JUNIPER'S POV:
"Get out!" His voice rings cold in my mind, echoing the frigid demeanor he had this morning.
I stay still for a moment, letting the command sink in, but all I feel is the burning ache from where his hand grips me. This man is twisted-complicated in every sense of the word.
I can't figure out what he wants, but damn, he's hot. The pain from his hold seems to morph into something else-pleasure. And all I can think about is closing the space between us and pressing my lips against his. I lean in, but before I can act on the impulse, he grabs my other hand, pinning it against the table. The raw strength behind his touch sends a shiver down my spine. His grip tightens.
"You don't want to do that," he says, but all I hear in his voice is a low, seductive growl that sends heat curling through me.
His eyes meet mine.
"You'll never want to because there will be no going back."
"And what if I want it?" I challenge, my voice barely above a whisper as my lips tremble with the need to touch him.
"You don't," he snaps, clenching his teeth as his grip loosens, and he steps away.
I watch as he backs onto a shelf, rattling it with his weight as his breathing heightens. I hop down from the table and follow him. He towers over me, and for a moment, I take in the fact he could crush me in one go. But that only makes me crave him more.
Images flash through my mind, and I am clouded with thoughts of running my hands over him.
"Hiram…" I whisper, my lips so close to his ear.
I press my body against his, my hands sliding up his chest. His muscles tense under my touch, and I feel the raw energy radiating from him.
Before I can say another word, his hands are on me. He grabs my hips, lifting me with ease and pressing me against the wall. My breath hitches, caught between shock and desire. I expect him to kiss me, and finally break the tension, but he pulls me closer, his breath hot against my neck.
"If I fuck you, I'll let you go, just like that. And you'll hate yourself for wanting me, for wanting this. The man you met this morning, that's who you'll wake up to. No warmth, no tenderness. I'll ruin you, and there won't be any going back." His bitter words cut through the haze of desire.
My heart skips, and fear slowly creeps in.
Then he leans in closer, his lips brushing my ear. "And don't forget, I'm your professor. You'll sit in my class, pretending nothing happened, but you'll know. Every time I call your name, you'll remember this moment. And when you see me walking the halls, you'll know I'm the man you gave yourself to-and the man who walked away. Is that what you want?" I keep mute as he lets me go, pulling away from me with my back against the wall.
"Leave, June, and I am not going to ask again!"
My eyes flicker with fear, and I make my way out of the room, finding my way through the large halls to the exit, where I rush to my car. I get into it, and I drive off at once, trying to keep my mind on the road, but the thoughts of him cloud it, and this time it isn't pleasurable. Rather, I am ashamed, and I feel disgusted by myself.
This is unlike me, and I am not some kind of horny woman who just wants to be fucked by any man. Ugh! How am I going to survive an entire semester with him? Lola already has her clutches on him, and he will not hesitate. Why does everyone think I am some good girl that needs to be preserved?!
What if I do want this man?
I come to a halt in front of my apartment, my thoughts still swirling chaotically around my last question. The images of Hiram holding me run through my mind. I try to indulge in those thoughts, but the sight of Susan standing in front of the door downstairs with huge luggage sends me back to reality.
A man dressed in uniform helps her with it, drawing my attention to the moving truck behind me.
My heart races as I grip the handle of my door, pulling it open. I stride toward her with my brows furrowed as I try to keep my emotions in check.
"Susan, what are you doing?" I ask, grabbing her shoulder as she makes to leave. She turns to face me and scoffs, dusting my hands off her shoulder.
"What does it look like I'm doing? You're not smart enough to know when someone is moving?"
I am supposed to be the one upset seeing her with my ex.
"You wronged me, and you're angry? Make it make sense, Susan."
"I don't care what you think, and I don't feel comfortable living with you anymore, so..."
"That's supposed to be me! You fucked my boyfriend behind my back for God knows how long, and now you're leaving?" As my voice trembles, I try to hold back the pain rising in my chest. "You're doing this on purpose because you know I can't afford to live alone, and you know how bad my..."
"But you can afford a club! Please save me that bullshit, June. I knew you weren't a good girl like you claimed, making me look like the devil. Get some money from the man who fucked you last…" Before she can finish, my hand swings into action, landing hard on her cheek.
The satisfaction of seeing her shocked expression isn't enough. I don't wait for her to speak. I dash into the building, racing up the stairs and bursting into our apartment.
The sight that greets me sends a jolt of anger through my veins-she has ransacked the entire place. The TV is gone, and the only thing left in the living room is my grandma's old couch.
My heart sinks as I rush to her room, grabbing the bag of clothes that's still left. I open the window and spot her talking with the man by the moving truck.
"You want to leave badly? Then here! Here you go!" I scream, throwing the entire bag from the window. I watch it crash down the street, her clothes scattering everywhere, and a small part of me feels victorious. I don't have the strength to fight her in person, so I bolt the front door, leaning against it as she pounds on the wood.
"June, I swear I'm going to kill you if you don't open this door! Face me, June!" she yells, but I remain silent, tears stinging my eyes, mixing with the anger that is boiling inside me. After a while, the pounding stops, replaced by a familiar voice. Cillian.
My heart thumps wildly as I expect him to come to the apartment, but his voice soon fades with hers.
My phone rings shortly, and when I check the screen, his name is boldly displayed on it.
"I have the power to make or break you, Juniper. I'm giving you twenty-four hours to come back to me. To make it fair, you fucked around, and I did, so you don't have to beg. Look around your room; you'll see a box."
I rush to my room when he says this, and there it is-a box sitting on my bed. My heart races as I don't know what will be in it. I open it at once to see a matching set of black lingerie.
"I was going to give it to you on our first night together, so put it on and come over to my place. You're mine, Juniper, and I will give you everything you want. The money. I'll even change your car."
At this point, I don't know why I am still listening.
"I'll make your little pink pussy beg for me, and when I'm done, you will forget about that silly stranger at the bar. Don't pretend you don't…" Before he can finish, I end the call and slump onto my bed.
Suddenly, a loud knock jolts me upright.
"It's Ben, and I need to speak to you," the caretaker's voice shoots through the hallway.
I dash to the front door and swing it open, staring at his crumpled, thick black brows.
"I'm here to remind you that your rent has been due for the past five months. I saw your roommate leaving, and she asked me to meet you to pay up," he says.
I stand in shock, processing his words. Susan hasn't paid her share of the rent for five months?