Chapter Nine

Odette

I texted Tristan, Anna’s brother, to say I was on my way. It’d been a long week of school, homework, and navigating my new relationship...s? Today was the volleyball game, and I’d been practicing after school all week with the dream team Tristan managed to build. There were a lot of excellent players on our make-shift team. Like me, most of them got into the university on a volleyball scholarship. It’d been a lot of fun practicing, but I was so ready to end my professors’ trash talk.

They actually thought they were going to win, which was impossible. Most of the other teachers who signed up were fit and young, but I was pretty sure Niko was the only one who’d played on a team before.

I dressed appropriately in a matching set of black spandex shorts and a long-sleeved crop top. My tennis shoes were bright white, which I was extra proud of—being as clumsy as I was.

“Woah woah woah, what’s with the sexy?” Niko pushed his eyebrows together, grabbing me by the hand and turning me as I passed by him in the hall. He was wearing gym shorts and a blue t-shirt, also ready for the game. I couldn’t help but notice the indents his abs made through the thin fabric and how his biceps bulged out of the sleeves. He eyed my outfit, particularly the ass part.

I smirked, “It’s a volleyball game, I’m dressed for volleyball,” I giggled.

He pressed me against his body, wrapping his arms around my waist. “No, this is your way of distracting us,” he flirted.

“It’s working, isn’t it?” I gave him a small peck on the lips before I broke away and went downstairs.

He groaned, “This is a charity event!” He called, following me down the steps.

The rest of my professors were tying their shoes in the living room, all dressed in sportswear. Aiden looked up at me, “You seem confident.”

I leaned over the back of the couch. “I am,” I smiled. I think you’re seriously underestimating the drive of college students who you’ve flunked. Combined with years of club volleyball, your team doesn’t stand a chance,” I informed.

Aiden raised his eyebrows, leaning back on the couch, “If you’re so sure, let’s make it interesting.”

“What do you propose?” I asked.

Aiden thought for a few moments, looking between my other three professors. He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees, “If our team wins, you’re showing me your tattoo—”

“And you’re wearing remote-controlled vibrating panties during class while I have the remote,” Niko added his own terms.

“I get to tie you to my bed for an hour,” Dominic smirked.

“And I’ll have you grind your pussy against my leg for as long as I’d like you to,” Wyatt finished, once again turning into that dark and sexy Wyatt, not his usual sweet self.

My mouth dropped open. Okay, so there was a lot at stake here. Each of them had their own terms, which would basically end in sexual torture for me. The thought of them winning was horrifying, yet gave me a tingle between my thighs. Their team winning definitely wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, but that might just be my raging hormones speaking.

“Are you still confident that you’ll win?” Aiden asked smugly.

I bit my lip in thought. I genuinely didn’t have a doubt in my mind that my team would win, but their terms were intense. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little worried. I straightened, “Alright. And if my team wins, I get to dress Cat up in whatever cute cat outfits I want, and you can’t comment on how it emasculates him,” I gave Aiden a look. I glanced around for a second, my eyes landing on Dominic. Tough, unbreakable, mysterious Dominic. “I get to tie you to the bed for an hour. And the hot water gets fixed,” I smirked.

Dominic snickered, looking genuinely amused, “That’s not happening—”

“Scared?” I kept my face straight.

Niko glanced between everyone. “This just got serious.” He clapped his hands once before rubbing them together in excitement.

Wyatt stood up and grabbed a backpack next to the sofa. “Don’t take it too hard when your team loses, Baby,” he said. He stopped next to me and held me by the back of the head while he gently kissed my forehead.

I smiled, rolling my eyes. We all began walking out the door to our own separate vehicles—for obvious reasons. I doubt it would have gone well if the entire student body and other faculty members saw me getting out of Dominic’s truck.

Cat was lying on the gravel outside the door, enjoying the sun. Aiden crouched down and petted his belly, “Don’t worry, I won’t let her dress you up, man,” he assured.

