He strokes my clit faster with his tongue as he hooks his fingers inside of me, hitting something deep that I didn’t know was there. This orgasm is different from the last. It explodes out from everywhere, my whole body humming with pleasure. I feel a sharp pain for a second, but it’s gone as quickly as it was there. Noble continues lapping at my sex, drinking up my orgasm before he slowly pulls his fingers out from inside of me.

  “Don’t move,” he orders when I start to close my legs. Then he pushes my shirt up, revealing my breasts as he rises to his feet to loom over me. I watch as he strokes himself. “Kitten,” he groans as he starts to come. Ropes of cum spray across my thighs and sex. He keeps stroking himself as more comes from him, this time hitting my stomach and breasts.

  He stares down at me, his eyes taking in what he’s done to me. He marked me. It’s a crazy, almost barbaric thing, but I love it. I feel claimed in a way. No one has ever staked a claim on me. I should probably feel otherwise, but I can’t help but love that he wants himself to be all over me.

  “You’re stunning, Kitten. But more so with me on you.” He leans down, letting my legs drop together, and kisses me long and hard. “Come on. I don’t want to wash this off, but I do want you to soak in the tub so you’re not sore tomorrow.”

  “Sore?” He slides his hand between my thighs, cupping my sex. I tense when he starts to push a finger inside of me. He stops.

  “Sore,” he repeats. “Let me get the tub going.” I watch as he walks back into the bathroom, and the sound of water coming on fills the room a few seconds later. When he comes back, he’s got a white hand towel, and he’s put his sweats back on. I can still see the hard outline of his cock. “Open for me.” I do without question.

  How does he suddenly have this much control over my body? I really must subconsciously trust him. He’s been so patient with me. I tense again when he wipes between my thighs. When he pulls the towel back, it’s then I see the blood. It hits me what that pinch of pain I’d felt was.

  “Noble?”

  “The first time I slide my cock inside you isn’t going to be painful.” Emotions fill my throat, but I only nod in understanding. He’d taken my hymen in the least painful way possible. I was so lost in my orgasm I barely felt it.

  He tosses the towel down before he lifts me, carrying me to the bathroom and sitting me down in the tub. I let out a soft moan. I can’t remember the last time I had a bath. It’s only ever been shower stalls. It’s a luxury a lot of people don’t realize they have.

  Noble drops down onto his knees beside the tub. “What are you doing?” I ask when he starts to put soap on a loofah ball.

  “Taking care of you.” I close my eyes, but I can’t stop the few tears that escape. Until this very moment, I hadn’t realized how much I’ve yearned for someone to say those words to me. “Autumn, baby.” He grips my chin to turn my head to face him. I open my eyes. “You’re killing me. Did I hurt you? Kitten, I’m sorry if I went too—”

  “No.” I stop him. “You didn’t hurt me.”

  He lets out a breath. “Why are you crying?”

  “I can’t explain it. It’s not bad, I'm just not used to someone taking care of me.”

  Noble’s jaw ticks, but he forces a smile onto his lips. “You’ll get used to it, or I’ll die trying.”

  I lean over and press my mouth to his.

  No, Noble hasn’t hurt me, but he could. He’s taking something no one else has ever gotten close to. My heart.

  CHAPTER 13

  NOBLE

  I check the time and turn the page of the poetry book I’m reading.

  Escape me?

  Never—

  Beloved!

  While I am I, and you are you,

  So long as the world contains us both

  So sayeth Mr. Browning. Autumn would approve. I mark a passage. The next time I have her in my room, I’ll tie her hands and feet together, lick her to the point of orgasm, and then sit back and read her some Browning while she fights the urge to come. If we do this enough, just reading one line from this collection could put her on the edge. I flip to the next entry.

  “There you are, my boy.”

  I hear the voice of my dad, but since I can’t stand him, I continue to read. Or pretend to continue to read.

  He doesn’t take the hint. Instead, he settles his coke-addled ass on the bench next to me. “Your girl should be coming out soon.”

