Page 277 of Bad for Me

My head fell back as my body tensed, and everything went black, my cries filling my ears.

6

NATALIE

My dreams werefitful and erotic. Men surrounded me. At the center was the man who had taken ownership of me in more ways than one. After he'd fucked me raw and into next Tuesday, I dreamt he released me, massaging my wrists, then pulled me to him as I cried. I didn't know how long I cried or why I let him comfort me, but as he soothed down my hair, telling me what a good girl I was, it all felt worth it.

God, I was fucked up.

I rolled over and winced when I landed on my back. Though not as sore as last night, it still hurt. My limbs felt like they weighed a ton. To my surprise, I woke up in my dorm room, tucked into my bed. How had I gotten here?

I turned back on my side, hoping that it would help, and found a dozen roses on my nightstand along with a red envelope. I had so many questions, but no one last night had given me a chance to ask them, and I wasn’t sure they would.

I tossed back the covers and sat up, wincing. It was then I realized I was dressed in a nightgown made of soft cotton—simple and nothing I'd owned previously.

I picked up the envelope and took out the letter. Behind where it was sat a container.

Pet,

You were absolutely amazing last night. The bracelet around your wrist shows your status now.

I glanced down and sure enough found a bracelet on my left wrist. It was a beautiful platinum cuff with a double infinity knot in the center. I slipped it off my wrist and looked at the engraving on the inside. “My pet.” Not only had he marked me, but planned on branding me as well. I huffed and tossed it on the bed.

You are expected to wear it at all times and will be punished if you don't.

I glanced at the bracelet but couldn't bring myself to put it back on.

The cream is for the areas that are bruised and marked. It's to be used until the marks disappear.

I will be in touch. No one else should reach out.

I'm looking forward to our next encounter, pet.

Sir

What the fucking hell had I gotten myself into?

PS. As a Lyndhurst girl, you are required to be on time (unless I say otherwise) and maintain your GPA.

I crumbled up the paper. If I hadn't worked so hard for my degree, I'd just walk away, but with less than six months to graduation, I could do this. When I was done, I had several prospects for jobs, but none of them would hire me if I got arrested for hacking into the university’s system.

Yesterday, the dean had made it sound like it would be multiple men, but it had only been one after we left the main room and the letter made it sound like my mystery man would be the only one. Could I do this for six months? A smile crept on my lips. As sore as I was, I'd never come so hard. As much as I'd deny it, and as much as it was going to hurt to sit for the next few days, that part had me dripping before he'd even begun.

You can do this.

I stared at my reflection, thankful my room was a single. The dark circles under my eyes told a story I was happy to not have to share with a roommate. Or the mysterious way I’d gotten back in my room.

Sighing, I grabbed my bathroom supplies and my robe. I had an hour before my computer class. Before I left the room, I looked back at the bracelet, disgusted with myself. As I headed to the showers, I kept repeating it was a small price to pay.What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?

7

OLIVER

She didn’t lookas tired as I’d anticipated, but she wore more makeup than normal. I much preferred her in her natural state—mascara and a little lip gloss. Today, she wore foundation that I supposed was an attempt to cover the dark circles under her eyes.

I couldn’t wait till tonight to see the marks I’d left on her. Bruises had already started showing up before I took her back to her room. The thought of her wearing my marks made me wish I wasn’t teaching right now. It was hard not to smile as she kept shifting in her seat.

My blood boiled each time Trevor leaned over and asked her a question. I wanted to interrupt my lecture when he reached out and touched her forearm. She was mine. The bracelet around her wrist told anyone in the Elite she was off-limits. Most of the students who took part wore one but only those claimed had the double knot, the others it was only a single.

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