by Autumn Grey
“I knew you’d try to stop me or go with me. I couldn’t take that chance.”
I hear him take a deep breath, as if he’s trying to calm himself down. “I wouldn’t have tried to stop you. I’d never do that, unless it’s something that could hurt you. I’d have gone with you.” He sighs. “You shouldn’t have to go through this alone, sweetheart,” he adds in a gentle voice. “What time is your flight?”
“In about five hours.”
“Where are you now?”
I scan my surroundings scattered with people having picnics, children flying kites, the occasional cyclist flying by. “Sitting in a small park.”
“Christ. You’ve been in the park since you left the prison?”
“It’s not so bad.”
He grunts in disapproval, then says, “Sit tight. I’ll call you back in a few minutes, okay?”
“Sure.”
True to his word, the phone rings two minutes later.
“Do me a favor, sweetheart. Go to the Waldorf Astoria on Walton Street and ask for Mr. Williams. He’s expecting you. I’ll text you the exact address.”
“What’s going on, Nate?”
“I’m coming for you.”
Oh no. I know being in this city after what happened to him will bring nothing but bad memories. “You don’t need to do that. I’ll be home soon, I promise.”
“Elon,” he prompts in a low, sinful voice. “Listen to me. When I told you I love you, taking care of you was pretty much part of the whole package for me. This is me taking care of you. Head to the Waldorf Astoria. I’m coming to get you. Please text me your flight details so I can call the airline to push back the time, okay?”
Despite my reservations about him flying to Chicago, I smile, enjoying the way he swooped in and took charge. “Okay.”
“That’s my girl. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
My phone buzzes with a text from Nate a few minutes later. Standing up from the bench, I follow his instructions to the hotel.
“THANKS FOR TAKING CARE OF my girl.”
My long-time friend, Wade Brass, raises a surprised brow. He knows about Camille, and even though I moved back home, we still keep in touch every now and then.
“When did that happen?” he asks, sitting back in his seat inside the hotel lounge at the Waldorf.
“About four months now.”
“Well, then.” He smiles. “Looks like introductions are in order. How about brunch tomorrow? My Hadley will be there, too. Maybe the girls can get a chance to know each other.”
“I’ll talk to Elon first.” I’m not sure what condition Elon is currently in after visiting her father. The need to see her burns through me. I arrived at the hotel ten minutes ago and found Wade waiting for me. “I should check on her. I’ll let you know about the brunch.”
He nods as he stands up. “It’s good to see you again, man.”
“You too, Brass.”
Moments later, I’m standing beside the bed, staring at Elon as she snores loudly. She’s curled up in a tight ball in the middle of the bed, her hair splayed across the pillow. A white sheet covers her body to the shoulder, but it doesn’t hide the soft curves beneath it. She must have cried herself to sleep, given the dried up tear streaks on her cheeks.
Quickly, I strip down to my boxers and join her on the bed, spooning her. She stirs and mumbles something under her breath before her eyes flutter open.
“You’re here.”
I run my knuckles against her cheeks. “Yes.”
“I’m sorry for worrying you.”
God, those eyes, so big and scared.
My arm around her waist tightens, and I kiss her hair. When Amber called to tell me she hadn’t seen or heard from Elon since the night before when she left my place, I panicked. I must have died a thousand deaths when I tried to call Elon and my calls went directly to her voicemail. The only person I could think of who’d want to cause her harm was her ex-boyfriend.
“You’re safe. That’s all that matters.”
We fall silent for a few seconds before she shudders and mutters, “I hate him so much. Coming to Chicago to visit him was probably one of the stupidest things I’ve ever done, but I’m glad I did. I won’t be holding my breath anymore, waiting for him to come around one day and apologize for being an evil monster.”
“Yes. It was a stupid move, especially since no one knew your whereabouts, but it was also very brave of you. You faced the monster that has haunted you your entire life, and won.”
She dazzles me with a watery smile, then sniffs. “I’m pretty badass, aren’t I?”
