Unexpected Torture

"Sorry..." Phoebe mumbled.

Chapter 17

An hour and a half later Holden drove Vera's car back to her house. She lay back in the passenger's seat, which she had titled. Allison had finally started acting more normal and coming out of her drunken state, and it was past midnight when they left the Mercer College dorms.

"Sorry about Phoebe. She can be...dramatic, at times. Normally she's pretty sane though," Holden said.

"Yeah, she was kind of... upset. It's okay though, I mean, she was just worried about a friend."

"Well, I wasn't just talking about that. I meant how she behaved towards you," Holden treaded carefully, he didn't want to make Phoebe's behavior out to be too big of a deal.

"Oh. Yeah. I was wondering what that was about, but I figured it had something to do with her roommate's ex," Vera commented.

"The one with the laced weed?" Holden asked.

"Yeah."

"How do you know him?" More cautious treading. He remembered what Phoebe had told him when she had come over.

"Through a friend. He tried to hook up with me, but I wasn't exactly into it. I guess he thought I led him on and made a big deal about how he left his girlfriend, who was Allison, your sister's roommate, because he thought we had something going on. Just drama. Stupid drama over nothing really." Vera shrugged.

"Yeah she told me the same story, just with a different bias. Not that it matters much. Phoebe's loyal, sometimes too loyal. She doesn't question where her loyalty lies as much as she should. She is also somewhat friendly with Matt, and I wouldn't be surprised if she had heard something from him. Anyways. She'll get over it."

"So will Matt," Vera said.

"You think so?" Holden asked, disbelieving.

"Yeah, he will," she yawned.

"You haven't been helping that situation. You play us against each other." Holden couldn't help but sound a little bit accusing.

"Oh, you're okay." She rolled in her seat slightly. He looked over at her, her eyes were closed. He sighed, and went back to driving.How strange,he thought.If someone had told me two months ago that I would be driving the dean's daughter, my student, Matt's ex, home in her car, and that I had fingered her, made her come, that she had given me the best blowjob of my life, I would have laughed. Then again, when does my life ever do what I expect it to?A lot had happened...

When he pulled up at her house, he debated waking her up, for the second time in two weeks.

"Vera," he said softly. She didn't wake up. He sighed again, and got out of her car. He walked over to the passenger's side, opened the door, undid her seatbelt, and lifted her out. She wasn't heavy in his arms, and he closed the door behind him. He took her back inside her house, to her bedroom, and set her on her bed. She stretched, and yawned.

"Will you take my jeans off?" She murmured.

"What?" He asked her.

"It's uncomfortable to sleep in jeans, duh. Will you take them off?" She wiggled her feet at him. He smiled, and undid her button, sliding them off of her. Now all she was wearing was a pink thong and tiny t-shirt. She looked fucking adorable. He set her keys on her bedside table, then paused. How was he going to get home? Walk? He could do that, but it was a ways to be walking at night. So that meant that he would have to wake her up, get her to at least ride in her car to his place.But then she would have to be awake enough to drive back...

She seemed to know what he was thinking, and she rolled over, making a space next to her. "Sleep here. You might as well. It's too cold and late to walk back."

He paused, not knowing what to say, debating.

"It's not like I haven't slept with you before," she said.

"Well..." he replied with a grin.

"Slept meaning sleeping. Not sex. But you should. Especially since Lincoln isn't here. "

"Who's Lincoln?"

"My dog. He's at the stables, it's really close, but I left him there because the manager isn't there tonight, and I left him to be a guard dog. But now I don't have him as a guard dog." She pouted, eyes still closed.

"So you had your dog protect some horses instead of you?" He said, bemused.

"Mhmm."

He sat down next to her, and took off his shirt and shorts, and climbed under the covers next to her in his boxer-briefs. She snuggled up next to him, and he cupped her ass in his hand, and kissed her lightly. She kissed him back sleepily.

Chapter 18

Holden woke up spooning Vera, dick against the soft curves of her ass, hand on her chest. How long had it been since he had actually spent the night at a girl's place? A long time... he usually wasn't a huge fan of staying over. Too invasive of his space, not his own home with his own shit, the awkward morning after. But he didn't feel that way that morning. Maybe his brain was just clouded with the feeling of the amazing body in his hands, against him.