I squinted at Aiden’s back as he walked. I clicked my tongue and smiled. Just to get on Aiden’s nerves, I also crouched down to give Cat a little belly scratch. “You’re going to look so cute in pastels,” I gushed.

Aiden looked up at the sky, a deep, sarcastic chuckle rumbling from his chest. “See you at the game, Odette,” he said teasingly as I got into my car.

The university gymnasium was loud and crazy, words that I had never used to describe this school. The bleachers were packed with what seemed like hundreds of students and teachers. It was more of a turnout than I was expecting. I guess Tristan wasn’t the only one who desperately wanted to see the professor’s team lose. The energy here was impressive, and I hadn’t been so excited for a game in years.

Loud music blared from the speakers as the guests piled in. The teacher’s team was practicing in a different gym, I guess to make the start of the game more intense when they walked into the gym. Each team only had six players, exactly what was needed on the court.

I spiked the ball over the net, and it made a loud smack against the floor that echoed through the gym.

“Nice!” Tristan complimented as he set the teammate behind me.

Soon after, the lights dimmed, and a song with heavy bass started playing. “It’s time!” The middle hitter smirked at us. We stood on the serving line, waiting for the opposing team to walk in.

The crowd was going insane, as college students do on a Friday afternoon. I was sure most of them had pre-gamed for this. A spotlight shined on the door at the opposite end of the gym as the teacher’s team entered.

Niko came in first, with a slight jog and a massive smile. As usual, being in front of crowds came so naturally to him, and he was entirely in his element.

Aiden came in next, raising his hand and waving at the crowd. His eyes locked on me, and they lingered for half a second before he stood next to Niko on their serving line.

The two drama professors walked in after him, both of the women looking excited as they gave the crowd high-fives before standing on the line.

“Hit towards them. They just signed up to be in the spotlight. I doubt they’re good,” Tristan told the team.

Wyatt walked in next, a big smile across his face as he waved to the crowd and then waved to our team. He looks so unlike himself in shorts and a tank top. He looked more comfortable lounging around the house in his sweatpants or suits. He winked at Tristan, and I smiled, remembering that he overheard Tristan’s voicemail to me. Tristan definitely had a personal agenda against Wyatt for flunking him.

Finally, Dominic walked into the gym, only glancing up at the bleachers and giving a slight nod before he stood next to his team. As expected.

The student body President walked into the middle of the gym, standing on our side of the net. He raised the microphone to his lips and began speaking with an almost annoying amount of enthusiasm. “What an entrance!” He chuckled. “Ladies and gentlemen, you should feel the energy on this court right now,” he said, and everyone laughed. “We’ve got quite the teams today; it’ll be one hell of a game.” He turned towards the crowd, “Before we get started, I’d like to sincerely thank everyone for showing up and supporting local charities—I know you’re just here hoping the professors get crushed, but it supports an amazing cause!” He joked.

The crowd went crazy, and my team and I clapped, cheering along with them.

The lights slowly went back to normal. The President walked over to our team, “You’re gonna kick their asses, right?” he asked us off the microphone.

Tristan chuckled, “No doubt,” he gave him one of those man-half hugs.

He nodded before he raised the microphone to his lips again, “On the students team, we have some of the best players our school has ever had the privilege of seeing,” he started. “We’ve got my main man, Tristan-the killer-Anderson, setter!” He introduced as loud music started playing again. Tristan stepped forward and held his hand to his ear, making the crowd cheer louder.

What a doorknob.

The President stepped up in front of me. I got slightly nervous, not liking this many people staring at me. But I quickly shook it off, remembering that I was here for one reason only: a cute fat cat in pastels, hot water, vulnerable Dominic, and bragging rights.

“The stunning Odette-legs for days-Whitlock, outside hitter!” He introduced. I stepped forward and smiled, giving the crowd a small wave. I glanced across the way at my clapping professors, who showed good sportsmanship.

Where the hell did he come up with these names...

He introduced our whole team, giving each of us silly names that made the crowd laugh.

