TayeSteele

"We're standing uncomfortably close and he makes no sign that he intends on moving from the position in which he has me pinned against the door, unable to flee. His eyes run down my face, my neck, over my cleavage, and he makes a sound of appreciation from his throat.  He dips down to kiss me and I open to him on contact. Bringing his hands up to either side of my jaw he cradles my face, giving me a far sweeter kiss than last time. Unhurried, less desperate, but somehow it holds more intensity than last time. When he moves to deepen the kiss I give no objection, tilting my head, and lifting my arms to throw them around his neck."

There's nothing quite like the freedom of college. For many young adults, it's their first experience with life on their own, but for Vale Clarke, it's about more than that. It's her one and only chance to carve a new path for herself away from her dysfunctional family. When she loses her scholarship she's faced with two options: come up with the dough, or kiss her future goodbye.

Inspiration strikes her when she meets Kaden West. A hot rock prodigy born with a silver spoon in his mouth and a sense of entitlement to match. How far is Vale willing to go to lock down the future she wants?

TW: Depictions of drug and alcohol use/absue, mentions of past trauma. May contain scenes of dubious consent.

Sex Sells

Gliding into Bio the next morning with a little more pep in my step than usual, I catch Kaden's gaze immediately as it pours over me, looking at me in a way he has no business doing when we both still have classes to attend today.

"Hey stranger," I say more breathlessly than intended as I take my seat next to him.

"Hey babe. Quick question; what did you do with my father? It was like the invasion of the body snatchers in my house this morning."

I try to smother the smile creeping onto my face but can't quite keep the corners of my mouth from quirking up ever so slightly. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Kade."

"I think you know exactly what I'm talking about, Val."

I shrug. "I just said some shit I think he's needed to hear for a long time. I get the sense that no one ever challenges Max West in his daily life, and sometimes men like that need a bit of a mental reality check. I provided him with one."

Tongue Tied