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

by Melinda Terranova

  The little fucker doesn’t move. “Learn some fucking manners dipshit. When a lady says no, she means it.” I lunge forward and the pussy steps back, breaking his hold on her. My eyes slice to her and I see the recognition in her face as she takes me in.

  “Leave.” My voice leaks fury.

  The little prick scrambles away with his tail between his legs. Not getting lucky tonight, buddy. Not any fucking night. My attention stays on her and I watch her sway as she tries to steady herself. The scent of her sweet perfume swirls under my nose and I fight the urge to touch her. My gaze moves to her perfect mouth, pink and slightly parted, before I allow myself to look into her eyes. She looks at me all doe eyed before her eyes half close and she falls forward, unable to stop herself.

  “Fuck.” I catch her before she hits the ground and try to stand her back up on her feet but she well and truly inebriated. Fucking freshman not being able to handle their drinks. This is why I loathe these parties.

  I haul her over my shoulder and she lets out a little moan. What I wouldn’t give to have her moan loudly for me, over and over. With my hand on her thighs, just below the tantalising hemline of her skirt, my dick goes hard as steel. I’m like a fucking horny teenager.

  I walk the short distance back to her dorm room and hope Amber left the door unlocked. I don’t want to break into the damn room if I don’t have to. I take the stairs to avoid running into anyone, the last thing I need is for someone to spread shit about her. Only I’m allowed to torture and torment her. Yes, I’m a selfish ass like that. Thank the good lord their door is unlocked, I slowly close it after me and walk to her bed. I pull back the covers and lay her gently on her pillow. I rake my eyes down her body and internally groan in frustration. What has my night come to? I cock my head to the side as she clears her throat and rolls over clutching her pillow, her luscious full lips pouting.

  I shake my head at myself, get a fucking grip. I’m about to cover her with her blankets when I decide to take off her boots. Anything to touch her again. I carefully unzip one boot and slide it off, waiting for her to wake up and scream in fright. She doesn’t move a muscle. I slide off the second boot and finally cover her, she grabs the blanket and curls it under her chin. I pour her a glass of water and place it on her desk, it’s the least I can do without looking like a weak pussy. If either of my cousins saw me just now, they would never let me live it down.

  Chapter Three

  Summer

  Bright morning sun blinds me as I open my eyes, I sit straight up and look around the strange room only to realize I’m in my dorm room and the feeling of dread disappears. My head thumps in time with my pulse and I vaguely recall drinking way too much last night. First night in college and I’m already making bad decisions, I hope this doesn’t set the tone for the rest of the semester. What kind of idiot drinks the night before classes start? I think to myself. I hear Amber lightly snoring under her mountain of blankets and my thoughts scatter over the events of last night. How much did I drink? I remember dancing and drinking with Amber. I try to forget the two assholes. I remember leaving the frat party but I don’t remember getting into my dorm room. Then it hits me. His royal asshole stopping Jake and I on our way back and then nothing. My heart drops into my stomach and I throw the blankets off. I’m still dressed in my clothes from last night but my boots are placed neatly on the arm chair.

  “Morning roomie.” Amber sits up and rubs her face.

  “Hey.”

  “You look worried,” Amber yawns.

  “Just hungover.” I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and notice a glass of water sitting on my desk.

  “I hear you, sister.” Amber crawls out from her bed and heads to the bathroom.

  When she emerges, I’m still sitting on my bed. The nausea in the pit of my stomach preventing me from moving.

  “Here take this. Should help with your headache.” She hands me two pain tablets and the glass of water from my desk.

  “Thanks.” I stare at the glass before taking a drink.

  “I never asked you what your major is?” Amber slumps on the armchair.

  “History major. Well, history of art and archaeology. What’s yours?”

  “Stupid journalism,” Amber huffs.

  “Not your first choice?” I drink the rest of the water.

  “Like I have a choice.” Amber jumps up and grabs her phone.