He quietly got out of her bed, and walked to her kitchen. He was always hungry in the mornings. He rummaged around and found a box of lucky charms and some milk. He stood there, leaning against the sink, eating and thinking. It had been one hell of a night. He wasn't sure what to think about everything that had happened. His thoughts were interrupted when Vera walked into the room, still in her t-shirt and thong. He didn't say anything, but watched her move around her kitchen. She put water on to boil, and grabbed an oversized cup out of her cabinet. She too leaned against the counter, watching him.

"Are you eating my Lucky charms?" she asked, faking an accusatory tone.

"Yeah" He said ruefully. "I'm secretly 15, you just don't know it. Actually, I was starving, and I can't survive on air, sorry."

"Well then, I suppose I could let you have some. But I'm only letting you because I'm so nice," she told him.

"Thanks for being so magnanimous," he replied.

She glared at him, playing along. "Ooh, big word there. So maybe you are actually an Assistant Professor, and not just an imposter."

"Now, what would make you call me an imposter?" He acted appalled.

"Oh, I don't know, you don't see too many men who work for the University with tattoos and abs like yours..." she said, and licked her lips suggestively.

A cocky look replaced the one on his face. "What can I say? I'm one of a kind," he said with a shrug.

"Someone's a little conceited." She jabbed him with her finger.

"Oh, don't act like you don't like it," he grinned and grabbed her ass.

She glared at him again and turned around, making him laugh. He automatically checked out the ass he had just had a hold of. Little. Tight. Tan. Perky. He loved it. She was just so fucking... irresistible. He stepped up behind her, and wrapped his arms around her, biting her ear. She exhaled into him, leaning back.

"Not to try to make you play chauffeur, but I have a class at noon, and I need to go home and prep," he whispered.

"So I take it you are asking me to take you home?" She asked.

"Well, I could run, but then Id get all sweaty and have to take a shower, and would have less time," he replied, smiling.

"Well heaven forbid I keep you from being such a diligent teacher." She ground into him. He didn't even care anymore about the forbidden relationship. Fuck it. He was lost already, lost in her.

Vera took him home, and they were in her car, driving, when something occurred to him. "Let me see your phone," he demanded, holding his hand out.

"Why?" She asked warily.

"Don't you want my number in it? So, you know, you can call and torture me," he said. She handed it to him. He programmed it in, then called himself from it, getting her number.

"Going to check up on me, make sure I do my homework?"

"Exactly, make sure you took good notes."

"Oh, I always do," she said with an impish smile.

Chapter 19

When Holden got home, he ran his fingers through his hair and tried to think. So much was going on, had changed, he had spent the last few years trying to get his control back over his life. Vera was... intense. She had her flaws, she was somewhat spoiled for one, she had yet to make a life on her own. She was a tease, and she didn't care if she pissed people off. It seemed she always got what she wanted, hadn't faced true failure. He even wondered if she had faced tragedy. For some reason though, he thought she must have. He has seen hints of past depression, sadness. But what kind of tragedy? Holden knew tragedy. He also knew what it was like to see a girl look in his eyes and not understand what she saw there. To see them look at him, feel him, and be confused, afraid of who he was. But he had yet to get that with Vera. She looked him dead in the eyes and didn't flinch. Then again, she hadn't gotten to know him all that well yet.

He sighed. And what about Matt? He hadn't even seen Matt since he had walked in on them. Maybe he would have cooled down. Maybe they could work it out. Holden needed Matt.

After his class, Holden's jeep made its way through the neighborhoods, the short drive to his best friend's house. Matt was home, his car parked in the driveway. Holden walked up and knocked on the door. No one answered. He tried it, and it opened. He walked inside, looking around. The TV was on, a beer sat on the table, opened but full, condensation trickling down the sides.

"Matt?" He called. No answer. "Matt, it's Holden." Still no answer, but he heard a door slam. Holden walked through the house, the bathroom door was closed, the light on inside. He heard water running. "Matt, it's Holden. Hey, can we talk?" Still no answer. He pushed open the door, which was also unlocked. Matt's angry face greeted him; he was leaning against the sink. "I guess I'm not the only one who never locks their doors anymore," Holden said calmly. Matt sniffed, brown eyes staring at Holden blankly. Holden glanced at the countertop. A white line and a rolled up twenty sat there. "Coke?" he asked. Matt gave a nod. Truth was, Holden knew Matt occasionally did hard drugs. He just had known better than to try to stop him though, and had never known why he did it. Now he did. He leaned against the door frame.

