The Love Trials

by J. S. Cooper

  “I don’t need your advice.” I took a step away from him.

  His eyes narrowed as I moved away from him, and a small smile crossed his face. “Alrighty then.” He nodded. “Goodbye.” And with that, he walked away.

  I stood there watching him walking away and felt a slight twinge of regret. I wasn’t sure why, but the man had unnerved me. I bit down on my lip and stood there for a few minutes. I was starting to feel anxious again. I wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing, and I hated that I had lied to my family. I hated it more than ever.

  I pulled the invitation back out of my backpack and stared at it again. It was so classy, so elegant, so full of promise. And if I had been invited because of Hunter, well, I couldn’t just walk away from that. Not after all these years of crushing on him. I took a deep breath. I truly believed that Hunter was my soul mate, and this was the only way to find out if he felt the same way.

  I walked to the front of the train station and looked around for a cab. I sighed as I realized that Cadestown was a far cry from New York City. There was no line of cabs waiting outside the train station. I stood there feeling sorry for myself when I noticed two other girls walking towards me.

  A cute blonde smiled at me. “Hi.”

  “Hi.” I nodded back at her, taken aback at her friendliness.

  “You going to the academy?”

  “Yes.” I blushed. “How did you know?”

  “I figured.” She giggled. “There aren’t many of us out here, and well, you look lost.”

  “Yeah.” I sighed. “How are we supposed to get there?”

  “I think a car is going to come and pick us up.”

  “Oh, cool.”

  “I’m Amber by the way.”

  “Nancy.” I smiled at her.

  “This is Shannon. She’s shy.” Amber nodded towards her friend.

  “Hi, Shannon.”

  “Hi,” Shannon whispered back at me, her eyes looking scared.

  “Don’t mind her.” Amber laughed. “Shannon didn’t want to come, but I told her that that there was no way I was coming by myself.”

  “Oh. That was nice of her.” I tried smiling at Shannon again, but she looked down at the ground. I felt a bit rude talking about her in third person when she was standing there with us, but I wasn’t sure what to say.

  “She’s a virgin,” Amber spoke in hushed tones.

  “Oh?”

  “Not for long though.” Amber started laughing, and I watched Shannon blush.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Why?” Amber looked at me in confusion. “We’re going to the lovers’ academy. The place that teaches you to be the best lover possible.”

  “Best lover possible?” My words were low as my body froze. “So we have sex?”

  “We don’t just have sex. We’re taught to be the best lovers we can be.” She grinned.

  “Oh?” I felt like my eyes were popping out. “Best lovers we can be?” I repeated slowly.

  “You don’t know?” Amber’s face looked shocked, and then she had a wicked gleam in her eyes. “No way. How do you not know? You have to apply to come here.”

  “I applied, but I didn’t really know exactly what I was applying for.” I wrinkled my nose. “I thought it was just a camp to teach us about sex and stuff, maybe some tricks. I didn’t know we’d be expected to have sex.” I shuddered.

  “Well, you do what you want.” Amber laughed. “They can’t make you have sex. That’s rape. However, we’re all assigned an instructor. The instructor is there to teach you to become a seductress, a woman of the world, a woman who can get any man she wants to do anything she wants him to do.”

  “Through sex?”

  “Haven’t you heard of the power of the pussy?”

  “Amber.” Shannon shook her head, and I looked at her in surprise. “Sorry about that. She’s known to be vulgar.”

  “You can talk.” I laughed, and she laughed as well.

  “I guess your shock brought me out of my shell.” She shook her shoulders. “I don’t know how I let her convince me to come.”

  “Because you want hot sex.” Amber grinned, and Shannon groaned.

  “No, we came because you want hot sex.”

  “I came because I want hot sex to get me a powerful man on Wall Street. I want to live in a penthouse on Fifth Avenue and I want a summer home in the Hamptons.” Amber’s eyes shone. “And sex will get me that.”

  “Why did you come then, Shannon?” I asked her curiously.

