Page 22 of Ours Later

“I have an appointment with his TA to get some help,” she mutters, turning away.

“I can help you with math,” Ethan offers. Nina simply rolls her eyes and walks away.

“You’re lucky it’s late,” I call out after her as she grabs her bag on the way out of the room, “Otherwise you’d be over my knee getting spanked for that eye roll.”

Nina walks away faster, taking the stairs at a jog.

“She’s going to fight you,” Ethan murmurs, watching her.

“I’m looking forward to it, aren’t you?” I grin. He nods, chuckling as he turns to follow her up.

“You know she’s ours, right?” he asks. At my nod, he shakes his head. “How the fuck is it possible that the fates decided to make her ours?”

“I don’t know, son. What I want to know is how she doesn’t. Not one reaction to our scents, not a fucking twitch,” I growl. “Pulling back the veil of her secrets is going to be a task in itself.”

“As long as she’s not trying to sleep in her damn car, I don’t mind the fight,” he says as he disappears.

Standing to go to bed, I decide that I feel the exact same way.

Six

Nina

Iwent straight to bed last night, uncomfortable and horny. I shouldn't have been so turned on, I should have hated what happened last night, right?

I keep my head down, work hard, and do my best. Unfortunately, it’s never enough. Cooper could take everything away from me.

Taking full advantage of the bathroom connected to the bedroom I’m staying in, I take my time in the shower.

I don’t understand the game we’re playing right now. The things I’m feeling, the heaviness I feel in my breasts and deep inside of me feel foreign.

Turning off the shower, I dry myself and get dressed quickly. I’m hoping everyone is still asleep because it’s only six in the morning.

I woke up at five-thirty and then got frustrated since I was unable to fall back asleep. I have no reason to be up this early when my first class isn’t until nine today, but hopefully I can slip out of the house without anyone noticing.

I’ve worn holes in my jeans by now, so I frownas I pull on a pair of black pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and a sweatshirt. My long pink and blonde hair is dry, my teeth are brushed, now it’s time to get out of here.

Grabbing my things, I slowly open the door and peek out into the hallway. I need to start applying to other jobs, because I don’t want to be stuck somewhere. I don’t want to take money from Cooper, what if he throws me out too?

Walking quickly and silently, I move across the hallway to the stairs and then down them. Palming my keys, I quietly open the front door when I hear a cabinet slam closed in the kitchen.

“Nina Marie Sterling, do not walk out that door!” Cooper roars, making me sigh. Just as well, my jacket is on the floor in the living room, and walking outside in socks is probably a great way for my toes to freeze off.

Dropping my backpack dejectedly by the front door, I walk to the kitchen. Cooper glares at me from where he’s making me breakfast, jerking his head for me to come closer.

“I need to get to school,” I tell him, even as my stomach growls when I smell the eggs, sausage, and potatoes that he’s cooking.

“Did you forget that I work at your school and I know when all of your classes begin?” he smirks. “I have your schedule on my phone along with a list of your clubs. Come here.”

“Fucking stalker,” I mutter, dragging my feet across the floor. Grabbing my arm, he pulls me to him, and then my face is pushed against the counter in the next blink of an eye.

Cooper swats me with a wooden spoon across the ass several times in rapid succession, making me scream. “Ow!” I cry out, struggling to get away.

My ass is on fire, his huge body caging me in. Even as tall as I am, he manages to dwarf me. Tears slide down my cheeks, more in shame at having my ass paddled like a wayward child than because it hurts.

“It’s now my job to take care of you. If you’re a brat, I’llpunish you, if you’re a good girl, you’ll be rewarded. It’s that simple, Princess,” he says, letting go of me.

Pushing my hair out of my face, I sniffle and attempt to wipe my cheeks of my emotions.