Model Student

by C. J. Washington

  Asher

  I feel like I’ve got a railroad spike through my temple. I don’t remember much of last night, I just know it was a blast. I was so touched and thrilled that my Dad came to the frat party and threw himself into it. He got hit on a lot and he teased that “the old man’s still got it.” Bow had us decorating Christmas trees this morning. I put on a bright face but would really rather have be doing anything else. I can’t say no to her though when she looks so happy.

  Bow buried herself in college work and I was about to take a nap when Glen walked into the family room looking grim. I immediately feel my heart rate pick up, something’s happened. He asks us all if we want to watch Saw II knowing Janie and Pepper will turn us down. All the guys pick up on his vibe and agree to the movie, this is his way of getting us alone. He grabs his laptop and we follow him down to the movie theatre which is sound proof.

  “What’s going on, Glen?” I ask. We all sit.

  “Ralph called me this morning and told me about some letters Bow has been receiving to her home address in Beverly Hills. He only checks in with the housekeeper every couple of weeks so he’s only just come to know about these this morning. The housekeeper doesn’t open mail. She’s instructed not to. Ralph has sent copies of them all to me via email this morning. He’ll be calling you later, Asher too.” I’m pleased to hear that. “Her home address isn’t meant to be known. All her fan mail goes to her modelling agency or forwarded to her through the Bells Stratton official fan club.”

  “What are these letters saying?” I can feel everyone in the room starting to reach my level of tension. Glen ignores me while he plugs his computer into the big screen. The first image he pulls up makes me want to vomit. It’s a picture of Bow sprawled out on the floor in sexy underwear. I recognise it from one of the ad campaigns she showed me in her portfolio, but this one has been digitally altered. Her body looks like it’s been slashed and the word ‘meretrix’ sliced across her chest.

  “What the fuck is meretrix?” I demand.

  “It means ‘whore’ in Latin.” Glen answers. “This isn’t the most worrying part.” He changes the image to a map I don’t recognise. A building is circled in red. “This is where Bow did her photo shoot recently in New York.”

  I stand up, I can’t sit still anymore. My body wants to do something but doesn’t know what. Glen shows us more. Another different altered picture of Bow and a map of Italy with Milan circled and another similar picture with a map of London, the hotel they all stayed at circled in red too.

  “This is what has me worried.” He’s not been worried now? I’m frantic. Glen clicks over to another image showing Bow slashed again and the word meretrix on her chest just like the others, but in this she’s surrounded by text books and school supplies. I know what’s coming next. I try to prepare myself but can’t. Glen flicks over to the final image of a map of Texas with Houston circled in red.

  I swear my heart stops beating. No one is speaking. I can’t tear my eyes away from that ominous red ring.

  “There is not one single person other than everybody here, Ralph and her Agent who should know about all these locations. One I could understand, especially London as is was a huge televised event, but the rest, no.”

  “You better not be accusing us of anything.” Michael growls, standing himself now. He’s Bow’s best friend. There’s no way he’d let anything happen to her if there was a way to prevent it.

  “Of course not. I wouldn’t be showing you this if I did. Whoever this is, they’re smart and determined. To do what? We don’t know yet. I’ve already contacted an FBI profiler I know to help us narrow down who it is we should be looking for. Ralph doesn’t want the cops involved and I agree.”

  “How can you agree? She’s need all the protection she can get. Fuck, we need everyone with a gun on our side!” I yell and start to pace.

  “Involving the cops isn’t the smart thing to do, Asher. We’re just asking for her information to be made public if we contact them. They have more leaks than a rusty bucket. There’ll be an investigation and media presence that we can’t control. The photo only shows Houston circled, so whoever this is knows her whereabouts, not her exact location. If he did, he would have circled this house or the College. There’s several institutes of education in Houston, some private, he’ll assume she’s at one of those given that she’s never attended a mainstream school.”

