Chapter 9 Lexi
Lexi
“Well, that’s bullshit because I should at least know your name!”
“It’s Koa.”
“Koa?” I gasp. “Like Noa but with a K?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, Koa, since we’re having a lovely time in this forest getting acquainted, what’s your first question? I’ll determine whether you’re worthy enough to know the answer.”
“Are you a virgin?” he asks.
I shake my head. “Disappointed, are you?”
“I hate fucking virgins, so no.”
I don’t read too much into his words as I say, “I take it that you’re not one either.”
“I’m asking the questions,” he says, pressing my wrists deeper into the earth. “You don’t do coke, but do you drink? Smoke?”
I roll my eyes. “God, why does this feel like you’re interviewing me.”
“Answer the question,” he says. His face is way too close to mine, but I guess it’s the only way we can see each other this dark forest.
“No.”
“Why?”
“I just don’t,” I say, and that’s the only answer I’ll give him. “I’m assuming you do. You’re supplying my brother, aren’t you?”
He leans down and bites my jawline. I hate that my hips buck. Warmth spreads where his teeth just marked me. “What the hell was that for?”
“I’m asking the questions. Don’t taunt me.”
I stare up at him, feeling his saliva on my jaw turn cold from the air. The warmth is gone. I inhale, which makes my breasts press against his chest.
“Now, tell me why you’re here, putting yourself on the line for that junkie brother of yours.”
That’s crossing the line, so I start to wiggle under him, but he presses his hips harder against me and his weight holds me down.
“Did I hit a nerve?” he asks.
“It’s none of your business why I’m here.”
He leans down. “Everything you do is my business now, Lexi. If you don’t tell me, I’ll just have to call your brother.”
“Fine!” I say. “I just want your word that you’re no longer calling him, meeting with him, no hurting him.”
He tilts his head. “Why?”
“One. He’s not your punching bag. Two. Because if I’m going to play this game of yours, that’s my dealbreaker. As soon you break those rules, the chains are gone, and I’m at my own freewill to destroy your life. I’ll make sure it’s your worst fucking nightmare.”
His eyes gleam now, staring down at me.
I add, “But I’ll play your game for now.”
He lets out a half laugh, licking his bottom lip. “Are you done setting your rules?”
“No, you won’t tie me up for a tree for hours ever again.”
“Is that all?”
I nod.
“Now answer my question.”
“Blood is blood. I would do anything for him.”
“Even if he wouldn’t do it for you.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “It doesn’t matter if the love is reciprocated. When I love, I love hard and unconditionally.”
He just stares at me, eyes still gleaming. “I want to fuck you.” My insides melt at those words. “Do you want to fuck me?”
“No.”
One word. Absolute. Sure. No hesitation. I said it with no emotion, even though his words and tone of voice are being inhaled through my open mouth and landing right at my center where it dwells and transforms into something that suddenly makes me ache.
“I don’t sleep with just anyone.”
“What do I have to do to join the club?”
I can’t help the laugh that leaves my chest. I thought he would just take without asking. I thought in his game, that I was given no choice. I underestimated him.
“Not be a druggie,” I say sternly, matter-of-fact.
“I’m not a druggie.”
“You don’t do coke?” I ask. “Smoke crack? Pop pills? Whip-its? Meth? Weed? Heroine?”
He shakes his head. “No.”
“You’re such a liar. And I don’t sleep with liars.”
He pins me further and the restraint is starting to hurt but I barely notice it under his intensity.
“What else?” he asks.
“I don’t know. There’s nothing else.”
He nods. “Oh, there’s more. I can tell you have a whole list. Now tell me.”
I shrug. “I don’t know. It’s a working list. Rain check?” I tug at my arms. “Can you get off of me? You’ve proven I can’t outrun you.”
He shakes his head. “One more question.”
“Yeah?”
“Would you hate me if I kissed you?”
That was unexpected, but it makes me laugh with disgust. “I already hate you, Koa.”
“I take that as a green light.”
He leans down, and I inhale, pushing my chest against him, trying to keep my distance, but I have nothing to back up to. His lips hover above my mouth as his eyes stare at mine.
Then he rubs the tip of his nose with mine.
I close my eyes, trying not to panic that this man I just met took me to the forest and tied up to a tree for hours and is now asking if I’d fuck him.
My breathing relaxes as his breath tickles me.