  I don’t push her for answers about her major and what she really wanted to study as she seems upset enough about it. I watch her read a message on her phone before her face drops.

  “For fucks sake,” she huffs.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “My stupid cousin is coming past to check up on me, to make sure I got back to my dorm safe, and alone.” She throws her phone on her bed.

  “For real?” I laugh.

  “Yep. Welcome to my crazy world where my family think they can control every aspect of my life. It’s not too late for you to apply for another dorm room, I won’t be offended.” She pouts.

  “I’m okay.” I grin at her.

  A knock at the door echoes around the room and Amber sighs in frustration, “I’m fucking here and alone.”

  The cousin knocks again.

  Sitting on my bed, I hope to hell this cousin doesn’t come in. I look and feel like utter shit and I’m sure my hair resembles a birds nest.

  “Go away, we aren’t dressed,” Amber shouts.

  They knock again, this time a little harder.

  “I hate you.” Amber storms to the door and yanks it open.

  In steps his royal asshole and my heart ends up in my throat. If I didn’t feel like I was going to throw up before, there is a good possibility that I will now. I sit on my bed, in last night’s clothes, taking in all that is Amber’s cousin. I stare at his angled face and his perfect mouth before my focus moves down his chest to his muscled arms.

  “Finished staring, freshman?” His voice is vicious and slices through me.

  My eyes snap up to his and he cocks an eyebrow waiting for my answer.

  “Don’t be a dick, Enzo.” Amber slaps his arm and I’m freed from his pull, my heart ready to explode out of my chest.

  So, his royal asshole has a name. I avert my eyes to the window and pull the hem of my skirt down my thighs, hoping he ignores me and leaves.

  “Don’t flatter yourself,” he muses.

  Don’t look at him, I try to tell myself but like a moth to a flame, I can’t stop myself. His eyes are fixed on my thighs. Why did I wear this stupid skirt last night? I want to crawl under my covers and never emerge. Maybe I don’t need to finish or even start college?

  “Can you just go now?” Amber pushes at him.

  He ignores her and strides to the walk through and into the bathroom.

  “As if I’d hide a guy in the bathroom, you caveman. You’re unbelievable!” Amber throws her arms in the air.

  Once Enzo’s satisfied with his search in the small bathroom, he stops just outside the walk through. “A little thirsty this morning I see?”

  “What?” Amber shakes her head, while I continue to keep my eyes on what’s going on outside the window.

  “Nothing little cousin. All good in here I see, keep behaving yourself.” He saunters to the door and ruffles Amber’s hair.

  “Just go already,” Amber whines.

  I sneak a glance at the door and lock eyes with him. “You really need to control your drinking, freshman. Change out of your party clothes, only whores wake up in their clothes from the night before.”

  “Get out.” Amber pushes him and closes the door in his face before turning to me to apologize.

  “It’s okay. He’s just a jerk, like every male on this planet.” I plaster a fake smile on my face.

  “He isn’t a morning person.” She tries to make excuses for him.

  “Don’t worry about it.” I wave her off as I make my way into the bathroom to get ready for my classes.

  The burning hot water cascades ove
r me as I stand leaning against the shower screen. Feelings of escaping back home to my little town creep their way into my heart and as hard as I try to push against it, I’m left feeling homesick. By the time I’m finished getting ready for my first class, my headache has gone and I feel like I can face the day. I make sure I wear my skinny jeans and a not too revealing top after the comment depicting me as a whore. I hope and pray I don’t run into his royal asshole around campus.

  Amber sits cross legged on her bed, her focus on her phone. “Want to meet up for lunch?”

  “That would be great, I’m free at eleven,” I reply as I pack my bag.

  “We can meet at Sinatra’s, it’s a little café near the sporting fields. Do you think you’ll be able to find it?”

  “I’ll get out my map if I have to.” I smile as I open the door.

  “Summer,” Amber calls.

  I turn around and face her.

  “Sorry about Enzo.”

