Cruel Summer: A College Bully Romance (Verona Academy Book 1)

by Melinda Terranova

  “Aren’t you going to let me in?” His voice slides over me.

  I hesitate, my previous pent up anger towards him melting, before I move to let him enter. He takes a look around my home and I realize, not once has he invited me to his place. The thought saddens me.

  He turns and towers over me, his eyes not giving away any emotion.

  “Why didn’t you text me?” There, I said it. I said out loud what I didn’t want him to know I was churning over.

  He blinks a few times, surprised by my forwardness. “I was away on business. I don’t take my phone with me, for safety reasons.”

  “Oh,” I reply and feel like a fool now.

  He takes my hand in his and places it on his chest. “Did you think I fucked you and was never going to speak to you again?” He pouts, mockingly.

  I pull my hand out of his. “Something like that.” I step away from him and stalk into the kitchen.

  He follows me.

  I turn the kettle on, I need to keep my hands busy. “Your cousin was ringing me yesterday, looking or you.”

  “I know.” He leans against the bench.

  I look at him then, in his black jeans and faded Ferrari shirt. I want to get beneath this version of him, to dig deep into his heart and make him tell me his troubles. He doesn’t show vulnerability, aside from the select few moments he has fallen apart in my arms, he hides his pain so well. He watches me watching him and the corner of his mouth turns up.

  “How did you know where my parents live?”

  He raises an eyebrow.

  “Don’t answer that.” I grab the milk from the fridge, very aware he is watching my every move.

  “I need a penny.” His words stop me in my tracks.

  “Enzo.” I lean against the bench and hold on to the edge.

  He takes two steps towards me and presses himself into my back. His hand brushes against my side and settles against my stomach, where my butterflies are going rampant.

  “Please, Summer?” He whispers against my ear and goose bumps travel down my spine.

  Fuck.

  He presses into me, harder, and I feel his arousal digging into me.

  “Penny for your thoughts.” I can’t say no to this devil of a man. He’s ruined me and I know I’m thoroughly fucked.

  “My father has forbidden me from seeing you.” His breath comes out sharp. “Not that his orders have stopped me from doing what I please before.”

  I stiffen in his arms. “Why? What have I done?” I turn to look into his smouldering dark eyes.

  “You have done nothing.” A crease forms between his eyebrows.

  “Then what?”

  “It’s your dad. Let’s just say he has crossed the wrong person,” he says blankly.

  My stomach clenches as I take in his words. “Yours?”

  “The one and only.”

  “How is my dad associated with yours?” I look at him for answers.

  He brushes his knuckles against my cheek. “You are so naïve, freshman,” he mocks.

  “Stop with the half answers.” I jerk away from him.

  “Are you sure you want to know the truth?” He raises an eyebrow.

  We are interrupted by the rumble of Betty in the distance and my heart jackhammers against my chest, the nausea creeping back. I panic and scoot out from under his arms and turn in a circle in the middle of the kitchen. He eyes me with concern, like I’m an escaped animal. Ryan honks the horn as he pulls up and I dart to the front door, hoping Enzo stays in the kitchen.

  “Summer,” Enzo calls after me.

  I open the door and take a deep breath as I watch Ryan climb out of my car. He gives me a cheeky grin before his face falls and I know Enzo is standing behind me, I can feel his presence without needing to see him. Ryan’s features change from confusion to recognition, he remembers Enzo from that one morning in my dorm room. He slams the car door in anger before striding towards me.

  “I thought you might like your car back.” He holds his keys out to me.

  My eyes meet his, pleading he doesn’t read into this situation the wrong way. “Thanks.” My voice is shaky as I take the keys from him.

  “How sweet of you, college boy,” Enzo’s voice is laced with malice.

  My heart quickens and I want to turn and shut myself inside the house and leave these two on the front lawn to do whatever idiot men do in situations like these.