  I can’t calm and I hate that he’s right. The need to hide her away is paramount. How am I going to do that without telling her why? Bow’s my future and I won’t have her taken away from me. I want to flush out my brain to get rid of the images that are taunting me but I can’t and they’ll keep be motivated and vigilant. If anything happens to her, I don’t know what I’ll do.

  “The good news is that when Bow’s here she’s as secure as she can be. There is no way for anyone to get inside the property. There are no locks to pick and all the windows and doors are reinforced. No one will be smashing their way in.” Glen informs us.

  “Well, I’m changing one thing straight away.” Everyone looks at me. “Colby. Tate. I want you both moved into the pool house as soon as possible. It never hurts to have more muscle around and if this psycho finds the house, there’s plenty of coming and goings with ten people living here. That’s got to hinder any plans he might have.” They agree.

  “Asher mentioned guns….I don’t know how you all feel about guns but I’m licensed to carry a concealed weapon.” Startled faces turn to Michael. This is the guy who says he doesn’t like to play full contact sports, yet he’ll carry a gun? “Don’t look so surprised. This is Texas. My Father had a shot gun in my hand by the time I was five years old. I haven’t got a gun with me but I’m more than happy to keep one in a secure box in my room just in case.”

  “Well I do have a gun in my room so it’s up to you.” Anthony says shrugging.

  “Me too.” This comes from Glen. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a false wall with an armoury behind it.

  “Well shit. Who do you guys think you are? The A-Team or something?” Colby laughs.

  “At least I’m with Bow on the top floor. It sounds like someone would have to get through a lot to make it up there.” They all nod.

  “There’s no real plan going ahead guys, until we can get more information. We need to stay vigilant. Not just for Bow, but for all of us, especially Pepper and Janie. Someone like this wouldn’t be above using Bow’s friends to get to her and the girls are the most vulnerable.” Glen adds. Colby starts pacing now. We all know how he feels about Pepper. “No one goes anywhere off campus alone, not even you guys. Yes it sucks but it’s the way it is for now. I promise to keep you all up to date. I’m sticking with the Saw movie idea as our code. Luckily there’s enough of them for lots of meetings. If any of us have questions, suspicions or information we say we’re watching Saw and we’ll meet in here as soon as possible.”

  It’s a good idea. None of the girls like horror movies. “Do you think I’ll have to convince Bow to change our Christmas plans or the road trip?” It’d be stupid not to get Glen’s opinion on this, although my pride hates me for it. They all look upset at the idea of the road trip being cancelled. We’ve all been looking forward to it. Bow and I are planning the route to take and where to visit on the way.

  “I don’t see why you should unless something changes between now and then. You’re linked to Bow, not the model, Bells, so I don’t see how anyone would think to find her to your Dad’s house. Your hotel reservations for Christmas Eve are in your name and regarding the road trip I think she’ll be safe as ever. We’ll all be together and moving around often. Plus, we’re not even starting it from Houston but South Carolina.” Glen gives some sound advice.

  There are plenty of fist bumps and high fives at the news.

  “I have a few conditions for the road trip then. Bow has hired four Winnebagos, fully loaded like last time, so they’re alarmed and heavily secured. Two are three bedroomed and two are two bedro
omed. Colby, I know you won’t mind sharing with Pepper and Janie.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He’s not joking now, he’s deadly serious. “Plus that means I’m driving us. There’s no way I’d be comfortable with the girls handling a two bedroomed Winnebago. I know that’s what they’re expecting. Call me sexist if you like but it’s the truth. I’m sure we’ll all feel more confident having them in a three bedroomed one with me.” Everyone nods. It’s not about sexism but safety.

  “Also, when we park up we need to position the Winnebagos so that Colby and the girls are in the middle with me and Bow. That keeps them surrounded by the rest of you guys. Bow is giving you all a travel itinerary in your Christmas card. Act surprised and show it to no one outside this group. Over break just familiarise yourselves with the routes and destinations, then if there’s anything you’re worried about or unsure of we can sort it before we leave.”

