Tasha doesn’t seem taken aback by Hero’s clenched fists or darkened gaze.
I know I am. I feel the anxious knot in my belly.
“He didn’t hurt her, and I don’t believe you, not even a little bit. But since I’m done having this conversation…” She sneers at Hero, then directs her attention back to me. “There’s going to be another party tomorrow, and I want you to come. We never get to hangout, and I just kind of miss you,” she pouts.
I feel conflicted between them. Tasha, my first friend here, and Hero, the man who has opened my eyes to things. I know I can’t make them both happy, so I come up with the best option. “I’ll come if Hero comes with me.” I smile, trying to ease the tension.
Tasha seems upset by my response, but shrugs. “Okay, whatever you want.” Without waiting for Hero’s answer, she continues. “I’ll see you then.” She doesn’t even say goodbye, she simply walks past us, heading toward our dorm room.
Hopefully, she doesn’t have a run in with my parents on her way up there.
We finish our walk back to Hero’s house, and when we get there, I feel like he’s too quiet.
“So, are you going to take me to that party tomorrow?”
“If you really want to go, then yes, I’ll take you.”
“I do. I just want to be a normal college girl, doing what everybody else does. I want the whole experience.”
He nods like he understands me. “You want to take a bath?”
I nod and smile at him. A bath sounds amazing right now.
Then he adds, “Together?”
My mouth goes dry, and the smile is wiped off my face in an instant.
He wants us to take a bath together?
“Don’t look so shocked. I’ve seen most of your body naked already. I’d like to see the rest. It’s just a bath. I’m not planning on taking your virginity. Unless you beg me again. I don’t think I’m strong enough to refuse you a second time.”
My cheeks heat up thinking of that night and how I pleaded for him to touch me.
At first, I thought I was only acting that way because of the spiked drink, but the more I thought about it, the clearer the truth became…
I wanted it—I wanted him.
I wanted him to touch me, kiss me, to do things to my body, and let me do things to his body in return. And right now, even through the slight rush of fear, I want nothing more than to take a bath with him.
We go into his place, then walk into the bathroom together, stopping right in front of the tub. Hero turns the water on and puts the plug in the drain while I stand there, awkwardly waiting for him.
When he straightens back up, he takes his shirt off, revealing a muscular chest and toned stomach. Noticing tattoos I hadn’t seen before, I reach out to touch the inked skin. Running my fingers over them, I appreciate the way he feels and the way he shudders beneath my touch.
Inching closer, he grabs two hands full of the summer dress I’m wearing and starts pulling it up.
Lifting my arms, I help him get the dress off me quicker. When I’m left in nothing more than my underwear, my heart rate spikes, my cheeks heat, and my entire body starts to feel warm all over.
Hero’s pants come off next.
I gulp when I see his very erect penis through the thin fabric of his boxer briefs.
“Look, I told you we don’t have to do anything, but that doesn’t mean he is going to want to stay down.” Hero snickers, pointing to his crotch. “But seriously, Elyse, I swear, I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do.”
His words are heartfelt, and I know he’s telling the truth. Reaching behind me, I unclasp my bra, wanting to show him I’m not as afraid as I might look. Cool air caresses my exposed breasts as the bra slides off my shoulders down to the floor.
Hero grips the material of his boxers, shoves them down his legs, and steps out of them without even a blink of his eyes.
My mouth waters, and my body quivers with need when I spot his erection. It’s so long and thick, and points up to his navel. I catch a glimpse of some shiny metal pierced through the tip and almost gasp. I stop myself from reaching out and touching it.
In horror, I realize I’ve been staring at it for far too long. My gaze lifts to his amused face, and my cheeks heat. I guess he’s noticed as well.
Getting down on one knee in front of me, Hero tugs two fingers into the waistband of my panties and starts to pull them down. His movements are sensual as his knuckles skim my skin all the way down my legs.