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

by Melinda Terranova

  “Why are you in such a good mood?” I smile as I step out of his arms and adjust my clean sheets.

  “Oh, I don’t know? Could be something to do with fucking you earlier.”

  I roll my eyes at my bed and revel in this new version of Enzo I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting. How long will his good mood last I wonder? I climb into my clean bed and watch as Enzo goes to do the same.

  “What are you doing?” I look at him.

  “Sleeping here tonight.” He wiggles his eyebrows. “Scared I might fuck you again, freshman? Because there is a high chance of that happening. But only if you beg.”

  And he’s slipping away. “You’re unbelievable.” I pull the covers up and watch as he pulls them back and climbs in next to me. He winces as he lays down on his right side.

  “I’ve never been called that before. Usually I get hateful words thrown at me.” He winks.

  “What if Amber comes back?”

  “Who gives a fuck.” He adjusts the towel so that it sits under his head.

  “Me. I give a fuck. She’s my friend.”

  “Go to sleep, freshman.” He pulls me down next to him and drapes his arm across my waist. Our naked bodies curled up on the small bed.

  ***

  I feel the twitch of his hard cock against my ass and I open my eyes to the bright morning sun. I turn to face him and stare at his molten dark eyes. The bruising around his swollen eye has turned a dark shade of purple, spilling halfway across his cheek.

  “Good morning, freshman.” He kisses the corner of my mouth.

  “Hi,” I say a little shy.

  He runs his hand over my hip and down the side of my leg and hoists my leg over his waist. “Ready for round two?”

  “Aren’t you sore?” I look at his split lip.

  “Nothing a little fucking won’t fix.” He smiles, the gash to his lip stretching the wider he grins.

  “You’re unbelievable.” I roll my eyes.

  “I know, you told me last night.” He presses his hardness into me.

  I push at his chest with my hands causing him to tense. “Did that hurt?”

  “Just a little.” He licks his lips, his eyes focused on my mouth.

  “Is this why you came here? To sleep with me?” I narrow my eyes at him.

  “No. I mean yes, but not entirely. Once I found out Amber was at my uncles, I wasn’t going to allow you to stay here alone.” His eyes return to mine, he looks vulnerable. Like he didn’t want to admit he cares.

  “Oh.” I run my fingers up over his muscled bicep and trace the outline of the bruises. “What happened last night?”

  “It’s safer for you not to know. Besides, my hard cock isn’t going to stay hard all morning. Want to put it to good use?” He wiggles his eyebrows and I feel his erection twitch against me.

  I giggle in response and lean towards his inviting, swollen lips and kiss him gently. I hear him growl into my mouth and it does stupid things to my insides. I’m going to get burned by this vicious man, it is inevitable.

  “Good choice, freshman,” he whispers against my lips as he pulls me closer into his chest and grinds against my wetness.

  A click of the door has us both stop mid kiss. I stare into his eyes, horrified of being caught. A lazy grin spreads over his devilish face and he plants a chaste kiss on the tip of my nose.

  “Holy fuck, get out of the bed,” I cringe.

  He pulls the blanket to cover his back and bare ass just as the door opens. I close my eyes and hide into his chest, embarrassment staining my face.

  “Oh my god. I’m so sorry. I’ll come back later.” Amber’s voice is laced with embarrassment.

  “No need to leave,” I feel Enzo’s voice vibrate through his chest.

  “Enzo?” Amber sounds confused.

  I sink further under the cover and want to hide under a rock for the rest of eternity.

  “The one and only,” Enzo chuckles and pulls me back up to face him.

  “Summer, are you okay over there?” Amber worries.

  “Yep,” I squeak and glare at Enzo in amusement.

  “Can you give us a minute to get dressed. I don’t think you want to see my sexy butt,” Enzo laughs and I slap his arm. “Ouch, that hurt.” He pretends to pout.

  “Good.” I raise my eyebrows at him.

  “I’ll be back in five minutes.” Amber rushes out the door.