  My book snaps shut almost by itself. “What’d you say?”

  He smiles like a snake waiting to bite would smile and waves a piece of paper in my face. “Your girl’s class is almost done. I got her schedule right here.”

  I snatch the paper out of his hand and scan it. My blood grows cold as I scan the text. I crumple the printout in my hand and stuff it into my jeans pocket. “Where the hell did you get that?”

  “The register or something.” He grins. “The ladies were really helpful. Just wanted a photo and an autograph.”

  “It’s registrar, and this is private information. They shouldn’t be giving it to you for any reason.”

  “The lady there, the one with the brown hair and glasses that are too small for her round face, told me that she didn’t see a problem since she printed it out for you.”

  I clench my jaw.

  Dad laughs and slaps me on the back. “I don’t blame you, son. I’m proud that you’re taking the initiative. To tell you the truth, I had a tasty experience the last time I visited, if you know what I mean. These college girls have no inhibitions. If I knew what they were like, I would’ve gone to college myself. What’s your girl like to do?”

  “If you weren't my old man, I would’ve decked you by now,” I say coldly. “Out of respect for your advanced age”—he hates to be reminded that he’s older now—”and that your bones are probably brittle and you lack health insurance because you’ve snorted so much coke that you’ve got more pre-existing conditions than a Hollywood prenup, I’m not going to touch you this time. But you talk like that again about her, the fact that you’re my sperm donor isn’t going to stop me from putting you in the hospital.”

  The door to the Franklin Building where Autumn takes her sociology classes opens, and the students start pouring out. Before I can separate myself from my old man, Autumn spots me and waves excitedly. She runs forward, her eyes bright and her cheeks pink. I want to eat her up and also take her away from here. I cross over to her, trying to intercept her before her eyes can land on my dad, but I’m too late. Her gaze darts over my shoulder, and I can tell by the slight widening of her eyes that she sees him.

  “You don’t have to say a word to him,” I say in a low voice when I reach her. “Pretend like he’s not there.”

  “But—”

  “Autumn, isn’t it?” Dad booms.

  “It’s Nick White!” someone calls. A few people run over. “Mr. White, can I have your autograph?” “How about a selfie?”

  “Me next.”

  I grab Autumn’s hand and try to use the commotion as cover to sneak away, but Dad’s on a mission.

  “Sorry, folks. Another time, but for now, I’m spending the afternoon with my son.” His heavy hand falls on my shoulder.

  “Noble Patton is Nick White’s son?” someone murmurs.

  I grab my dad’s elbow and drag him away from the crowd. “I don’t want you coming to campus again. If you want to talk to me, call me.”

  “I would, but you don’t answer my calls.” He leans around and smiles at Autumn. “Does he answer yours? Don’t take it personally if he ignores you. He probably isn’t doing it intentionally.”

  “No. I’m purposefully ignoring you.” I stop when I reach the edge of campus, just before restaurant row where the sandwich, taco, and pizza shops line up in the storefronts underneath the off-campus apartments. “Sorry,” I say to Autumn. “I need to deal with this.” I pull out some cash. “Why don’t you get us some dinner? This won’t take long.”

  “I’ll take a turkey club, hold the bacon and the mayo.” Dad pulls up his shirt, which makes Autumn avert her eyes.

  “Go. Now,” I order because she’s not moving fast enough. A flash of hurt speeds through her eyes. I guess demanding things of her outside the bedroom is the wrong way to go about it, but I’m desperate to separate her from this fuck ass scene.

  “If you get tired of my son—”

  “One more fucking word out of you, and I’m going to beat you senseless,” I say through gritted teeth. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Autumn’s mouth fall open. If she won’t move, then I have to get out of here. I clamp my hand around my dad’s elbow once again and march him toward the parking lot beyond restaurant row. He waves over my head toward Autumn.

  “I don’t see the two of you lasting long,” he says.

