King of Corium: Dark Enemies to Lovers Bully Romance (Corium University Book 1)

by J. L. Beck

  As soon as I enter the large doors leading into the library, I relax a little. Pulling off the hood, I walk around and glance between every aisle until I find Brittney. I finally spot her in the fiction section with her nose deep inside a book.

  “Checking out the romance books again?”

  My voice drags her out of whatever universe she was visiting, and her eyes snap up to me.

  “Oh, hi!” She closes the book in front of her abruptly and quickly shoves it on the shelves. “Just doing a routine quality check. It’s part of my job,” she says innocently.

  “Sure, it is.” I laugh, feeling a little lighter already. Brittney has become a friend, my only friend, making the library the only place I’m actually welcome. My smile fades at the thought of how lonely I really am. Even though I have Brittney, I only see her at the place she works. She probably wouldn’t even be my friend if she didn’t work here.

  “What’s the matter? You look a little pale.” Brittney walks over, concern etched into her face. She pats my shoulder as if she actually cares.

  “Oh, it’s nothing. I just haven’t eaten anything today.” Or yesterday, I add in my mind.

  “Well, you are in luck then. Because I brought lunch, and there is plenty for both of us.”

  “Are you sure? I don’t want to—”

  “I told you, there is plenty for both of us,” she interrupts. “Now, let’s go and get you fed before you fall over. You’re already skinny as hell.”

  Taking my arm, she basically drags me across the library and into her office. “You just sit.” She pushes me into the chair and disappears into another room that’s attached. I hear the bing of the microwave, and then the wonderful scent of savory aroma fills the air. I have to muffle a moan. My stomach is growling so loud, I’m surprised Brittney can’t hear it from the other room.

  A moment later, she reappears, carrying two full plates in her hands. “Here you go, dear.” She places a plate in front of me and hands me a fork. I try not to eat like a savage, but it’s hard not to shovel food into my mouth like I haven’t eaten in days.

  To make it less awkward, I try to make some small talk between large bites.

  “Have you worked here for a long time?”

  “This is only my second year, but this year is much more fun since I actually have a student coming to the library.” She giggles.

  “How old are you?” I ask while shoving pieces of marinated chicken into my mouth.

  “How old do you think I am?” She retorts, spearing a piece of romaine lettuce on her fork. I tilt my head to the side and examine her face. Other than some fine lines around her eyes, nothing else shows her age.

  “If I had to guess, I’d say late twenties?”

  “Your guess is correct.” She beams, and her smile is contagious enough that it makes me smile too. I’ve only known Brittney a short while, but she gives me a different vibe than any of the other staff I’ve come across here. Each person has been hateful and dismissive, including the damn headmaster. I can’t help but wonder how she ended up working here, and while I know it’s a bit rude to ask, I can’t help myself.

  “Sorry if this question comes off as stepping over the line between student and teacher, but how did you end up getting a job here? You don’t seem like a criminal. I mean, maybe you are, but you’re good at hiding it.”

  Brittney lets out a low laugh, and her cheeks flush red. I can’t tell if I’ve embarrassed her or if I’ve done something wrong.

  “Well, it’s kind of a long story… and a little personal.” Her cheeks are bright red now, and she’s looking at me like she isn’t sure if she should tell me.

  “I totally understand if you don’t want to tell me. I was just curious.”

  Brittney shakes her head. “No, no. It’s okay, it’s just…” Her eyes skirt away for a moment before coming back to meet mine, and then she lets out a breath. “I went through a bit of a wild phase in my college days. I was dating a computer geek at the time, and he showed me everything he knew about hacking and getting into stuff I had no business getting into.”

  My mouth pops open, and I won’t lie. I’m kind of shocked by her response.

  “He taught you how to hack into people’s computers?” I want to tell her how cool that is, but I don’t since I get the feeling this story isn’t going in a good direction.

  She nods. “Phoenix taught me everything.”

  “His name was Phoenix?

