Hate Me (Black Mountain Academy)

by Ashley Jade

Sadness fills my chest as I hang up and grab a bottle of water from the fridge. I have the best news and no one to share it with. A smile touches my lips. On second thought, that’s not true. Placing the water on the counter, I rush outside and run around to the basement entrance. Knox said he’d leave it unlocked for me so I can take care of Whiskers, and I’m glad he stayed true to his word. “Hey, you.” I pick the little kitty up from her blanket and cuddle her. “Guess who got into Stanford?” Whisker’s purrs a little, nuzzling her head under my chin. I run my fingers through her fur, which is much softer and healthier than it was when I found her. “At least you’re here for me.” Maybe I can convince Knox to let me keep her hidden in the basement for the next few months and save up for an apartment near campus that allows pets. “Would you like to live with me and be my college study buddy?” She purrs again, and my heart does a little flip. “And people say cats have attitudes.”

“I got into Stanford,” I blurt out as he walks up the stairs. I hear him come to a full stop. “Great. How long until you and that furball get the fuck out?” I raise my middle finger. “Dick.”

I expect him to snatch the cupcake from me so he can eat it, but he dips his head…then runs his tongue ring across my lower lip. “It tastes sweeter than it looks,” he murmurs before edging away.

When he reaches his car, he stills, holding my stare. “It’s the strangest thing. I’ve been sneezing a lot lately and I have no idea why.” I grit my teeth as he gets into the driver’s seat, starts the engine, and backs out. After he’s gone, I trek to the back of the house. A metallic smell hits my nostrils the second I enter the basement. My stomach sours and the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention as I take in the trail of blood on the floor. No. Acid works up my throat as I round the small corner to my bed. I inhale a sharp breath when I find Whiskers on the floor in front of my bed. With her throat slashed. I clench my fists, my chest recoiling as I stare at the mutilated kitten. This was a warning. And if she’s not careful…it will only get worse.

“Kermit?” Reptiles didn’t typically respond to humans like dogs did, but I was just a kid, so I didn’t know any better. In my defense, I had taught him a few things, like how to eat from my hand, so maybe he’d come when called, too…but no such luck. Worried, I checked every nook and cranny in the basement. Every hiding spot I could think of for a lizard. But he was nowhere to be found. It didn’t make sense because I always made sure to put him back in his cage after I played with him. I asked my mom if she’d seen him earlier, but she said she hadn’t. Dad would be home from work any minute now, so the sooner I found him, the better. He’d be angry if he stumbled upon Kermit, and I shuddered to think of what he would do. “Every action has a consequence.” Although I suppose I could play dumb and let him think Kermit just wandered into the house. But then he’d blame my mother for not keeping things tidy and Kermit would be out on the street. “Trenton,” my dad bellowed from upstairs. “Get upstairs. Now.” Shoot. I quickly straightened my spine and marched up the staircase. “Go wash your hands for dinner,” my mother instructed when I wandered into the kitchen. I watched in confusion as she grabbed a few plates and dishes from the cabinet. I expected my mother to be cooking dinner because she always did, but my father was pulling what looked like takeout from a paper bag. We rarely had takeout, so I was excited. After doing as I was told, I sat down at the table...

NO FUCKING WAYYYYY

He drags his thumb over the wet spot on his jaw and brings it to his mouth. “Don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll come back.” His eyes sharpen as he delivers his next words. “Strays always do.”

“I didn’t know slutty nightgowns were suitable dinner attire,” Knox hisses. A few people around the table exchange a glance, and my mother’s cheeks turn red. “Oh, you know brothers,” my mother jokes tersely. “Always teasing their sisters.” “Knox,” Trent says in warning as a server places a plate in front of me. “Stop teasing your sister.” His angry glare swivels to me next. “And Aspen…” I can tell he wants to ream me out, but he can’t because we’re surrounded by people. Such a shame. “Be good,” he settles on before going back to his lobster. I bat my eyelashes at my stepfather. He wants the perfect family? Well, I’m gonna give it to him. “Sure, daddy,” I state with a mock pout. “I’ll do whatever you want tonight.” Beside me, Knox chokes on his drink. Trent’s eyebrows shoot up to the sky.

