by J. L. Beck
What are my parents doing here?
Hero follows my gaze, and out the corner of my eyes, I see his eyebrows draw together. “Who is that?” he questions, not bothering to keep his voice down.
“We are Elyse’s parents,” my dad answers, like he’s some kind of holy crusader.
My palms are sweaty, and my stomach twists into a nervous knot.
“And you are…?” my mom asks Hero, turning her nose up at him in disgust.
Hero doesn't seem the least bit intimidated or offended as he walks up to my dad. Holding his head high, shoulders squared, he stops in front of him, extending out his hand. “I’m Jonathan Miller, sir. It’s nice to meet you.”
I almost choke on the air in my lungs.
Hero’s hand hovers in midair, my dad making no move to shake it. His facial expression and gesture say everything he’ll never say. My dad thinks he is better than Hero, and by not shaking his hand, he’s ensuring Hero knows it.
The shock I experienced a few moments ago transforms and anger takes center stage. How dare they treat him like he is less. So what if he’s not someone who would be considered suitable in our world. That doesn’t mean he’s a bad person or unworthy of respect.
“Mom, Dad, I wasn't expecting you to come for a visit,” I snap, somehow finding my voice, the words twisted with anger.
I hate that Hero is meeting them. I never wanted him to meet them.
“Oh, dear, we just wanted to see how things were going. We were hoping you had come to your senses by now and would like to come back home with us.” My mother’s cheerful gaze and words snap me in two.
Anger pours from me.
Hero, who has long since dropped his hand, also changes moods. While we talk, my dad continues glaring at me and Hero with something that looks a whole lot like disgust and disappointment mixed together.
“Things are going great here. Matter of fact, I did come to my senses. I came to my senses the day I decided to go to college, so no, I am not planning on returning home, Mother.” I don't know who is more surprised by my little outburst: me or my parents. But it sure does earn me a dirty look from them both. I can count on one hand the times I dared to raise my voice toward my parents—all of which ended with me getting a beating and going to bed hungry.
But he can’t do that here, not now. Noticing my dad's hand twitch, I wait for him to pull out his belt and try to whip me with it. Instead, he just stands there, unmoving. This is the first time in my life I’ve seen my dad hesitant like this.
Looking into his eyes, I see something I’ve never seen in there before.
Fear.
Is he scared of Hero?
Considering the bulging vein on my father's forehead, I would say he is angry enough to give me the whooping of a lifetime, but he makes no move to do so, which is strange. Without looking or thinking things through, I reach for Hero’s hand. “Can I stay at your place?” I ask, briefly glancing up at him.
I know it’s only stirring the pot and will make them angry, but the last thing I want to do is stay here in this dorm by myself after this encounter. If anything, I want to be closer to Hero, in his arms, wrapped up in his bed sheets.
My parents’ eyes widen to the point where I worry about their eyeballs popping out.
“Of course, baby,” Hero says sweetly, bringing our hands together.
“No, you may not go to his house with him!” my mother snarls, ready to slap me across the face. That’s how it always works—a little discipline and we never ask a question or make a choice again. They beat us to bend at their will, but I’m not under their thumb anymore. I’m not a part of their sick, twisted games anymore.
“That is not your choice.” Hero scowls.
My father takes a step forward, as if he’s going to get in Hero’s face. “You’re not worthy of my daughter. Furthermore, how would your future husband feel about you being with another man?” My father directs his attention back to me.
I hate the way his eyes penetrate mine. He’s trying to intimidate me, and it’s working.
“She’s promised to no one,” Hero butts in once again. The air around him is cool, but his gaze it heated with anger. He wants to slug my father, I’m sure.
“She’s promised to whomever I decide.” My father takes a thunderous step forward and a part of me wonders if Hero will back down. I don’t want Hero to fight with my parents, but it’s inevitable, especially after the way they’ve looked down and acted toward him.
