Chapter 1

Michelle

I’m afraid of most men.

I haven’t told anyone, and I’m not seeing a therapist about it, but it all started after I was raped. Of course, no one knows about that either. I’m scared no one would believe me.

Especially since I’m not beautiful, tall, or attractive.

I’m a short little book nerd brunette. An introverted nobody, and it was a famous football player on campus who forced himself on me.

Why did he do that?

Why me?

Those exact thoughts are why I keep it a secret.

No one would believe me if I said Thomas Hennington pushed me into the wall and forced his junk inside me.

Thinking about it makes me sick to the stomach.

It happened during my first frat party before any classes had started. Thomas was drunk, but that is not an excuse.

What he did was wrong.

Yet I feel guilty that I was there.

It feels like everything is my fault.

Sometimes it makes me want to cry.

But no one would believe me if I told them what Thomas did.

Therefore, I keep my mouth shut and try not to think about it. I’m not wealthy enough to see a therapist, and I will be fine. I can handle this. There is worse stuff happening in this world.

I’m not pregnant—I checked.

And my fear of men is a phase that will pass.

Despite the mess inside my head, I silently tap away on my laptop inside the library.

Since its the first year of college, our professor wanted us to bond and make new friends. He grouped us two-and-two to make a presentation together, but my partner wasn’t there.

I actually consider myself lucky because I’m supposed to be working with a guy—Maddox Daniels. And although all the girls squealed, I didn’t want to be paired with a guy.

Maddox Daniels sounds like a super scary name too.

And all the girls called him hot.

Sexy.

One girl sighed and fought the professor to switch partners with me; what the heck was that all about?

Girls are weird…

Yawning, I take a deep breath and stand up from my chair.

I’m getting hungry and should leave the library. I live with two other girls in a tiny apartment. They usually eat my food, but there might be something left.

I roll my shoulders and reach for my laptop. But before I can grab it and get out of here, heavy footfalls approach me.

“Hey, you!”

I slowly turn around and freeze.

Holy shit.

Who is that?

Anxiety churns in my stomach when I lift my chin.

An insanely colossal guy is heading in my direction. A grey hoodie hugs his muscular arms, and I’m forced to lift my chin to meet his irritated eyes; that’s how tall he is.

Judging by his ripped body type, he must be into sports. Football or wrestling? A lineman? Hard to tell, but it must be a position that requires height. I would guess he is six-foot-five, or possibly six-foot-six.

Regardless, he is intimidating and handsome. Enough to make me forget how to function. I just stand there like a fool, staring at him while my IQ rapidly drops to zero.

he a movie

goldfish when the broody guy crosses his arms

Deep, authoritative voice.

and whisper.

eyes dig into mine, and

suddenly mere inches from him. The fabric of his hoodie

Scary.

the table wasn’t behind me,

the library…” the guy mutters. “It must be my lucky day

continue to stare at

and the surrounding air

might be the most intimidating guy I’ve ever

listening

checking you

he gave you my number—why didn’t you text or call me? We should

“Uhhh…?”

the table. Having him so close makes my heart pound. “Wait.

open my mouth, but not

my eyes, and I hold my breath. Is he

glares at me, too nervous about making a move. Too damn scared of

“Are you on drugs?”

I shake my head.

haven’t you

“C-called?” I stammer.

over me. “Yes, Michelle?! We are supposed to work together! Explain yourself! Why didn’t you text

Work together?

“I’m…”

like a normal person! No one is going to hear you if you mumble like

I gulp.

prickling behind my eyelids already, and my tongue

me

Sorry… But who are

him drop his arms from his chest. He sighs and takes

size. What do they feed this

He is huge.

but in a “he might be a serial killer” way that shoots

away from me to pull out a chair

lips move. “Sit

what to

the guy glares at me with anger ticking against

have any

I shake my head.

of me hanging on the campus

my

shaking his head like I’m the weirdo. “I’m Maddox Daniels, your project partner. Now, do you

I’m just… Scared around

Especially around Maddox Daniels.

Wait.

have a poster on the campus

I

“No… I can

fail this class,” Maddox is eyeing my laptop like a predator. “What do you

retake my seat. I’m shaking, yet I somehow find my voice. “I haven’t gotten that

of my screen.

“Hmmm…” Maddox hums.

heart is racing, and my nerves root me to the spot. I’m not sure what to do

screen. “Who the hell decides to make a presentation about Sweden when you could choose any goddamn country

“Uhhh…”

up. “Wow, even the most innocent-looking girls are fucking predators. Don’t judge a book by its cover. You can’t trust anyone

about the man jumping off a cliff into the

we are writing about Norway, not

are writing about

but the relentless, unfriendly expression

knew that—I can see

get the feeling he

“Good…”

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