He moved over to the other side and began introducing the professors. “And on the professors team, we have all-star—terrifying—” he whispered into the microphone while turning away from Dominic, who looked unamused. “Professor Dominic—definitely on steroids—Owens, hitter!”

I chuckled, eyeing his bulging biceps. There was nothing fake about them. I would know; I’d given them a little squeeze or two.

“Everyone’s favorite English professor, Wyatt—bleaches his hair—Wright, setter!” Wyatt laughed, waving to the crowd. He was a much better sport than Dominic. I should have guessed the teachers would get some jabs thrown their way in the name of charity. I was surprised they were really giving the audience what they wanted.

“Aiden—flunked half the students here—Anderson, back!”

Aiden cracked the slightest grin before nodding at the crowd.

“The sickest nerd we know, Niko—probably brings math homework on a first date—Moreno, outside hitter!”

Niko laughed, grabbing the microphone, “It’s a chemistry set, actually,” he added to the joke, earning laughs from the crowd.

The President introduced the other two professors before he had Tristan and Wyatt call a coin toss, that we won.

We took our positions on the court and prepared ourselves for the judge to blow the whistle, starting the match. Niko and I stood almost face to face on our own sides of the net. “Chemistry set?” I smirked, keeping my voice low so no one else would be able to hear.

He grinned, “I’ll let you play with it when we get home, legs-for-days,” he gave me a secret wink just as the whistle blew.

Tristan slammed the ball over the net, where Aiden bumped it to Wyatt, who set Niko. I watched his body closely, making a split decision to jump as high as I could, sticking my arms high in the air. Just as I hoped, Niko spiked the ball close to the net, and I blocked it before it went over. The ball dropped in front of Niko on their side of the net, scoring our first point.

The crowd went wild, and I ran back to my team, where we all high-fived and cheered together. “Better luck next time, Professor Moreno! The students’ team scored their first—of many—points with a fantastic block from Odette!” The President announced.

We retook our positions, and I grinned like crazy as Niko stood in front of me again. He and my other professors looked a bit taken aback. I was not losing. He placed his hands on his knees, “I was going easy on you,” he dismissed.

I raised my eyebrows, “Oh?” I said with false surprise. The whistle blew again, and Tristan served. “You should go harder on me,” I whispered, knowing my innuendo would throw him off.

I stepped back, watching Niko’s face in shock, before he snapped his head to Wyatt, who set him the ball again. This time, the ball made it past my block, and our middle hitter smacked it over the net. Dominic got the chance to slam the ball down on our side with such force that none of us were fast enough to retrieve it.

“And the teachers are back in it with a kill from Professor Owens!”

When we did our team hand touch, Tristan gave me a pointed look, “This one’s going to you,” he warned.

I nodded before taking my spot back. Wyatt served the ball over the net, where our middle bumped it to Tristan, who, as promised, gave me the perfect set for an outside hit.

I aimed the ball towards the two drama professors, who weren’t prepared, and slammed it right between them, where it fell to the floor.

“Yes!” I grinned, doing a mini celebration with my team. The crowd of students also cheered. My professors gave each other a wide-eyed look, and I saw Wyatt do some kind of hand motion like he was spiking a ball. I grinned. I did try to warn them that this was what I did . And I was very good at it.

We won the first match by three points, and they won the second by two. We were nearing the end of the third and final match and had been for the last ten minutes. The game had to be won by at least two points in volleyball. If it wasn’t, we kept playing past 25. Our team had 44 points, and theirs had 43. Too close for comfort was an understatement.

After the first game, they started getting way more aggressive, and Niko quickly found any area on our court that didn’t have coverage where he spiked the ball. It’d gotten much more serious; even the drama professors were trying.

Neither team was willing to lose, and every person on the court fought hard to stay in this. Each point was a massive victory in itself, and each point the teachers’ team earned was nerve-wracking. I didn’t think it would be this close; I didn’t think they’d even be close to winning a match at all.