"I take it the beer wasn't going to cut it," Holden said.

Matt gave a dry laugh. "No. Rarely does."

"How often do you take a line?" Holden asked.

Matt gave a shrug. "Every once in a while. When things get shitty."

Holden didn't miss the insinuation. "Oh, so it's my fault that you have this nasty little habit, is it? Or is it Vera's fault? Who are you going to blame it on, Matt?" he asked shrewdly.

"No, Holden. Not everyone blames their own problems on other people. And not everyone tries to substitute or make up for their problems."

"Oh, so is that what I do now, Matt? Is that what this is about? You think Vera is my substitute for all the shit that's gone down in my life? Or are you delving into my past, or what youthinkyou fucking know of my past?" Holden was yelling at Matt, his anger clouding his thoughts.

"Well from what I hear, you two have been spending a lot of time together." Matt's tone was accusatory now.

"Yeah? And who the hell did you hear that from?" Holden asked angrily.

"Your sister," Matt spat out.

"My sister? YouleavePhoebe out of this! She does NOT need to be dragged into this shit?Yourshit!" Holden was furious as he yelled; this wasn't right.

"Whatever man. It's her business. And I guess now it's mine."

"Yeah well it's about to become my fucking business." Holden was so mad he forgot about all his good intentions in coming over, forgot how he wanted to talk to Matt, to say what he thought Matt needed to hear. He was overcome. Overcome with that fury, that anger. He was seeing red. He left, slamming the front door behind him. He jumped into his jeep and sped off, heading to Mercer. He was going to talk some sense into Phoebe if it was the last thing he did. He couldn't have her spiral downwards in a messy world of drugs, sex, and money. Matt's world.

Sure, Matt wasn't always like that, but Holden didn't trust Phoebe; she was too young, too impulsive, she didn't do things halfway. Matt's hints at how he talked to Phoebe were digging at Holden. Just how much contact did they have? Holden's head was spinning. He looked at the clock. Phoebe would just be getting off work at the café where she worked. He sped, not caring about the speed limit, not thinking rationally. This was Holden's problem. He hadn't been this angry in a long time. He didn't trust his anger. It brought too many things back.

Holden pulled up to the café with his breaks squealing. He got out of his car, striding up to the glass door. Phoebe was inside, just ending her shift, and she looked up to the sound of breaks. Her coworker, Tiffany, looked up as well.

"Ooh who is that? I want some. How's my hair look?" she asked Phoebe, who rolled her eyes.

"That would be my brother," she said.

"Oh, well you can give him my number then," Tiff said with a grin. At that, Holden walked through the door. Phoebe could tell he was pissed.

"You off work?" he questioned her gruffly. He could see Phoebe's expression, which seemed to say "Uh-oh."

"Um, yeah," she said. She grabbed her stuff, saying goodbye to Tiffany, who was still staring at Holden. They walked outside.

"Can we sit?" Holden asked coldly.

"Sure." They sat, and Phoebe waited for Holden to speak. He was initially silent, looking out across the shopping center.

"So, you want to tell me what is going on with you and Matt?" he finally asked, his tone still harsh.

"What are you talking about?" Phoebe asked.

"Well, funny thing is, I saw him today, and he said that the two of you have been talking."

"And what if we have? What are you going to do about it Holden? He's your friend!" she got defensive. Just because they hadn't really had parents didn't mean it was Holden's continual job to fill that gap.

"Is he? Phoebe, do you have any idea what kind of problems Matt has?"

"Oh, and you don't have any problems, Holden? Aren't we in a state of denial?" Phoebe spat sarcastically.

"You know what Phoebe? First of all, you really don't know what you are talking about. And for the most part, I've dealt with that shit, and I try to not let it affect the people around me."

"What? Holden, what people around you? You never have anyone around! When is the last time you had friends other than Matt? When is the last time you had a girlfriend? If by dealing with whatever you mean being a total loner, then yeah, you don't let your shit affect other people. This Vera bitch is the first girl I have seen you around! And we all know she's no fucking saint!"

