Page 5 of Wallflower No More

My reply is almost a moan. “Yes.”

He moves away until only his hand remains at my throat. “Only good girls get to come, Wallflower. So, go lie down. We both have class tomorrow. And next time I ask you a question, maybe you'll answer me.”

Asshole. But I do as I'm told because my inner submissive bitch is showing, and she likes to please.

Chapter 4

Yeah, Scar, He's Like Super Old

If Axel Creed thinks that his flirting with Bambi will get a rise out of me, he's got another thing coming. I've got an arsenal of my own. Bet.

-Scarlett

Scarlett

I managed to escape having any classes with Axel last year. But this is my first one. Why is that so nerve-racking for me? Maybe because he's making me feel all the things, and I'm not too fond of that. It's almost as if he can see deep inside my soul or something like there’s a connection between us, something other than attraction. It’s extremely irritating.

Saturday night, I came harder than ever before. The thought of which starts to make my panties soak, but I'm in a bitchy mood now, and I didn't sleep well last night with him beside me all night. My mouth twists into a snarl as he whispers something close to Bambi's ear. Then, he has the audacity to turn around and smirk at me afterward.

The fucker. Axel comes from money, like Daddy Warbucks from ‘Annie’ money. And yes, not all rich people suck, but most of the ones in my limited acquaintance do. He seemed okay, though, especially when his fingers made me come on top of that table. It shouldn't be okay that he's stalked me and even has a key to my place. Who does that?

Looking down at my phone, I smile. It's my dad.

Daddy: Have a great day at school, baby girl.

Me: Thanks, daddy, I love you.

Daddy: Love you!

Daddy thought it would be best for me to take more than the core required for my Journalism major. Against what I really wanted, I did him a solid and enrolled. He doesn't think my dream of becoming the next Diane Sawyer will ever come to fruition. I get it, he's a realist, which makes us clash because I'm a dreamer. It has taken me years to realize it's my life, and it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks on the subject. Even when that person is my dad. Just last week, he said, and I quote, “I believe in you, but I don't believe in the audience. You're not skinny or pretty enough, sweetie.”

The text my daddy sent this morning is the man I grew up with. The one who made that comment is the drunk he turns into every night after 5 p.m. He has only ever said that hurtful statement once, but it still stings like I got run over by my skanky cousin's Range Rover. He's a good man, but he's also a functioning alcoholic, works all day and drinks all night. Those words would have never come out of his mouth sober, but he meant it all the same. Everyone knows that a drunk tongue is a sober mind. He loves me, and in some weird way, he's just trying to protect me, but it's not needed or wanted.

Hearing a shrill, high-pitched giggle draws my attention back to Axel. He better not be in any more of my classes because I'm liable to kill him. He knows exactly what he's doing. Three times, our eyes have connected because he was staring at me first. Why? Football gods don't stare at mere chunky mortals like they want to eat them. And they don't make them come in libraries either.

Toby Maddison, the Longhorn's new pitcher, walks into the classroom. That makes me smile my first genuine one of the day. He's the funniest guy you will ever meet and unbelievably hot. Toby's taken, and I'm not smitten, but hey, a girl can look. He's become a good friend of mine. He's also rich but not a douchebag, unlike the one that's flirting with Bambi right in front of me.

I won't hold Toby's friendship with Axel against him. They fist bump, and he nods at the bubbly cheerleader beside Axel. I almost growl. Her name is Bambi, and her outfit may be illegal in some countries. It leaves little to the imagination. My irritation is petty because she's actually kind of nice for someone who's in my cousin Janet's crew. Maybe she knows and doesn't care that Axel is a lover of many and a keeper of none.

Oh, that's a good one. I take out my notebook because that sentence will be used in my next book. No one knows that writing romance online is a passion of mine. It's my dirty little secret. They almost always have smut in them. Okay, more like always. Do you want kinks? We've got it. Spice? Yes, please. But it's not just dirty, passionate sex. My characters are like family to me. Constantly growing and building their slow-burn relationships in between all the drama. It's the storyline for me, but also the smut.

“Louisiana! What's up, my friend?” Toby sits next to me, giving me a conspiratorial grin.

“Well, Georgia, not much these days. Just stylin' and profilin'. How's life since last semester?”

He laughs. “It's good, Lou! I took your advice and bought that movie collection for Karen's dad. He loves me now.”

I give him a high five. “That's what's up, my friend.”

“What movie collection was that?” A deep, sultry voice asks from in front of me.

Shit. I stiffen with every syllable said. Almost unwillingly, my eyes seek his. My voice catches in my throat, leaving me breathless.

Toby to the rescue. “All the Die-Hard movies, man!”

Axel looks back at me in surprise. Usually not one to be shy, I finally found my treacherous tongue. “Bruce Willis is a real man.”

Toby slaps my shoulder. “Do I detect a crush?”