  “I came to support Amber.” She shrugged and then grinned. “And I guess I came because it sounded exciting. And well, I’m still a virgin and don’t want to be. Guys don’t really like me that much.” She shrugged. “Maybe because of the way I look?” She gave me an awkward smile and sighed as she played with her long, brown hair.

  I studied her face and noticed that she was slightly overweight. Not obese or anything, but it was noticeable that she had a few extra pounds. She had a really pretty face and a sweet, genuine smile. Her body was curvy, but she was wearing an ill-fitting outfit. I had a feeling that, if she were wearing a different outfit, she would definitely stand out a lot more.

  “So what about you, Nancy? Why did you apply to the lovers’ academy if you didn’t come to learn how to be an excellent lover?”

  “Ugh,” I groaned, not wanting to admit my reasons. I knew that they would sound childish and obsessive when spoken out loud, and as much as I liked the two of them already, I wasn’t sure if I trusted them enough to tell them.

  “Come on, Nancy.” Shannon smiled at me. “Tell us.”

  “Okay,” I sighed. “This is going to sound crazy, but when I was in high school, I met this guy and I fell in love with him. His name is Hunter, and he’s handsome and funny and smart. And well, I just kind of fell under his spell. When I graduated, I had a family friend figure out where he went and found out he worked here, so I decided to try and join the academy so I could see him again. And hope we fall in love.” I took a deep breath. “Sorry. I sound crazy, don’t I?”

  “No.” Shannon smiled. “That sounds sweet and romantic.”

  “What didn’t you just date him when you were in school?” Amber frowned. “Wouldn’t it have been easier to make a move then?”

  “He was my teacher,” I mumbled and looked down.

  “Oh.” Amber’s eyes lit up. “Spicy. I like it.”

  “Amber loves crazy.” Shannon shook her head.

  “That’s right. The crazier the better.” Amber grinned.

  Shannon smiled at me. “You’ll fit right in with us.”

  “Aren’t we all crazy?” I looked at them and made a face, and we all just stared at each other for a few minutes.

  It was then that a limousine pulled up in front of us. We all watched as an elderly man got out of the front door. He was dressed in a black suit, and he walked up to us with a somber expression.

  “Ms. Hastings, Ms. Blake, and Ms. Lucas, I presume?” He bowed in front of us, and we all stood there gaping at him. He looked back up at us and gave us a small smile. “I’m Henry, the chauffeur at the Lovers’ Academy.”

  “Nice to meet you, Henry.” I gave him a small smile, and he turned to look at me.

  “Thank you. Are you girls ready?” He grabbed our bags and carried them to the trunk of his car. He hurried back to us and opened the door for us. “Enjoy the ride, ladies.”

  ***

  The lovers’ academy was nothing like the private club I had been in a couple of months before. Where the private club had been large and creepy, the academy looked comfortable and stately, like a nice, comfy country home. Henry dropped us off outside the house, and a lady with kind eyes welcomed us into the house.

  “I suppose you girls are hungry and thirsty?” she asked us as she ushered us in.

  “I wouldn’t say no to a beer.” Amber grinned, and the lady smiled.

  “I don’t think so, Ms. Blake. We don’t serve alcohol to minors.” The lady smiled at
her kindly. “But I can get you a root beer.”

  “What the fuck?” Amber frowned as the lady left the room. “Can you believe that?”

  “I guess they don’t want to get into trouble?” I shrugged.

  “We came here to have sex and they care about a little alcohol?” She shook her head and frowned.

  I jumped up out of my chair and walked to the door. “I’m going to look for a restroom. I’ll be right back.” I walked through the door and looked around the foyer with interest before hurrying down the corridor and opening a door. “Oh sorry,” I muttered as I realized that there was someone in the room. “Oh.” My jaw dropped and my face went white as the man turned around. It was the mean guy from the train.

  “Hello.” His eyes looked at me with a hint of a smile, but he didn’t look surprised to see me.

  “Hi,” I answered him, not smiling. Why oh why did he have to be at the academy?

  He took a step towards me. "What's your name?"

  "Nancy," I whispered.

  "What?" His lips curled up as he studied my timid expression.