“I’ll be the judge of that.” Hero chuckles, a possessiveness in his eyes. Hero is possessive, intruding even, but his intentions are pure, and I know deep down he really is the hero he claims himself not to be.
“We—we really should go.” I tug on Hero’s hand, not wanting to continue the conversation with my parents any longer.
“Excuse me, young lady, but we drove an entire hour to see you. The least you could do is go to dinner with us,” my mother snaps, eyeing me up and down. “And where is your dress? This thing you’re wearing is nothing more than a scrap of fabric.”
The disdain in her features pushes me over the edge. “We’re leaving now. I didn’t ask you guys to come visit me, and I’m a college student. I can’t just dress like I did at home anymore,” I growl, feeling unhinged and angry. My parents bring out the worst in me.
Turning on my heels, I start walking down the stairs.
“Where do you think you’re going? If you think we’ll let you get away with this, you’re poorly mistaken!” my father adds as Hero and I move out of earshot, leaving my parents standing there with their mouths hanging open. I can’t even describe the mixture of joy, excitement, and uncertainty that zings through me at standing up to them. I might have won our little standoff, but I doubt this will be the final act.
“You okay?” Hero asks, interrupting the silence between us.
“Yes. I think so.” I squeeze his hand still holding mine, just now realizing how glad I am he is with me.
There has always been this fear inside me, every time I’ve spoken to my parents. Today, I was braver than ever before, and I know exactly why: Hero. I feel protected in his arms and I know he won’t let anyone hurt me, especially not my family.
Knowing I need to change the subject, I decide to direct the attention back onto Hero. “Jonathan Miller, huh?” I smile.
“Yep, the most common name in America. That’s why nobody called me by my name in prison. There were three other Johns and two more inmate Millers in the unit, plus the guards knew what I was in for, so everybody started calling me Hero, because trying to be a hero was what got me into prison. It just stuck, I guess.”
“Well, you were certainly my hero today.”
At my words, he gives me a panty melting smile.
Now that I think about it, I don’t even know how old Hero is. Or what his favorite color is. I consider asking him these questions, but when I drag my eyes away from him and look where I’m going, I spot Tasha heading in our direction.
She looks between us and wrinkles her nose when she sees us holding hands. “Where are you going with him?” she says, like the word leaves a bad taste in her mouth.
I don’t really understand why, though.
What’s up with her?
“We are going to my place,” Hero answers for me, annoyance lacing his words. He seems irritated by Tasha’s attitude.
Not that I blame him. She’s being unreasonably rude, and I don’t really like it.
“Seriously?” She raises a brow at me in question.
I don’t understand what the problem is. She goes home and out with all kinds of guys. “You shouldn’t go home with him, Elyse. He’s got a bad reputation, not to mention you deserve better.”
My mouth pops open in outrage. I’ve never seen her act this way before. “Tasha, you don’t even know him,” I shout. “And you don’t get to tell me what to do. You do whatever you want to do with whoever you want, and I don’t judge you, so please don’t judge me.”
&nbs
p; She seems taken aback by my harsh words, but I don’t really care.
I like Tasha, she has been a good friend to me, but I will not let anyone tell me what to do anymore. I’ve let my parents control me all my life, and I can’t let another person do that.
Hero, obviously pleased by my response, smiles widely.
“I guess if that’s what you want. I’m just trying to watch out for you.” She frowns.
I feel kind of guilty about being so rude.
“Like you were watching out for her at the party you took her to?” Hero interrupts, scolding her. But it’s not like he’s lying. Tasha left me and walked off to do her own thing. If he hadn’t been there, it could’ve been bad.
Her eyes roll. “Don’t be ridiculous. Nothing happened at that party, except you punching that poor guy.”
“Nothing happened, because I punched that guy,” Hero corrects, anger blazing in his green eyes.
“Whatever. It’s not like you’re a knight in shining armor. I’ve heard all about you and the things you’ve done.”