I laugh, shoving my head into the crook of her neck, and murmur, “You are, My Queen.”
We stay like that, just snuggling and talking. As much as I want to make love to her and make her forget about today, I have a feeling Elon is too distracted tonight.
I jerk awake and peer into the darkness while trying to detect where the familiar ringing is coming from. Careful not to jostle the bed too much, I pull my arm from beneath Elon’s shoulder and lift my thigh from between hers. I switch the lamp on my nightstand, drop to my knees on the floor and grab my jeans where I left them last night, then dig my phone out of the pocket. I frown at the unfamiliar number with a Florida area code flashing on the screen.
Who could be calling at 11:30 p.m.?
I’m about to swipe the screen to disconnect the call, but something in my gut stops me. I tap the screen to answer, then press the phone to my ear.
“Rowe,” I grunt into the phone, annoyed.
Several seconds of silence pass. I’m about to hang up when a familiar female voice calls out, “Nathaniel?”
“Elizabeth?” I question, shocked to hear her voice. The surprise wears off quickly when I remember what Elon told me. “What do you want?”
“I’m calling out of courtesy and respect for my daughter to warn you. Mrs. Bowman knows about you and Miss Blake.”
I look over my shoulder to make sure Elon is still sleeping before striding to the bathroom and locking the door.
“Ah. Let me guess,” I say coldly. “You couldn’t wait until Monday to show her what you got on us.”
“I didn’t do it, Nathaniel.”
“Bullshit. You’ve been looking for a way to destroy me. You finally got what you wanted, Elizabeth. Bravo,” I grit between my clenched jaw.
She huffs a breath. “I had a chat with Miss Blake in my office yesterday. I had every intention of reporting you two to Mrs. Bowman on Monday, but—” She stops talking abruptly.
Is she fucking kidding me? “Let me guess,” I bite out the words. “You decided to call me and give me a heads up?”
I hear her take a deep breath, then exhale. “I changed my mind.”
I freeze mid-step. “Really?” I ask sarcastically. What the hell is she playing at?
She clears her throat. “Look. I knew you wouldn’t believe me before I called you, but I did it anyway. All I know is that Mrs. Bowman found an envelope stuck on her windshield yesterday as she was leaving work. Whoever it is that has been taking the photos of you and Miss Blake must want to hurt you badly. Anyway, I need to go.”
“Why did you call to warn me, Elizabeth?”
She doesn’t say anything for several seconds. Then she says, “Miss Blake said some things that made me take a pause and reevaluate my attitude toward you.”
My heart beats fast inside my chest, but I don’t say anything. I want to hear what she has to say.
“ ‘Maybe it’s time to let go of the anger and concentrate on getting to know your daughter through the one person who knew her very well.’ That’s what she said to me.”
I breathe out the air trapped in my chest, feeling my love and respect for Elon grow even more.
I don’t allow myself to feel hope though. Elizabeth has been the bane of my existence for as long as I can remember. Just because she seemed to have changed her mind doesn’t mean I’m going to do the same.
“T
hank you for calling, Elizabeth.”
I’m about to hang up when she calls my name and says, “For all it’s worth, I’m really sorry.”
The line goes dead.
I toss my phone on the counter, then splash cold water on my face.
Fuck. Fuck.
Shit has hit the fan back in Jacksonville.
I need to come up with a plan to get Elon off the hook.
Restless and unable fall asleep again, I throw my clothes on and leave the room. Outside the hotel, I flag down a cab and give the driver the instructions of where I’m headed.
It’s time to put my own demons to rest.
I drop to my knees and tug the weeds that have grown around Camille’s headstone, then trace her name with my fingers.
“Hey, Cam. Sorry I haven’t been around. Remember the last time I was here and I told you I was thinking of moving back home? I finally did. Chicago reminded me of you. I couldn’t stay here anymore. Every day I woke up and went to bed with the same thought in mind: I was alive when you were. . .not here.”
