Chapter 2
Simone
I’m floating outside my body. That’s the only way I can describe what’s happening. I hope I fell asleep at the wheel on my way home and slammed into a tree. I hope I’m unconscious and having a bizarre dream that’s much worse than if I were injured in an accident or dead.
I know I’m not thinking straight. I should be grateful I’m alive and that the fucker didn’t manage to rape me. I beat him off. I survived. Nothing is broken. Not even my hymen. Figuratively speaking, of course. If that really were a thing, I broke it myself years ago.
This is a nightmare, though. I exaggerated a bit while I was shouting at everyone, but only marginally, and they all know it. No one refuted my statements. Not even the officer.
Professor Arnalt thinks I should let them take their pictures, and I trust him, and his head is on straighter than mine right now, so I’ll do it.
I look toward the officer. “Fine,” I mumble.
She blows out a relieved breath and gives me her millionth smile. “How about if the professor and I step out so the nurse can help you get changed?”
I jerk my gaze toward Professor Arnalt.
He’s still holding my hand. What must he be thinking? I don’t want him to leave, but he’d probably rather fall through a crack in the floor than stay. He’s got to be cursing Mr. Hoffman and Natasha for being out of town this week.
I have no business asking so much of him. He’s already gone above and beyond. He’s saving my life here, and I’m so fucking grateful, but he’s only being kind. Isn’t he?
He came running to my rescue. I can’t believe how fast he arrived. I know time is fucked up in my head, but it seems like it was only a few minutes between when the police called Natasha and Professor Arnalt showed up.
I know he cares about me. I was one of his students for four years.
A good student, too. I was probably a pushy bitch on more occasions than I can count, but he never got angry.
Usually, he smirked and pointed toward the door of his office when I came in to ask him ridiculous questions about homework.
Questions he knew I already had the answers to.
He lifts my chin with one finger, holding my gaze. He seems to be searching for something, and I hope I convey it. Mostly, it’s sheer terror at the thought of him leaving.
“If you want me to stay in the room, I will, Simone.”
I give a shaky nod. “Please, Sir.”
He leans in closer and whispers in my ear, “Camden. My name is Camden.”
I shiver, partly from his breath hitting my ear and partly from the new familiarity between us. “Yes, Sir,” I respond. It lightens the mood. I can’t imagine what these two women must be thinking about our odd relationship, but it’s none of their business.
I’m confident he’s simply being nice. I refuse to let myself believe otherwise, but the fact that he’s willing to stay in the room with me is huge. I need his strength. Even though I’m not his Little girl, I still need to lean on him for this.
I’ve pictured this man stripping me naked and helping me dress a million times.
At no point did I ever visualize that happening under these circumstances, but I’m not a prude.
I’d rather have him helping me than these strangers, even if they are female.
I know Professor Arnalt— Camden . I don’t know either of these women.
“Will you help me?”
He chuckles. “No, naughty girl. I will not.” He stands and touches my chin again with two fingers, bending over me. “No matter how many times I will see you naked from this day forward, the first time is not going to be tonight. I’ll face the wall. You’ll let these kind women help.”
I sigh. He’s right. “Okay, Sir.”
“Camden.” He’s chuckling again.
“Yeah, that’s not an easy switch,” I murmur.
“Uh…” the officer says. “Is she one of your students?”
“No,” we both blurt out at the same time.
The officer lifts a brow.
“I was one of his students. I graduated three weeks ago,” I tell her. “I haven’t seen him a single time since then.”
Professor Arnalt points toward the officer’s phone in her hands. “Write that down in your notes,” he jokes. “I have never touched Simone before stepping into this room tonight. If anyone ever questions me, I’m sending them to you.”
I know he’s kidding. He’s also not.
The officer’s eyes are wide, but she finally cracks a small smile. “Noted.”
I hate that he releases me to move toward the door.
Not the wall. The door. He stands a few inches away from it, which makes me feel an added level of protection.
No one can get into this room while he’s there.
I’ve been violated enough for one evening.
I appreciate him putting himself between me and any other humans.
“Would you like me to stay?” the officer asks me.
“Yes, please.”
