Do these two have a past?
Elise’s pov
"Alright," Damien says, attempting a smile that looks strained, like he is not fully convinced I am fine with this arrangement. "I will head upstairs. Stay here. Give me twenty minutes, and then we will talk."
"Okay."
He nods once before turning away. The floorboards groan under his weight as he climbs the stairs.
My eyes trail after him, tracing the wide line of his shoulders, the hard muscle shifting beneath his shirt. He is enormous, built, sweaty, still glowing from whatever workout he just crushed.
Heat coils low in my stomach.
I remember how it felt when his body pressed into mine. The size of him, the strength behind every move. For a wild second, I imagine what it would be like to give myself over completely to that kind of power.
My breath hitches. My eyes widen as if I can snap myself back. Stop it, Elise. Get your head out of the gutter. You are not here for that.
I snatch the bowl of chips from the table and sink into the couch. The crunch is a welcome distraction. Before long, the room begins to fill. Music rattles the walls, and clusters of tipsy girls in tight dresses drift in, laughing too loudly. I munch chip after chip, half paying attention, until my heart nearly jumps out of my chest.
The door opens.
Julian Hennington walks in.
He is tall, athletic, the kind of handsome that makes people stare. Jet-black hair, pale blue eyes, but when his gaze lands on me, I feel nothing but dread. There is no kindness in his stare, no warmth.
No. Not him. Please not him.
A shiver works its way down my spine as his mouth curls into a slow smile. He tosses his leather jacket onto a hook, never breaking eye contact.
I cannot move. Running is pointless. A football player like him would catch me before I reached the door. My throat tightens with every step he takes closer.
One.
Two.
Three.
Suddenly, he is right across the coffee table. Nausea swirls in my gut. I despise him. Every inch of me recoils, but fear pins me in place.
"So it is true?" His voice drips with amusement as he looks me over, top to bottom. He tilts his head, playing the part of the villain he is. "Elise Hawthorne has a thing for football players? Who would have guessed?"
It takes every scrap of courage to force out a sound. My voice is thin, shaky. "W-what do you want, Julian?"
He grins, smug. "What do you think? I want you."
He chuckles, shaking his head like we are sharing some private joke only he understands. "I cannot get you out of my mind, Elise. The way you screamed, the way you shook in my arms that night, unforgettable. Not many girls are as weak as you were. You are rare."
My stomach turns. I sink deeper into the couch cushions, heart slamming against my ribs like a trapped animal.
He steps closer, towering over me. His pale eyes glitter with something dark. "You cannot run from me anymore. It began with me, and it will finish with me. You belong to me."
Before I can move, his hand clamps around my arm. He yanks me to my feet, and then his mouth crashes against mine, hard and unwanted.
Whistles erupt.
Applause fills the room.
I jolt in shock.
Are they… cheering?
My chest burns with fury and disgust. These people, do they not see what is happening? Or do they just not care because it is Julian?
Apparently, being the star of the football team makes you untouchable. No matter how twisted you are, they will clap. They will encourage you. Even if you force yourself on a girl who wants nothing to do with you.
I choke on panic.
How do I get out of this?
Damien POV
I realize now that I have barely understood Elise Hawthorne at all.
I assumed she was shy, inexperienced, and probably not the type of girl who drew attention from guys. She always wears cardigans and seems almost nervous speaking to anyone. Smart, thoughtful, kind, all excellent qualities, but in college, most guys seem focused only on one thing.
And that is exactly the problem. Elise is the kind of girl everyone should want as a serious partner. That is why other guys seem to overlook her. From the moment you meet her, you can see there is more to her than appearances.
I thought I could have this one easily, that no one would compete for her attention. I was wrong.
Across the room, Julian Hennington is practically devouring her with a kiss, his body pressed close to hers. The people nearby are cheering them on.
My chest tightens. Jealousy spikes through me, hot and sharp. I had no idea Julian had even looked at Elise this way. I have never liked him, he is reckless, arrogant, and treats women like objects. Robin may flirt, but at least he has some sense of decency. Julian is something else entirely.
I shiver as I remember what I know of his past, the way he humiliated and degraded the last girl he was with. He is dangerously obsessed, someone who cannot respect boundaries.
Anger coils in my chest.
"What the hell?!" Julian yells suddenly, clutching his lip and staggering back from Elise. "Why did you bite me, you little, look at me! I am bleeding!"
Did he just force himself on her? My fists clench, jaw tightening with fury. I have never liked Julian, but now I despise him.
Elise lifts her chin, her face pale and trembling as she looks up at him. Fear and frustration radiate from her, and I realize I should have noticed it sooner.
"Because," she shouts, her voice cracking. "I did not want you to kiss me! I just wanted you to leave me alone, you freak!"
"Leave you alone?" Julian scoffs, stepping closer. "But you are mine."
"I am not yours, you lunatic!" Elise screams, tears streaking her cheeks, shoulders shaking with anger and fright.
"How dare you call me that, you little…"
He raises his hand, and I do not hesitate.
Before he can strike her, my fist connects with his cheek, and he goes down in an instant. The room falls silent. People stare, mouths open. I kick him lightly, just to make my point, and then glance around.
"If anyone asks," I say firmly, "Julian fell down the stairs. He got what he deserved. He touched my girl, and that is all I am going to say."
People exchange looks but seem to accept it, and the noise slowly resumes.
Then I notice Julian laughing. My blood runs cold.
"So Elise is with you now, huh?" he sneers, despite the swelling on his jaw.
My eyes snap to Elise. She is trembling, ghost-white, and I feel a surge of protective rage. Do these two have a past?
I turn back to Julian. "Are you going to stop laughing, or do you want me to hit you again? A blackout might teach you some sense."
He smirks, still bloody-lipped. "I had her first, you know."
My stomach drops. "Excuse me?"
He grins, twistedly proud. "I took her virginity. I was the first, and she will never forget me. It does not matter if she is your girlfriend now. I have left my mark in her mind. She will always remember."
A sickening rage fills me. I have been with women before, but I have never obsessed over someone like this. Julian is unbalanced. How could Elise have been with him? Desperation? Fear? Nothing about him makes sense.
I look at Elise, searching her face for answers. She shakes her head, unable to speak. Tears streak down her cheeks, but her sad, broken eyes tell me everything.
I know without asking, Julian is the reason she fears men.
A dark, protective thought floods through me, and I kneel down beside her. My voice is calm but low. "Turn around."