  I spoke up louder and glared at him, annoyed by his imperious expression. "My name is Nancy."

  "That's more like it." His eyes turned a brilliant sparkling green, and he smirked at me. "I like a girl with a bit of fire in her."

  "Excuse me?" I stared at him in shock as he reached over and ran his fingers down my neck and to my collarbone.

  "I said I like a girl with a bit of spark in her. There's nothing like a bit of screaming to know you’re doing the job right."

  “What job?” I frowned at him, swallowing hard. I could still feel my skin burning where he had touched me.

  He turned away from me then without answering and wrote something down on a pad. It was when he looked back up at me with a dark expression that I realized I hadn’t gotten the wrong impression of him on the train. This guy was trouble. Once again, I felt like I was in over my head.

  "You may go now Nancy." He nodded his head. "Unless you'd like to stay the night."

  "No." I shook my head vehemently, and he laughed.

  "I can't wait for the moment when you beg me to stay," he whispered, not smiling, and I stared at his handsome face as if frozen.

  “When I beg you to stay?”

  “No, when you beg me to stay the night with you.” He smirked cockily.

  “Not going to happen.” I took a step back.

  "There will come a time when you will not be able to get enough of me." He smiled at me and took a step towards me.

  "I doubt that." I shivered as I stared at his fingers. “You’re not a teacher here, are you?” I crossed my fingers behind my back. Please don’t be a teacher here. I touched my collarbone unconsciously, still feeling the burn.

  He smiled again. "There will come a time when you'll be remembering more than my fingers, Nancy," he leaned in and whispered in my ear. I could feel the tip of his tongue lightly caressing my inner ear, and I swallowed hard. “And no, I’m not a teacher here. I’m so much more than that.”

  His breath tickled me, and I knew then that this was going to be the experience of my life. And I wasn’t quite sure if it was going to be the experience I had come for.

  Chapter 3

  “Where have you been?” Amber looked up as I reentered the room.

  “I told you. I needed the restroom.” I avoided her gaze and sat down. I didn’t want to tell her about my encounter with the man. I didn’t even know his name. Or why he was here.

  "The lady was looking for you." Amber made a face. "Her name's Louise."

  "Oh, do you think I should go and find her?" I jumped back up again.

  "Nah." Amber sipped her drink. "She's coming back with the teachers. I guess we're the only three in this class."

  "Oh wow." I looked surprised, though I really had no idea what that meant.

  "Are you excited, Nancy?" Shannon asked me. "Do you think Hunter is going to be your teacher?"

  "I sure hope so." I nodded eagerly at her, but my mind fell to the guy I'd just been talking to.

  He oozed sex. But dangerous sex. Kinky sex. He screamed of wild nights with whips and chains. I shivered as I thought about all the dirty things I’d read about in erotic romance books. He looked like the type of guy into pleasure and pain, unlike my Hunter. Hunter was one hundred percent pleasure.

  "Aren't you freaked out though?" Amber spoke up, and I looked at her in confusion.

  "Freaked out about what?"

  "Aren't you freaked out that he fucks women for money?" She raised an eyebrow at me. "He's like a male ho."

  "I don't know what he does," I responded, but my heart ached at her words. I hadn't thought about that before. Did Hunter sleep with every girl who came to the academy?

  "Yeah." Shannon gave Amber a look. "None of us knows exactly what goes in here."

  “I can’t wait to find out though.” Amber grinned and fluffed her short, blond hair. “I have to get a guy with a big cock who knows how to go all night looonng.” She winked at me and then laughed. “I’m not shocking you, am I, Nancy?” She licked her lips and laughed again. “I’m not a virgin. I like sex, and I want to learn every trick that I can.”

  “If you’re so good, why are you here?”

  “I want to learn all the secrets.” She shrugged. “The lovers’ academy will teach me that.”

  “I see.” I sat back in my chair and closed my eyes.

  I could feel my phone vibrating in my backpack. I knew it had to be Katie or Brandon calling me, asking me if I’d made it to campus safely. I’d have to call them back soon and make up some excuse about a mixer.