  “Thanks. Honestly, it’s okay.” I smile to reassure her and close the door before she can see how much it has really affected me.

  The walk across campus is relaxing. The buildings are all sandstone and look like they have been here since the 1500s, as though they transformed an old Italian town into the college. There are manicured gardens with large expanses of lush green grass where students laze about under the warm sun and cafés around every corner. I order myself a large coffee and manage to get to class early. The auditorium is open, I find my seat closest to the exit and settle in for my first class, Italian renaissance.

  The cute guy from last night enters and scans the auditorium, his eyes land on me and he gives me an embarrassed grin. I lift my hand and wave, a little embarrassed for the way I acted the night before. I watch as he makes his way over to my seat and I swallow my nerves. He’s dressed in a dark blue polo and tan shorts, and I notice how his sandy brown hair sits perfectly messy on top of his head.

  “Hi, mind if I sit with you?” His face is a little flushed.

  “Sure.” I move my bag from the seat next to me and watch him as he steps over the row in front and makes himself comfortable. I sip my coffee to break up the uncomfortable silence.

  He turns to me and I hear his breath whoosh through his parted lips. “I wanted to apologize for last night. I was extremely drunk and I need you to know I don’t behave in that manner usually.” He sits back in his chair and I can see the relief in his posture.

  “It’s okay, I was probably just as intoxicated as you.” I smile. “Apology accepted.”

  “Really?” He looks at me, his green eyes sparkle.

  “Really.” I nod.

  He holds out his hand to me and I just stare at it.

  “Hi, I’m Jake. Nice to meet you.” His face lights up with a mischievous grin.

  I roll my eyes and stifle a giggle. I take his hand in mine. “Hi, I’m Summer. Nice to meet you.” We both laugh and the awkwardness is dissolved.

  “So, who was that guy last night?” He quizzes but keeps his eyes to the front of the class.

  I internally groan. “Turns out he’s my room-mate’s cousin. He’s a big dick though, so I wouldn’t waste your time thinking about him.” I’m not sure if that comment is meant for Jake or me?

  “Good to know.” Jake grins before retrieving his laptop from his bag.

  The professor walks in, sets his things up on the front desk and scans the auditorium that has filled with students. His dark hair shines under the lights, and I can’t help but notice how young and hot he looks. This subject just might be my favourite. He waits for everyone to quieten before he speaks. “Let me introduce myself, my name is Robert Carbone. You can call me Rob or Sir, definitely not Robert or Mr Carbone, that is my father’s name. I have a love for Renaissance architecture, hence this class that I love to teach and I have managed to convince the faculty to let all first years tag along with the second years to Rome in a few weeks.”

  The auditorium erupts in wolf whistles, clapping and cheers. I look at Jake who grins back at me. “I knew I took this class for a reason.” He grins.

  “Okay, okay.” The professor holds his hands up to silence the class. “Now that we have that out of the way, let us discuss the assessment part of this course. All I ask of you is to attend every class, it will count toward twenty percent of your marks. Your final assessment is a portfolio of your research and findings whilst on our Rome fieldtrip.”

  “So glad I picked this subject.” Jake nods.

  “I’ve never been out of the country. I’m so excited.” I clap my hands together.

  “Really?” Jake asks surprised.

  “I know. Small town girl here,” I laugh.

  “Well, lucky you have me along for the ride. I’ve been to Rome several times. I’ll show you the ropes.” He winks.

  “So generous of you.” I shake my head.

  “It’s the least I can do, I wouldn’t want you getting lost.”

  I roll my eyes at him and laugh.

  Towards the end of class, the professor hands out a pile of papers to the front row to pass them along. There aren’t enough to go around and a few of us who didn’t receive the information kits wait in line at the front desk. I take my phone out to check the time, I have ten minutes before I need to meet Amber. I’m the last in the line and by the time it’s my turn to receive the information kit, the professor has run out.