The nurse shakes out the gown while I ease off the edge of the bed. My entire body hurts. I wince. I wasn’t in this much pain earlier.
“The adrenaline has worn off, honey,” the nurse says. “You’re going to be sore.”
I try to pull my sweater over my head, but it feels like an enormous task. Plus, it’s nearly impossible to lift my arms.
The nurse silently helps me. As she removes my clothes one by one, she makes a pile of them on the bed. Everything. Even my bra and panties. When she holds up the gown, I shake my head. The gown is a ridiculous addition.
I lower my gaze and gasp. I’m covered in bruises. “Just take the pictures,” I mumble.
The officer quickly grabs her phone and takes close-ups of my body in a dozen locations before I turn and let her do my back.
The next time the officer speaks, her words make me grit my teeth. She speaks softly. “Can you lie on your back and part your legs for me, Simone?”
I just want this over with, so I let the nurse help me onto the bed. I’m shaking violently as I spread my legs.
Thank fuck the officer is quick, and then she’s done. The nurse guides my legs together and pulls the blanket over me. “You can turn around,” she tells my savior.
Professor Arnalt is back at my side in two strides.
The officer pats my arm. “I’m going to leave my card with your, uh, with Camden. If you think of anything else that might be helpful, please call me. If and when someone is picked up, I’ll let you know. I’ve got your number.” She gives my hand a squeeze through the covers and leaves.
The nurse takes her spot at my side. “Even though the doctor has already checked you out, she didn’t know the extent of your bruising, honey. I can get you admitted and hooked up to an IV so we can get some pain meds in you. We can also give you something to help you sleep.”
I shake my head. The last thing I want to do is spend the night in this hospital.
Though the idea of going home alone doesn’t sit well either.
At least my attacker doesn’t know which apartment is mine.
He only assumes I live in that particular building.
As long as Professor Arnalt helps me all the way inside, I’ll be safe. Ish.
“You’re certain nothing is broken?” he asks the nurse.
“Nothing is broken.”
“And she doesn’t have a concussion?” he asks.
The nurse shakes her head. “The doctor checked her for that, too. She doesn’t think her head hit the concrete. There are some scrapes on her back. Antibiotic ointment is all they need.”
Professor Arnalt is frowning in deep thought as he looks back in my direction.
I open my mouth, thinking to just tell the nurse to admit me because he looks so distraught about the idea of me leaving.
But he speaks before I can. “She’ll be coming home with me. I’ll keep an eye on her.”
“Okay. The doctor will write a prescription for some pain meds in case she needs them. There’s no reason for her to suffer. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen are also fine to take.”
“Thank you.”
A half an hour later, the nurse wheels me out of the emergency room doors and helps me stand from the wheelchair while Professor Arnalt jogs to the passenger side of his SUV and opens the door.
He gently takes me from the nurse, lifts me into the car, sets my purse on the floor, and carefully pulls the seatbelt across me.
We both thank the nurse again. The few moments I’m alone in the car while he rounds back to the driver’s side are weird. Quiet. Eerie. Lonely.
I wrap my arms around myself, trying not to shiver. It’s not very cold, but I don’t have a coat. It’s night. It’s chilly at night in Seattle. But I suspect I would be shivering even if it were a hundred degrees.
“The seat should heat up more in a few minutes, baby.” He checks the vents. “I’ll have you home and tucked into bed in no time.”
“Okay.” I look out the window. Does he mean my apartment?
He covers my hand with his. “My house, Simone. Are you okay with that?”
“You don’t have to baby me. I’ll be fine. If you could just walk me to my apartment so I won’t be alone, I’ll be safe enough once I’m locked inside.”
He releases my hand and lifts my chin with his fingers. “Simone, I’m never taking you back to your apartment. Not even to pack your things. You’re not going back there.”
I gasp. Surely, he’s not serious.
“I mean it. It’s not up for debate. The thought of you going back there makes me grind my teeth.”
I stare at him. I don’t know what he means. I can’t process it all. My head is spinning from everything that’s happened.
“And I might not baby you, Little one,” he continues as he drives, “because I don’t think either of us plays that young, but I will Little you in every way imaginable. So, buckle your seatbelt, Simone, because shit’s about to get bumpy.” He glances at me, shooting me a grin.