  When everything’s sorted and we’ve talked everything to death, I go straight to Bow. She’s still studying but I don’t care that I’m interrupting. I bend over her back and snuggle my face into her neck making her shiver and giggle. I love how she reacts when I touch her.

  “Take a break, baby and come lie down with me.”

  “Okay, that’s sound nice right about now.” She sounds sleepy too.

  I follow her up the stairs and strip her to her underwear. I need to hold her right now. After hearing all that shit I need the feeling of her being safe and protected by me. I carry her to the bed and strip down to my boxers. I fold her into me, nuzzle her cheek with mine and we share a few lingering sweet kisses. Doing this, sharing this with her, gives me peace. She falls asleep in my embrace. I wish I could hold her here forever.

  Chapter twenty

  Bow

  It’s Oddball Christmas Day. Everyone leaves tomorrow to go home so we’re celebrating with each other today. I told everyone they had to dress up, no sweatshirts, football jerseys or track pants. I kick Asher out of the room early so I can have an hour with just us girls getting ready. I’ve been dying to get my hands on Pepper’s hair. I smooth all the curls until they are perfect shiny ringlets. Then I give her the fitted green dress with long sleeves that I bought her and gold high heels. Her curves look phenomenal. She gives me a big hug and then I start on Janie.

  Her hair is a gorgeous chocolate brown and I braid it into a messy fishtail that hangs over her shoulder. Her dress is a deep red and sits just above her knee. The back dips low and shows off her creamy skin. Her svelte figure looks fantastic and adding black heels emphasises that more. I wear a short light cream wool dress with no sleeves and a high neck. The skirt has thick pleats and is gathered together with a thin black belt around my waist. With my signature skyscraper heels and my hair loosely curled, we’re ready to go.

  When I walk into the dining room I could cry. All the guys are wearing suits. They make a very handsome picture. Colby looks entranced by Pepper and for once she’s not shying away from his attention. Mission accomplished.

  “You look amazing, baby.” Asher twirls me around.

  “Thank you. You’re looking pretty sexy yourself.” I smooth down his tie so I can feels his chest and stomach. He knows what I’m up to and beams at my compliment.

  We all take a seat and pull crackers and enjoy wine. Michael helps me carry the food to the table. I ordered double what the caterer recommended. These aren’t some gourmet diners here. These are proper guys and football players who haven’t eaten yet today. The meal goes great and we all laugh and have a great time. After everything is cleared away, Pepper yells “presents!”

  We all go into the family room and give our gifts. I got a framed photo from Janie and Pepper. It was taken by the photographer in New York when we were messing about before the shoot. It’s such a natural shot. We’re all laughing and throwing clothes at each other. I adore it. Michael gave me beautiful stud diamond earrings and a hand written heart felt letter that had me in bits. I wouldn’t let anyone read it, it was just for me. I couldn’t hug him tight enough.

  Anthony, Glen and Radley gave me a matching diamond bracelet with ‘Oddball House 2014’ engraved on the inside. I enfolded them in a group hug. Tate and Colby gave me the ‘dummies guide to modelling’ book and a SLR camera. I laughed so much. Asher and I are swapping presents on our own Christmas morning.

  I love giving presents and I went all out. I give Michael a small box. When he opens it he looks confused. There is a black fob attached to a keychain saying ‘Bestie’, I take him outside and sat there is his new black Ford F-150 truck. I’ve never heard a grown man shriek but that’s exactly what he does.

  “I can’t accept that, Bow. It’s too much.” He’s visibly shaking.

  “Well, either you have it or I donate it to Goodwill.”

  “Goodwill can have it when I’m dead.” He laughs and runs to his truck. When it unlocks as he gets near he shrieks again. All the guys check it out, while Michael shouts at them to “be careful” and “don’t touch that!”

  I give Glen an envelope. Inside are details of unlimited flying lessons and a flight in an F-18. He was beyond ecstatic. He’d been telling Radley about wanting to get a pilots license and I overheard.