  Ryan’s eyes widen and his nostrils flare before he turns on his heels and strides away. Away from me and far away from my indecisiveness. My heart shatters for him at that moment, drenched in sorrow as I watch the boy of my youth walk away from me, most probably for the last time. I squeeze the keys in my fist, savouring the pain of them digging into the skin on my palms.

  I turn around right into Enzo’s chest, I hadn’t noticed he was so close. He stares at me, his eyes hardening as he arranges his indecipherable mask. “Care to elaborate?” His hand reaches for the door jamb to stop me from scurrying past.

  “Ryan bought me a car.”

  “And?” Enzo’s eyes grow darker, the devil about to appear.

  “And nothing.” I stand my ground. I’m fuming. How dare he even think he has a right to know anything about my life.

  “And nothing?” He throws my words in my face.

  I fold my arms and wait for him to move. He grabs my robe in his fist and yanks me hard against his chest. I gasp in surprise. His other hand snakes up my back to rest between my shoulder blades. “This here is fucking mine,” he growls into my face, his minty breath brushing my skin.

  I stare at him like a deer in headlights. His possessiveness is frightening, yet I am somehow turned on by his aggressive nature. What the fuck is wrong with me?

  “Did you fuck him?” His words burn hot with lust and anger.

  I know better than to answer. I narrow my eyes at him. His cruel and vicious nature dancing on the edge of his being. I can see the twitch of his jaw as his anger builds and his features remain emotionless.

  His mouth crashes into mine, he kisses with supressed anger and aggression, his lips punishing. I slacken in his arms and allow him to devour me body and soul. I am weakened to his charms and his allure.

  He pulls back suddenly, his eyes steel. “Answer me.”

  “No, I didn’t.” The lie slips from my lips like second nature.

  “I don’t share, Summer.” His eyes grow dark. He grabs my jaw between his fingers and burrows his stare into me. “I will slit any guys throat that even looks at you.” His voice is vicious and leaks fury.

  I blink at his words as fear slices through me. This man before me is a monster, capable of taking a life no doubt, yet here I am weakened by his pull over me. “Don’t say things like that, not to me.”

  His eyes search mine and he softens under my gaze, his mouth turns up into a wicked grin. “Are you scared, freshman?” He kisses the corner of my mouth.

  “No.” I close my eyes as his tongue flicks out and touches my lip.

  He trails his mouth along my jawline and a moan escapes my lips. “Are you sure?” His breath tickles my neck, his teeth nipping at the sensitive skin, sending a jolt of excitement through my body.

  “Yes.” My breathing quickens.

  “You have no idea what I’m capable of and it makes you all that more innocent.” He smiles into the sensitive part of my shoulder.

  “I don’t want to know what you’re capable of. I don’t want any part of that.” I breathe, controlling my urge to drag him into my room.

  He stands up, his full height towering over me and he blinks rapidly. The spell broken. My phone rings, interrupting us, thankfully. I brush past him and dash to the kitchen to see a number I don’t know, light up on my phone screen.

  “Hello, Summer speaking.” I answer.

  “Where the fuck is he?” The person on the phone seethes.

  “Excuse me? Who is this?” I look at Enzo, he’s standing at the bench, leaning against it.

  “Tell my son to get h
imself home in the next couple of hours, or someone will pay.” Salvatore hangs up.

  I look at my phone is disbelief, fear dancing on the edges of my conscience.

  “Who was that?” Enzo is right beside me, concern in his features.

  “Your dad.” My hand starts to shake.

  “Fuck,” Enzo shouts making me jump. “I do every fucking thing he asks me to do, no matter how disturbed. Yet he can’t leave me to live my life outside of the family.” He grabs his hair in his hands and pulls on it. I’m afraid he’s going to tear out chunks.

  “You better go,” I say to try calm him.

  He studies me before grabbing my waist in his hands. “Just know that if I don’t contact you, it’s not because I don’t want to. Please understand that?” He pleads with me.

  “Okay.” I nod.

  “Please, Summer. Please understand,” He kneels before me, wrapping his arms around my waist, his face against my stomach. “You are like no one I have ever met before. You make me feel. You make me question my actions. You make me want to be a better man.” He gazes up at me, tears in his eyes.