  I heard the door open, but I didn’t open my eyes right away. I think I was too overwhelmed.

  “Girls, the teachers are here,” Louise said.

  I slowly opened my eyes, and my heart started thumping when I saw Hunter. He was here. My Hunter was here. I was about to jump up and run to him, but then I realized that would be awkward. I gave him a huge smile, but he didn’t seem to notice because his eyes left mine and continued looking at the other girls.

  “Shannon, your teacher is going to be Hunter. He’s going to take you to your suite and explain how everything works.”

  My heart dropped as I watched Shannon standing up. She gave me an awkward smile and walked towards him. He looked so handsome standing there, with his golden-blond hair. I tried to make eye contact with him again, but he didn’t even look at me again before he left the room.

  “Amber, you’re going to be with Keenan,” the lady continued, and Amber jumped up eagerly.

  “See you later, sweets.” She grinned at me and practically ran to the front of the room.

  It was then that I realized that there was no one left in the room aside from Louise and myself.

  “So, Nancy. It’s just you and me.” She smiled at me. “I’m going to escort you to your room. Your teacher, Ryan, missed his train this evening. He’ll be joining you tomorrow.”

  “Oh okay.” I frowned.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I thought I’d be with Hunter?” I spoke slowly and tried to ignore the disappointment in my stomach.

  Hunter had acted like he didn’t even know me. How could he not know me? Was I wrong? Had he not been the one to accept me into the academy?

  “Are you ready, Nancy?” She stepped forward, and I realized that I hadn’t heard what she’d said.

  “Yes, sorry. I was just daydreaming.” I smiled at her weakly and stood up. “Let’s go see my room.”

  I followed her into the foyer and then up a flight of stairs. She paused at the top of the stairs and then pulled out her ringing phone.

  “Hello?” she answered, and her eyes lit up. “Hold on.” She placed her hand over the phone and looked at me. “Nancy, your room is the last door on the right. Make yourself at home. We’ll see you tomorrow morning.” And then she walked back down the stairs.

  I sighed as I made my way down the corridor. I was already regretting co
ming to the academy.

  I walked into the bedroom feeling tense. I didn’t know what was going to happen tonight. I had seen Hunter once and he hadn’t even given me a second glance. I couldn’t believe it. I was in shock, and I felt hurt and angry at myself. How could I have been such an idiot?

  “Sit down,” said a deep voice as soon as I walked through the door.

  I looked around, but I could only see the silhouette of the man in the dark.

  “Huh?” I answered dumbly.

  “I said sit down.”

  “Hunter?” I asked hopefully.

  “Nancy, have a seat on the bed.” The voice was dry. “And no, this isn’t Hunter.”

  “Oh.” I paused and my heart started beating. “Who are you then?”

  “I’m your teacher.”

  “Teacher?” I frowned. Hadn’t Louise just said he wasn’t arriving until tomorrow?

  “That’s why you came to the academy, yes?” He chuckled. “You came to learn.”

  “I thought Hunter would be my teacher,” I whispered.

  “You thought wrong.” The voice was no longer humorous.

  I reached the edge of the bed and sat down. “What are you going to do?”

  “What do you want me to do?” He chuckled again, and I froze.

  I finally recognized the voice. It was the man from the train, the man I’d met when I’d first arrived. The arrogant asshole who’d been so rude to me.

  “I know who you are.” I gasped. “You’re not a teacher.”

  “I am tonight.” He stood up and walked over to the bed. He turned on a lamp at the side of the bed and then turned towards me. He looked down at me with a sardonic smile, his eyes dark and shadowed.

  “You can’t just become a teacher.” I stared up at him, trying to ignore the feelings that were building up in my stomach.

  “I can do whatever I want.”

  “But...” I stuttered and watched as he loosened his tie.

  “As the owner, I can do what I want.” He ran his hands through his hair, and I stared at a gold ring on his pinky finger.

  “What are you going to do?” I questioned him again, wondering if I should run out of the room.

  “I’m not going to touch you.”