  “I think I’m changing campuses.” I push at his chest to move him so I can get out of the bed. He takes this as an invitation to pull me on top of him.

  “I can be quick. We’ve got five minutes.” He grabs my hips and bucks his hips into me.

  “Stop. Jesus.” I push up off him.

  “I’ve never been called Jesus before either,” he laughs as he climbs out of my bed. “I only got blood on the towel this time.”

  “Quick give me the towel, I’ll throw it with the sheets.”

  He pulls me into him, his large hand against my lower back. “Amber knows what it’s like to have me as a cousin. You don’t need to hide the blood stains from her.”

  I stare up at him and wonder what kind of fucked up family he must be a part of. “Okay,” I say as he drags me into the bathroom after him.

  We are dressed and I’m seated on my bed when Amber strolls back in, my eyes dart to Enzo. He leans casually against my desk, with not a care in the world.

  “So, when did this start?” Amber indicates between us.

  “I’m so sorry Amber.” I cringe at the thought of hurting her.

  “No, don’t be sorry. I’m just surprised it took this long.” She winks at me.

  “What?” I stare at her in confusion.

  “We’ve all seen the stupid flirtation going on between the two of you. Even Nono knew.” She grins at Enzo who rolls his eyes at her.

  “Fuck off he did,” Enzo spits. And the devil is back.

  “You don’t care?” I ask Amber.

  “No. Do as you please. I’ll be here for you when he breaks you though.” Her glare at Enzo has him shift uncomfortably.

  “Fuck off, Amber,” he growls and storms out of the room, slamming the door after him.

  I watch the door for a moment and then turn my gaze back at Amber. “I really am sorry. I didn’t plan for this to happen. He came here last night because you weren’t here and he didn’t want me to be on my own.” I shrug.

  Her eyes land on the desk and she raises an eyebrow when she notices the bloodied sheets.

  “He has a gash above his ear,” I explain.

  “He will never be able to change, you know that don’t you?” Her eyes are glued to the bloody sheets.

  “So I keep being told,” I sigh.

  “I watched my mom go through hell with my dad and the family business. I don’t want that life for anyone.” Her face falls at the memories.

  “What the hell is the family business?” I ask in exasperation.

  “Organized crime.” She looks at me then, waiting for me to register.

  My eyes go wide at memories of conversations I’ve overheard. “Oh.”

  “I thought you needed to know before you got in too deep. It’s not a lifestyle, it’s a life sentence. One I’m trying my hardest to get away from.” Amber sits on her chair, watching me.

  “I won’t tell anyone.”

  “I think most people know, they’re just too scared to say so,” she laughs.

  I laugh in response to her statement and the truth of the whole situation sinks to the pit of my stomach.

  “Anyway, my uncle’s holding the annual real estate charity gala this weekend. Will you be my date?” She grins at me, her eyes expectant.

  The uncomfortable atmosphere disappears and I smile in return. “Yes, I would be honoured to be your date, Miss Amber.” I bow my head and we both giggle.

  “Excellent. We will need to get dresses and shoes. When can you skip classes?”

  “Today I suppose. I’m so not in the mood to sit in lectures all day.”

 
; “Get up and get ready. We have shopping to do.” She clicks her fingers at me.

  Chapter Twelve

  Summer

  I eye my black, floor length, strapless dress hanging up in the shower. What was I thinking when I let Amber talk me into buying it? I sit heavily onto the toilet lid and lean against the shower door, exhausted from classes, and hairdresser and make up appointments today. I haven’t heard from or seen Enzo since he stormed out of my dorm room the morning after. That was days ago. His sidekicks have been MIA and it makes me wonder if they’re all busy with family business. The thought makes my blood curdle. I don’t ask Amber about him, I don’t need her pity and I definitely don’t need her knowing how I feel about him.

  “Are you dressed?” I hear Amber call through the door.

  “No not yet. Just resting on the toilet.” I reply as she opens the door, dressed in her white ballgown. “Wow, you look stunning.”

  “Thanks. Now get up and get your butt into that dress. I have espresso martinis ready and waiting for us to drink.” She spins on the spot and waltzes out the door.

