Page 46 of Sweet Possession

REMI

After the disaster yesterday, I thought I would feel defeated. Ready to give up. But somehow, I feel more determined to show all these people that think they can bully and belittle me that I am stronger than they give me credit for. They may think they are just dealing with some poor girl from the wrong side of the tracks, but they couldn’t be more wrong. I have been through worse than what they are throwing my way.

Striding down the hall to my locker, I ignore the bitchy looks from the cheerleaders and the lustful ones from the jocks. Entering my code, I pull the door open and gather up the books I need. Slamming it closed, I pause when I find Logan leaning up against the locker next to mine. I straighten as I glare at him. I’ve had just about enough of the Carrington men. “What do you want, Logan?”

He smirks, pushing off the locker as he gets in my face. “You. I want you, Remi.” His hand darts out, a finger running down my cheek.

I flinch and step back. “Don’t touch me,” I hiss.

“Come on, baby. You should feel privileged that you have my attention. Every girl in this place wants a piece of me.” The arrogance in his voice, on his face, repulses me.

“Yeah, well, I’m not every girl. I don’t want you, Logan. Now why don’t you grow up and leave me the hell alone? This will not be the last time you get rejected, I’m sure, so why don’t you use me as a lesson in the art of someone not wanting you and learn how to take a hint, instead of acting like a creeper who won’t take no for an answer and clearly has no respect for women’s boundaries.”

His mouth drops open in shock before he recovers by wiping a thumb across his lips. A devilish smile curves his lips as he leans in close. His hot breath hits my ear as he speaks. “I will have you, Remi, even if I have to take you kicking and screaming. The thought of me forcing you makes me rock-fucking-hard.” He groans.

I shove him away. Is he really insinuating that he would rape me? “Stay away from me, Logan.”

Pushing past him, I make my way to homeroom. Jesus. Who knew rich, private-school kids could be so much worse than the poor students I used to go to school with? It’s ironic, really. I felt safer in a place filled with gangs and kids dealing drugs just to make a buck. Coral Lakes is full of the children of the rich and powerful, who no doubt have many transgressions brushed under a rug just to keep their clean images intact. There’s no doubt in my mind that the likes of Logan and his friends are always bailed out of whatever shit they pull. I mean, it’s clear that Logan doesn’t care about consequences. Why would he when his father is a complete piece of shit who blackmails an eighteen-year-old to strip for him?

I snort as I walk into class and drop down into my assigned seat. It’s funny. I wanted this scholarship, my place in this school, so badly, but now I’m not so sure it’s worth it. Yes, it’ll look good on college transcripts, but who says I need to go to college? My dream is to open an art studio when I finish school. Maybe I can do that sooner than I planned? If I keep playing poker like Asher taught me, I could find a little space and set up something. Teach kids, and even adults, for extra money and sell my paintings? I grin. Yeah. I like that idea. Maybe I’ll talk it over with Asher and see what he has to say about my idea. I mean, it hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park being here, what with Brody knowing about us and now Logan and his father causing problems. It would be easier to give up my place at Coral. It would be nice to leave with a diploma, but I could finish it online.

Falling back in my chair, I think through my options. Logically, I know it’s in my best interests to stay here, but the pressure and anxiety I’m feeling is overwhelming. I won’t give up Asher. And no matter what, I will achieve my dreams. I just need to decide if it’s worth staying at Coral Lakes to do that.

* * *

“Asher?”

I am sitting at the counter in his kitchen, doing homework as he cooks us dinner. It’s all very domestic, and for some reason, that doesn’t scare me.

He glances over his shoulder, brows furrowed, no doubt at the tone of my voice. “Mmm?” He leaves what he’s doing and turns to fully face me. I chew my bottom lip nervously. Sighing, he closes the distance between us, his thumb reaching up to remove the poor abused flesh from between my teeth. “What’s wrong, angel?” His voice washes over me, calming me, despite what I am about to say.

I blow out a breath, readying myself for the next words out of my mouth. “What do you think about me pulling out of Coral Lakes?” I blurt, ripping off the Band-Aid.

His eyes widen, before narrowing. “Absolutely not. You earned your place there, and you will stay there until you graduate.”

I expected him to say something like that. Placing my palms on his chest, I sigh. “Asher, just hear me out. Everything seems to have been going wrong since I started. Maybe it’s a sign. Maybe I’m not meant to be there.” My eyes drop to the floor, but it doesn’t last long. Gripping my chin, he lifts until my gaze meets his.

“Is this about Brody? Or Louis? Did something happen?” I hear the tightness in his voice. He’s trying to keep calm, but his protectiveness over me outweighs everything.

I shake my head and blow out a breath. “No. Yes.” Pulling myself out of his grip, I jump off the stool and start to pace.

“Tell me what happened,” he grits making me pause. Asher stands there, tension rolling off his body. Shit. He thinks one of them got to me.

“Nothing happened, Asher. Not today, anyway. But you know as well as I do, they won’t go away. Maybe it’s just easier if I leave. I could get my diploma online and open a studio somewhere.”

He grabs my arm, pulling me into his hard body. “No. You are staying and that’s final. You worked hard for your place there. No way you are giving it up because of some delusional assholes that think they can bully you into doing what they want. I won’t allow it.” His words are final, but he needs to hear me out.

“But everything just seems so hard. If it’s not your ex-best friend that is in love with you, its Logan. If it’s not Logan, it’s his dad. It’ll only be a matter of time before someone finds out about us and I lose my scholarship anyway.” I shrug.

“Listen to me, angel, and listen good. You are staying in school. If it makes things easier for you, I will hand in my resignation. It’s not like I need the job.” His lips tip up into a crooked smile. “To be honest, I was thinking about quitting before I met you. I only stayed because it gave me something to focus on other than the betrayal from Brody and Cali. Now I have you. I don’t need to teach. Do I like being there because that’s where you are? Sure, I do. But that’s the stalker side of me, which is exclusive to you. That only comes out with you.”

I chuckle. “You’re crazy,” I murmur.

“Crazy about you.” He brushes his lips across mine.

I pull back before he can ravish me. “I don’t want you to quit your job. I like you being there.”

“We’ll work it out, angel. But first thing’s first.” I squeal when he lifts me and plops me on the counter. “Let me turn off the stove and then I’m going to fuck you right here.” He moves away from me and to the stove. My stomach tightens with need at the thought of him inside me, fucking me on this counter.

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