Chapter 14
EMMA
Wrapping my jacket tighter around my body, I silently curse myself for not bringing my hat and gloves as the cold March air whips my hair into my face.
I squint to keep the chill out of my eyes as I cross the campus, headed for my dorm.
There’s no such thing as spring in Ohio.
The weather plays a constant game of ping-pong between arctic tundra and sweltering humidity, and you never know which one you’re getting on any given day, or if you’re going to get multiple seasons in a day.
While it isn’t currently snowing, it feels like it could at any minute, and piles of long-plowed snow line the walkways on campus, making gloomy, crunchy gray hills of frosty misery.
When I reach my dorm room, I hear my text notification chime and pull my phone out of my pocket.
Batman Dom
Did you make it back to your dorm?
I swear he has my walk timed, knowing exactly how long it takes me to get from class to my room.
Yes, sir.
Fuck, pet. You know what that does to me, and I’m not in a place where I can indulge you.
Sorry
I set my phone down and flop onto my bed when I hear it chime again.
That doesn’t mean I can’t text you, though.
Sounds like someone misses me.
I do.
Me too.
What are your plans for spring break?
Not sure yet. I want to see my sister Lizzy. I don’t get to see her as much during the school year.
So you’re going home?
Probably not. She’s attending a drama camp for autistic kids so she won’t even be home. I want to volunteer at it next year because it’s the kind of stuff I want to do after I graduate.
You’ll be great at that. You have such a kind heart, it sounds right up your alley.
And it’s important to give back. I volunteer whenever I can.
You do?
Yup. Usually it’s through my work. I’ve served a lot of soup.
And what do you do for work again?
Nice try.
Seriously, though. This camp is great, and they do important work.
What do you love about it?
I love the way they treat these kids. How patient they are, never treating them like a burden. I see that so much, especially with Lizzy. People treat her like she’s not a person, like she can’t understand the cruel things being said about her. It’s horrible.
I have experience with that too, with someone in my life.
Someone with ASD?
No, but something similar. My brother was different from his peers. And he was treated like shit because of it.
I’m sorry. I’ve seen people treat Lizzy like she’s not even in the room just because she’s nonverbal.
Like she’s not part of a conversation simply because she can’t use words to join in.
But she communicates in other ways. And she has emotions like the rest of us.
It’s hard when people can’t look past someone’s looks or abilities.
Why do you think I wear a mask?
Sorry, that was a joke. Just trying to make you smile. Wasn’t sure if that came through in text.
Bummer. So you’re not rocking a Phantom of the Opera situation under there?
I am not.
When do I get to see what you look like?
Several hours go by before I give up waiting for a response.
This back-and-forth has been going on for about nine months, and I’m nearly at my wit’s end.
I’m ready to see the man underneath the mask.
He’s probably worried that I won’t find him attractive, but that’s the last thought in my mind.
I’ve spent a lot of time getting to know him through text, and I couldn’t be more attracted to him.
I can’t wait to go back to his room at the club for another session.
He made all these rules for us to follow, but sometimes I wonder why we even have them when we’re constantly breaking them.
Our dynamic was only supposed to exist in the club, but he sought me out through text.
He started opening up about his personal life and never stopped me when I broke his rule and asked about his.
He’s definitely done more than just solve my touching problem—heck, he hasn’t even touched or seen me since August. And it’s pretty obvious we’re both catching feelings.
His lessons at the club last summer helped me more than he knows, and I ache to feel his touch on my skin again. And even though it should, the thought of his hands on me doesn’t scare me.
——————
I end up staying on campus for spring break.
The resident advisor on my floor, Lindsey, says it’s okay for me to stay because she is too, even though the school normally closes the dorms all week.
But they lock up the buildings when they close them to students, and our keys only work on interior doors.
“This is my number,” Lindsey says, handing me a slip of paper as she stands in the door of my room. “If you leave the building this week, you’ll need to text me to get in.”
“Thanks.” I pull out my phone and add her number to my contacts. “I’m not really planning on many excursions, but I’ll text you.”
“I’ll see you around.” She backs out of the room and then adds, “Oh, and don’t prop open the exterior doors. It’ll trigger a silent alarm if it’s left open for too long.”
I nod and hop up onto my loft bed ready to cuddle up with my book for the night.
When I wake up a couple hours later, my book is propped open on my chest where I must’ve dropped it when I fell asleep.
Looking around my solo dorm room, I realize that I don’t have much to eat.
Options for food delivery are limited out here so far from the city, and I’m not in the mood for pizza or Chinese.
Reluctantly, I pull on some clothes and head out to my car to go to the store to get some groceries. There’s not a lot in my bank account, so I remind myself to text my mom to make a deposit later.
When I get back to the dorm, arms loaded up with several bags, I swipe my keycard and it doesn’t work.
Son of a bee sting. I totally forgot I have to text Lindsey to get into the building this week.
Fumbling with the bags, I pat down my pockets for my phone and come up empty. I set my groceries next to the door and run up the pathway back to my car. Once I find my phone, I’m walking back on the sidewalk, not looking where I’m going as I text Lindsey.
It feels like I run into a brick wall, but when I look up a familiar set of green eyes peers down at me, and I take several steps back.
“You really should watch where you’re going, Em,” Trent says, taking a step closer to me.
“I told you not to call me that.” I attempt to step around him, but he throws his arms out, preventing me.
“Aw, I thought we were going to play nice. Fine, if you’re going to be a bitch about it, I don’t really give a fuck what you say.”
