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

the broody guy

Deep, authoritative voice.

and

eyes dig into mine, and

The fabric of his hoodie almost brushes against me.

Scary.

get away from him if the table wasn’t behind me, but

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

to stare at

chest is ridiculously broad, and the

most intimidating

listening

I’m checking

sighs. “The teacher said he gave you my number—why didn’t you text or call me? We should

“Uhhh…?”

leans in closer and boxes me further into the table. Having him so close makes my heart pound.

open my mouth, but

scary guy leans closer. He seems to be checking my eyes, and I hold my breath. Is

he glares at me, too nervous about making

“Are you on drugs?”

I shake my head.

haven’t you

“C-called?” I stammer.

work

Work together?

“I’m…”

No one is going to hear you if you mumble like

I gulp.

behind my eyelids already, and my tongue

me

But who

his chest. He sighs and

size. What do

He is huge.

might be a

away from me to pull out a chair

lips move.

harder, unsure what to

lip, the guy glares at me

you have any clue who

I shake my head.

me hanging on the campus wall, and you don’t know who I

my

hair, shaking his head like I’m the weirdo. “I’m Maddox Daniels, your project

I’m just…

Especially around Maddox Daniels.

Wait.

he have a poster on the

mind, I should

“No… I

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

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

eyes and grabs the side of my screen. He

“Hmmm…” Maddox hums.

out. My heart is racing, and my nerves root me

eyes roam over my screen. “Who the hell decides to make a presentation about Sweden when you

“Uhhh…”

Maddox looks away from the screen, sizing me up. “Wow, even the most

man jumping off a

we are writing about Norway,

are writing

up into his hairline, but the relentless, unfriendly expression returns a second

knew that—I can

the feeling

“Good…”

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