“So,” Leo says, attempting to change the subject. “I heard you got into Stanford.” He raises his glass and I see the pride shining in his eyes. “Beautiful and smart…that’s a winning combination.”

Knox slides his finger out, wiping the wetness on my inner thigh… intentionally mocking me. “Everything is f—” Without warning, he pushes two digits inside me. “Fine.” I pick up my fork as he begins methodically thrusting his fingers, trying my hardest to focus on the lobster ravioli on my plate instead of what he’s doing to me. Bringing the ravioli to my mouth, I take a bite. The heel of his palm grinds against my clit, and unexpected white-hot pleasure blazes through me like a firework. “Oh, God.” My face heats when everyone stops talking and looks at me. Thinking quick, I point to the dish and blurt, “This is so good.” This is so bad. Very bad. I steal a glance at Knox and there’s a sly smirk on his face as he continues working me. “Yes. Dinner is divine,” the woman sitting next to Leo agrees. “You must give me the caterer’s number, Eileen.” I really wish she’d shut the fuck up because she’s annoying, but she’s also distracting everyone. Mom smiles. “Absolutely.” I reach for my glass of water, but Knox massages my clit with his thumb in a slow, torturous way that has me shuddering with the movement. “Are you okay, Aspen?” Leo suddenly inquires. “You don’t look well.” Shit. “I’m a little—” Knox begins fucking me with his fingers. Pleasure jolts through me, hot and sharp. I can’t help but edge forward on the chair, causing him to penetrate me deeper. Faster. “Cold.” “Maybe you should have worn something more appropriate,” Trent remarks. “Do you want my jac...

I nearly jump out of my skin when I enter and see Knox lying on my bed. “What the hell are you doing here?” Sitting up on his elbows, he drags his gaze around the room. “This used to be my bedroom.” I hike my thumb toward the door. “Great. Get the hell out.” He curls his lip. “Nah. I think I’ll stay.” Those intense orbs darken. “Unless you’re planning on having company.” A surge of uneasiness floods my stomach. No. There’s no way he knows about Leo and me. He can’t. I brush off his suggestion with a laugh. “Trust me. There’s no one down there I want to spend time with.” And no one in here that I want to see, either. His gaze drops to my breasts before meeting my eyes. “Then lock the door.” “No.” “Stray.” The warning is clear in his tone. Having no choice, I flick the lock on the door. “Happy?” “Not yet.” Narrowing his stare, he crooks one long finger at me. “Come here.” I want to protest, but he’s got me right where he wants me. Folding my arms over my chest, I take a few steps toward the bed. “What do you want?” My chest heaves when he tugs down his zipper, reaches inside his pants…and pulls out his cock. It’s even veinier and bigger than I remember. Angrier, too. My eyebrows rise when he licks his hand—the same one he fingered me with—and wraps it around his length. “I got you off.” I watch the tendons in his wrist flex as he strokes himself. “It’s time for you to return the favor.” “Go to hell.” I turn on my heel, but then he threatens, “I’ll tel...

“Suck me,” he says gruffly, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. “Now.” I hate him. I approach the bed, ready to kneel…but he halts me. “I want to see your tits.” Glaring, I lower the spaghetti straps of my gown. I didn’t wear a bra, so they practically bounce out of my dress. Still touching himself, Knox sits up on the bed. “Take it off.” But then I’ll be naked. Vulnerable. Just like he wants. Swallowing my nerves, I let my dress fall to the floor. I utter a gasp of shock when he edges forward and flicks his tongue over my nipple. “The better you suck my dick…the faster it will go.” I hiss when his teeth clamp down on my nipple. “Get on your knees.” Kneeling, I close my eyes. And that’s when there’s a tap on the door. Leaning over, Knox grips the back of my head and brings his lips to my ear. “Who is that?” “I don’t know,” I whisper, even though I know damn well who it is. “Aspen,” Leo says softly from the other side. “It’s me.” Knox leans his forehead against mine, his eyes boring into me. “Is there something you’re hiding from me?” I keep my expression neutral. “No.” I’ve barely uttered the word when my phone rings. Fisting his dick, he holds it out to me. “Prove it.” When I don’t move, he runs the shiny head against my mouth, painting my lips with his pre-cum. “Put my cock in your mouth.” I dart my tongue out, tasting the salty tip as I hear Leo’s footsteps fade away. “More.” Glaring, I wrap my lips around his cock and slide down his length. M...