Hero’s nostrils flare. “What you heard about me is everyone else’s thoughts and opinions. I’m real, as real as it fucking gets, so if you want to ask me something, do it. But I’ll tell you flat the fuck out, I will not hurt Elyse the way that bastard tried to the other night.”
Tasha doesn’t seem taken aback by Hero’s clenched fists or darkened gaze.
I know I am. I feel the anxious knot in my belly.
“He didn’t hurt her, and I don’t believe you, not even a little bit. But since I’m done having this conversation…” She sneers at Hero, then directs her attention back to me. “There’s going to be another party tomorrow, and I want you to come. We never get to hangout, and I just kind of miss you,” she pouts.
I feel conflicted between them. Tasha, my first friend here, and Hero, the man who has opened my eyes to things. I know I can’t make them both happy, so I come up with the best option. “I’ll come if Hero comes with me.” I smile, trying to ease the tension.
Tasha seems upset by my response, but shrugs. “Okay, whatever you want.” Without waiting for Hero’s answer, she continues. “I’ll see you then.” She doesn’t even say goodbye, she simply walks past us, heading toward our dorm room.
Hopefully, she doesn’t have a run in with my parents on her way up there.
We finish our walk back to Hero’s house, and when we get there, I feel like he’s too quiet.
“So, are you going to take me to that party tomorrow?”
“If you really want to go, then yes, I’ll take you.”
“I do. I just want to be a normal college girl, doing what everybody else does. I want the whole experience.”
He nods like he understands me. “You want to take a bath?”
I nod and smile at him. A bath sounds amazing right now.
Then he adds, “Together?”
My mouth goes dry, and the smile is wiped off my face in an instant.
He wants us to take a bath together?
“Don’t look so shocked. I’ve seen most of your body naked already. I’d like to see the rest. It’s just a bath. I’m not planning on taking your virginity. Unless you beg me again. I don't think I’m strong enough to refuse you a second time.”
My cheeks heat up thinking of that night and how I pleaded for him to touch me.
At first, I thought I was only acting that way because of the spiked drink, but the more I thought about it, the clearer the truth became...
I wanted it—I wanted him.
I wanted him to touch me, kiss me, to do things to my body, and let me do things to his body in return. And right now, even through the slight rush of fear, I want nothing more than to take a bath with him.
We go into his place, then walk into the bathroom together, stopping right in front of the tub. Hero turns the water on and puts the plug in the drain while I stand there, awkwardly waiting for him.
When he straightens back up, he takes his shirt off, revealing a muscular chest and toned stomach. Noticing tattoos I hadn’t seen before, I reach out to touch the inked skin. Running my fingers over them, I appreciate the way he feels and the way he shudders beneath my touch.
Inching closer, he grabs two hands full of the summer dress I’m wearing and starts pulling it up.
Lifting my arms, I help him get the dress off me quicker. When I’m left in nothing more than my underwear, my heart rate spikes, my cheeks heat, and my entire body starts to feel warm all over.
Hero’s pants come off next.
I gulp when I see his very erect penis through the thin fabric of his boxer briefs.
“Look, I told you we don’t have to do anything, but that doesn’t mean he is going to want to stay down.” Hero snickers, pointing to his crotch. “But seriously, Elyse, I swear, I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do.”
His words are heartfelt, and I know he’s telling the truth. Reaching behind me, I unclasp my bra, wanting to show him I’m not as afraid as I might look. Cool air caresses my exposed breasts as the bra slides off my shoulders down to the floor.
Hero grips the material of his boxers, shoves them down his legs, and steps out of them without even a blink of his eyes.
My mouth waters, and my body quivers with need when I spot his erection. It’s so long and thick, and points up to his navel. I catch a glimpse of some shiny metal pierced through the tip and almost gasp. I stop myself from reaching out and touching it.
In horror, I realize I’ve been staring at it for far too long. My gaze lifts to his amused face, and my cheeks heat. I guess he’s noticed as well.
Getting down on one knee in front of me, Hero tugs two fingers into the waistband of my panties and starts to pull them down. His movements are sensual as his knuckles skim my skin all the way down my legs.