Who is this man? He’s never spoken to me like this, nor have I ever heard him cuss. Granted, I’ve only known him in educational settings, but now I’m reconsidering the possibility that I died or fell asleep while driving.
It’s not too far to get to the gated community where he lives, and soon, he’s pulling his SUV around to the back of his home. I knew it would be a giant older home because most of the houses in this neighborhood are, but I’m still slightly shocked by its size.
My teeth start chattering when he opens my door. Why did I think it was a good idea to go out tonight without a jacket? Perhaps if I’d been wearing something over my clothes, I wouldn’t have been quite as attractive to my attacker, or at least not as accessible.
Professor Arnalt sets a hand on my lower back and guides me toward the back of the house. He punches in a code to open the door, and then we’re inside what I assume is a mudroom.
It’s warmer, but I’m still shivering. I may never stop. I’m unnerved and not just from my attack. Being in his home is surreal. “Sir, I don’t want to be a burden.”
He guides me through the smaller room into a giant kitchen. It’s oddly modern, considering how old this house is. It’s been recently renovated with stainless steel appliances and white-and-gray fixtures and tile.
“You’ll never be a burden, Simone. Wipe that from your mind.”
“Well, thank you for letting me stay tonight. I’m so tired, I can’t think. I’ll come up with a better plan tomorrow.”
Professor Arnalt steps in front of me, so close I’m surrounded by his aftershave. Even at the end of the day, it lingers. I like the scent. I’ve been near enough to him several times over the years to breathe it in, but never this close.
He lifts my chin again. It’s a thing with him.
“Simone, you’re tired and have been through a traumatic experience, so I don’t expect you to remember what I’m about to say.
I’ll repeat it again tomorrow, but you’ve been flirting with me for four years.
I was never in a position to reciprocate, so I did not.
But you’re not my student anymore, so now all bets are off. ”
I stare at his face. His brow is furrowed. His words are serious.
“I’ll spend the rest of my life kicking myself for waiting so long to contact you after graduation.
I had some warped idea that if I put distance between the end of school and when I approached you, no one would be able to question our possible involvement before you left the university.
My hesitation put you in danger, and now you’ve been assaulted because I waited so long. ”
I gasp. “Sir…” Is he serious? Is he blaming himself for what happened tonight?
He shakes his head. “Just listen. I can’t change the past, but I will do everything in my power to make the future brighter.
Now, I’m not brazen enough to assume you will enjoy my company now that I have you in my home.
You don’t really know me. For the past few years, you’ve been flirting with the idea of what you think I’d be like as your Daddy, but you have no clue what that really looks like. ”
I swallow hard. I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t even be happy because I’m too stunned, overwhelmed, in pain, and reeling from being body-slammed to the ground by a stranger.
“So, here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to take you upstairs and get you settled in…” He steps closer. His voice dips lower. “I’ve been preparing a room for you for a long time.”
My breath hitches. This man I’ve been lusting after has been planning to move me into his home for…how long?
“I know it was bold of me, and frankly, it wasn’t easy, either. After all, it’s hard to know your style. You’ve changed it ten times in the last four years.”
I find myself smiling even though it hurts and feels out of place. He’s right.
“So…yeah. You have a room here. You’re going to sleep there tonight and for as long as you want.
We’ll talk about this more when you’re feeling up to it, baby, but please consider staying here for the foreseeable future.
It would kill me to take you back to your apartment.
I wouldn’t be able to sleep. Give me a chance to be the Daddy you imagined.
I don’t know what that might look like, but let me try to be him. ”
I’m breathing heavily.
“Say yes,” he adds.
“Professor…”
“And stop calling me Professor. If you’re not ready to call me Daddy, at least go with Sir.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Do we have an understanding?”
“I don’t know. That’s a lot of information to process.”
He chuckles. “Unlike my English classes, there will be no pop quiz tomorrow. I’ll repeat all of that as often as you need to hear it. Can we go upstairs now?”
“Yes, Sir.” I need sleep. My adrenaline rush crashed at the hospital. I’m a walking zombie. When he takes my hand and guides me out of the kitchen, I let him.