“Classy.” Hiding my phone behind my back, I call Daddy Dom’s number. I really hope he picks up, or this is going to be a weird voicemail to explain.
Trent takes a step closer to me, and I back up again.
“Don’t come any closer, Trent.” My voice is a little louder, and I hope he thinks I’m just trying to draw attention from anyone nearby and not that I’m hoping my phone will pick up my voice.
Not that anyone would hear me on campus right now since it’s a ghost town.
“Poor little Emma, all alone. Didn’t your daddy ever teach you not to walk alone at night?”
I can’t believe I ever dated this turd of a human in high school.
Girding my loins, I stiffen my spine and cross my arms over my chest, keeping the screen of my phone facing me so he can’t see it.
“You don’t scare me. You’re a bully, just like you were in high school.
” When I look down, I see the call has connected and I pray that he’s listening on the line.
“Still mad I wouldn’t sleep with you, so you have to slink around campus at night and prey on me when I’m alone? ”
“Listen, you stupid bi—”
I cut him off with a finger, pretending I’m getting a call as I hold the phone up to my ear. “Hey, Daddy, I’m just walking back to my room.”
“Where the fuck are you, pet?” Daddy Dom’s voice growls into the line.
“I just left the parking lot, and I’m on the way back to my dorm now. I sent you my location.” I try to keep my face neutral as I continue my lie, hoping it will scare Trent off. If he thinks my dad’s tracking my movements, maybe he’ll be less likely to try something.
“Are you alone?” Daddy Dom asks.
“I’m not alone.” I make eye contact with Trent. “You’ll never guess who I ran into. Do you remember that guy Trent that I dated in high school?”
Trent’s eyes shift nervously side to side.
“Laugh and pretend I just made a joke about the sorry fuck.”
I laugh, looking at Trent again. “It is the guy who took me to senior prom, and I agree his tux was too small for him.”
“Put me on speakerphone.”
“Sure, hold on.” I hit the button. “He wants to talk to you.”
“Hey there, Trent. I hope you’re watching out for my little girl on campus.” He affects the most chipper voice I’ve ever heard him use, sounding nothing like the man I know.
Trent shoves his hands in his pockets. “Uh, hi, Mr. Black. You don’t have to worry. I’ll keep an eye on her.”
“Excellent. Are you headed back to your dorm, sweetie? You know how your mom worries about you.”
“I’m headed that way now.” I step around Trent, shooting him a stern look.
“Good. I’ll stay on the phone until you get inside.”
I walk at a brisk pace back to the building, picking up my groceries right as Lindsey opens the door for me. I take my phone off speakerphone as we walk down the hallway, parting to go to our rooms. Once I get inside, I hold the phone to my ear.
“Okay, I’m in my room. I’m sorry, I didn’t know who else to call.”
“You don’t ever have to apologize to me for that. That was really quick thinking on your part.”
“Thanks. I’ve seen those videos that you can play when you’re alone in a rideshare, where a guy has one side of conversation so it sounds like you’re on the phone. It kinda gave me the idea.”
“So what the fuck was that? Who was that guy? Do I need to keep watch outside your door?”
I giggle at the thought of this masked man standing watch outside the dorm at a private Christian college.
“What’s so funny?”
“Would you wear the mask when you act as my bodyguard?”
“Probably.”
My heart sinks a little at his words, wondering if I’ll ever get to know the man underneath. I clear my throat and circle back to his earlier question. “I did date that guy in high school, I wasn’t lying about that. We went to prom together.” I lie back on my bed.
“Did he touch you?”
“Tonight or back then?”
“Actually, don’t answer that, I might want to hurt the fucker if I knew.”
“He got in my face tonight, kept stepping toward me, but he didn’t touch me. Something about his vibe was off, though, I can’t explain it. He was never aggressive like that in high school, but he was part of this group of guys that spread rumors that they got in my pants.”
All I hear in response is a low growl.
“Can you come outside?” he asks after a minute, and I shoot up to a sitting position.
“Are you here?”
“Yes.”
“Gimme a minute,” I say, hanging up the call.
I can’t move fast enough as I slip on my shoes, quickly throw my groceries in their designated places, fridge, shelf, snack drawer, and head down the hallway to give Lindsey a heads-up that I’m stepping outside for a little bit.
“Just text me when you need back in.” She waves me off, and I walk down the hallway. It’s been months since I’ve seen this man, and I can’t wait to get my hands on him.
When I open the door, he’s leaning against the side of the building, and he pushes off the wall, stalking toward me. If I didn’t know him, his swagger, combined with the menacing mask, would be terrifying, but my face lights up with a grin as he approaches.
“I need to touch you, pet. Can I?”
I barely get out the “yes” before he’s pulling me against him, leaning down and sliding his arms under my thighs and picking me up as I wrap my legs around his waist and burrow against him.
“How did you get here so fast?” I ask against his shoulder as his strong arms grip me tightly to him.
“I was in the area.” His heart is beating rapidly in his chest, and I smile against his shirt, elated that I have this effect on him.
His answer finally registers, and I pull back, pinching my brows as I look at him dubiously. “But you live in the city, like an hour away from here.”
“You gave the bat signal.” He shrugs, pulling me back into him before dropping his voice. “And I needed to hold you. That's all I can offer right now.”
Something cracks in my chest at the desperation in his tone. If this is all I get from him right now, it’s enough, especially if he’s willing to break his rules for me.