Hate Me (Black Mountain Academy)

by Ashley Jade

I see a small trickle of blood oozing from his neck. I must have nicked him at some point. Instinctively, I still. “I—” “Don’t stop.” He pumps his hips. “Don’t you fucking stop. Keep riding my cock like a good girl.”

I gasp when the sharp tip of the knife pierces the top of my breast. “Knox—” In one fluid movement, he wraps an arm around my lower back and shifts us into a sitting position. Groaning, he inclines his head and licks the blood from the small cut he made. “Every part of you tastes good.” Squeezing my tits in his big hands, he sucks a nipple into his hot, wet mouth. “So fucking good.”

“That was a one-time thing.” His words don’t have a harsh tone like they usually do. They sound indifferent. Like the same line he feeds to every girl he hooks up with. And even though it shouldn’t bother me, because I was the one who came here looking to use him…it does. I don’t say a word as he smokes his cigarette down to the filter. However, when I move to leave…he drapes an arm around my waist, drawing me closer to him before we fall asleep.

“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.

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. To say he’s pissed would be an understatement. The look he’s shooting me is full of so much venom a lesser person would cry and slink away. But I stand firm, even when he shoves through the crowd and wraps his hand around my wrist. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

Because if he didn’t do it, he needs to say he didn’t. Otherwise…the rumors are true. And the feeling in my gut is right. Even though I don’t want it to be because somewhere along the way, I developed feelings for him…feelings that aren’t enveloped in hate.

The front door closes a minute later, leaving Knox and me standing there. For a moment, he looks like he wants to speak, but I don’t give him the chance because I turn and walk up the stairs. I’m not interested in anything he has to say. The sooner I save up money and leave him and this stupid town, the better.

I only bought it because the club recently instituted a bullshit two-drink minimum for guests. As if the Bashful Beaver is some kind of upscale, sophisticated establishment. This place is a goddamn shithole and Aspen shouldn’t be working here. The chick slides the glass toward me. “Enjoy the show.”

Only, she doesn’t grip it right away—she teasingly runs a hand up and down—stroking it. “Damn, baby,” the guy next to me shouts. I clutch my glass tighter, unable to take my eyes off her.

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.

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 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 quickly picks up her clothes and clutches them to her chest before sweeping all the money into a bag. I’m already out of my chair by the time she runs off stage.

“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.

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 doesn’t end for another two hours. I need to go back inside.” He shoves open the door leading to the back lot. “You no longer work here. You’re fucking done.”

“What the hell is your problem?” His sharp features twist and he blows out a ragged breath, almost like he’s surrendering to something beyond his control. His voice is low and guttural when he finally speaks. “I want to fuck you again.”

I stare at him in disbelief because that was the last thing I expected him to say. However, if he thinks dragging me out of my job in a jealous rage and proclaiming that he wants to fuck me again is going to change anything between us, he’s even crazier than I thought.

“You had your chance to do more than fuck me,” I remind him, spinning around so I can go back inside. “But you blew it.” I’ve barely taken two steps when he snatches my arm and hauls me back to him. “Leave me alone, Knox.” His free hand slides down the length of my torso. “I can’t.” He’s so full of shit. “Can’t or won’t?” He grabs my hip with one hand and takes hold of my waist with the other. I can feel his erection pressing into my backside. “Both.”

His rejection hurt…more than any other time he’s set out to cause me pain. I was ready and willing to take the plunge with him. All he had to do was be honest with me. But he couldn’t. “Stop.” But he doesn’t. Instead, he grabs the back of my neck, turning my face up to meet his before he kisses me like I’m the air he needs to breathe in order to survive.

“I hate you,” I croak out, because I can’t tell him how I really feel. I can’t tell him that he drives me crazy and he’s a psychopath, but I feel like he’s the only one on this earth who actually gets me.

I can’t tell him I never felt for Leo even a fraction of what I feel for him…and I’m petrified I never will with anyone else.