The crowd was just as on edge as the rest of us, screaming whenever a point on either side was won, trash-talking the professors, cheering for us, and loving the tension. This was easily the most nerve-wracking volleyball game I’d ever played, but also the most fun and challenging.

Dominic stood before me now, looking down at me, “You look nervous,” he muttered, trying to get under my skin. There’d been a lot of that in this game, trying to throw each other off by a secret sexy look or comment. At one point, Aiden even lifted the bottom of his shirt, using the bottom of it to wipe the sweat off his forehead. It revealed his drool-worthy abs and our team lost a point because of me during that round.

Niko served the ball, and I blinked at Dominic. “One of us is getting tied up, and it won’t be me,” I assured him.

In full-game mode, I stepped away from the net, watching the ball closely as it bounced from our back row to Tristan and then right toward me. I smacked the ball hard over the net, and Wyatt was quick to retrieve it. He set Niko up, and he smacked it back to us.

The ball went back and forth for what felt like forever. My heart raved from running around the court, jumping, and hitting the ball with enough force to make my hand red.

“Game point, we’ve got it this time!” Tristan yelled, encouraging us to keep going for the kill hits.

Tristan set the ball to me again, and I aimed for the back corner of their court, where they didn’t have coverage. This was it. I jumped as high as I could and hit the ball into the corner.

Wyatt was less than a second away from retrieving it, but it was too late as the ball touched the ground.

I won. We won! I grinned as my team ran over and cheered, but a whistle blew. We all turned, seeing one of the line judges call it in while the other called it out.

My jaw dropped, “Oh, come on!” I whisper-yelled in disbelief.

“That was totally in; watch, the judge will call it in,” Tristan said, more to himself than anyone else. We were all pretty exhausted at this point and just wanted to win.

The entire gym was dead silent as the line judges, the President, and the judge all conversed. Please... give me the cute cat clothes, Dominic in rope, and more than 30 seconds of hot water.

I placed my hands on my hips, watching as the four people deciding my fate broke away from each other. The President grabbed his microphone and dramatically sighed into it, “It’s been a long game...” he teased the crowd and us. “Both teams have fought hard. But there has to be an end...” he paused. He looked between our teams, “The judges couldn’t call it. Replay!” He called, and the crowd went crazy.

I widened my eyes. The ball was totally in!

Niko looked between my other professors, “We’ve got to win, for Cat!” He gave a quick nod.

I giggled, placing my hands on my knees and shaking my head. For Cat, I thought my agreement. Only, I was betting on him being dressed in cute pastels.

Niko served the ball again, and our back-row hitter almost missed it, but she saved it, hitting it to Tristan. Of course, as he had been the entire game, Tristan set the ball to me, high, and a foot off the net. I took a breath before I jumped up and smacked the ball straight down, right on the other side of the net.

I felt like the world turned into slow motion as all the professors dove for the ball simultaneously. But the game was over. The ball hit the floor, and we won.

I won.

It took a few seconds to register that the long, never-ending game finally came to an end. The crowd was going absolutely berserk, running onto the court and cheering with our team. Tristian and our back row lifted me onto their shoulders, which I truly wasn’t a fan of, but I’d tolerate it for the celebration.

This was one of those rare moments that only happened a few times in life, and I was just happy to be here. I joyfully giggled along with everyone else as they played another song with heavy bass.

After a few minutes, they put me down, and I walked through the crowd to brag to my professors. I caught a glimpse of Wyatt and Aiden shaking hands with another Professorand the judge, just catching up. I walked over and grinned, “Good game,” I said casually. However, I really wanted to brag and tell them about my outfit plans for Cat and how excited I was about the hot water. I had no idea what my plans were for Dominic; I didn’t quite think that through. But I’d figure it out later; for now, I was going to bask in the victory.

Wyatt smiled, “It was. It’d be a real shame if anyone was betting on our team,” he gave me a playful look.

“It really would be,” I widened my eyes. “And a perfect day for anyone betting on my team,” I added smugly.

