I’m convinced he had no idea I was there taking in the entire scene. My stomach still churns with the conflict inside me. I was equal parts sickened and turned on from the shocking display.
The more I dwell on watching James fuck her, the more my body hums with adrenaline. Being stuck in this seat is killing me. I want to get up and walk around, shake off this excess energy, but I’m trapped in this spot for a couple more hours. I glance around the room and see attentive students typing away on their laptops. I borrowed a few sheets of paper and a pen from a guy sitting next to me, since the whole reason I went back to James’ house was to get the laptop I left lying by the coffeemaker.
Damn, if only I’d remembered to grab my computer bag before I left the first time. But I got distracted when Harlow came downstairs and heard what James was saying about her. At least I put my cell phone in my pocket, or I wouldn’t have it now either.
When I turned the garage door handle to go inside the house and get my bag, I heard strange noises and groans. I shut the door quietly behind me, unsure where the sounds were coming from. I walked through the hallway leading to the kitchen area and saw her on the table splayed out like a sacrificial offering.
Her angel-like hair cascaded across the dark wood. A glint of sun found her hair and created a halo effect. The robe she wore covered her from the waist up, leaving the seductive curve of her creamy ass exposed. I couldn’t see James’ hands gripping her hips as he plunged into her, but I guessed he used them to secure her in place. Something had to keep her steady so he was able to continue his onslaught.
I stayed back at the perfect angle so he didn’t see me being a voyeur to their kinky sexcapade. He moaned his pleasure and her name repeatedly. He was so caught up in fucking her he never sensed my presence.
Lust rushed through me at the sight of Harlow tied up and bound. My body reacted like a normal guy’s would. How could it not? I could even smell her sex in the dark distance. It surrounded me—an intoxicating scent that only fueled my desire to have her as mine.
She sought me out, a silhouette cloaked in dark shadows. Her eyes plunged straight through me and I looked closer. At first pass, I thought they were hooded with arousal, but what I really saw in them slapped me in the face. She was begging me. Asking me for something.
Her lips moved in silence and the words were unmistakable. “Please go.” Then she turned her head and the spell I fell under was broken.
Everything happened so fast—from realizing what was occurring in front of me to sorting through my reaction. In the end, I turned and got the hell out of there like she had asked. There seemed like no other choice than to run as far as I could from them. It was a private moment and I was trespassing.
I vaguely remember hearing the GPS instructions as I drove downtown to this building, but damn if I even recall walking through the front doors.
After more mindless and unfocused minutes roll by, there’s a tap on my shoulder.
“Hey. Everyone’s leaving.” I look up and see the guy who let me borrow the paper and pen. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” I answer back. “Thanks.”
“I’m Jason Lee from Hopkins.” The dude reaches out his hand and we shake.
“Sinclair Elliott. Columbia.”
“You seemed kind of zoned out during the talk. Here’s my phone number if you have any questions. The professor left some materials by the door.”
“Thanks.” Running my hands through my hair, I glance at the door and see the table with a few folders left on it. The professor stands nearby, talking to a young woman.
“See you later,” Jason says as he walks away from me. I make my way to the table and grab the stacked folders without even looking at them. I can’t concentrate on anything besides what I saw this morning.
The clock on the conference room wall says six o’clock. It feels like it should be no later than three. Even through the breaks, I just sat in my chair and drew on my paper. My mind had shutdown.
I’m usually the one other students turn to for notes and lecture outlines. I never miss a beat. Today, I didn’t even hit a beat.
***
I check my phone and notice an email from James with the address to his downtown apartment and a reminder that I’m moving there tomorrow after brunch.
Leaving Harlow alone with James in that house unsettles me. Though, I’m not sure what I can do about it. Would she even want my help? After seeing her today on that table and witnessing how James treated her last night, I don’t think I’m going to be able to standby and be silent. Maybe that’s why I feel so antsy and nervous. It’s like some cosmic force is pulling me toward Harlow. I want to unlock the gilded cage she’s trapped inside and set her free. I also want to be there for her when she walks out of it.