“Looks like I’m going to have to do a repeat performance,” I mutter. “I made over a grand tonight.” Knox’s jaw tics. “There will be no repeat performance.” He stubs his cigarette out in the nearby ashtray only to immediately pull another one out of the pack. “I told you, you’re done.” “Sorry, pal, but you don’t control me.” Reaching over, he grips my chin. “Read my lips. You’re not going back to that shithole. I don’t want you working there.” I hold his lethal stare. “I’m not quitting my job for someone who isn’t my boyfriend.” He opens his mouth, but I’m not done talking yet. “And no, I’m not trying to twist your arm or give you an ultimatum. I’m just saying that there’s no reason for me to take your feelings about me stripping into consideration and leave the club when we’re just friends.”

“Spare me.” Exasperated, I shove the cash back into the bag. “I don’t want someone who doesn’t want me, Knox.” Now he’s the one who looks annoyed. “I just said I wanted to fuck—” “And I want more than that,” I yell. “I want someone who actually wants to be in a relationship with me. Not because he’s jealous and wants me to quit my job, or because I won’t let him fuck me anymore. But because he actually wants me.”

“How long have you been up?” I shrug, suddenly aware that the only thing I’m wearing is his t-shirt. “Since six a.m.” Given I don’t have a car to go to the store myself, I ordered groceries online. He moves behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist before kissing the crook of my neck. “You’ve been busy.” “I wanted you to have a little of everything. I would have made more, but…” “But what?” “They’ll be home in two days and I’m not sure you’d be able to finish it all.”

My gaze is paralyzed under the force of his when he says, “She was sucking me off and I accidently said your name instead of hers.” Shrugging, he searches around in his pockets for something, but comes up empty.

“No, but that sure sounded like a threat.” His face turns red with anger. “I’ll show you a threat, you little bitch. It’s about time you gave me some goddamn respect.” He lunges for her, but I’m faster and wedge myself between them in the nick of time. “Get in the car,” I bark, ready to rip his fucking throat out with my teeth.

Taking a cleansing breath, I start walking toward Knox’s jeep. “Knox is here?” I stop in my tracks. “No. He lent me his jeep so I could come here tonight.” I don’t miss the animosity in his tone when he drawls, “I see.”

A groan of frustration leaves me. “Apathetic, unmoved…cold. How many more words do I have to use for you to understand why I’m so upset?” I glare at him. “Damnit, Knox. Do you even care about me at all?” Or am I just some stupid girl with stars in her eyes because she’s falling for someone who isn’t capable of ever loving her?

Disappointment sinks like a brick in my chest. “Oh.” I don’t even know why I’m surprised because this so isn’t his thing. Even still…he knows how much it means to me. “You know what? Fuck you.” Brushing past him, I walk out the back door.

I now know how Leo felt during our last conversation…because I’m forever wanting things from Knox I’ll never get.

He thought marrying Aspen’s mother and making her my stepsister would teach me a lesson and keep me in line. However, he fucked up. Because if you’re going to keep a wild animal in a trap and taunt it with its favorite toy... You better make damn sure they don’t end up loving that toy more than they fear you.

“You’re not making any sense, Knox. Why are you taking me to a bus stop? Why am I running aw—” “Because I need to keep you safe,” he grits out, the veins in his neck straining against his skin. “So, for once in your goddamn life, don’t fight with me, Stray. Just do what I fucking tell you.”

“Welcome home, son,” the rough, teasing voice belonging to my mother’s killer said. I didn’t utter a word as my father approached. “You have two choices.” I didn’t want a choice. I just wanted him to kill me and get it over with already.

My breath stalls, and my eyes fill with moisture. I feel so sick. So gross and disgusting. Even though my dad’s death isn’t my fault, I can’t help but feel like it is. Knox wraps his fingers around my wrists, pulling me toward him as tears stream down my face and my lungs seize. “Tell me you’re lying,” I beg, because the truth hurts so bad, I can’t take it. His fingers brush my wet cheek, wiping my tears. “I wish I was.” “How long have you known about this?” “I overheard their conversation a few days after the funeral.”