  “Yes, I always loved his name too. His username was Firebird.” She giggles, and a spark I’ve never seen before flashes over her eyes but vanishes faster than it appeared.

  “He seemed like such a normal guy. Everything started innocently, like a game, but then the game turned serious. I got really good at it, and the worst part was I enjoyed it.” I can hear the shame in her voice and become even more engrossed as she continues her story. “Being college students, we had little money, so I started hacking. At first, it was for small amounts and nothing heinous, just here and there, but like anything, it spiraled out of control. Before I realized what I was doing, he had me hacking into the CIA database.”

  “Wow, that’s… well, that’s crazy.”

  “I know, and I almost went to prison for it, but I was able to cut a deal with Julian Moretti. He came to me and basically said if I do my hacking for him exclusively, he would help keep me out of prison. Of course, I did it. Prison wouldn’t have looked good on me.” She laughs. “He set me up with this job, and whenever he needs something hacked, I’m his girl.”

  “I had no idea. In fact, I doubt anyone would have ever suspected you to be a hacker.”

  “It’s the quiet ones you gotta watch out for.” She winks, and we both break out into laughter. Just talking to another human has made me feel so much better, and by the time we’re finished eating, I feel completely content.

  “So, what happened to Phoenix and you?”

  “Well… as it turns out, he was more than the sweet computer geek I thought he was. The deal with Moretti included making sure Phoenix ended up in prison, but he escaped when they were transferring him, which is one of the reasons I’m here.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yes, oh is right. Phoenix is looking for me, but I doubt he’ll find me here.” Brittney shrugs. “It’s not a bad deal, though. This place is still way better than prison, and I’ve made a pretty awesome friend here.”

  “I’ve made a pretty awesome friend too.” I smile. This place would almost be bearable if it wasn’t for Quinton.

  “Now, what’s your story?” she asks, her question catching me off guard. Am I ready to tell her about my father? I’m sure she already knows, so what am I really hiding?

  “I don’t really have one. My father was an arms dealer; he’s in prison now, which I’m sure you’ve heard.” I try not to sound as disgusted as I feel while speaking about the revolving door of hate sent my way every day because of him. I wasn’t the one who turned my back on the Rossi family. I didn’t stab the knife into their backs, yet I’m paying the same consequence as my father…maybe worse.

  “There are rumors spoken between staff, but I’m not a believer of that nonsense. I judge a person based upon what I know about them and how they treat me. I don’t care what someone else thinks about you. As long as you’re good to me, then I’m okay with you.”

  That explains why she didn’t turn her back on me that night in the hall. She had heard the rumors and knew what people said, yet she formed her own opinion of me by spending time with me. It was something I wished more of the staff here would do. I wasn’t a bad person, and I wasn’t the rat either.

  “Thank you for not judging me and assuming I was a shitty person right off the bat. Every day since I arrived here has been hell, and the only reprieve I have is this place.”

  “You’re welcome in the library whenever. I’m always here, doing something. I hardly sleep at night anymore.”

  Night… oh, god. I look out the window and realize it’s now dark. How did
the time pass by so fast?

  “Shit, I need to get back to my room. I have to shower, do some studying, and then get to bed.” I scramble from my chair but pause before taking another step. “Thank you for dinner and for hanging out with me and sharing a little about yourself.”

  “Please, it’s not a big deal. I enjoy spending time with you. It’s nice to have students use the library, even if there aren’t as many as I’d prefer.”

  I smile and say, “I’ll be back tomorrow.”

  “Already looking forward to it.”

  I give her a tiny wave before I turn and start walking toward the exit leading back into the underground part of the school.

  The large hallway is empty, which I’m normally thankful for, but today there is something in the air that doesn’t sit well with me. A shiver skates down my spine, almost as if the universe is trying to warn me about something.

  I should have fucking listened.

  I take the elevator down to the lower level, my irrational fear never leaving me. The door slides open with a ping, and I half expect someone to jump into the small space. When nothing happens, I step out and look both ways down the hall.