Waves of pleasure vibrate through me, and a moan escapes my lips when the sensation becomes too much. All he’s doing is touching me and my body is on fire, burning hot as the damn sun.
When he dips his head lower and plants a soft, open-mouthed kiss on my upper thigh only a few inches away from my center, my legs almost give out at the buckle of my knees.
He chuckles and stands to his full height, maneuvering himself into the bathtub. He sinks into the water, his ink covered skin disappearing beneath it.
My teeth sink into my bottom lip as I contemplate my next move.
Hero must feel my wavering because he offers me his hand and says, “Come here. Sit between my legs, your back to my chest.”
I swallow around the nervous fear in my throat, then follow his command, stepping into the tub and lowering myself into the hot bathwater. Air hisses from my lungs at the contact of my skin on the water. The water almost burns, but it only takes a few seconds to adjust to it. From behind, he gathers my hair to one side of my neck before easing my back against his chest. Feeling his hard length pushing up against my backside awakens something deep inside me.
I’ve never felt this craving before, this carnal need for more.
I lean my head back, resting it on his shoulder as he starts nibbling on my neck. His kisses are soft but hungry, his lips almost rough on my skin. I can’t think straight with his lips on my skin. His hands come up around my front to massage my breasts, just like he did a week ago. I can feel the throbbing deep inside me.
With two fingers, he rolls my nipple, back and forth, back and forth. My single moan turns into many, and before I know it, I’m panting, salivating, my head spinning with heady need.
One of his hands leaves my breast and trails down my stomach. My breath hitches in my throat. Every part of my body seems to be on fire. I want his hand to move faster, and without thinking about what may happen, I grab his wrist, pushing his hand beneath the water between my legs.
His husky chuckle is loud in my ear. “You are so eager, so damn reactive to my touch.”
I sigh intently as his hand reaches its destination. The second his fingers drag across my clit, I lose it. I arch
my back, wanting more, needing more, pushing myself into his hand greedily. My body is overtaken by pure need, so I grab my own breast and start to massage it.
The sensation is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before...since I’ve never actually done this before.
Hero’s skilled fingers stay between my legs, drawing little circles over the most sensitive part of me. My walls clench and my pussy throbs with each breath that passes my lips. I can’t help but wonder how it would feel to have Hero inside me, stroking me deep from the inside out.
The thought of Hero inside me is what pushes me over the edge. I fall apart into a million little pieces beneath his touch. Every muscle in my body tightens with pleasure before releasing into pure euphoria.
My bones liquefy to molten lava, and I’m floating, completely lifeless, or at least that’s what it feels like when I try to move.
“You’re so beautiful when you fall apart, so fucking beautiful,” Hero whispers in my ear, his teeth nipping at my earlobe, making the pure need spiral out of control deep inside me.
And all over again, I’m left panting with need, for him—for whatever we are.
Chapter Seven
Hero
Her body is so responsive to me and my touch, I nearly come unglued when she grinds her backside against my hardened cock. I have to clench my jaw and pray for the will to keep touching her without giving into my own carnal needs.
“Hero.” My name falls from her lips breathlessly.
I know what she needs, wants. The question is, can I give it to her?
She’s so pure, so sweet—she’s everything a bad man like me should never touch or have, but I’m selfish, this I know, and so I’ll have her. I’ll keep taking until she doesn’t want me anymore.
Taking my hand, she eases it back down between her legs. My thumb circles her clit, and two fingers press against her virgin entrance. I doubt she’ll be able to handle anything more than one finger, so I slip just the tip of it inside and nearly growl with need as her walls clench around the thick digit.
“This okay?” I grit out, wanting her to feel nothing but comfortable and safe in my arms. She nods her head and moves forward, lowering herself onto my finger completely. Water sloshes out the sides of the tub, and I couldn’t give a damn. The air sizzles between us. I want to fuck her so bad, it hurts.