  I pull the dress on and look at myself in the mirror. The dress is tight and hugs all my curves, I pull at the bodice, take a deep breath and head into our bedroom.

  “Holy shit, Summer!”

  “What?” I ask startled. I look over the dress and feel around for something that must be out of place.

  “You look so beautiful.” She grins.

  “Oh. Thanks.” I take the martini glass from her. “To a fabulous night.” I hold my glass up in salute. Here’s to forgetting about him for the night.

  “To the best night we’ve ever had.” She clinks our drinks.

  “Mmmm, this tastes good.” I nod as I take another sip.

  “Drink up because the driver will be here in a few minutes. Got your phone and bag?” Amber asks before she drinks the rest of her drink.

  “Yes.” I hold my clutch up to her as I take a long swig of the drink.

  “Let’s go.” She raises her eyebrows in excitement and closes the door after us.

  City hall is lit up like a movie premiere, red carpet rolled out with a photographer taking snaps of all the arriving guests. Amber and I stop for our photo before we are ushered through the doors to get our stamp for entry. I can hear the music through the doors and catch glimpses of the waiters carrying trays of champagne flutes.

  “I need another drink.” Amber eyes one of the waiters.

  “I need food, I’m starving,” I complain.

  “Let’s go find out where we are seated.”

  I follow Amber as she meanders through the tables to the board with the seating arrangements. Tea light candles flicker on all the tables and white and green floral arrangements sit throughout the hall.

  “Table twenty-six.” She interrupts my daydreaming. “Follow me.”

  “Great. Right near the band,” I sigh.

  “And the dance floor and bar.” She smiles.

  I look at the place card next to my seat and don’t recognize the name. Just as I am about to sit Amber pulls on my arm.

  “Let’s order some drinks.”

  “I’m not drinking shots!” I scrunch up my face.

  “Just one.” She pouts.

  “One.” I look at her in my sternest face before I laugh.

  We down the shots and it warms my stomach. I search for a familiar face in the crowd but do not see anyone I recognize, until my eyes land on him. I could pick him out of a crowd of a thousand. On his arm is a stunning young woman in a floor length red ballgown, her dark chocolate locks cascade down her bare back. My heart shatters, I want to run and escape this suddenly claustrophobic space. I feel like a complete moron. Amber follows my narrowed gaze and she touches my arm.

  “She’s nobody it’s just the way we do things. He needs to keep up appearances. Summer.” She pulls on my arm.

  I tear my gaze away from him and look at her. “Get me a long island ice tea please. I’m going to go sit.”

  Amber delivers my drink and I thank her before drinking it in one go. My nerves build in my chest as I scan the room for him, he has disappeared and I don’t even want to think about what he is up to. The guests gather at their tables after chit chatting and exchanging pleasantries, the MC tries to be funny and is everything but. I fidget as I sit and listen to various people talk about the great work Modica Real Estate is doing for local and international charities. A spokesperson from the Mercy Ships organisation accepts the large cheque from the CEO before the MC declares it’s time to eat. After stuffing my face with dinner and desert, I leave Amber at our table to talk to her cousin she hasn’t seen in years. I wander outside onto the terrace, the air is cool and I wish I had brought a jacket or cardigan or whatever the hell you’re supposed to wear to these functions. I stare at the lights, and revel in the quiet, happy to leave the noise of the band behind the glass doors.

  “You shouldn’t be out here.” A deep voice brushes my ears.

  His voice and the damned things it does to my insides. I turn to see him standing there in a black tux and my heart stops, he is the epitome of male perfection. I swallow my anxiety and take a mental note not to stare. “Very funny.”

  “Funnier than that MC.” He chuckles darkly and I watch him prowl towards me. “I didn’t know you were attending the charity ball tonight.”

  “No, you didn’t.” I turn my gaze back to the view.

  “You look ravishing. I want to devour you right here, against the railing.” He steps closer to me, trailing his thumbnail up the curve of my spine.