A firm hand suddenly rested on my shoulder. “Well, I’m certainly always rooting for your team.” His voice was like a dark shadow that quickly covered my entire being. My smile and chipper mood quickly faded, and I cast my eyes downwards. For a moment, I was frozen, in complete shock and dread, not able to accept that he was here.

I turned my head, blinking up at him. He had a five-o’clock shadow, his dyed brown hair slicked back, and a suit that probably cost more than everyone’s attire here combined. I got my height from him, and he stood taller in more ways than height than most others in the room. He had his signature pleasant yet smug smile on his face, but all I could see were his cruel eyes. “What are you doing here?” I breathed out.

Charles looked around at everyone, especially the board officials, who were quickly approaching after seeing that he was in attendance. “I heard you were playing, Odette,” he smiled. “You know I wouldn’t miss my only daughter’s game, especially when it supports such an honorable charity,” he squeezed my shoulder.

I looked away. I guess that was why this was the first game he’d ever been to...

My eyes flickered up, and I realized how many school officials quickly surrounded us. With his hand on my shoulder, I shrunk as far away from my father as I could. I wanted to go home. He shouldn’t be here.

Aiden caught my eye quickly as he looked between Charles and me with his usual calculating eyes. My other two professors now stood next to him and Wyatt. All four looked irked except Niko, whose eyes were locked on Charles’ hand on my shoulder; he was smirking. It wasn’t a happy or funny smirk. He looked severely pissed off.

“Charles Whitlock!” One of the board members walked up and shook his free hand, which wasn’t holding me captive. “We didn’t know you were coming; we would have warned the bouncers,” he joked, his laugh forced and loud.

Kiss ass.

Charles chuckled. “I wouldn’t miss my daughter’s game for the world,” he repeated, probably because no one heard him say it the first time. “And good luck keeping me away, Sam. I’m resilient,” he joked back.

My arms crossed over my stomach, my body practically folding in on itself.

“How long are you in town for? Let us buy you and Odette dinner tonight to celebrate their victory,” Sam offered, a huge artificial grin on his lips.

I widened my eyes. “I-I have homework and an online test due tonight,” I quickly lied. I didn’t want to spend another second around him, let alone an entire evening.

Charles glanced down at me quickly, and I looked away. “I just came for the game. Rain check,” he chuckled. “Before you walked up, Odette was having an interesting conversation with your professors here,” he gestured to Wyatt.

My face paled, almost as pale as all the board members.

Aiden didn’t waste a second before he stepped forward, “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Aiden Anderson, Dean of Psychology Studies,” he introduced himself, much to my horror.

I stared at Aiden, hoping he’d stop. He was crossing a massive boundary, and I didn’t even have a way of telling him. I didn’t want him to know Charles, and I didn’t want Charles to know him. I didn’t care how interested he was in analyzing our relationship; he should have asked me. This was selfish of him.

My father shook his hand, “Charles Whitlock,” he introduced himself halfheartedly as if Aiden wasn’t important enough for him to speak to. It was very like my father, only giving his time to people who elevated him and his social status.

“What was interesting about their conversation?” Aiden asked with a challenge in his tone.

Charles grinned, looking at the board again, paying specific mind to a school news reporter holding a camera. “They were discussing how one would benefit if they waged that the students’ team would emerge victorious,” he explained. “It just so happens that I bet on the students’ team winning myself,” he said, standing straighter. “I bet that if my talented daughter’s team won, I’d donate ten times the profit earned from tonight’s game,” he announced loudly.

The board members looked at each other with greedy grins as they covered their mouths, acting like this was the best news they’d ever gotten. Everyone around clapped for my father and his generous donation.

“Charles,” Sam gasped. “You never cease to amaze me and everyone else who knows you with your generosity and kindness,” he raved.

“Would you mind if I got a quick shot of you and Odette for the paper?” The boy holding the camera asked. “Something this big could make the local news,” he said eagerly.