But then I realize…he’s the one who told me to lock the door before he left. Which means it can only be my stepfather. My heart hammers in my chest as I hear something enter the lock…as if he’s trying to pick it open. Thinking quick, I sprint into the closet, closing the door at the same time the one to my bedroom opens. What the fuck is he doing here? Better question…what the fuck does he want? I hear a huff of irritation escape him when he enters my room and realizes I’m not there. I squeeze my eyes shut, cowering in the corner of my closet as I recall the words I said to him at dinner. “Sure, daddy. I’ll do whatever you want tonight.” Oh, God. I feel sick. Obviously, I didn’t mean it…but what if he’s here to cash in on that?

wake to my alarm clock going off a few hours later. I push open the closet door, letting the sunlight stream in. Angling my head, I look at the carving etched in the wall. My heart sinks. It doesn’t say Hate Me like I originally thought. It says… Help Me.

“Where are you going?” He brings a cigarette to his mouth and lights it. “I have to run an errand.” I glance at the clock on his dashboard. “Well, you better do it fast. School starts in five minutes.” I’m expecting him to pull up to a gas station or a store, but he drives past those, too. “What kind of errand?” He doesn’t answer, but instead makes a right-hand turn onto a residential street. The same street Leo lives on. My stomach dips. “Where are we going?” Knox stays silent as he pulls up to his uncle’s house… And I hear the locks on his doors click. The weird flutter in my stomach turns to full-on dread when he latches onto my seatbelt, preventing me from undoing it. “Last chance to tell me the truth, Stray. Are you fucking my uncle?” I adamantly shake my head. There’s no way I’ll let that secret leave my lips. Not only because it’s none of his business, but it will ruin Leo’s reputation. And mine. “Are you crazy? Of course not.” He makes a low growly sound in his throat before he opens the driver’s side door and gets out. I attempt to climb out too, but he comes around to my side, blocking me from escaping. After undoing my seatbelt, he grips my wrist…so hard I wince. “Well, if you won’t tell me, perhaps you’ll tell her.” Her? I stop breathing when I realize what he’s implying. Oh, God. No. My chest twists, everything going blurry as he yanks me out of the vehicle. “Knox, please,” I plead as he drags me up the walkway like I’m nothing more than a ra...

Because there’s no way I can look that poor woman in the eyes and tell her I’m sleeping with her husband. “I wanted you to tell me the truth.” “Fine,” I admit, both my voice and resolve cracking like glass. “You’re right. I’m sleeping with him.” “And there it is.” I see the tendons in his neck coil before he goes still. “You have the nerve to stand there and judge me, but you’re no angel. You’re screwing a married man almost three times your age while his wife sits like a goddamned vegetable. You’re just as fucked up as I am.” I inhale a shaky breath, hating that he’s right. “I know.” My throat feels like it’s closing in. “I’m sorry. I’ll end it—” Lifting a finger, he presses the doorbell. I try to run away, but his death-grip on my wrist tightens. “Every action has a consequence, Stray. This is yours.”

With my free hand, I tug on Knox’s sleeve like a child begging not to leave a toy store. “Please—” “Shut up,” he grits through his teeth, before walking over to his aunt. Dropping down, he plants a kiss on her forehead. “Hi, Aunt Lenora.”

Knox wastes no time getting down to business. “Aunt Lenora, you remember Aspen Falcone, don’t you? She’s Mile’s—Leo’s dead friend’s— daughter.”

Knox looks between us. “I brought Aspen by today because she has something very important to tell you.”