  I’ve never struck my dad, and he’s never hit me, but I feel about two seconds away from some real violence. “How much money do you need?” I ask. I’m furious at him for putting me in this position, and furious at myself for not being able to predict that it would happen and prevent it in some way.

  A sly grin comes across his face. “For now? Fifty grand. I’ve got some debts to pay off.”

  “Fifty—are you fucking kidding me?”

  “I know you have it. Your granddad has a nice trust fund set up for you, some of which you got access to when you turned twenty-one. You’ll get another seven figures when you graduate, and then the bulk of it comes when you’re thirty. I’ll pay you back when I get my next acting gig. Otherwise, I guess you’ll be seeing more of me. What would you like?” He nods his head toward restaurant row. “Because I can see me and Autumn getting real close. Real, real close.”

  CHAPTER 14

  AUTUMN

  I worry my bottom lip between my lips as I wait for Noble at the sandwich shop. I skipped getting the sandwich his father requested. I’m almost positive he won't be joining us. It was clear that Noble was set on getting him far away from me. I’m not sure what to make of the whole thing, to be honest.

  I still remember that first day when I met his father. Well, I didn’t exactly meet him. I was fleeing Noble’s room as his father was entering. I recall him saying something to Noble about slumming it with me. Now today he’s trying to be nice?

  Actually, nice is the wrong word for what he was being with that comment about me calling him if I get tired of Noble. The whole thing was strange, especially Noble’s behavior. I’ve never seen him that irritable and snippy.

  “So, Noble? That’s your type?” I glance up to see Nathan standing next to the table I grabbed for myself and Noble. Our sandwiches remain untouched.

  I ordered us food even though my appetite was gone. The exchange with his father caused a knot to form in my stomach. There’s just something about that man that doesn’t sit well with me. That goes for the boy standing in front of me as well. I mean, could this day get any worse?

  “Is there something you want, Nathan?” I hate how he’s looming over the table. I try not to fidget, not wanting him to know I’m uncomfortable. I think he’d enjoy that. That’s the type of person he is.

  “Is it the money? I should have known you’d spread those pretty legs for some cash.” Nathan shakes his head. “I’ve got money too, so when he’s done with you, come find me.” I stare up at him in shock. His words are like a physical slap to my face. “Why the shocked look? Do you actually think he is going to keep you?” He barks a laugh. “Take you to the country club?”

  “Why don’t you—”

  “There a problem here?” Noble’s hand comes down on Nathan’s shoulder.

  Nathan winces. “Just saying hi,” he lies.

  “Time to say bye.” Noble doesn’t actually give Nathan a chance to say anything. He shoves him when he releases his hold on his shoulder. Nathan stumbles, tripping over his own two feet. He almost falls to the floor but catches himself at the last second.

  Noble leans down, placing a soft kiss to my lips before sitting down at the table. “How was class?” he asks, bypassing any conversation about his father or what just happened with Nathan.

  “How was class?” I’m stunned that's what he’s asking me right now.

  “Yeah, your exam. How’d you do?”

  I soften. He helped me study for hours to prepare for it. “I think I aced it.”

  “Knew you would, Kitten.” He pushes my sandwich toward me. “You need to eat. A chocolate chip muffin for breakfast isn’t going to hold you over long.”

  “You’re bossy today.” I pick up my sandwich and take a bite.

  “Only when it comes to taking care of you or when we’re alone at my place.” Heat rushes to my face. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around our bedroom play. Is that what it is? Play? Nathan’s words linger in my mind. He’s not wrong. I’m not the type of girl you take to the country club. Noble and I don’t make any sense.

  I take a few more bites of my sandwich. The silence grows between us. “Noble?”

  “He’s an asshole, and I don’t want him near you,” he finally says.

  “That the only reason?”

  Noble puts his sandwich down. “What other reason do you think there would be?”

  I shrug. Something flashes in his eyes. I lick my lips, knowing what that something is. It’s the same look he gets when things switch over to sexual side. When we’re alone, and that’s often. We still haven’t gone all the way, but we get each other off often.

