Hollow Hearts (The Harkwright Trilogy)

I look up into his mossy eyes and I think he seems genuine, there's a warmth there but also something else that I can’t quite put my finger on. It’s the same with his voice, there’s something familiar about it, but I don’t think I’ve ever spoken to him before yesterday.

I shake myself out of my thoughts as I nod my head at him and pull away, moving over to the lumpy and springy sofa and dropping down.

“What happened?” He asks softly as he sits beside me and folds his hands in his lap.

“I was talking to the other Zeros and said that I-I-I d-d-don’t intend on l-liking anyone a-a-and…” I can’t get my words out and I hate it.

“Hey it’s okay, just breathe. There’s no rush Luna,” he says and his voice washes over me, hitting that familiarity again before I do as he says. Breathing in through my nose and out my mouth. Feeling my lungs constrict which each inhale.

“A Harkwright heard me and he… he told me I should have just been a prostitute and he’ll give me the experience of being one. I knew that this whole arrangement would involve sex,” my cheeks are flaming, and the heat is traveling down my chest as I sink my teeth into my bottom lip. “I just wasn’t prepared for it to be said like that,” my tears are gone but my hands are shaking at the way he grabbed me and the fact that nobody stepped in.

“Dickhead, do you know who it was?” His voice drops, it has an almost dark quality to it and the place I’ve heard it before is right there, but I can’t quite reach it.

“No, but I know it wasn’t Aeron or Scott, I’ve run into them already,” I say with a mirthless laugh and his eyes narrow before opening back up and he gives me a gentle smile before patting me on the hand and standing up.

“I meant what I said Luna, if you need a friend then I’m happy to apply for the position. I’ll see you later,” he gives me a quick wave before gathering up his supplies and leaving the room.

Walking over to my bed, I pull out my rota of clothing that I’m allowed to wear on which day and when I’m allowed to wear my choice of clothing. Basically, when I’m in my room or if I have permission from the Harkwright

men. I thought I’d wear my clothes tonight while baking but that isn’t allowed, I already hate this place and it’s only day two.

The only clothing option that I’m allowed to wear and will be remotely comfy to bake in is a romper. It’s shorter than I would ever pick and I don’t like how it clings to my body like a second skin. The fabric is soft against my skin and a zipper travels up from my navel to just above my breasts. They like to leave little to the imagination. I pair it with a pair of wedge sandals and slip out of the room before any of the girls can ask me where I’m going.

I walk past the library and stop when I hear groans coming from within, I have this sudden urge to step inside and discover what is happening this time but I fight it off. I don’t need to become a voyeur, I don’t want to lose myself and doing something like that has to be a stepping stone in the wrong direction. Picking up my speed, I make it to the kitchen with ten minutes to spare but I hesitate when I hear voices coming from inside.

The dirty voice of Aeron that I will recognize anywhere and a voice filled with darkness, encompasses me and I know it's the first one I heard when the questions began. The one who called my story or maybe me, pathetic.

“She’ll be here soon, if you’re still set on not being here then you should probably leave,” says Aeron, and his laugh filters under the door.

“Then answer the question, which one pushed her face down into a table and told her he would help her become a prostitute? Everyone is talking about it but no one will say who it was, so tell me Aeron, Bradley or Shane?” Why would the one with a voice so dark, it both terrifies and - I hate to admit - excites me, care about what happened in the mess hall?

“It was Shane, he heard her talking and thought he’d show her exactly what he thought of the Little Zero. No harm done,” he sounds like he’s already off his head and he wants me to make him pot brownies, yeah great idea.

“Well, make sure the rest of the Harkwrights know that her virginity is off limits, none of those fuckers are claiming it,” he growls and my stomach flutters in response.

“If you want her so bad, just make her a goddamn number and claim her yourself, you are the Prince after all,” Aeron clearly has no fear and fuck, he’s talking to Emmet. No, no, no this is not good. I can’t be drawing the attention of the prince already, I haven’t done anything.

“She has to prove herself first, besides I’m not even here. I mean it though Aeron, she better still be a virgin when I get back,” a crashing sound fills the air before a door opens and slams closed.

I take a few seconds to steady my breathing before I open the door and walk into the kitchen and find Aeron leaning against the counter, one ankle crossed over the over and a joint hanging from between his lips.

“Right on time, come closer Little Zero, I don’t bite,” he says with a wink and a ripple travels up my spine as I roll my shoulders back and move closer to him. The thick smoke travels down my lungs and I find myself coughing which only makes him laugh before straightening up and moving to open a window.

“If you smoke it all, I won’t be able to make your pot brownies,” I say, as I grab an apron and yet again, I wish I thought to bring my own.

“Keep the apron off,” his voice comes out huskier than usual, and I watch as he takes a long drag from his joint, while his eyes remain fixated on me.

I hang the apron back up before collecting all the ingredients I need, and I can feel his eyes burning into me as I bend over to grab a mixing bowl. His footsteps sound loud as they travel closer before I feel him pressing up against me and something hard presses up against my ass. I swallow hard, I don’t know how I’m supposed to react especially with his hand traveling over my hip and moving around until it's pressing over my stomach.

“Aren’t you going to stand up, because this position is only fun when you’re naked,” he all but growls out and I’m going to lie to myself and say that my panties haven’t got damp at all just by the sound of him. His voice just does something to me, it’s crazy how much it affects me.

I grip the bowl tight as I right myself and my back pushes against his chest, and his chin comes to rest atop my head.

“Tell me Little Zero, if I asked instead of ordered you to fuck me right now, would you?”

I’m glad he can’t see my face otherwise there is no way I would be able to answer his question.

“No I wouldn’t, if the choice is mine then I wouldn’t give it to you in a kitchen or anywhere. You haven’t earned the right to be with me just like I haven’t earned the right to be with you either,” my heart is beating rapidly as his hand travels up my stomach and between my breasts until he’s gripping the zipper between his thumb and forefinger.