  Where has this come from? I wonder to myself. This vicious and dangerous man, pleading with me to understand him. This vicious and cruel man who builds up his walls, extra high, at the first sign of falling apart. Who only lets me glimpse the real him in tiny doses. I place my hands on his strong shoulders, the muscles twitch under my palms. I brush the hair on the back of his head through my fingertips. “I believe you.” I plant a gentle kiss on his forehead.

  His fingers dig into me then. “Just hold out for a little longer. Only a little longer.” He whispers against my stomach, to himself more so than to me.

  I pull him up to face me. “Please go now, Enzo. I’m terrified of what your dad will do to you.” I hold onto his biceps.

  “He won’t do a damned thing to me.” He leans down and kisses me deeply, his tongue tracing mine. I melt into him, drinking in his every movement. He stops the kiss and stares at me. “Drive safe. That car out there better get you back to campus or I will enjoy torturing college boy.” His grin is cool, calculating, and his voice is like smooth silk, all the more dangerous for his threat.

  I swat him on the arm, hoping he is joking. “The car is fine.” I tip toe and plant a chaste kiss on his lips before I watch him stalk out of my parent’s house, wondering if I will hear from him again.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Summer

  My suitcase sits on my bed, taunting me. The bus leaves in an hour and I haven’t packed a damned thing. The thought of being in another country for a week has my heart singing with glee. To be far away from this campus and far away from my dad is just what the doctor ordered. Betty and I drove home late yesterday, after saying goodbye to my mom, my dad was MIA and thankfully so. I don’t think I could look him in the eye and not say something to him about his connection to the corrupt world.

  “I wish I was going with you.” Amber throws herself dramatically onto the pillows.

  “I wish you were too, it would make it all so much more fun.” I stare into my drawers, willing the clothes to pack themselves. “You’ve been to Rome numerous times, can you pack what you think I should take?” I grovel.

  “Throw in five outfits and a jacket and you’re set.”

  “Easier said than done.” A knock steals my attention. I stroll to the door, hoping it’s Enzo. I haven’t heard from him since he was ordered to leave my parent’s house and return home. I open the door and Jake stands there with his suitcase in hand, excitement plastered on his face.

  “Thought you might need some help with your suitcase.” He grins.

  “It might be extra light, she hasn’t even packed yet,” Amber calls from my side of the room.

  I let Jake in and he leaves his suitcase by the front door. “What do you mean? The bus is leaving for the airport in twenty.” He looks from me to my suitcase and back.

  “I like to live on the edge, you know.” I stride over the walk through and start to take things off the hangers and toss them onto the bed.

  “Far out. Here, let me.” Amber pushes me out of the way and takes over.

  I secretly grin at her behind her back. I grab my toiletry bag and fill it with all the products I use daily and toss it onto the bed, where Amber is folding and neatly arranging all my clothing. It takes all of five minutes for her to have me packed and dressed in a pair of comfy tracksuit pants and zip up hoodie.

  “What am I going to do with you?” She huffs before taking my hand and giving me a big hug.

  “Okay, let’s go before we miss the bus and need to pay for an Uber to the airport.” Jake taps my suitcase as he lifts it off the bed.

  “Bye. I’m going to miss you.” I squeeze Amber one more time before grabbing my suitcase and following Jake out the door. “Look after Betty,” I call out as we make our way to the lift.

  ***

  I secretly scan the airport for him as we wait in line to check in, hoping he will appear and give me a movie worthy romantic send off. He doesn’t appear. No one appears for me and I internally sigh at myself. I watch as other students have their family to see them off, even Jake’s mom makes it in time to give her boy a big cheesy hug and kiss goodbye. My phone vibrates in my carry-on bag and I take it out to see who is texting me.

  “I need a penny.”

  My heart does stupid butterfly flutters and I grin, like the idiot I am, at my phone screen.

  “Penny for your thoughts,” I text back.

  “I’m going to fucking miss you.”