"Don't talk shit on what, or who, you don't know, Phoebe," Holden said coldly. Phoebe was silent for a while, glaring at him. He spoke.

"So how much time have you been spending with Matt?" He was quieter this time. She rolled her eyes.

"Why do you care so much? Don't you want me to have a life?"

"Of course I want you to have a life. I just don't want you to have Matt's life."

"And what exactly is so bad about Matt or his life? You say you want me to find a guy who deserves me and would treat me right and blah blah blah, but suddenly I'm talking to your friend and you practically try to force me into a chastity belt? I'm not that innocent, Holden."

"Matt treats girls right on a one-night-only basis. And what do you mean, you aren't that innocent?" Holden was afraid to ask, afraid to know.

"Oh, come on. What? You think I went off to college stupid? Or that I should have 'waited for the right person' or something?Youclearly didn't!" Phoebe was getting shrill, her immaturity showing. Holden clenched and unclenched his jaw. He didn't need to think of what Phoebe had or hadn't done. It bothered him too much.

"What do you mean?" He asked quietly.

"Get over yourself. How old were you when you started fucking that Mia chick down the street? How old was she?! Don't patronize me!"

"I was too fucking young, okay? Is that enough? I don't want you to make the same stupid mistakes I did."

"Yeah, well this great talk is coming a little late." Phoebe got up and walked away from Holden, her petite frame angrily stomping across the parking lot. She got into her Jetta and left. Holden sat there, thinking.

Chapter 20

He spent the next couple of days worried, not knowing what to do. Luckily, prepping the midterms saved him. He did talk to Vera though; he called her, surprised at his own etiquette. They had talked briefly, she had been in the middle of something, but he had said that he wanted to call her, see what she was up to, and tell her that the roommate had survived through the night. She had said that she was busy for the next couple days, but asked if she could she see him after class this week. When she had ended the conversation with a playful "Goodbye professor," he had to grin. It was definitely a strange experience, but he liked it. He did briefly wonder what kind of trouble he was getting himself into, however.

The day of class Holden felt... strange. A little excited, a little anxious. He wanted to see her, but he was nervous. No one could find out about their... interaction. People filed in, and then it was time to start class, although she wasn't there. He did start, and five minutes in, she walked through the door.Shit. He tried not to look at her. She was wearing those tight jeans again, but this time she had on a tiny black tee shirt, one that rode up way too much, and a small black leather jacket over it, with leather boots.Playing bad girl, are we?She sat down, and stuck her sunglasses in her bag, then looked him up and down.

Class dragged on, and he left to his office afterwards. He assumed she would find him if she wanted to see him. He was in there for a good twenty minutes when he heard a knock on the door. "Come in," he said, leaning back in his desk chair. The door opened, and Vera leaned against the door frame.

"Is this where I serve detention?" She asked.

He grinned. So she was going to play the bad girl role. This could be fun. "Maybe."

"Well, what do I have to do for my... punishment?" she asked him, walking towards his long frame that was lounging in the chair.

"Depends... do you want the punishment to fit the crime?" he said, playing along.

"Well, I guess so. What did I do that was so... bad?" She asked him, and promptly straddled him, her hands on his neck, one tracing the lines of his tattoos. Holden was hard, the bulge in his jeans obvious. He grabbed her and kissed her, his tongue parting her lips to roughly and expertly explore her mouth. She moaned into him, and he wanted her, wanted to fuck her right then and there. He wasn't sure if she would let him, but he was going to passionately explore as much as she would allow. He took off her leather jacket and tossed it on the floor. She quickly unbuttoned his shirt, taking that off. All he had underneath was one of his black t-shirts, and before he knew it she was peeling that off, grabbing him and pulling him into her, running her hands on his shirtless form.

They were frenzied in a way, more so than they had been that first day at his house, where he kissed her for the first time. There was less questioning, less hesitation, and his gray-blue eyes locked on to her green and gold ones briefly. There was enough in that look to say what they both wanted, and he stood up to push her against the wall. He pressed into her, and wrapped her leg around him. Their kissing was fast and hot, he slipped his free hand under her shirt and she bit his neck. He groaned, and took the hand that was making its way over her breasts out from under her shirt, reaching up to her throat. His touch was gentle but firm, as he growled into her.

"Tell me."

"Tell you what?" she panted, glaring at him, a hot and almost feral look in her eyes.