“Tell her, Aspen.” His grip is so tight I’m positive it’s cutting off my blood supply. “Or I will.” I open my mouth, but the words don’t come out. They’re stuck inside of me…unwilling to break this poor woman’s heart. God, I’m such a slut. Such a stupid, evil whore. I’m no better than my swindler father. No better than Knox. “She’s screwing your husband,” Knox declares, and I swear the entire world stops spinning. I drop to my knees, clutching my throat. I feel so sick. So fucking disgusting. When did I become this person? This evil person who does bad things. This vile person

furniture. “I’m sorry,” I choke out, my voice cracking like crystal. “I’m so sorry.” “You’re probably wondering when it began, huh?” Knox questions before turning to me. “Tell her.” From my place on the floor, I glare up at him, wishing I could scratch his eyes out. Hell, I just might after this. “The night of my father’s funeral.” It was right after my exchange with Knox. The one where he told me he came to see me because he knew I’d be in pain. I ran back in crying and Leo ushered me into an empty room. I had so many feelings coursing through me. I was sad, alone…and missing my dad so much it physically hurt. But I was also angry.

Knox’s next words punch through the air like a bullet. “She was only sixteen.” His face twists. “Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Aunt Lenora, but now you finally know what a sick piece of shit your husband really is.” But it wasn’t all Leo’s fault. I was the one who kissed him. Tears burn my throat. I try to push them down, but I can’t. They pool in my eyes, and before I can stop myself, I start crying so hard it hurts to breathe. “I’m sorry.” I force myself to meet her gaze. “I’m so sorry.” I expect her to look at me with revulsion, because it’s what I deserve, but she doesn’t. She’s looking at me with pity… And that only makes me cry harder. Reaching down, Knox grabs my elbow. “Let’s go.”

“Get in.” She tries to run away, but I catch her by the waist and tug her back to me. “Not so fast, Stray.” Her loathing for me is practically rolling off her in waves as she kicks her legs. Grinding my molars, I grip the collar of her white button-down shirt and shove her against the jeep. “I gave you a choice.” I tried so fucking hard to get her to trust me enough to be honest with me. But she failed. Ergo, that shit is on her, not me. “I hate you.” She spits in my face as another sob escapes her. “I hate you.” She doesn’t hate me…she hates herself. She hates what she did. She hates what he did. She hates that I held up a mirror and forced her to look at herself without the façade she likes to put on.

crush my mouth against hers, biting and sucking her lips so hard I’m positive they’ll be bruised. Her fingernails scrape my back and I grunt, the pain making my cock throb that much more as she opens her mouth wider so I can feed her my tongue. “I hate you,” she chokes out against my lips, her breathy voice still thick with tears as I explore and tease her mouth. I bet I can make her hate me even more. On a new mission now, I open the backseat door. Then, gripping her plump ass, I lift and toss her into the backseat. I climb in after her, my hands tunneling under her skirt where I find her panties damp and warm before I peel them down her legs. “Knox—” Hauling her up, I shift us into a sitting position and make her straddle my lap. “This is the way you liked to fuck him, right?” The fire is back in her eyes when she snarls, “Fuck you.” I thrust, rubbing myself against her pussy. She’s so soaked she creates a wet spot on my pants. One I’m gonna make her lick up. Placing my hands under her armpits for leverage, I twist her around in my lap, then push on her lower back until she leans forward. “What—” In one fluid motion, I tug her legs, positioning her so her head is in my lap and her thighs are on either side of my face. I push her skirt down. “You left a mess on my pants, Stray. Clean it up.” “No—” I run the length of my nose along her slit, collecting her juices on my face as I inhale her. “You sure about that?” With a whimper, her tongue glides along the ...

My father—Special Agent Knox—had all the power. And he made damn sure we both knew we had nowhere to run. And nowhere to hide. Because sooner or later…he’d find us. And when he did… He’d kill us.

He’d want me to be free…because expecting a teenage girl to carry the weight of a secret relationship with a married, older man isn’t fair. What it takes out of me isn’t fair. “I know you do, Leo, but—” “I need you,” he pleads, like it’s physically breaking his heart. “Aspen, don’t leave me.” It’s always about Leo. What he wants. What he needs. It’s never about me. Nothing is ever about me. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, because I truly don’t want to hurt him. I just want it to be over. “But I need to do what’s best for me.” He starts to protest again, but I hang up the phone.