  “I’m sorry I seem to have not printed enough,” he apologises. “Come with me to the staff room and I should have a spare there.”

  “Here take mine,” Jake offers me his.

  “No, I’ll just go to the staff room. You have to get to your next class anyway.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yes, go or you’ll be late.” I wave to him.

  “See you around.” He waves back.

  “Is it far?” I ask the professor.

  “Is what far?” He responds whilst packing up his belongings.

  “The staff room? I have to meet a friend for lunch in ten.”

  “No, not far at all, two minutes. I promise.” He grins at me.

  “Alright. You lead the way.” I fall into step beside him.

  I notice he is much taller than I thought and his broad shoulders fill his black dress shirt really well, the sleeves rolled to just below his elbows revealing deep tanned, muscled forearms. He doesn’t seem old enough to be a professor. I force myself to stop staring at him before it becomes too obvious.

  “So, are you liking college so far?”

  “It’s not what I expected. This place is beautiful.”

  “It is beautiful isn’t it. I have been teaching at this college since I graduated from here two years ago.”

  “You studied here?”

  “I sure did. I love this place. It feels like home away from home.”

  “Where’s home?” I probe.

  “My family is from Naples. We moved here when I was a little kid, hence the American accent.” He moves his bag to his other shoulder.

  “I would never have guessed,” I say, surprised.

  He looks down at me and chuckles. “There’s the staffroom.” He points across the courtyard and to the left of us I see the little café where I’m meeting Amber.

  “Oh, perfect. I’m meeting my friend at Sinatra’s.”

  As we cross the large courtyard, my heart drops into the pit of my stomach. Leaning against the far wall are the last three people I want to see, Enzo and his asshole sidekicks are casually chatting amongst themselves. I swallow the bile rising up my throat and I hope to hell they don’t notice me.

  “I’m sorry, what did you say?” I missed what my professor was saying as we inch closer to his royal asshole and his vicious minions.

  “Did you want to take the stairs?”

  “Yes.” I don’t dare take my eyes off them.

  At that minute Enzo’s head snaps towards us and he straightens up, his eyes darting from me to Rob and back. A look of distaste washes over his features causing my heart
to pound. His two sidekicks also turn their attention on us as we approach them. My blood turns to ice, not from fear but from anger.

  I realize we are heading straight for the doorway where the trio are standing. The closer we get, the more my anxiety peaks. Just ignore them, I chant to myself. Enzo’s glare snaps to Rob and he watches his every move until we are a few feet away from him.

  “Back to teach here again. Do you not learn?” Enzo crosses his arms. He is a good half a head taller than my professor.

  “Enzo, Luca, Dante.” Rob nods. Not at all affected by the vicious glare Enzo is giving him.

  I hesitate and dare not look at them, keeping my eyes straight ahead on the door that leads to the stairs. I expect Dante and Luca to fire off abusive and cruel taunts at me but they continue to casually lean against the wall, not paying any attention to me at all.

  “Your funeral.” Enzo chuckles, the dark undertone makes my skin crawl.

  “This way.” Rob places his hand on my upper arm directing me to go up the stairs first.

  “So easily led, freshman.” Enzo directs his comment at me and I cringe to myself before skipping up the stairs as quick as I can without tripping. I hear their voices echo up behind me and by the time I reach the first floor, my heart thuds rapidly in my chest.

  “My office is down the hall.” Rob leads the way, unaffected by the douche bag downstairs.

  I wait outside the door as he retrieves the information kit. “Thank you,” I say as I take the paperwork from him.

  “Avoid Enzo if you can.” Rob looks at me, unspoken words on his lips.

  “Gladly.” I smile before I turn on me heels and walk back toward the stairs.

  I falter before I reach the bottom, hoping the three assholes are gone. But of course, they stand next to the doorway waiting to torment me again. I allow myself a quick glance at Enzo, he stands with his arms crossed and a crease between his eyebrows. I try to scoot past him but he steps in front of me blocking my way.