3. Did Someone Hurt You?
DID SOMEONE HURT YOU?
Lorelei
Did someone hurt you?
Axel’s loaded question echoed through my mind, a relentless drumbeat pounding through my skull, drowning out the soft music and incessant polite chatter that filled the hallways.
A tiny crack raced across my heart, splintering into a dozen fissures, and unwanted emotion tightened my throat. What was it about that look in his eye? Like he actually cared. Unlike everyone else in my life.
“Lorelei?” Those piercing blue eyes delved deeper, as if he stared long enough, he could pry the secret out.
But I’d never let that happen.
So I plastered on the fake smile, the one I’d been wearing since I was young and learned what it meant to be a Battenberg.
Impenetrable walls. Icy shell. Never let anyone in.
I barked out a laugh and tugged free of his hold. “Hurt me? Please, that’s laughable, Vanderhart.”
He eyed me for a long moment before he finally took a step back and released a breath. “I don’t know about you, but I’m about done with this shit for tonight.”
“Same.” I crossed my arms over my dress, trying to cover the slight tear and now-dangling crystals.
“And I’m hungry.” A wolfish grin stretched across Axel’s clean-shaven face.
The university’s star football player usually boasted a few days’ scruff. I had to admit— never out loud, of course—he cleaned up well. Those broad shoulders filled the black tuxedo jacket perfectly, as if it had been made for him. Maybe it was. The Vanderharts were pretty damned wealthy.
“Of course you are,” I muttered.
The one thing I clearly remembered about my ex’s roommate was the never-ending piles of wrappers and take-out cartons that sprawled across his side of the room. It drove OCD Killian nuts.
“I should probably go find Cordelia so we can get out of here.” He hitched his thumb over his shoulder, but his gaze lingered on my throat, likely on the bruises already forming.
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked quickly, refusing to let them fall. Not now. Not here.
“Lorelei? You sure you’re okay?” He leaned closer.
Fuck. Stop crying, damn it.
The slap of approaching footfalls propelled my heart up my throat. Ice trickled through my veins, and every muscle in my body tensed as the pungent scent of chewing tobacco loomed closer. I couldn’t move. I was completely frozen.
“Lore?” Axel’s face was right up against mine, his nose an inch from my own. “What’s wrong with you?”
“There you are, Lorelei.” That smooth voice prickled my skin as it bounced across the marble floors, and goosebumps cascaded down my bare arms. “I’ve been looking for you.”
Darkness seeped into the corners of my vision as the pale-yellow walls of the bathroom closed around me. I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the dark images away, but they only burned brighter across my subconscious.
“Now, turn around and bend over, so I can fuck that naughty streak right out of you, Lorelei. You need to understand how this relationship will work from day one.”
“Excuse me?” I blurted.
“That out there will not be tolerated.” He gestured to the door toward the ballroom. “As my future wife, you will learn to behave properly. That means not getting drunk in public or ever questioning me in front of others. Your complete obedience is mandatory.”
My eyes were so wide, I was certain my brows must have been hitting my hairline. Was this guy freaking delusional?
He stalked closer, the sweet, pungent scent of tobacco filling my nostrils. He pinned me against the vanity, hand wrapping around my throat. “Now hurry up and do as you’re told before someone comes in.”
I swallowed hard, my throat bobbing beneath his iron grip. My heart smashed against my ribs as my lungs struggled to force in oxygen.
With his free hand, he jerked my dress up and dragged my panties down to my ankles. “Your sweet little cunt better be worth it, Lorelei. Your father has been begging me for this deal for months. Just think of this as your audition.”
I was so shocked I couldn’t move, couldn’t even scream. He spun me around, forcing me against the vanity and pressed my cheek to the cool marble. The whine of his zipper sent terror spiking through my system.
“Wait,” I squealed.
“What now?” He slid his cock between my ass cheeks and nausea crawled up my throat.
“I’m—I’m on my period.”
Brock froze behind me, his erection suddenly falling away. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me, Lorelei.”
“N-nope, sorry.” I held my breath and prayed to every single god in existence that he wasn’t turned on by blood play. “Mother Nature’s a bitch.”
His hold on my throat loosened, and I lifted my head off the vanity. His hands came around my shoulders and he shoved me to the ground instead. My knees hit the marble with a bone-crunching smack. Pain shot up my kneecaps, and I gritted out a curse.
“That’s another thing, Lorelei, that foul mouth will have to be tempered.
