Page 4 of Wicked Proposal

“I need to come, Em. Are you ready?” I ask her. I want her with me.I want to ride out our orgasms together.

“I’m ready,” she grasps my shoulders as her fingers grip my t-shirt. I growl at her answer. Letting myself go, I plant my lips on hers and swallow her cries, driving in and out softer, slower bringing us both back to earth.

“I have to get going,” I tell her regretfully, putting my forehead to hers. “I have to be up early in the morning, I’ve got an early meeting.” I feel almost bad that I can’t stay with her. Not that I’ve ever wanted to stay with anyone for longer, but she makes me feel different. I’m not sure why, whether it’s her soft eyes or her innocence, but with her I want to take us further.

I kiss her again, slower this time, my lips soft against hers. I want to consume her… as I pull away, I know I’m in shit creek. The only thing I need to work out now is how deep I’m wading in it.

CHAPTERFOUR

EMILY

The next few days are a mixture of packing, and getting some paintings done for my portfolio. I want something I can take with me to show my professors. I’ve barely seen Troy, he’s either been working with Dad or has been and in and out of the office, or he’s been holed up in his room. I’m not sure why, I feel like he doesn’t want anything to do with me anymore. It’s almost as if he’s had his kicks, got what he wanted when he wanted it, and has now slung me to one side like yesterday’s garbage.

In one of the rare times that I do actually see him, he goes into my dad’s office with his briefcase in hand. I grab a Pepsi from the kitchen and slow my steps as I pass the office when I hear them talking. Dad’s telling Troy he has to stay away for a few days while he tries to get this company to sell. I suppose it wasn’t a bad thing; he doesn’t seem to want to talk to me anyway. As I reach the hallway at the bottom of the stairs, I hear his footsteps on the wooden flooring. He glances at me, but there’s no emotion in his face. His gaze turns back to the front as he heads out of the front door. No goodbye, no I’ll call you or something, absolutely jack shit. I gave myself to him. If there’s ever a way to make a girl feel like shit about herself, that’d be it. Suddenly I can’t wait to leave for uni. It really can’t come soon enough.

The following Monday I head to Oxford for orientation, jumping on the train for the almost two-hour journey and I’m coming back home later on. I’m not one for big groups of friends, I don’t do well in crowds, so I just hope I’m not going to be spending the next three years on my own or at least without a friend or two.

Sat with my earphones in my ears I have plenty of time to think. I have Troy on my mind; Oxford; my dad. But today I want to put it all behind me and enjoy orientation.

As the train approaches the tunnel which pulls into Oxford, I grab my rucksack, shove my phone into my pocket and stand. I notice there are other students walking toward the doors - all like me, looking nervous and the epitome of student. Jeans, Converse, t-shirt and rucksack. The odd items of clothing differ but other than that, we pretty much all look the same.

Once off the train I follow the crowd, hoping they are going the same way as I need to go. I mean just because they look like students, doesn’t mean they are. Luckily, as we’re walking along, I see the signs for the university. As I enter the campus there is a rush of people. Adults and kids mixing with others. Most of the kids have their parents with them, going to look at the dorms. I’m alone. It’s quite sad really.

I spend a few hours walking around campus, getting a feel for the place. For the first time in a long time, I’m happy in my surroundings. Finding a large oak tree in the gardens, I place my bag down and sit beside it, taking out my kindle and scrolling through my library looking for something to read. It’s late August and still quite nice and warm, especially for this country.

“Hey.” As I look up to see where the voice is coming from, there’s a pretty, dark-haired girl, standing in front of me. She drops her bag down beside mine and then sits on the grass leaning her back against the tree. “Ugh. Orientation man, I never thought it would be so tiring. And my parents are doing my nut in, stressing, and worrying if I’m going to be okay on my own, and if I can look after myself.” She comes up for breath, just about. I smirk, finding her amusing. “How about yours? Are they the same?”

“Not really? My dad doesn’t want me to come to uni and my mum died a few years ago.”

She shuffles away from the tree and turns to face me. “Ah shit. I’m so sorry.” Her gaze turns sombre as she holds out her hand, “I’m Kellie Jackson. I talk way too much, so I do apologise now, but it’s a family trait. We all talk too much.” She lifts her shoulder, in a like it or lump it gesture.

My lips tip into a smirk. She’s not like anyone I’ve ever known before but even now, I can tell I we’re going to get along.

“So why doesn’t your dad want you to come to uni? Is it because he doesn’t want to be on his own?”Her lips tighten into a line.

Tucking my legs beneath me and leaning on one hip, I exhale a frustrated breath as my fingers find the grass and I begin ripping it up. The grass isn’t even long, but I manage to grip it between my fingers and I’m soon taking my temper out on it. “I wish it was that easy,” It’s my turn to shrug now. “He doesn’t want me to do anything but run the family business.” I spill out far too easily.

“Ahh, and you don’t want to.” She comes to her own conclusion obviously sensing my reluctance.

“Nope, because he’s selfish and it’s all about him.” I go on. The sympathy in her eyes is too much with everything else happening too. “Screw him. I’m going to do what I want.”

“I like it.” Her lips stretch into a smile, “I’m lucky my parents are nothing like that. They always say, if I’m happy, then they’re happy.” I’m so jealous. That would’ve been my mum too.

“Where are your parents now?” I ask, looking around.

“They’ve gone to find coffee before we have to start again.” We both look around at the different groups that are forming together. I smile to myself; I knew I’d be happy here.

Kellie and I swapped numbers before we parted ways, and I got on the train a lot happier and determined than when I started out this morning. Now I was counting down the days to leave.

When I arrive home, I’m in such a good mood. I have the rest of this week to go, and on Friday I’ll be leaving for Oxford. I can’t wait to start my new life. Before I leave though, I have to speak to Dad. I want his blessing. I don’t want to leave knowing I didn’t try my hardest to bury the hatchet. Almost skipping down the hall toward the kitchen, I drop my bag on the kitchen table as Rose greets me with a smile. “You okay, sweetheart? You look happy.”

“I’m more than happy.” I replied excitedly. “I went to Oxford today.” I can’t wait to tell someone that will be pleased for me and recognise my happiness instead of someone that just wants to drag me down. “That’s great. How was it?” Rose asks, smiling and turning to give me her full attention.

“It was brilliant. I think I’ve made a friend. Her name is Kellie, she’s kind of my opposite but I like her.”

“Sweetheart, you deserve this. You should go and live your dream.” Rose rubs my shoulder, still smiling, but she has a sadness deep in her eyes. I know she’s thinking of me being here with my dad and the miserable git he’s becoming. I’ll be sad to leave her behind, but I have to do this for myself, I refuse to let anyone take this away from me.

I hide myself away for the next couple of days and pack my clothes, I still have no idea how I’m going to get to Oxford with all my stuff, I guess I’ll have to ask my dad’s driver or my dad.Or, maybe Troy can take me. Can I be holed up in a car with him for that long? Who knows. But I can’t go on the train.

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