I began shaking my head, “I don’t need to be in the—”

“Absolutely!” Charles agreed. He turned to me, “Stand up straight, Odette,” he said quickly in a tone he wouldn’t dare use on anyone else.

I took a breath to try and calm my nerves, unfolding my arms and straightening my posture. The boy took a few quick photos, and I could only stare at the camera, still in disbelief that this was happening.

He looked down at the camera. “Uh, one more, Odette. Your smile looks weird,” he chuckled.

Charles chuckled, “Can you blame her? She’s probably exhausted after that game,” he said, giving my shoulder another squeeze.

I gave the camera a quick closed-mouth smile as the boy snapped the photo.

Charles let go of my shoulder, and I felt like I could breathe again. I faded into the background quickly as people swarmed around him, as they spoke about a check for an insane amount of money.

Taking the opportunity, I beelined for the exit. I didn’t care about anything but getting as far away from him as possible. The wonderful thing about college was that he had always been hours away. Today was a fantastic day, and I wasn’t expecting to see my father.

“Odette!” Aiden called after me as I speed-walked through the parking lot. Everyone else was still inside.

Annoyance washed over me as I turned to him, seeing my other professors walking alongside him. “You had no right to introduce yourself to him,” I scolded.

I prepared for him to argue some ridiculous point, like how I’d met Wyatt’s dad or that he was simply introducing himself to the man who donated an insane amount to the university he worked for. Instead, something else entirely came out. “I know, I’m sorry,” he apologized, genuine guilt in his tone. When people engage in conversation, they tend to use their hands. I was just trying to get him away from you,” he explained.

I took a breath, still walking to my car. “I appreciate the gesture, Aiden, but please stay away from anything that has to do with Charles Whitlock,” I said firmly. He was an evil man, and bad things happen to those who insult or even irk him. People have been fired, evicted, and literally left on the streets with nothing because of my father and his generosity and kindness.

“Odette, you’re not driving like this-” Wyatt started.

“I’m fine,” I dismissed. Or I will be once I was home and far away from here.

I reached out to open my car door, but Wyatt beat me to it, opening the door and sitting down in the driver’s seat. “Then you’ll be fine in the passenger’s seat,” he said softly, with a strong edge to his voice.

I stood still for a moment, realizing my body was shaking with nerves, and my heart was thumping at an alarming rate in my chest. I didn’t want to risk being seen with them in the school parking lot, so I quickly walked around the car and sat down.

“We’ll see you at home,” Wyatt said to the guys as we drove off.

The car was silent for several minutes. I had nothing to say; my mind was too clouded to think about anything.

Wyatt grabbed my hand, which rested on my thigh and squeezed it. “I don’t understand something,” he began. “I’ve never seen anyone behave like you did unless they were in active danger. All he did was put his hand on your shoulder. He seemed like a decent guy. What am I missing?” He asked softly, choosing his words carefully.

I closed my eyes, not feeling I needed to explain my childhood. I looked up at him, “Because this is what he does. You see what he wants you to see. Loving, caring father? He’s got that act perfected,” I tried to explain, but the number of things I would have to tell him to express how horrible Charles was wasn’t something I wanted to get into. It was my business. “I don’t want to talk about him,” I dismissed.

“Okay,” Wyatt said gently, still holding my hand as he drove. “You weren’t kidding when you said you’re really good at volleyball,” he quickly changed the subject, sending me a smile.

I cracked a small smile. “There was a second where I thought your team was going to win. When they called the replay, I thought we were done. Niko got this crazy look in his eyes.” I happily took the opportunity to think about anything else.

The rest of the ride was spent joking about Niko’s competitive edge.

My other three professors walked in the house after us, and I didn’t miss the look Wyatt gave them, telling them, ‘Don’t bring it up.’

I followed Wyatt into the kitchen, where he took out vegetables, chicken, and spices to make dinner. “Collin invited us over, so Reesia’s going to drive you to their house after you’re done shopping, and we’ll take you home with us,” he illustrated.