No wife of mine will use those vile words in public.
” His fingers dug into my hair, fisting the long strands.
“I hope that dirty mouth of yours is good for other things.” He shoved his cock between my lips before I could snap my jaw shut.
“Now, show me what you can do.” Icy blue eyes stared down at me.
The tip of his cock hit the back of my throat as he thrust deeper, and I gagged.
“Come on, Lorelei. You’re in college, aren’t you? Isn’t this what you do with all those disgusting fraternity boys? Now take my cock and make me believe you want this.”
Oh fuck, I was going to puke.
My father’s voice echoed through the back of my mind: You will marry Brock Haversham and you will save our family’s fortune. Without him, we’re all screwed, do you understand me, young lady?
I nodded and started to swirl my tongue around his shaft. His fingers dug into my hair, forcing my head to bob faster, deeper.
“That’s right. That’s a good girl.” He moaned as I stroked his balls and began to suck harder, desperate for this to be over.
Squeezing my eyes closed, I momentarily left my body, abandoning it for a safe place as I numbly went through the motions. I’d sucked off enough guys without ever being present.
The random thought sent another bout of nausea roiling through my gut. I’d wasted my life with terrible men. What the hell was wrong with me?
And now I was going to be forced to spend the rest of my life with this one?
Fuck, no. I refused.
I blinked quickly and the dark memories receded to the far corners of my mind, where I’d keep them buried forever. Axel’s face was still an inch from mine, his concerned gaze much too invasive. Steeling my nerves, I spun around and faced the monster I swore to myself I’d never marry.
“Where did you run off to, darling?” That practiced, plastic smile slid across his lips. “We weren’t finished.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I thought we were.” I’d let him come in my mouth, then I’d spat it out in the sink. He hadn’t been pleased. Apparently, a good wife should swallow down the nasty shit.
I could feel Axel move behind me, his broad shoulders like a layer of armor draped across my back.
“I don’t believe we’ve met.” His voice boomed across the shell of my ear as he extended his big hand. His muscled bicep brushed my bare arm and, for a second, I could pretend it would keep me safe. “I’m Lorelei’s friend, Axel Vanderhart.”
Brock’s smile grew wider. “Oh, yes, a pleasure. Vanderhart Securities, right?”
Axel nodded. With his naturally easy-going manner, it was easy to forget Ax came from a shit ton of money like the rest of us. His huge hand closed around Brock’s, and the asshole winced. I hoped he broke a few bones.
“Brock Haversham,” he rasped out. “Lorelei’s escort for the evening.”
“How fortunate for you.” Axel shot him a tight smile before turning to face me again. His eyes dropped to my neck, and embarrassment flushed my cheeks. He knew. I could see it in the streak of pity in his bright blue eyes. “Lore, are you sure–”
My head spun back to face Brock before whirling to Axel once again. I couldn’t tell him. I’d never live it down. “I’m good, Ax, thanks.”
Brock’s hand wrapped around my upper arm, none too gently, and he jerked me toward him. A faint gasp parted my lips despite my best efforts to muffle the sound.
The serene blue of Axel’s eyes turned murderous. “Hey, Haversham, didn’t your mama ever teach you how to treat a lady?”
“Excuse me?” Harsh lines cut into Brock’s face, all false charm vanishing.
Axel stepped closer, looming dangerously over my would-be fiancé. He pried Brock’s fingers off my arm, one by one. I just stood there paralyzed. As did Brock.
Once I was freed from his grasp, I took a step closer to Axel. An unfamiliar feeling tightened my chest, and those damned tears burned my eyes again. I’d never had anyone stand up for me like that. How sad was that?
“Lore, why don’t you come with Cordi and me to grab some food?”
“I don’t think so,” Brock interjected. “Our evening has not come to an end.”
Oh, but it had.
I threw my shoulders back, the confidence Axel instilled in me from that one act of kindness snapping my spine straight.
“Sorry, Brock, I’m not feeling so great. Period cramps.” I threw him a sneer, and his perfect composure cracked for a millisecond. I was sure his ideal wife would never mention menstrual issues either. “I hope you’ll excuse me. I’ll see you tomorrow before you leave, maybe?”
I threaded my arm through Axel’s, and he tossed my escort a shit-eating grin.
“Ta-ta, Haversham.” Axel whirled me away from the dickhead, and my arm tightened around his, my heart lighter than it had been in months.