit!
I scramble around our room getting all my things together, continuously checking our clock. Every time the minute hand moves, my anxiety kicks up a notch. “Jesus, what’s taking her so long?”
I’m about to grab her out of the bathroom when she returns. “Wow, sorry about that.”
“You’re not pregnant, are you? I swear to God, I’m not ready to call you Mommy yet.”
She slaps me playfully on the shoulder as she walks by. “God, no. You’d make an awful stepdaughter. Honestly, it was just something I ate.”
I give her a quick once over. “Okay. Are you ready? We really need to go.” I don’t explain why I’m in such a hurry, but she thankfully doesn’t pry.
“Yeah, I’m anxious to get home too.”
It’s still strange to hear her say that. Home. Technically it’s my house, but now we live together at school and at home. She’s in a better place with us, and I couldn’t be happier for her.
We get on the road, and I waste no time speeding down the highway. I debate on texting Gabriel that I will be late, but I don’t want Violet to pry.
The ride home is tense. I’m pretty sure Violet is catching on to my frayed nerves, but I keep the music loud so she doesn’t ask any questions. By the time we pull up into my driveway, I’m almost an hour late.
“Yeah…so, hey, just head in. I gotta go run an errand. Tell Dad I’ll be late, ’kay?”
She eyes me suspiciously, confirming what she already knows. There’s something up with me, and the next time we talk, she’s definitely not letting it go.
Without another glance, I take off down my driveway back onto the main road.
Dammit, I’m so late.
I’m not allowed to be late.
Timeliness and compliance. Two of his rules. I’m breaking one of them. My heart hammers inside my chest. There will be consequences. Maybe he’ll understand. It was out of my control. I tried to hurry Violet. She couldn’t possibly understand the turmoil I would succumb to by her making us late.
And now, I’m going to pay. He’s going to make sure of it, and I don’t know whether it scares me or excites me.
I speed through the streets to his large estate hidden on the outskirts of the busy city. When I enter the passcode, the gates open, and I race up the winding driveway. His house comes into view, a single light shining through the front window. I’m already removing my jacket as I park and run into the house. A shudder of fear mixed with arousal ripples down my spine when I’m not met by his large frame. He’s already downstairs waiting for me. My breath hitches at the low sound of music as I near the stairs. Andrea Bocelli is playing. His favorite melody when he’s upset. My nipples pebble as I take the steps two at a time, almost tumbling down the stairs. He will understand. It was out of my control. I remove my sweater and leggings, leaving me bare except for my white lace bra and underwear.