“I apologize in advance for Reesia’s weirdness and whatever Jamie says to you,” Aiden added, wrapping his arms around my shoulders as he stood behind me.

“Jamie’s going shopping with us?” I asked, now a little nervous. She didn’t like me very much when we met.

“No, but she and Vincent will be at Collin and Reesia’s house when you arrive tomorrow,” he explained.

I nodded, “Oh, okay. Did I do something that upset her when we met?” I asked. I didn’t think I did, but I wanted to be sure. I hated the idea of someone not liking me.

Niko grinned at me, “No,” he said with a slight chuckle. “She was flirting by being mean,” he explained like it was obvious.

I widened my eyes, “Oh!” I thought back to that night when I saw her checking me out. I brushed it off, but I guess it kind of makes sense. It was oddly flattering, because Jamie was stunning, in a super terrifying way.

There was a loud knock on the door and we all turned towards the front door. I looked between my professors, waiting for one of them to go answer it. No one was here for me.

Niko groaned, stood up, and walked out the kitchen door. He returned less than five seconds later, not even long enough to walk to the front door. His hand dropped from his hair as he walked into the kitchen like he had just finished running his hand through it. He looked troubled and annoyed at something.

His eyes landed on me, and I pushed my eyebrows together. “What?” I asked.

He leaned against the counter and nodded his head toward the door. “Your fa—Charles is at the door,” he said dully.

My heart began hammering in my chest again, and an impossible amount of dread weighed on my chest, making it hard to breathe. Aiden let go of me, and I stepped closer to Niko. “Did he see you?” I asked, hoping he didn’t. I’d never hear the end of it if he figured out about my living arrangements.

He shook his head, “No, I saw his ugly-ass suit through the window,” he explained.

I let out a breath of relief, “Okay.” I turned to them, raising my hands up to them, “Please stay in here; he can’t know I live with men,” I rushed out before I walked out of the kitchen.

Why would he be here? What reason could he have for coming to see me?

My nerves were on edge as I opened the door, revealing my father standing tall on the front porch. He rolled his eyes when he saw me and stepped into the house immediately. He looked around the manor in distaste. “You certainly wasted no time in leaving,” he said.

I crossed my arms over my stomach, keeping the front door open as I watched him, “The game was over, so I left,” I explained.

He let out a sarcastic huff of air, “Where are your roommates?” He asked.

“They’re not home right now,” I lied. “You’ve got a long drive home; why are you here?” I asked.

He was pacing the foyer, “What? I can’t see where my daughter lives? I am the one who made this arrangement after you got yourself kicked out of the dorms.”

“That’s not what I meant—”

“Do you know how you make our family look, Odette?” He began, and I shrunk. “You ran off just as they begin talking about the damn volleyball game I drove hours for. Is this what you spend your time doing, playing games dressed like a slut so everyone can look at you?” He spat.

I flinched at his words, “The other girls were wearing the same thing...”

“The other girls aren’t you, are they?” He shot back. “The only publicity you have made in this family is sneaking off and whoring yourself out like trash,” he scolded.

I averted my eyes, unable to meet his scrutiny. I looked out the door, watching the wind blow the tree leaves.

“Today was an opportunity, Odette. An opportunity to get your name in the media with something positive linked to it.” I could feel his glare on my skin as he spoke. “All you had to do—” he hit the wall with the palm of his hand, making a loud thud echo off the walls. I flinched, my eyes welling with tears as he approached me. “The only thing you had to do was smile for a photo and not dress like a fucking whore, and you couldn’t even do that right!” He yelled.

I swallowed the lump of emotions in my throat. Just look at the leaves.

He grabbed my face, making me look at him, and I whimpered, “You are done insulting me publicly,” venom dripped from his tone.

I nodded. He let go of me, and I stepped away from him until my back hit the wall. “I-I have a lot of homework to do,” I rushed out, wanting him to leave.