  His touch sends tingles to my core and I almost forget I’m mad at him. “Don’t you have a date to entertain?” I accuse him.

  “She’s no one, Summer. I’m keeping up my end of the bargain,” he breathes.

  I snort. “I’m not an idiot.”

  “Believe me,” he pleads, he’s flush against my side now, his warm breath tickling my neck.

  His proximity is distracting and I lean against him, savouring his touch. “Where have you been all week?” I come to my senses and pull away from him.

  He pauses before he speaks. “I had to leave for a family emergency.”

  I swallow the nerves in my throat. “You could have text.” I look up into his eyes and see the inkling of regret behind the darkness. Regret for fucking me, most probably.

  “I don’t have your number.” He grabs my hands in his and pulls me hard against his chest and I let him hold me tight against him. “I’m sorry.” His eyes fall to my mouth.

  “Are you?” I glare at him.

  “More than you know, Summer.” His voice rumbles in his chest. “Let me make it up to you tonight.” He places a chaste kiss on my lips before trailing his mouth down my neck. “I want to peel you out of this dress.” He bites my shoulder and I yelp.

  “That better not leave a mark.” I try to push him away from me but his grip tightens to the point of pain.

  “I want it to leave a mark. I want to brand you so that no other fucker looks at you tonight.” His eyes grow dark and the cruel devil comes back to play.

  My heart jumps at his words and I stare into his intense eyes. “You don’t get to say that. You’ll only have me behind closed doors and I’m not okay with that.” I struggle to free myself from his grip.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” His eyes are on me.

  “You’re here with her, not me.” He lets go of me then and I step back to distance myself.

  “I’m going to need a penny.” He runs his hand through his hair.

  “The floor is yours.” I sweep my arm across the distance between us.

  “You’re going to have to say it.” He steps towards the balcony edge and leans his elbows on the railing.

  “Penny for your thoughts.” I say sarcastically. I’m itching to know what bullshit is going to come out of his mouth.

  He chews on the inside of his bottom lip. “Here goes nothing. My father is making me enter the dance for charity auction tonig
ht. Here’s the bad part, the girl I’m here with is the daughter of a very prominent family in New York. Tonight is supposed to be our introduction to each other, she is to bid on me for the night. Our families are hoping something comes of it. If not, my family will not have an alliance with the New York outfit.”

  “Wow, sounds terrible. You poor thing.” I roll my eyes.

  “It’s not just the dance she is bidding on.”

  “Are you serious? It sounds like a bad soap opera. What does she think about all this? Doesn’t she get a say?” I look at him, disgusted and glaringly jealous.

  “She does as daddy says,” he spits.

  “Can’t you tell your father no?” I look at him in confusion.

  “My dad is the head of the family, if you get my drift.” He watches me, waiting for my reaction. His words sink in and I now understand his need to serve his family.

  “You’re letting yourself be pimped out?” I stare at him.

  “When you put it that way, it sounds worse than it is,” he snorts.

  I look out over the city lights, unable to form words.

  “It’s not fair,” he sighs. “My life is controlled by my father. I have no way out, unless I get killed.”

  My heart sinks for him, I reach out and place my hand on his arm.

  He chews his bottom lip again and stares at the lights in the distance for a while before he speaks. “I’ve been dreading this night since I found out. I almost didn’t turn up. My father sent a limo to pick me up to ensure I was here on time.”

  “I won’t even try to understand it all.” I shake my head. “So, what are you going to do?”

  “Not much I can do.” He shrugs.

  “You could always lock yourself in the toilets.” I smile.

  “They will find me,” he says darkly.

  Our conversation stops dead, neither of us needing to say anymore. The moment of silence is not uncomfortable but I am glad when it is interrupted by the music spilling out through the now open door.

  “There you are.” A female voice chimes.

  We both turn our heads at the same time to see a stunning young woman in a floor length, red ballgown approach. Her olive skin glows in the dim light and I notice her cheekbones, of all things. She is beautiful and it dawns on me that this must be the highest bidder.