Steeling my spine, I place the knife to his throat. His eyes pop open, but he doesn’t look scared. Hell, he doesn’t even look surprised. Almost like he sleeps with one eye open. Jesus. His throat bobs against the knife as he swallows, yet he’s completely calm. “I’m not your pawn anymore,” I inform him. “Your little blackmail bullshit is over.” A smirk curls his lips. “Okay.” He looks down at the knife. “Is that all? Because I’m tired.”

His lids lower, and his hand grazes my bare knee. “Why are you down here, Stray?” Ever so slowly, his calloused palm moves up my inner thigh. “What is it you really want?” An electrifying tremble breaks free and I suck in a sharp breath when he cups me between my legs. I hate how his touch feels like both damnation and deliverance. Right and wrong. Bad meets evil. His free hand trails down his sculpted stomach until it disappears under his sweatpants. My heart speeds up, pumping hard against my ribs when he pushes them down his hips and his weighty cock bobs out, slapping against his abdomen. “Is this what you want?” My response is visceral as I stare at it, need and desire tangling in my chest. I want it inside me, filling me…fucking me. But I want it on my terms. Not his. “Take off my panties.” Slipping a finger into the waistband, he drags them down my legs…deliberately taking his time to taunt me. When they reach my ankles, I step out of them and kick the fabric away. Still holding the knife to his neck, I straddle him, lining myself up with his dick. However, since I can’t take my eyes off him, I have to instruct him to do the next part. “Put your cock inside me.” I expect him to oblige, but he fists himself with one hand and takes hold of my hip with the other, guiding me and making it easier for me to do it myself. Rising on my knees, I slowly lower myself onto him. He’s so big, so thick, it aches as I stretch around him. My eyes flutter closed when I...

She doesn’t look very happy, though. Almost like someone was forcing her to smile for the camera. And now she’s dead. That thought has my eyes filling with tears as I stand. She was only eighteen and had her whole life ahead of her…but just like Candi’s, it was stolen. And then her body was discarded in the woods like trash.

“She said you gave her a position on student council.” The mother smiles at her husband fondly. “You two were even in the same ballet class.” I fight the urge to tell her the only dancing I’ve ever done was on a pole while wearing a G-string. Clearly, they have me confused with someone else. “Thank you for not only making her student council secretary, but taking the time to study with her after school at your house. Her math grades improved greatly because of you.” She gives my hand a squeeze. “Our June was lucky to have such a good friend.” Dammit, Shadow. Usually when you’re using someone as a cover up, you give them a heads up about it. “Right.” It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that Shadow—or rather, June— told her parents she was hanging out with me whenever she was spending time with Knox. “June was a great person. She’ll be missed,” I fib, because they need those little white lies. With that, I give them a somber smile and walk away. It’s crazy how sometimes you really don’t know a person after all.

PLA LMFAOAOAO well ur doing a good deed for the dead LOLL

Trent jabs a finger in his face. “The only place you need to be is where I goddamn tell you to be. Understood—” He stops when he sees me standing there. “Do you mind? I’m talking to my son.” Thinking quick, I blurt, “I just wanted to tell you that I’m leaving to go to Violet’s.” He glowers. “Not right now, you’re not. We’re going up to that casket as a family to pay our respects to June and her par—” “Shadow,” Knox grits out, his expression indecipherable. “She liked to be called Shadow. Not June.” Trent looks like it’s taking every ounce of willpower not to lose his shit. “I don’t give a fuck what she liked to be called. I came here tonight to do you a favor. Now get your ass in there.” He glares at me next. “Both of you.” I cross my arms, returning his glare. “I’m not going up there twice.”