  Empty. Heading toward my room, I run my palms over the front of my shirt nervously. My heart races, but I don’t know why. Maybe I should go back to the library? No, that’s ridiculous. I’m fine. Instead of letting my fear win, I push on like the foolish girl I am. Shaking the sixth sense away, I ignore all the signs… until it’s too late.

  “Look who we have here,” Matteo’s voice booms from behind me. I spin around, ready to start running, but two guys grab me. “Aspen Mather… I’ve been waiting a long time to get my hands on you.”

  Trying to pull free only makes them tighten their hold on me, and when I turn my head to glare at them, I realize I know both. One is Marcel from history class, and the other is Nash, one of Quinton’s friends.

  “What do you want?” I grit through clenched teeth. Marcel is on one side, and Nash is on my other. Their meaty fingers are digging into my arms painfully, but I force myself not to react.

  “You owe me a blow job, you know?”

  “I don’t owe you anything.”

  “But you do. If it wasn’t for you, I would have gotten my dick wet that night at the Belmonte fundraiser. Or have you forgotten about that?”

  I couldn’t forget it if I wanted to.

  “Stop!” As soon as I step out of the lady’s room, I hear a high-pitched voice coming from somewhere down the hall. It’s only one word, but I can tell whoever said it is scared. I spin around to find its origin, but the hall is empty.

  For a moment, I just stand there, listening, wondering if my mind is playing tricks on me. I’m just about ready to head back to the ballroom when I hear the same voice again.

  “I said no!”

  This time, I’m able to pinpoint where the voice is coming from better, and I set off in the direction of it. Right behind a large column, I find a small corridor. My blood boils when I see a large figure pressing a much smaller one against the wall. His back is so broad, I can’t really see the girl he is cornering until I step closer.

  “Hey! Let her go,” I demand, anger making me braver than I probably should be.

  The large figure spins around to face me, his dark eyes wild with rage. “We’re just talking. Get lost.”

  “Let her go,” I repeat. When the words don’t seem to register in his small mind, I continue, “I’ll go and call security if you don’t.”

  “Fucking snitch,” the guy growls and stomps past me.

  I rush toward the girl leaning against the wall. Her head is bowed, her chest heaving, and she wraps her arms around her torso like she is trying to hold herself together.

  “Hey, are you okay?” I ask, gently rubbing her upper arm. She looks up, her eyes brimming with fear.

  “Thank you,” she whispers, and only then do I realize who she is.

  “Adela?” I’ve only met her once before, but I remember her to be Xander Rossi’s oldest daughter. “We need to tell your dad. He’ll make sure that guy never touches anyone again.”

  “No, no, no. Please, don’t tell anyone. Matteo won’t do that again.”

  “You know that guy?”

  “Yeah, he is a family friend.”

  “Friend?” That didn’t look the least bit friendly.

  “Well, his father is friends with my father, but that doesn’t matter. Please, don’t tell anyone. My dad would never let me go out again if he found out.”

  “But you didn’t do anything.”

  “Please, Aspen. You don’t understand. Please… here, take this.” She shoves something into my hand. I look down at my fingers and find a thin rose gold bracelet with a sparkly charm wrapped around my fingers.

  “I can’t take this.” I look back up just as Adela slips past me. “Keep it. It’s a thank you and a good luck charm.”

  I’ve kept that bracelet on me for a long time, and even now, I keep it close to me. Maybe not close enough. Because luck has abandoned me completely as I find myself in the clutches of these assholes.

  “You’re nothing but a dirty pig. Do you have to force all the girls because you can’t find someone who actually wants you?”

  “I could, but that wouldn’t be as much fun.” Matteo chuckles before ordering, “On your knees.”

  “No…” One of the guys kicks my legs out while the other pushes me down to my knees. Pain radiates up my thighs when I make contact with the unforgiving concrete floor.

  “Now, let’s see how many times I can shove my dick down your throat before you pass out.”

