Hailey
The moment the doorknob twisted, a paralyzing fear gripped me. I’d never known such terror-exposed, vulnerable, and drowning in a thousand racing thoughts. But then, Damien covered me with his jacket, his voice a soft whisper, “It’s okay.” The weight of his words broke through the storm in my chest, and somehow, all those terrifying emotions began to fade.
For a fleeting moment, I felt safe again.
But even as the door creaked open, I pressed my face deeper into Damien’s chest, clutching the suit jacket around me like a lifeline. Whoever had entered-whoever it was-I couldn’t let them see me. Not like this. Not exposed.
If it was someone from the college, someone who worked here, I knew Damien could bury the story, but the thought of their eyes lingering on me, judging, whispering behind my back-it was too much. I couldn’t bear the thought of becoming the subject of their gossip, of being branded with a label that would make it impossible to exist here anymore.
“Oh…” A familiar voice called from the doorway, a teasing lilt to it. “Looks like I interrupted something.”
I didn’t need to turn to know who it was. Carter. Damien’s friend I’d met at the club-the one who shot daggers at him every time they met. The one Damien barely tolerated.
“You were supposed to be in the waiting room, Carter,” Damien’s voice came out clipped, every word laced with restraint. His muscles tensed, and I could feel the rage radiating off him. He was holding back.
“Yeah, well, I got bored.” Carter’s tone was almost lazy, and I heard the flick of a lighter before the sharp scent of cigarette smoke filled the air. He was smoking.
But why here?
“And if I hadn’t come in, I would’ve missed this.” His voice dropped, mocking. “Tell me, Damien, I’ve heard all about your… habits of taking a thousand pussies a month but I didn’t know you had a toy at the college too.” He chuckled, his words dripping with smugness. “Are the other trustees in on this? Or do they have the same… interests?”
“None of your business,” Damien growled, his voice dark with warning. His tone was as cold as ice, but I could feel his anger simmering beneath the surface, the desire to lash out at Carter-he seemed a second away from beating the life out of Carter. “Last time I checked, you’re not involved in this college, are you?”
“Yeah, right.” Carter’s voice was too calm, too amused. “But I’m still curious. I’ve seen most of your fuck toys already, but who’s this one? How many months do you plan to keep her?” His footsteps echoed as he moved closer.
I sucked in a sharp breath, pressing myself tighter into Damien, as if I could disappear into him. Damien’s hand slid around my waist, pulling me closer, and I buried my face in his neck, my heart hammering with fear.
“Carter.” Damien’s voice was low, menacing. “Don’t cross that line. The only reason I’m putting up with your shit is because of a deal my father made with yours. But if you push me, I will make sure you leave here with broken bones and missing teeth. You’d regret it.”
Carter’s laugh was unbothered, completely dismissive. “Fine, fine,” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “But this is new, isn’t it? You actually care about someone. You’re being protective? How special is this one, Damien? How long are you going to keep her around?”
Damien tensed further, and I knew he was on the edge of exploding. I could feel the tension crackling between them. This time, I held him tighter, pressing my hand to his chest, my voice barely a whisper. “Don’t. Please.”
Damien let out a tight breath, his jaw working as he clenched it.
“Don’t push it, Carter,” his voice was hard, cutting through the silence.
Carter, unfazed, leaned against the doorframe. “What? We’re friends, Damien,” he said with a smirk. “Can’t we share a little personal stuff?”
“No,” Damien bit out, his voice low and dangerous. “We’re not friends. That’s your assumption. Now get the fuck out of my office. Or I’ll call our deal off, and trust me, it’ll be a loss on my part-but a bigger one for you. So unless you want me to make this worse for you, I suggest you leave.”
Carter chuckled, tossing the cigarette to the ground. The ember flared for a moment before he snuffed it out with his heel. “Yeah, sure, seeing your toy’s face is definitely not worth more than money.” He gave a lazy wave before stepping back. “I’m waiting. Be out in ten, or I’ll make sure everyone knows about your little side hobby with the students.”
As the door slammed shut behind him, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Relief flooded my body, but the knot in my stomach lingered.
Damien pulled away just enough to look at me, his hand gently cupping my face as his thumb stroked my cheek. His voice softened, a tender edge to it. “Get dressed, okay?”
I nodded, unable to fully process the warmth he was sending through me. He handed me my shirt and bra from the floor, his eyes never leaving mine as I slid into the bra. When I put on my shirt, he helped me adjust it, the simple act sending a warm shiver through me. He buttoned it up with careful precision, then kissed the corner of my mouth.
But then, his lips lingered. The kiss deepened, and for a moment, I forgot about everything else-the tension, the fear-lost in him.
“I guess gym class is over for now?” His grin was mischievous, but his eyes held something softer. I blushed, recalling the events that had caused me to miss the class. I nodded in response.
“Attend the next one. I’ll drive you home today,” he whispered, his voice quiet and reassuring.
“Okay.” I bit the inside of my cheek, a playful tension simmering beneath the surface. I leaned in, placing a soft peck on his lips, then hopped off the desk. As I headed for the door, his laughter, deep and rich, filled the space between us, leaving a warmth that lingered in my chest.
But as I walked toward my next class, the warmth of Damien’s chuckle was replaced by an eerie feeling-a sensation of eyes following every step I took. I didn’t dare glance around, too afraid that the eyes I sensed weren’t just an illusion. Instead, I focused on putting one foot in front of the other, hoping the prickle on the back of my neck would fade.