My eyes start to burn with tears, but I shake my head, refusing to cry. I was here to slay my demons so I could live my life without looking over my shoulder and asking. . .what if?
“You know you will always be a big part of my life, right?” I wet my lips and fix my gaze on Camille’s name on the tombstone. “I met a girl, and she drives me nuts.” I chuckle under my breath. “I don’t know where this is heading, but all I know is that I met her and my world turned bright again. I don’t know why I’m telling you this. I just want you to know, I guess. I still love you, but I also love her.”
My shoulders slump forward. “Give me a sign, Cam. Tell me it’s okay.”
I sit quietly, waiting. From a distance, I hear a car door slam. An owl hoots from one of the many trees surrounding the cemetery.
Then a slight breeze blows across the open space, whistling low and picking up as it whips across the branches. The hair on the back of my neck rises as I jump to my feet and jostle my right arm, causing pain to slice from my arm to my shoulder and down my spine. I clench my teeth until the pain passes, but the wind continues to cut across the trees. Then it’s over as fast as it started.
I don’t believe in ghosts, but that was some freaky shit.
I look down at the headstone, my lips twitching with a smile. “Still making sure you get in the last word, aren’t you?” I lean down and run my fingers on the cold marble. “I have to go, Cam. I’ll be seeing you, okay?”
I breathe out, for the first time feeling at peace with my past. I stride toward the cemetery entrance, where the cab driver is waiting to drive me back to the Waldorf, back to my present and my future.
SUNDAY MORNING STARTS OUT EXCEEDINGLY well. I wake up to the feel of Nate’s mouth on my neck as he kisses me, his hands hungrily touching me everywhere. He moves his hips, and I feel his erection poking my back.
Someone seems happy this morning.
I twist my head around to face him and moan as his tongue makes a hot trail toward the sensitive place behind my ear.
“Good morning, Professor,” I whisper, twining my fingers into his hair.
“Miss Blake,” he murmurs against my skin as he makes his way to the swell of my breasts. He flips me on my back and settles his hips between my legs. I feel the head of his cock teasing my entrance and lift my hips, eager to have him inside me. “How did you sleep?”
“I always sleep well when I’m with you.”
“I need you so badly,” he says with a groan. “I don’t think I can hold off anymore.”
I wrap my legs around his hips, digging my heels into his butt cheeks while lifting my hips off the bed. “I’m here. Take whatever you need, baby.”
He enters me slowly, his dark, hungry gaze locked on mine the entire time. When he’s buried deep inside me, he lets out a long, slow breath through his lips.
“I’m home,” he declares, flashing a wide, bright smile down at me, making me melt into him and scattering my thoughts.
He starts to move inside me, kissing me and thrusting into me in slow, torturous strokes that have me moaning and breathless. We don’t say any more words, our bodies doing all the talking, responding to each other’s touch and kiss and breaths. Nate is usually intense in and out of bed, but I’ve never seen this side of him. It’s like he’s finally giving me all of him without holding back.
His thrusts become urgent, propelling me into another reality as he moves in and out of me. My orgasm builds higher. As if he knows I’m almost coming, he pumps twice, his body stiffening above mine just as I go over the edge. I scream his name at the same time he screams mine.
Our eyes are still locked to each other, our pants filling the room, hearts beating to the same rhythm. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
He leans down and kisses me softly on my lips, then rolls over and takes me with him. As always, I’m careful not to put my weight on his right shoulder. He pulls me to his chest, throws one long, toned leg over my hips, cocooning me completely into him, then pulls the sheet up to our shoulders.
“Whatever happens on Monday, I want you to know that you are worth everything. I don’t regret meeting you. You pulled me back into the light.” He breathes in deeply, kissing the shell of my ear. “I want you to know that no matter how this goes, I’m here to stay. I love you, Elon Blake.”
I snuggle deeper into him. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I will not question it. I love you, Nathaniel Rowe.”