  “If you don’t want to tell me now, I’ll definitely get it out of you one way or another later.”

  I glare at him, but my traitor body squirms in my seat. He knows he’s got me. Or does he? “Maybe I’ll stay in my room tonight.” See how he likes that. I take another bite of my sandwich.

  “Good luck with that, Kitten.” I’ve been in his bed every night. We've developed a routine. It’s been nice. Too nice, which freaks me out. Things always go wrong. Nothing good ever lasts for me. So I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop.

  “I’ll do whatever I want,” I huff.

  Noble smirks. “What is it you want to do, Kitten?” His hand goes under the table to rest on my thigh. He pulls my legs apart as his hand drifts up the inside till he gets to the edge of my jean shorts.

  “How do you do that?” I let my legs fall open even more, knowing what Noble can do to my body. He’s making me grow addicted to him, but what happens when this ends? Everything ends. I don’t fit in his world. I have no clue what world I belong to, but I know for a fact that it’s not his. “Be bossy and sweet at the same time?”

  “I do what I think my girl needs.” He leans over and presses another kiss to my mouth. “I still haven’t dealt with your roommate's boyfriend. Till then, you stay with me.” He has no idea he dealt with him a few moments ago.

  “How are you going to deal with him?”

  “Not for you to worry about.”

  “You wanna know what I think? That you’re not going to deal with him, and that way I can’t leave your bed.”

  “That sounds pretty damn good to me.”

  I roll my eyes. “He’s not worth your time.”

  “You’re right. There are other ways I’d rather spend my time.” He pushes my shorts up, and finding the seam of my panties, he dips his fingers inside. I close my eyes and take a deep breath when he finds my clit.

  “Noble.”

  “I know, Kitten.” He pulls his hand out and rights my shorts. “No one sees or hears you come but me.” He brings his fingers to his mouth, licking them. “Just stealing a taste of my dessert.”

  “You’re terrible.” I fight a smile.

  “You love it.” He winks at me.

  I do. That’s the problem.

  CHAPTER 15

  NOBLE

  Nathan walks out of his night class with his hand on the ass of some girl that is not his girlfriend. He chats her up for a minute before waving her off. Once he’s alone, I peel away from the tree I was using as support and approach him.

  “Nice night, isn’t it?” I say. Autumn and I went for a walk earlier before she went to my room to study. I told her I was going to work out.

  He looks up from his phone and does a double-take when he recognizes me. “Noble? What’re you doing here? I thought you were a business major. This is the Arts & Sciences department.”

  “Let’s take a walk.” I motion toward a path under a cove of trees that leads to the athletic center. The overhanging leaves provide a pretty canopy during the day and a dark umbrella at night.

  “Is this about the Sigma Theta party this weekend because I’ve been wanting to go to one of your events. My past invites must’ve been lost in the campus mail.”

  “Something like that.” I stop halfway down where the shadows are the darkest. I can barely make out the features in Nathan’s face. When the invitation isn’t forthcoming, I sense his unease.

  He laughs nervously. “What? Are you going to beat me up?”

  He sounds like a tough guy, but I can tell he’s one mean word away from pissing his pants.

  “Physical violence is an easy route, but it really doesn’t have a lasting effect. Me breaking your nose isn’t going to change your behavior.”

  There’s an audible sigh of relief that fills the space between us. “Then why are we here?”

  “Because I believe in delivering bad news face to face.” I get straight to the point. “This is your last week of classes. I don’t know what you plan to tell your parents, but I’d spend the next few days thinking of some good excuse.”

  This time his chuckle is even more forced. “Yeah, right. I paid my tuition, and I haven’t done anything wrong.”

  “I used to think that I could turn a blind eye to people like you, but I was wrong. You and Rob Track, are not just assholes, you’re dangerous assholes. You make women feel unsafe, and I don’t like that.”

 

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