  Radley and Tate got the same; the ultimate VIP experience to Comic Con in San Diego, plane tickets and hotel confirmation. They both jumped up yelling and hugging each other and then me.

  Colby and Anthony got the same size box each. Colby ripped his open so fast, Anthony knew what he was getting before he’d even made a tear in the paper. They looked at their helmets confused. I pulled two photos from behind my back, each with a Harley Fat Boy on.

  “These are yours but they’re not being delivered until the second week in January.”

  Colby dived on me nearly knocking me off the couch. Anthony piled on.

  “One more thing, on our road trip there’s a stop in Alabama that’s near a bike shop that is meant to be brilliant for bike leathers. You must get some. If you get hurt you’ll break my heart so be careful. Please.” They emphatically agree.

  For Janie and Pepper I got them the Tiffany watches they had admired in New York. They both cried which made me cry. I handed out the itinerary for our road trip too. Everybody was loaded down with stuff when we came to move. There wasn’t one inch of the family room not covered in wrapping paper. We got comfy, drank eggnog and watched Christmas movies for the rest of the night. I fell asleep on Asher, I was so stuffed from dinner that it put me in a food coma.

  ***

  It’s Christmas Eve and we’ve just said goodbye to everyone and we’re on the road to Asher’s Dad’s. I don’t know the way so I’m confused when Asher pulls off the interstate way before I think we should. I don’t say anything. After twenty minutes we pull up at a grand looking hotel.

  “What are we doing here?”

  “This is my first Christmas gift for you, baby. Well, I suppose it’s for both of us. We’re spending the night here and then we’ll drive to my Dad’s in the morning. I’m going to make you completely mine tonight, Bow. We’re gonna have that magical night we missed on your birthday.” He speaks softly against my ear.

  “That sounds perfect.” I whisper. My body is already trembling. We’ve not spent a night apart since we got back together. I know every inch of his body now but he’s denied me this until now. I ache to be one with him. He leans over and gently kisses my bottom lip and then the top. I spot the valet waiting by his door so we head in.

  The suite is spectacular. It’s full of warm creams and golds. The bed is massive and looks dressed for royalty. Not long after we arrive there’s a knock on the door and a man enters pushing a table covered with loads of covered plates. I look at Asher and could swoon on the spot.

  He’s organised a romantic dinner for two. I can barely talk I’m so overwhelmed. The food is lovely but I’m too preoccupied to appreciate it properly. My body is wired and my pussy is already wet and pulsing, impatient for Asher’s attention. I just want to drag
Asher onto the table and get things started. It’s taking all my effort to keep things at his pace.

  Asher

  I see that Bow is nearly at the end of her patience, her chest is flushed and her breathing has sped up. Knowing she’s so hot for me makes my dick twitch. I stand and take her hand, pulling her up from her chair. Dipping my face close to hers, I keep an inch between us. I need her to be looking into my eyes.

  “There’s something I’ve been wanting to say to you for a long time, since our first kiss in my room. You’re the most wonderful and important thing in my life. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, nothing I wouldn’t give, to make you happy and safe with me, always. I love you, Bow.”

  Tears spill from her eyes and she slams her mouth to mine, pushing her tongue through my lips. She winds her arms around my neck keeping us anchored together as we explore each other. Her taste makes me light headed and the feel of her breasts cushioned against my chest causes more blood to rush to my already hard cock. She rips herself away as we both struggle for breath.

  “You’re my life, Asher. The man who’ll hold my heart and soul forever. I love you too.”

  I feel every nerve in my body come alive and my heart explodes with joy and relief. I lift her by her ass and her legs grip my hips. I walk us into the bedroom and collapse on top of her on the bed. Our kiss is wet and frantic now as we each try to not separate whilst removing the other’s clothes.

  I try to reign myself in, I don’t want to rush this. You never get a second chance at a first time. I grip her hands above her head with one hand and explore her neck with my lips as my other hand drags over her covered breasts.

  “Keep your hands there.” I tell her. If she touches me I’m going to lose control.