Page 46 of Boss Me

“Hey,” I call out.

As I turn to face whoever grabbed me, I’m pushed up against a wall. My breath escapes my lungs from the impact. I force myself to focus on the man detaining me.

My professor, Jimi Alan, holds my shoulders as he leans in, way too close. His dark eyes search mine as a grin forms. He’s maybe ten years older than me.

“Madison Harris. I thought I’d never see you again.” His breath smells like one-hundred-proof liquor. My heart thrashes, making my chest ache. I can’t move.

This isn’t good. Shoving my panic to the background, I push against his chest, and he stumbles back. For a moment, I’m free. I need to get away. We’re the only ones in the hallway. Fuck, I need to get back to the benefit and people.

I rush toward the hallway I just came from. My heels slip on the marble floor, slowing me down.

“Nah.” Jimi grabs my shoulder and shoves me against the wall again. This time his whole body presses against me, trapping my hands between us. I can’t push him away without leverage.

“Get off me.” Realizing I can still speak, I open my mouth to yell for help. He covers it with his hand. I still yell but it’s muffled. His hand is damp over my mouth, and I resist the urge to gag at the salty taste of his skin. My legs shake as I try desperately to think of another way out.

“Shh. Come on, little girl.” Jimi’s brown eyes skim down to the diamond necklace before dropping to my cleavage. He licks his lips. “We both know you liked to taunt me with those sweet sundresses you wore to class. Such a fucking tease.”

My blood runs cold. The dress. The pictures. The taunts.

His smile is evil as his eyes meet mine. “I saw you flirt with those guys. Right in front of me, testing me. You’d give it up to just about any guy, but not me. Not your professor. You were too good for me.”

I lift my knee, but he angles his hips away so I miss his junk.

He grabs my neck with his other hand and adds just a little pressure. Enough to make me still. Not again. My heart races, and I look around to see if I can find anyone else, but just like in the apartment, I’m alone and helpless.

“I figured you were a slut, but it wasn’t until I saw you sucking that guy’s cock that I realized how much you want it.” His fingers soften on my neck. “So eager for his cock and fucking yourself too. I nearly came in my pants, but don’t worry, I saved it for you.”

Icy, cold dread pours through me. The door. He’d seen Coop and me. He watched that private moment. Jimi drags his hand down toward my breast.

“Don’t touch me,” I protest against his hand, but it comes out muffled. Pushing with all my might to get him off me, I move off the wall a little, even with his hand pressing against my mouth. As I begin to twist, he slams my head back.

The blow to my head stuns me as bursts of light sparkle through my vision. My head aches, and he uses my distraction to slip his hand under my dress to cup my breast. I don’t want to be a victim again. I lift my knee but he’s ready for that.

At the same time, I try to bite his hand.

His chuckle is dark as he pinches my nipple painfully hard. “Fuck, I hoped you’d struggle. Little girls like you need someone to teach them exactly how to take a cock.”

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” A male voice rings out in the hallway.

Jimi turns. “Fuck off.”

I struggle more and yell “Help” into Jimi’s hand.

“Let the woman go.” His voice is commanding and familiar, but right now, I’m just grateful someone has rescued me.

Please don’t leave. Please help me.

“Why don’t you mind your own—‍” A fist connects with Jimi’s face, and he stumbles away from me.

I inhale fresh air and fix my dress while backing away from Jimi. I can’t take my eyes off him. Not for a moment. I don’t trust I’m safe yet.

My savior moves around me and grabs Jimi’s neck. When he straightens, I recognize Patrick Beck. He holds Jimi by his neck against the wall and glances at me.

“Are you okay?”

I blink at him. I’m still stuck against that wall. Fingers tightening around my neck. I can’t breathe. Hands touching me. My face is wet. My vision swims.

“Fuck.” He decks Jimi who crumples to the ground. “Stay down.”

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