  Admitting to this is huge for him and I can’t help but wish he was coming with me.

  “I think you’ll survive,” I tease.

  “Don’t let any fucking hot Italian near you! I know how charming they can be to sweet American girls.”

  I roll my eyes at his text. “The only hot Italian coming near me, is you!”

  “And in you and all over you!”

  I stifle a giggle. “Yes that too. I have to board now. Will miss you and your cruel words. Be safe.”

  “Ciao bella,” He responds.

  “What are you grinning at?” Rob interrupts my wayward thoughts.

  “Just my phone.” I switch it off and slide it back into my bag.

  The call for our flight is announced and we all head to the boarding gate. Once on the plane, I find my seat and am thankful Jake is sitting beside me. I climb over him to get to the window seat and make myself comfortable for the long haul flight.

  ***

  All I want to do is crash on my bed but Rob has organized a mini tour of the local piazza and the shops near our accommodation. I groan into my pillow and drag my butt out of bed before I get my marks slashed for not participating. We are staying near the Spanish Steps, in a 16th century building.

  “I just want to go to sleep.” I lean on Jake’s arm as Rob babbles on about the surrounding area’s history.

  “Maybe he will stop talking long enough to let us grab a coffee.” Jake yawns.

  “Coffee good. Me need,” I laugh.

  After dragging all of us around and showing us where to meet him at eight in the morning, he tells us to go explore and get a good night’s rest.

  “Want to grab dinner?” Jake looks around at the little restaurants that line the cobblestone road.

  “I could eat. Can we go to that one there? So we don’t have to walk anymore,” I groan.

  Jake laughs at me and nods. “That one it is.”

  ***

  Bright and early we all assemble, somewhat rested, in the piazza and wait for Rob. Jake approaches me and holds out a coffee. “You’re a lifesaver.” I grin as I take the cup from him.

  He looks around the piazza, taking in the charming atmosphere. “He’s late.”

  “Probably slept in.” I shrug.

  “Hopefully he doesn’t show up and we can have a day of exploring.” Jakes eyes light up at the thought.

  “Am I already boring you, Mr Martin?” Rob adjusts his
sunglasses. How does he appear without warning?

  “No, sorry.” Jake slinks back behind me and I can’t help but giggle.

  Rob gives me a wink, clearly joking. “Alright everyone. We are headed to the Borghese Gallery and we’ll grab lunch nearby. If you get lost or decide to escape,” he eyes Jake, “text me, so I know you’re safe.”

  Rob heads off with one of the other professors, and we all follow behind. We pass beautiful fountains and ancient buildings, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods swirls under my nose. We spend the good part of the morning winding through the gallery, marvelling at works by Bernini and Raphael, before Rob suggests a coffee break.

  “I’m so fucking bored,” Jake yawns dramatically.

  “Don’t say that too loud.” I play punch him in the arm.

  “Let’s ditch this gallery and go find something more interesting to look at.”

  “No way, I don’t break rules.” I shake my head at him as we line up to order our coffee.

  “Come on, watching grass grow would be more interesting,” he whines.

  “I actually like the artwork, besides, Rob will know if we don’t go back after this.” I hand over money to pay for our coffee and pastries.

  “You’re no fun.” He pouts.

  We join up with the rest of the group, ready for the second part of the tour. Just to be a pain, I make sure Jake and I are right up the front where the tour guide and professors are. Jake rolls his eyes at me every chance he gets.

  I break off from the pack and admire a 16th century painting of a sorceress. I am absorbed in the delicate brushstrokes and trying to decipher what the mysterious symbols on her board might mean when I feel a presence to my left. A well-dressed man, no older than thirty, stands so close to me, he makes me uncomfortable. I take a small step away from him and he turns to look at me, his hard eyes calculating as a dangerous sneer spreads across his otherwise steel face.

  “Summer,” Rob calls my name and strides up to me. “Come back to the group, we are examining a masterpiece of a fine example of a Renaissance sculpture.” He takes my elbow in his hand but not before glaring and sizing up the stranger.