Heartless Lord (Lords of Stonewall University #1)

Prologue

Lexi – Four Years Ago

***Trigger Warning***

If I missed the ACTs today, I was trapped.

Trapped in San Carlo.

Trapped in the same dying desert town that had already taken my mother and almost broken my father.

“No, no, no, not now!” Pounding my fists into the beaten-up steering wheel, I muttered a string of curses as the engine sputtered. I pulled the old truck onto the side of the road just as it died, the gravel crunching beneath the bald tires of Papá’s old pickup.

I twisted the key in the ignition and prayed to a God I was sure didn’t exist. But at this point, I was desperate.

If I didn’t make it to school on time, I’d have to wait until the fall to take the stupid test, and then I wouldn’t be eligible for early admission, and then I’d be stuck in this godforsaken town forever.

A trickle of sweat snaked down my back as I tried the ignition again.

It was only April, and already it was hot as hell in bumblefuck San Carlo, Arizona.

If I were being honest with myself, I didn’t care where I went to college, just as long as it was far away from here. And cold. Preferably, very cold.

“Come on, old girl, don’t do this to me. Not today.” I gave the steering wheel a loving pat and tried one last time, crossing all my fingers and toes. Click. Click. And still, nothing. “Shit!” I dropped my forehead onto the steering wheel as tears of frustration burned my eyes.

Get it together, Lexi. You can’t let years of hard work just go down the drain. Eyeing my old watch, the minute hand taunted me. Twenty minutes. My school wasn’t far, but even if I ran the whole way, I’d never make it.

But I had to try.

Grabbing my backpack, I swung it over my shoulder and snatched the keys from the ignition.

Not like anyone would want to steal this P.O.S.

, and it was unlikely it would even start for anyone, except maybe the best of the best mechanics, but regardless, Papá would be pissed if I was so irresponsible.

I started down the quiet road at a jog, my backpack bouncing on my shoulders.

The first rays of sunlight were just cresting the edge of town, but darkness still prevailed along the highway.

I picked up my pace, something about the dusky road unsettling.

If it had been a weekday, there would’ve been at least a few cars on the road.

But at 6:42am on a Saturday, it was deserted.

I reached back and slid my hand into the side pocket of my backpack, fingering my old flip phone.

One of these days, I’d get a fancy smartphone, but right now, every penny I earned from my crappy job at the drive-thru was going to my college savings account.

I needed to get the hell out of here, and a scholarship was the only way that was happening.

Poor Papá tried, but Mom’s medical bills had left us in a shit-ton of debt, and that was on top of life in general costing a fortune.

I could never ask him to fork out more money for my college education.

Which was exactly why this damned test was so important.

I picked up my pace, tossing the useless thoughts to the far corners of my mind, and letting more random ones sneak in. Like how it was too bad I’d never joined the track team. My lungs burned and my breaths came in ragged spurts as I sprinted down the gravel road.

With every step, the desperation grew. Fuck, I’m never going to make it. I might as well kiss that early admission goodbye.

The rumble of an approaching engine sent my head swiveling over my shoulder.

A pair of neon headlights zipped toward me, and a reckless idea came to me.

A prickle of unease lifted the hair on the back of my neck.

San Carlo was a small town, and nothing bad really ever happened, but I’d never considered hitchhiking before either.

I chewed on the inside of my cheek as the car loomed closer. Indecision battled it out in my gut, slowing my steps. It’s now or never, Lexi. I stretched out my arm and threw my thumb up as the black car whizzed by.

Shit. I was too late. I sucked in a breath, refusing to cry, as strands of auburn hair whipped across my face.

Or maybe not.

I watched as red brake lights flashed, and the car slowed. Then stopped. My heart kicked at my ribcage.

The sleek black sedan reversed, the passenger-side window sliding open as it approached.

A blonde man around my dad’s age peered up at me.

He was handsome, in an older man kind of way, and reeked of money.

And it wasn’t just the fancy Mercedes with the plush leather interior, but everything about him.

The stiff set of his jaw, the perfect hair, his crisp button-down shirt.

And his scent. Cigars and scotch blended with a tangy cologne.

And not the shitty, cheap kind of fragrance Papá used either; a tinge of sweetness lingered in the air.

“Where are you going?” he finally asked.

I swallowed hard before I could form the words. “To the high school, three exits down.”