He scoffed, shaking his head at me. “I didn’t raise you like this,” he testified. “I gave you every opportunity other children could only hope for. You had everything you wanted and more, and here you are, acting like I’m some villain,” he continued. “You’re a Whitlock. Unfortunately, the only child I have that shares my blood. He stepped closer to me, “Do you understand what I’m saying to you?” He asked lowly. “I’ve given you your entire life on a gold platter, and this is how you repay me?”

He grabbed my arm, unfolding my arms, and I stumbled forward. “You humiliate me every opportunity you get. I didn’t raise a slut. Do you know what happens to women who dress like this?!” He grabbed the sleeve of my shirt and pulled the stretchy material.

A much larger hand was placed over his own, pulling it away from me. I widened my teary eyes at Dominic. He looked calm and collected as he removed Charles’ hand, standing between us. How much of that did they hear...?

“Get out of my house,” Dominic demanded, not looking away from Charles.

Charles widened his eyes, stepped back, and looked small under Dominic’s cold stare and massive body. “Your house?” he repeated. “Odette, what is the meaning of this?” he asked, his voice much more formal now that he knew we weren’t the only two people in the house.

I looked at the floor, pulling my sleeve back into place.

“You... you work at the school,” I heard Charles claim, but I didn’t dare look up. He knew.

“I won’t ask you again. I don’t care who you are or how much money you have. If you don’t get off my property, I’ll have you removed by force,” Dominic threatened.

A few seconds of pure silence passed. I could feel the tension in the room. Charles cleared his throat, and I saw him straighten his suit and stand straighter. “Odette, at the end of this month, there will be a family meeting at my house. I’ll send a car for you,” he said before he walked out the door with his head high.

Dominic closed the door behind him before turning to me. I quickly wiped my eyes, ridding them of any tears that threatened to spill. I couldn’t look at him. More than anything, I was embarrassed and wholly humiliated that they had to witness that.

I didn’t know what to say. I don’t know if they expected an explanation.

“Odette,” Dominic said gently before he wrapped his arms around me. His arms were as warm and comforting as the night I fell asleep next to the fireplace.

I closed my eyes and buried my face into his chest. “I’m sorry,” I apologized. He shouldn’t have seen that. I didn’t want anyone to know about my emotionally abusive father. I didn’t want the pity or the attention.

Dominic held me tighter, “We don’t have to talk about it,” he comforted.

I took shaky breaths, regaining my composure. His words sunk into the pit of my stomach, holding a comforting weight. I kept my arms around him but pulled away to look up at him.

Dominic was always protecting me. From back pain, creepy teachers, and now from Charles Whitlock. I didn’t know how to tell him what it meant to me or how selfless, caring, and solid he was. There were no words I could think of that could express how grateful I was for him simply being here for me. I’d never had that in my life; he was the first person who’d ever stood up for me.

I glanced at his full, unbelievably masculine lips. There were no words, but luckily for me, he was a man of few words.

I stood on my toes and pressed my lips against his. He instantly pushed my body further into his, bringing his hands up and holding the back of my neck.

My hands bunched the back of his t-shirt in my fists, my head spinning from the force of his lips moving against mine. His tongue licked my lips, and I instantly opened my mouth, wanting to taste him. I moaned into his mouth as his tongue tangled with mine.

Passion, lust, desperation, and more emotion than I expected. That was how Dominic kissed me. Hard on my lips, but his tongue was romantically soft against mine. It was like sharing a secret. Anyone watching would think the kiss was rough, but we knew it wasn’t.

He grabbed my ass, squeezing it in his hands as he pulled away. His lips lingered against mine for a moment when gravity ceased to exist.

When my eyes opened, I was met with his intense eyes. His jaw flexed a few times before he gave a slight nod to the kitchen, where the rest of my professors were. “Let’s go eat dinner, then I’ll let you tie me up,” he offered, his voice deep and raspy.

My tongue swiped my bottom lip as I nodded eagerly. Our kiss had the same effect on me as it did on him. I didn’t know what I expected to do with him tied to a bed, but I’d get creative. It was my turn to be the one teasing. “Okay.”