Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77098 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77098 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
I walk straight up to the mirror as Nate leans against the sink, watching me. I get myself undressed and can’t help but notice all the bruising over my body from where Josh had gripped me. I try not to focus on it, as all it does is make me remember every tiny little detail of how he touched me.
I turn away and lean into the shower to turn on the taps. After waiting a few moments, it’s warm enough to step into and I instantly let the hot water cascade over my body. Nate’s arms circle my waist and I gasp as I hadn’t heard him undressing. I turn in his arms and rest my head against his chest as he holds me.
This right here is exactly what I’ve been needing all afternoon. Just me and Nate alone.
“I’m sorry,” he murmurs as he runs his thumb back and forth over my hip. “I should have put a stop to his plans when I first heard about it.”
My brows pull down as I look up at him and search his eyes. “Don’t do that,” I tell him.
“Do what?”
“Blame yourself,” I explain. “Once the idea was in his head, he wasn’t going to stop. I could sense that from him. I was the stupid one here. I was the one walking down the hall alone when I knew that was a possibility. I wasn’t thinking and that’s on me.”
He shakes his head, refusing to listen to my reasoning, but I get the feeling this is just one of those things where we have to agree to disagree. “I hate that he touched you,” he tells me.
“I know,” I sigh. “I hate it too, but I’m happy it’s over and now I’ll never have to see him again.”
Nate’s whole body tenses. “He better hope he never sees you again,” he mutters darkly.
I pull myself back into him and he instantly relaxes. “Come on,” I say after a moment of standing in his arms. “I want to wash him off me and forget this day ever happened.”
“Alright,” he says as he releases me. I reach over and grab the soap before cleaning myself and then going the extra mile to wash my hair as well. A moment later, I feel squeaky clean and fall back into Nate’s arms. “Better?” he questions.
I smile up at him and press my lips to his. “A million times better,” I tell him before kissing him again. “What are the chances that Jesse isn’t on my bed anymore?”
“He’s still there,” he groans as he pushes me against the cool tiles of the shower and kisses the sensitive skin of my neck. “He’s feeling protective of you so he won’t be going anywhere for a while.”
“Damn,” I grunt. “So, you’re telling me that I can’t take advantage of you right now?”
“Fuck no,” he groans low in his throat as he presses himself up against me and grabs my ass. In one quick movement, he lifts me and my legs wrap around him before he slides straight into me and makes me forget the hell of a day I’ve just had.
We step out of the shower once he’s thoroughly made me feel alive and he grabs a towel to wrap around me. I dry myself up as best I can before walking out into my room and heading straight for the closet.
I pull the door closed behind me to allow myself some privacy to get dressed and a few minutes later, I come out to find not only Jesse on my bed but Nate as well. I roll my eyes at my protection detail and grab my phone out of my bag before falling into Nate’s arms.
I cringe as I pull up my mom’s number and hit call. I can only imagine what she’s thinking right now. She answers on the first ring. “Tora?” she rushes out. “Are you alright? What the hell happened?”
“Hey, mom,” I murmur down the phone. “I’m fine.”
“I got a call from Principal Watkins saying you were sexually assaulted by a football player,” she says anxiously.
“Yeah, I was, but it’s ok. I’m ok.”
“Shit, honey. I’m coming home,” she says on a sob.
“No, mom,” I say. “Really. It’s alright. I’m not hurt. Nate took care of him and then Cade handled the rest.”
“How do you mean he handled the rest? I want charges filed against that kid. Has he been charged?”
“Yes,” I say. “The police were called and both them and the school are investigating. He had videoed it all as well and we found the camera, so we have the proof. He’ll most likely be expelled and charged which means no more football for him, so he can kiss his dreams of playing college football away.”
“Oh, honey,” Mom cries. “I’m so sorry you’ve gone through all this. I promise you, the second I can, I’ll be on the first flight home.”