And then suddenly the cold air hits my face and his weight is lifted.
He walks off and says, “Let’s get you home before that dumb friend of yours calls the cops.”
I stand up and stare at him for a moment, not understanding what just happened. He didn’t kiss me. I pick up the rope and then look around the ground for any other evidence.
“Where’s my phone?” I ask.
“In my pocket.”
I walk behind him, keeping my distance. The rope between my fingers tells me that he trusts me way more than he should. When we reach his car, he grabs the rope from me and throws it in his trunk.
We drive in silence back to the college. He pulls into the parking lot and chooses a far stall in the corner.
“What’re you doing?” I ask.
He turns off the engine and says, “I dorm too.”
I lean back. For someone that’s as dark and terrifying, I’m surprised.
“What?” he asks. “Didn’t expect me to have a normal life?”
“I don’t know if you deserve that compliment.”
He almost smiles. “You belong to me now. Slip up? Your brother pays.”
“What’re you? My fucking dad?” I snark automatically because he sounds exactly like him.
He walks in front of the car to meet me on my side.
“What are you––”
He grabs me and slams me against his car door. His face is inches away from mine as he whispers, “Let me get one thing straight, Lexi. Use that fucking tone with me again, and there will be consequences. Now get inside your fucking dorm. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I stay quiet as I walk past him and then my ass stings as I hear a smack echo in the parking lot. I whip around, not quite understanding what just happened, but I see his red palm and gasp. He just fucking spanked me.
I push his chest and then try to slap him across the face, but he grabs my hand. And then I try again with my other hand, but he catches that one too. “Don’t fucking do that again!”
He slams me against his car again, not hesitating this time as he leans down for my lips. I push my face away and say, “Don’t!”
He releases my fighting hands but holds me in place. All I smell and see is him. I start punching, and he lifts me up on the hood of his car and presses himself against me.
“Don’t tempt me, Lexi,” he growls.
I don’t want to fall, so I wrap my arms around him to hold myself still.
“I’ll fuck you right here on the hood of my car.”
“No!”
He growls, biting down on my hoodie, eventually his teeth dig into my right boob. He bites my cleavage so fucking hard. I pull at his hair as I cry out.
“Koa! Koa!” I screech, trying to pull him off. “Ow!”
He stands, and I’m left panting, holding my tit.
“Ow! You fucking asshole!” I want to curl into a ball. The pain is radiating.
“You’ll think twice before you––”
“Lex?” a familiar feminine voice calls out. I look beyond Koa’s shoulder and finally relax. I’ve been saved. Thank fuck.
Thea runs over and Koa removes himself from above me. She puts herself between me and him and shouts, “Stay the fuck away from her!”
“Thea,” I say breathless as I remove myself from the hood of his car. I do an awkward crawl and push myself up. My boob is so sore. I grab her face and force her to look at me. “Let’s get out of here. Come on.” I don’t dare to glance at him again. He’s a fucking psychopath.
She eyes him as we walk off and asks, “Did he hurt you?”
I shake my head. “You don’t need to worry.”
She grabs my arm and forces me to walk with her. “You should just let Axel deal with his drug dealer, Lex.” She looks over her shoulder at Koa. “You shouldn’t have to sacrifice yourself for your brother’s fucking problems.”
I shake my head. “It’s not what you think.”
She leans into me. “I was so worried when he took off from the alley. I’m just happy you’re back in one piece. I can finally go to sleep.”
I apologize to her, and she says, “This was the most unforgettable first day of college.”
I nod, agreeing. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
When I get upstairs to my dorm, I look out my window and wonder what the hell I’ve gotten myself into. My boob aches. It’s definitely going to bruise. As long as my brother’s off the hook, I’m okay though. I will do anything to protect my brother.
I start typing a text to him.
Lexi: You need to a fresh slate, Ax. I hope you can get your head straight. No more drugs, okay. Promise me you won’t turn out like them. I love you. You’re all that I have. I hope you had a good first day. Let’s meet up soon. I came here to hang out with you.
I take a shower and look down at my right boob.
Holy hell, his teeth marks left a bruise.
I inhale, poking at it. It’s sore as hell.
And then I look in the mirror and notice my feral eyes.
When I get into bed, every creek I hear from the hallway makes me feel unsettled.
My roommate is asleep on her side of the room.
I check my phone, but my asshole brother is still ignoring me.
I huff and stare at the ceiling.