Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 19330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 97(@200wpm)___ 77(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 97(@200wpm)___ 77(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
"You think I'm going to let you pay me to put your name on my work?"
He laces his fingers behind his head, gently rocking back and forth in the seat before sitting up straight to glare at me from across the table. His voice drops down to a maniacal whisper as he says, "Well, another option is that we could date. You'd be seen as the arm candy for myself, Marcus Henry the Fourth. My family's name will connect you to several VPs within the industry after graduation. Just show up at the events I tell you to. Look ravishing and flirt with a few dirty old men."
I practically snort this time. "So not only will I have to flirt with dirty old men as your arm candy, but I'm still going to have to complete this assignment by myself. I knew this was going to be some bullshit."
"I'll sweeten the pot," he replies when he sees I'm ready to flip this table in anger. "I'll toss in a semester's tuition payment on top of the dates. All you have to do is show up."
"Fuck off." I shake my head and push away from the table.
He shrugs his shoulders. "It's fine. I wouldn't expect a virgin to know a good thing when it's staring her right in the face."
Heat flames my cheeks as my eyes widen. "What did you just say?"
"Listen, Addison. I commend you for your virtue,” —he chuckles— "but I've got Grade A cock and Grade A stock. With my family name? I'm offering you the deal of a lifetime. All you have to do is a little bit of work and slap my name next to yours, and you can have it all. Do you know how many women would love to be in this position?"
"To be in this position?" I pinch the bridge of my nose to tamp down my anger. "To be in a position where you fuck me or get to fuck me … because again, there's no guarantee you hold up anything you're saying. I'm sure you fucked the shit out of whoever made those index cards, and where is she now?"
Marcus remains silent.
"Exactly. Probably offered her the deal of a lifetime to catch you up on your Econ, just for you to fuck her and fuck off. So fuck you, Marcus. You're on your own."
He reaches out to grab me by the wrist, stopping me in my tracks.
"Let go of me," I warn him, trying to snatch my arm out of his grasp.
"I didn't want it to come to this, but my great-grandfather has donated a significant amount of money to this university, and you shouldn't piss me off. The same way I can get your semester paid for is the same way I can get you kicked out."
"I dare you to try, you sniveling little creep. Now. Let. Go. Of. Me."
When he doesn't budge, I try to gauge what he's about to do, when luckily someone walks up behind me. Marcus's eyes widen with fear as his face reddens, and he releases his grasp. It's both shocking and not when I turn around to see Aidan standing there, face red with rage and all of that rage pointing at Marcus Henry.
7
AIDAN
Addison is the last person I expect to see in the grip of Marcus Henry. He’s one of the biggest assholes on this campus, and one of the main reasons why I hate mentoring students. The sense of entitlement seeps out of his pores, but what he's not entitled to is Addison.
She belongs to me.
"Mr. Henry, I suggest you learn to keep your hands to yourself. Or is that a lesson I have to teach you all over again? Perhaps, I should call Grady to set up another sparring session?"
Marcus grinds his teeth and avoids eye contact. "No, that's not necessary, Aidan. Addison and I were having a difference of opinion."
"Apologize," I command him.
He snaps his face toward me, then looks at Addison before shifting his gaze back to me. I round the back of his chair to put my hands on his shoulders. My grip tightens to the point he winces in pain.
"Yes, that's what this feels like. When someone touches you in a way that makes you uncomfortable." I grip him harder, and he bites down to avoid looking weaker than he truly is. "When someone stops you from moving how you want to move, and they ask you to let go of them, you're supposed to comply. I believe we've had this discussion already, Mr. Henry. You owe Miss Shaw an apology. Apologize now, and mean it."
Marcus sighs deeply as he turns to Addison and says, "I apologize deeply for the way I've behaved, Addison. It will never happen again."
"Apology accepted?" she says with a slight glance at me.