“It’s your lucky day, little girl. I just happen to be headed that way.” With a tight smile, he leaned across the center console and opened the passenger door.

I waffled for a second before my watch caught my eye. I could make it. If I accepted this ride. Every bone in my body screamed not to get in the car with this stranger, but I was stupid and, worse, desperate.

Steadying my nerves, I climbed in and dropped my backpack on the floor. That thick scent swirled in the air, heavier, making my stomach churn, and I leaned closer to the door.

He shifted the car into gear and rolled back onto the road. As soon as the car moved, the automatic locks engaged. The ominous click ratcheted up my pulse.

“Thanks for the ride,” I finally mumbled.

“No problem, sweetie. A pretty girl like you shouldn’t be out on the road by yourself at this hour.” He watched me from the corner of his eye, sharp blue irises raking over me. “You live nearby?”

“Yeah, just a couple miles back.”

“Why didn’t you call your parents?”

“I’m in a rush, and there wasn’t enough time. My dad works in the next town, and he never would’ve made it in time—” I cut myself off, cursing my loose tongue. Why the hell was I giving this stranger my whole life story?

“No mom?”

I shook my head.

His grin widened, and another prickle of unease sent a wave of goosebumps rippling over my bare arms. I’d been so sweaty a second ago, and now the frosty air conditioning made every hair on my body stand on end.

And my nipples.

His eyes zeroed in on my chest. A wicked grin curled his lips, and I crossed my arms over my low-cut tank top. His hand slipped off the wheel to rest on the door, and a second later my window slid closed. “Don’t want to let the A/C out. It’s hot as hell out there.”

I nodded.

The next exit loomed closer. Just one more and I was home free. I glanced over at the speedometer, and we were practically crawling. “Um, I’m kind of late, like I said. Any way you could speed it up a little?”

He turned to me, jaw clenched tight. “You should learn to be more respectful, little girl. I offered you a ride; you should really be thanking me.” He reached across the console, and his thick fingers closed around my thigh.

A sharp exhale squeezed through my clenched teeth. I froze. His hand slid farther up my leg, disappearing beneath my frayed denim skirt. I wanted to scream. I knew I should. But I couldn’t move.

Instead, my panicked gaze darted to his lap and the tented crotch of his dark slacks. Nausea roiled in my gut as his fingers moved closer to my panties.

“Has anyone ever touched you there, little girl?” His breath was rough and ragged.

All the air siphoned from my lungs, and I couldn’t speak, couldn’t breathe. “Don’t,” I finally muttered.

“Don’t tell me you don’t like it?” he purred, nostrils flaring. “I can practically smell your excitement. So innocent and perfect, so tight.”

I squirmed. My body was too hot and icy all at the same instant.

“You know what that means, right? That I’m turning you on. That you want this...”

“I don’t,” I hissed. I felt completely violated, but my body reacted all the same. The asshole wasn’t wrong. No one had ever touched me there before.

“You’re just a little whore who was standing on the side of the road hoping for a rich daddy to come fuck you.”

“No...” I rasped out.

The car was barely moving now. The deserted road inched by with each ragged breath I forced through my lungs.

“Do you want your ride or not? Nothing is free in this world; the sooner you learn that, the better.” With his one hand still on the wheel, he pulled the other from beneath my skirt and reached for mine, placing it on his lap. I could feel him hard against my palm. “Touch it,” he hissed.

A tangle of rage and embarrassment throttled my insides. I wanted to scream, to cry—but instead, my fingers closed around him over his pants, and nausea made my gut clench.

“Now come on, stroke it. Up and down.” He closed his hand over mine and forced it into a steady rhythm.

“That’s right, like a good little whore.

” I squeezed my eyes closed as hot tears blurred my vision.

By the time I opened them, he’d set the car to cruise control and the damned thing was driving itself.

His other palm closed over the apex of my thighs, and a wave of panic crashed over me.

“I was right. Wet,” he groaned. His hips rocked up as I stroked. “You want me to fuck you, don’t you?”

Shit, what was wrong with me? A tear spilled over, then another. “No,” I gritted out. My fingers tightened around his dick as the panic morphed into fury.

“Liar.” He released my hand to squeeze my cheeks, forcing my jaw open. “After you suck my cock, I’ll pop your cherry, and it’ll be my face you’ll remember for the rest of your life.”