He curls a finger at the guy and gives him a lethal smile, luring him to throw a punch. However, when his opponent takes a step and brings his arm back, Knox bashes the heel of his palm against his nose, causing blood to spray everywhere. The crowd goes wild, urging Knox to finish him off. Knox grabs the guy by the neck—and then to my utter confusion and surprise—kisses his forehead… Right before landing a hard jab to his ribs. The guy howls in pain and I swear I see his eyes cross before they close, and he drops to the floor. A short, pudgy man runs over to Knox and raises his arm, declaring him the victor. Knox is about to walk away, but something in the audience catches his attention. I quickly realize it’s me when his gaze cuts to mine.

I stand up. “I am dressed.” He opens his mouth to argue, but I cut him off. “Trust me on this.” Graduation is only seven weeks away and I’m desperate to make some money so I can leave. Which means I’m going to have to do something I’ve never done before.

HES GUNNA GO NUDE BRO

“What can I get you?” the busty girl behind the bar asks. “Coke.” Pursing her shiny red lips, she gives me a flirty wink. “Are you sure you don’t want something a little…harder.” I don’t miss the obvious double entendre, but I’m not interested. There’s only one person I came here to see tonight, and she sure as fuck isn’t it. “Just the Coke.”

I grit my teeth as I plop down in a chair and the chatter around me comes to a halt. Everyone’s attention turns to the stage that’s illuminated with a dark purple haze as the first few bars of “Hurt” the Nine-Inch-Nails version begins to play. A second later, Ginger saunters out on stage. Only it isn’t Ginger…it’s Aspen. I’ve been to a few strip clubs before and the girls always come out in some sexy get up aimed to entice us.

Jesus fucking Christ. I expected some meaningless booty shaking and a few clumsy spins around the pole. Not this. However, the shit she’s doing is working, because the men are throwing money on the stage hand over fist. My dick thickens when she unzips her pants and slips them down her hips, revealing a white G-string. The move has my fingers tightening around the glass, and I want to kill a motherfucker when she begins unbuttoning her cardigan and it falls open, baring her white cotton bra. She stands up then, stretching the length of her body against the pole before placing it between her perky tits. “Fuck me,” the guy in front of me says. “She’s so hot.” I’ve never been the jealous type, but the thought of other men watching her do this has my blood fucking boiling. Ginger belongs to them… Aspen is mine. She does one leisurely turn around the pole, slipping her sweater off her shoulders in the process. Closing her eyes and gripping the rod, she tips her head back. I sit, hypnotized as her free hand finds the hook of her bra and she unfastens it before spinning around and letting it fall to the floor. She raises her arms over her head—swaying her pert ass—before she turns to face us again, her perfect tits on full display. Glass cracks under my fingers and liquid streams out over my hand and onto the table, but I don’t give a fuck. She does one gradual—deliberate—walk around the pole as the song begins to fade before coming to an end. Aspen comes out of h...

“Damn, girl,” Heather says when I open the door of the dressing room. “There’s not a dry seat in the house after that little performance.” After placing my bag of money on the counter, I put my bra on. “Well, hopefully it paid off—” “You can’t go back there,” Bubba the security guard shouts before the door of the dressing room swings open. My mouth drops when Knox rushes inside, looking like a deranged psychopath as his gaze lands on me. “What the hell are you—” I don’t get to finish my statement because Knox picks me up and tosses me over his shoulder like some kind of unhinged caveman. “Are you crazy?” I slap his back when he turns to walk out of the room. “Do you know him?” Heather calls out as we pass the counter and I reach for my cardigan. “Should I call the police?” Bubba asks, sidestepping Knox as he leaves the room. No, you should fucking stop him. Then again, now that I’ve seen Knox fight…it wouldn’t end well for poor Bubba. “He’s my stepbrother,” I settle on because the club has a strict rule against boyfriends being here. Not that Knox is my boyfriend. He’s nothing to me. He made that perfectly clear the other night. “Put me down,” I demand, but the asshole ignores me as he trudges down the hallway. At least he’s headed for the back exit instead of trekking through the club. I try squirming out of his arms, but that only makes his hold on me tighten. “Jesus. Are you deaf? Put me d—” “No,” Knox growls. “You’re done.” He can’t be serious. “My shift...