“That’s why Leo wanted me to stay away from you.” Leo’s words at the hotel that night play back in my mind. “He told me you weren’t right in the head. That you were dangerous.” I look down because I feel so stupid for believing him. “That you killed your mom.” But really, he was just scared that Knox would tell me he was the real psychopath.

Before I can protest, he gets out of the jeep, walks around to my side, and opens the door. Tears well in my eyes all over again. “I don’t want to leave you.” His hand curls around my neck, drawing me into a kiss so intense I feel it everywhere. I fist his shirt, not wanting to let go because I’m afraid of what will happen if I do.

Fortunately, one formulated once my father married Aspen’s mom. He did it as a punishment. Because no matter how much I insisted I hated Aspen, he knew the truth. The girl with the yellow ribbon meant something to me.

Had she been a better mother to Aspen, I wouldn’t have involved her, but alas, she’s a fucking cunt.

I’m not here to harm her…just her murdering, cheating, teenage-fucking piece of shit husband. Aunt Lenora swivels her eyes in the direction of the hallway, indicating Leo’s in his office. I mouth a silent thank you as I make my way down the hall.

Rage erupts like a volcano in my gut. Leo killed my father. And then he looked me in the eye and told me he loved me and that he would always take care of me.

“Stand up. Now.” Holding his hands in front of him, he gets out of his chair. “Honey—” “Don’t you dare fucking honey me, you son-of-a-bitch.” I bring the knife to his throat. “You killed my dad.”

It’s all I can do not to roll my eyes. “I know.” A renewed spark of anger heats my blood. “But I want to be the one to shoot him.” A sardonic smirk curves Knox’s lips as he looks at Leo. “Anything for my girl.” Briefly, he flicks his gaze to me. “Do you know how to use a gun?”

For a moment, I’m afraid he’s going to take her hostage too because of everything she’s witnessed, but he ambles over and kisses her forehead. “Don’t mind me, Aunt Lenora.” A sly grin pulls at the corner of his mouth. “I’m just taking out the trash.”

“I want to.” Glaring at my uncle, I place my hand on her abdomen and kiss the crook of her neck. “Whenever you’re ready, Stray.”

I dip my fingers beneath the waistband of her sweatpants, because I want my hands on her body to be the last fucking thing he sees.

“Because I choose you.” And maybe that makes me crazy, but I don’t care. His features contort as he breaks out of his haze. “Stray—” “You wanted to protect me before, right? That’s why you tried to send me away on that bus. Well, this is me doing the same for you—”

Knox’s bloody face splits into a chilling grin as he takes a step back, taking in his father’s corpse. It might not have been what he wanted, and it sure as hell wasn’t what the bastard deserved But in the end… He chose me, too.

Aspen’s in my system. Pumping through my veins like sweet poison and surrounding the empty spaces of my cold, black heart. She’s in my head—like a whisper in the dark I can’t ignore. She’s in my soul—like a siren I can’t run away from. She’s the feeling in my chest I’ve never experienced before, but would kill to hold on to forever. She’s the home I never had.

They won’t care that he was a lying, abusive piece of murdering shit. They won’t care…because no one will ever know the truth. Because every action has a consequence… And silence is still mine.

Relief courses through me so rapidly, I grow lightheaded. “You’re here.” Knox’s eyes flick to the half-empty wine glass and he frowns. “You’re drinking.” “I’m nervous.” My voice drops to a whisper, “You’ve been gone so long, I thought they locked you up.” A weary sigh leaves him. “It actually went better than I thought it would.” His strides eat up the distance between us. “Everything is fine. We’re not suspects, and even if we were, they have nothing on us.” He tips my chin. “And they never will…unless one of us confesses.”