Hazel makes her appearance right on time, hands full of drinks, only to drop them and scream as her dad takes a swing at our psychology professor.
“Dad!” She pushes through the crowd, slamming her hands on his chest to push him back. “What the hell!” she yells, her voice snapping him out of his fury. Mortified, Hazel shakes her head and runs out of the party. Heath chases after her, and I stand there frozen for a second. Jim stares at me with an accusing frown, and I offer an apologetic smile before taking off after them.
“Hazel, slow down. I’m sorry.”
Hazel whips around just as I catch up to them. “Sorry? Dad, you just punched my professor! At a party! Do you know how people are going to talk?”
“That guy was a fucking shit and shouldn’t be hitting on his students.”
“Dad, this is college. A lot worse is going on than a professor hitting on a student. It happens all the time. Worse shit goes on under people’s noses, but you don’t go punching them! God!” She turns on her heel. “Violet, let’s go.”
“Uh…where are we going?” My eyes bounce from her back to Heath.
“Home! Dad, just go back to your hotel. I can’t right now.” Hazel stops for me to catch up and grabs my hand, tugging me with her. I peer back at Heath, and his furious stare makes my stomach uneasy.
Hazel cries herself to sleep. I know she’s embarrassed about what her dad did, but there’s something else going on with her, something she isn’t sharing. Heath never called. And I couldn’t call him. How funny, through all of this, we still haven’t exchanged numbers. Morning comes, and I’ve gotten zero sleep. I hoped he would come to make amends with Hazel, assure me that searing glare was not meant for me. Guilt kept me up, replaying the night, and convincing myself it wasn’t my fault. It’s not until late morning that he shows up with a bouquet of flowers so large, he can barely get them through the door.
“Forgive me?” he says to his daughter as she fights to stay mad. She breaks down and hugs him, and I feel as if I’m intruding on another father-daughter moment.
“Love you, Dad.”
“Love you too, baby girl.” They stay connected for some time and a pit of jealousy forms in my stomach. I want to be the one in his arms, gifted with flowers and apologies. I leave the room, feeling even more confused about where we go from here. How do we continue this—whatever it is—and keep it from Hazel? I don’t want to be his dirty little secret anymore. But I don’t know what happens when we’re exposed. I head into the bathroom, needing to rein in my emotions. I splash some water on my face and almost scream when I raise my head and find Heath at my back.
“What are you—you can’t be in here.”
“Simple mistake. I’m an old man, remember? No one will question it.”
“Heath, I’ve never said you were old.” I eye him through the mirror.
“I know. I was an ass last night. I lost my mind at the way he was looking at you. I told you I don’t share.”
“I wasn’t—”
“Like I said, I’m an ass. Forgive me.” He retrieves something out of his pocket. When a small box comes into view, my breath catches. He opens it, revealing a diamond charm necklace—my mouth parts on a gasp. With two hands, he unlatches the necklace and places it around my neck, a diamond letter H resting on my chest.
“Oh, Heath, you don’t need to—”
“Yes, I do. You deserve to be draped in more than diamonds. And since I can’t ask you not to wash away my mark, you’ll have this until the next time I get to freshen that mark.”
When he latches the necklace, he places his lips to the exposed skin on my shoulder. “Breathtaking. Just like you.”
I almost lose my footing at his praise. “Heath.”
“Shhh…” He presses his finger to my lips. “Tell me you accept my apology.”
Our eyes stay connected through the mirror. I never want to let go. He is what I crave. “I accept your apology.”
His wicked grin does me in. He holds me against him until I can gather my bearings. When we hear voices just outside the door, we break apart. I’m hesitant to let go of this moment, but I walk into a bathroom stall, shutting the door behind me as a group of girls enter.
“Uh…Mr. Winters, this is the girls’ bathroom.”
“Yes, sorry, ladies. I’m completely turned around. If you’ll excuse me.” Then he’s gone.
Violet
Hip hop music blares from our TV as Hazel and I sing and dance to our workout video. I’m soaking wet from sweating, and my legs burn.
“I’m not going to be able to walk tomorrow,” I tell her as we both fall to the ground.
“That’s the point!” I’m trying to catch my breath, wiping the sweat off my brow. My favorite sound in the world echoes throughout our room, and Hazel gets up to answer “our” FaceTime call. I say ours because it’s not just meant for her anymore.
The remainder of our weekend was amazing. We stayed clear of any off-campus parties and did the whole “show Dad around the campus” tour. We watched movies and ate popcorn, and when Hazel fell asleep, I led Heath to an empty stairwell and allowed him to fuck my mouth. Then we walked down the deserted bike path in the quad and found a hidden nook between the trees where he fucked my pussy. I was overworked and sore, but no matter how hard he took me or how many times, I never felt completely sated. I needed more. When it was time for him to leave, I gave him a hug and fought every fiber of my being to release him when all I wanted to do was stay in his arms. I allowed his breath to skate along my neckline, giving me the warmth I needed until we saw each other again. We finally exchanged numbers, and it was only moments after he left that the messages began. They were sweet and sexy, naughty, and downright shameless. My grandmother is probably rolling over in her grave, but it’s all been so thrilling. I can’t get enough.
It’s been three days since I’ve seen him, and I miss him so badly, it hurts. This long-distance thing sucks, not to mention no foreseen visit in the future.
“Hey, Daddy!” Hazel beams as his handsome face fills the screen.
“Hey, baby girl. What are you up to?” His eyes search out mine. He gives me a schedule for when he’ll call, so I can be in the room. He craves seeing me as much as I crave seeing him.
“Nothing. Violet and I just got done working out. Probably gonna head to the smoothie café after this and study. We have exams coming up soon.” Hazel’s phone rings and she pulls it away so I don’t see who’s calling. “Guys, I’ll be right back. I have to take this call. It’s for school.”
Hazel walks out of the room, leaving Heath and me alone.
“How’s my naughty girl doing? Seeing you all sweaty has my cock hard as a rock.”
I giggle, rolling my eyes. “I’m sure. My hair is a mess, and I smell if that helps lower your weapon.”
“Makes it worse. You look like you have sex hair. Makes me want to tug at it and bend you over. And I’m sure you smell as sweet as you always do.” I can’t do anything but sigh. He’s so filthy with his words, yet so gentle with his praises.