  I’m just about to start screaming when the shadow of a figure comes up behind Matteo.

  “What the fuck are you doing?” Quinton’s voice meets my ears moments before my eyes can focus on his face. He takes in the whole situation, his gaze ping-ponging between Matteo, me, and the other two guys. For a split second, I feel relief. I actually believe he will help me, that he will stop them and let me go.

  “We’re finally putting her mouth to good use. Wanna join?” Matteo offers.

  The space falls into a deafening silence. Yet again, I think Quinton will stop this and protect me from them like I protected his sister that night at the fundraiser.

  Quinton’s eyes bleed into mine, a million unsaid words lingering in the air between us.

  “What do you want to do, Q?” Matteo presses.

  Without ever breaking eye contact, Quinton says, “Only if I get her first.”

  13

  QUINTON

  She is on her knees, looking up at me in disbelief before fear takes over. Nash and Marcel are kneeling next to her, holding an arm each, immobilizing her completely. Both watch with excitement as I undo my pants.

  Matteo moves around Aspen and stops right behind her. He appears less excited and more annoyed. Too bad for him that I don’t give a fuck about how he feels. All that matters right now is Aspen on her knees in front of me.

  My cock is so painfully hard, I have to swallow a groan when I take it out. Through her lashes, she gives me one more pleading look, begging me not to do this without words, but it’s too late. I’m too far gone to stop now.

  “Open your mouth, and don’t even think about biting me. If I feel even the slightest graze of your teeth on my dick, I will fuck your ass instead, and guess what? I didn’t bring any lube, so I can guarantee it would be an unpleasant experience… for you, at least. Got it?”

  “Why not do that anyway?” Matteo chuckles, leaning down to grab her ass.

  “Don’t fucking touch me,” she spits at Matteo, trying to break free of his hold. He simply laughs at her feeble attempts and slaps her ass, the sound bouncing off the walls.

  Grinding my molars together, I rein in the anger I don’t understand. So what, he wants to fuck her? I should let him. I should let them all fuck her. I should, but I won’t.

  “I said, hold her still, not grope her so she’ll fight more,” I grit out.

&n
bsp; Matteo nods, although he is clearly unhappy about my order.

  Fisting my cock with one hand, I grab Aspen’s chin with my other to tilt her head up to me. “Be a good girl and open your mouth.”

  Her eyes are still defiant, but she knows this is a battle she can’t win, and cooperation is going to save her pain. Her mouth opens slowly, her bottom lip trembling as her gaze turns hazy.

  The same calm I felt before washes over me once more. I’m in control. Everything happens because I say so. This is my game, my rules.

  Precum leaks out from the tip of my cock as I bring it closer to her mouth.

  I hiss in pleasure when the mushroom head makes contact with her soft tongue. The guys hold Aspen completely immobile while I push deeper into her hot mouth. She closes her plump lips around my girth, and I almost come undone.

  Never breaking eye contact, I start fucking her mouth with shallow thrusts, noticing how she tries to close her throat so I don’t go too deep. I let her have her way for a few minutes before it’s time for my way.

  “Open your throat,” I demand, watching as panic flickers over her features. She didn’t actually think I was just going to fuck her mouth with slow, lazy strokes, did she?

  Using both of my hands, I cradle her head between them and hold her in place. “Open your mouth and relax your throat.”

  She does as I instruct. A whimper passes her lips, and she lets her mouth fall open. For the first time since we started, she closes her eyes. A part of me wants her to look at me, to keep that connection, but the other part is glad that I don’t have to see that desperate plea in the depths of her baby blues.

  Plunging my cock deep inside of her mouth, I watch as she gags when the tip presses into her throat. I hold it there for a moment, watching as she struggles to take me before I pull back out to let her breathe.

  I only give her a few seconds, and then I repeat the action, forcing my cock so deep that my balls are pressed against her chin. Still holding her face in my hands, I use my thumbs to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes as I start to fuck her face in earnest.