Then he tells me what happened last night: the telephone conversation with Professor Masters. We’re supposed to meet Wade and his wife, Hadley, for brunch. But after the news, safe to say my appetite and good mood have left the room. Nate calls Wade to cancel the brunch and promises to call him after he returns to Florida.
We spend the next six hours in the hotel talking. He tells me about visiting Camille last night. He makes love to me twice before we leave for the airport, promising me that everything is going to be okay. I should be worried, but I’m not. I chose him. I knew what I was doing, and I will never regret that decision.
Heart over mind.
Despite knowing what’s coming to me on Monday morning, I’m still nervous as all hell. As soon as I walk into class, I’m summoned to Mrs. Bowman’s office, only to find Nate waiting outside, as well. Two men I’ve never seen before—one tall, thin and wearing square glasses and the other one tall with thinning hair—arrive and escort us back to Brown Hall and into separate practice rooms.
The man wearing glasses introduces himself as Mr. John Felix. He’s a member of the school board.
Then, the interrogation begins. Photos are tossed on the table, and I’m staring at one of me half-naked with Nate’s mouth sucking my nipple in his living room. Whoever took this picture must have had access to the building across from Nate’s. My heart beats wildly in my chest. This is so embarrassing, and I feel violated by the photos in front of me.
Then the questions start flying at me.
When did this begin?
Did Professor Rowe trick you into having a relationship with him?
Were you trying to better your grades by sleeping with your professor?
The questions go on and on, mostly trying to blame Nate for misleading a student. But I don’t give them a reason to put the blame on him.
We were in this together and what I feel for him right now has surpassed anything I’ve ever felt, even my passion to play the cello. Whenever I close my eyes, I see him. Loving me. Taking care of me and going to great lengths to make me happy.
Nate is everything I’ve always wanted.
When I am with him, I feel like I can conquer the world with him by my side.
So I stick to my story, which frustrates the man sitting across from me, throwing questions. He storms out of the room without a glance in my direction.
I’m rudely surprised when Mr. Felix walks back into the room half an hour later and informs me that Professor Row
e has confessed to seducing me.
My stomach falls away, and I want to throw up.
“Where is he?” I ask in a low voice, fighting the tears of frustration burning my eyes.
He nods toward the door just as Nate steps into the room, his face unreadable. He shoots me a cursory glance and then focuses all his attention to the interrogator.
“Mr. Rowe, in your confession, you admitted that you seduced Miss Blake,” Mr. Felix states, lifting his brows expectantly.
Nate nods, still avoiding my gaze, his jaw clenched.
“So tell us in your own words, Mr. Rowe.” He nods his head in my direction.
“I seduced her. There was nothing going on between us. Just sex.”
Mr. Felix scribbles something down in his notebook.
My heart shatters into a million pieces. Why is he doing this?
I’m about to jump up from my seat when Nate’s eyes connect with mine. His gaze softens as he mouths, “I love you.” I shake my head, ready to speak up, but he sends me a pleading look before focusing on Mr. Felix.
“Don’t let my behavior reflect on her.” His gaze locks with mine again, and it’s cold, so cold I can feel it sink into my bones. I know it’s for Mr. Felix’s benefit, but he almost convinces me. “She means nothing to me.”
Mr. Felix adjusts his glasses and steeples his fingers on the table. “It’s obvious you are trying to protect Miss Blake. From these photos, she seems to be quite compliant to your advances.” His eyes fall on the images, and I shut my eyes tight. “You knowingly broke the code of ethics. We have no choice but to let you go.” Mr. Felix dismisses Nate with a disappointed look and then turns to face me.
His eyebrows furrow as he stares at me. “Rushmore takes this very sternly. From what I’ve heard, you are very gifted and have a bright future ahead of you. Rushmore has a very strict set of standards and rules, which you knowingly disregarded. Breaking rules has its consequences.” He pulls in a deep breath. “You’re expelled, Miss Blake.”
I open my eyes and meet the unreadable blue ones staring at me.