Bound By Four

Chapter 14

The comforting smell of new leather and apple juice filled Lucian's car. The only noise that could be heard came from the soft humming of the engine. Elara shifted in her seat adjusting the strap of her bag nervously even though there was no need for it. She tried to distract herself by staring at the moving scenery outside but all she could focus on was the question he had asked her minutes ago. She hadn't thought that things would get so heated between her and her student but here they were one month later. It had started out small… private conversation after class,car rides and now… he was inviting her to come have dinner with his brothers.

“I'm not doing that.”she finally said with finality in her voice. “What you're asking is totally absurd. It's one thing with you but your brothers? That's a whole new level. I'm not having dinner with them.”

Lucian tilted his head, his lips curving into that maddening smirk of his. “You don't have to keep acting all tough all the time, Miss Rivers. They're not as scary as everyone thinks they are.” His eyes glinted mischievously. “In fact, they're totally good with people.”

Her head snapped toward him, a stern look in her eyes. “Stop this Lucian. There's no way I'm agreeing to that. I shouldn't have led you on. It's all my fault.”

He let out a low chuckle which vibrated through the small space of the car. “I really enjoy teasing you, professor. And you're really funny… and cute too. I know you've had a really hard day. Food makes everything better. You don't have to worry about my brothers judging you… they're cool.”

“Have you told them about… us? Oh my goodness!” She echoed covering her face with her palm. “This is so… I'm… f**k. I don't think I like hearing that my student was discussing me with his brothers.”

“Do you have to keep reminding me that I'm way below your league? That I'm just a student” he said in a more serious tone. “Let's put those titles behind us. They're just… words. I'm Lucian. And you're Elara. Nothing more.”

She bit her lip, heart pounding. It was easy for him to say because there was nothing to lose. But on the other hand,she had a lot to lose. Shaking her head she said, “you don't understand how society works. I'll probably lose everything I've worked hard for. I'm…”

“There's nothing I do not understand.” He said cutting her off,his gaze locked with hers. “Don't pretend that you don't feel the same way I do. I know how you feel.”

Her breath caught in her throat. The scary part was that she didn't even know how she felt. Her feelings were all over the place. She felt that she was only clinging to the only source of attention because she had just gotten out of a terrible… terrible breakup. He was slowly growing on her, breaking down the wall she had carefully built.

Unable to hold his gaze any longer,she finally looked away, whispering, “okay. You won. I'll… I'll have dinner with your brothers.”

“I already told them you'll be having dinner with us.” He said cockily. He parked the car when they got close to the school gate so that she'd be able to get a bus back home. She hadn't told him what had happened in her life and how she was currently living in a cheap motel. “I know this is all too early but… I actually like you. You're so…” he took a pause before changing the subject. “You'll love my brothers. They're actually nice. You've met Adrian already. Dante is… you might think he's intimidating but trust me me, he's cool and Cyrus is well… I don't know.”

Her lips twitched despite herself. “You all sound like quite the character. Not bad I have to admit.”

“Well thank you milady” his grin returned.

Her pulse quickened.

“It's gotten pretty late and I need to head back home now.” She said in a rushed breath fumbling for her bag. “I'm really tired and I need to rest”

Before she had the chance to open the door,his hand shot out, catching her wrist firmly but gently. “Aren't you going to give me a good bye kiss? You're really failing in my book”

She stared at him in surprise,her lips slightly parted. “Why would I do that? No… what… that's… this is wrong”

His hold around her wrist didn't falter. If anything, his thumb stroked against her skin in a way that caused sparks to erupt up her arm. “Everything feels wrong to you” he murmured, leaning too close until she could feel the heat radiating from him. “It's not like I've seen any rule that prohibits a professor from dating a student. We're both adults, Elara. You act like you're very old.”

Her lips parted. She didn't think she was young. She had gone through so much that she hadn't had time to enjoy life. Living a life like hers can cause one to age faster than they actually were.

“I'm pretty sure if we look we'll find a rule” she whispered.

Lucian’s smile deepened, all charm and danger. “If there is one then I don't mind breaking it”

She froze, caught between indignation and desire. She couldn't deny that she enjoyed the feeling of being… liked. She enjoyed his company. He made her feel like herself. She felt… free with him. Before she could say anything else,he leaned forward before pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. It was soft and quick yet it felt so intimate.

“Freshen up, I'll pick you up in three hours.” He said easily as if she couldn't feel her life slowly changing in front of her eyes. “Text me your address.”

She shook her head, flustered. “Lucian, I'll just…”

“See you soon, Elara” his voice was final,the kind that told her that there was no room for negotiation.

With no choice, she pushed open the door and stepped out, her legs suddenly feeling like jelly. Reluctantly,she finally waved him goodbye before making her way towards the bus stop. During the walk to the bus stop, a wave of her reality washed over her. She needed to stop allowing herself to get attached.

She was almost close to the bus stop when she heard a harsh voice from behind her.

A rough hand snatched at her purse, which made her almost lose her footing. She let out a soft gasp, clinging desperately to the frail strap. “Get your hands off my bag!” She cried struggling against the man's strength.

He sneered, pulling harder, nearly pulling her hands from the joints. Panic shot through her veins. Then… the man went still before collapsing to the pavement with a loud thud.

Elara staggered back, eyes wide, clutching her bag to her chest. She couldn't afford a new bag at the moment.

Behind him stood a woman. To Elara,she was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen with very healthy dark hair. In her hand was a wooden bat which she had used to knock the man unconscious. Something dangerous swirled in her eyes,she kicked the man's leg before lowering her weapon.

“Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” The woman finally asked worriedly as if she hadn't just knocked out a man almost twice her size.

Elara blinked, still shaken. “Yea… thank you. I'm fine. You're… you're a godsend. You have to be really strong to have knocked him out that fast”

The woman smiled, a slow, knowing smile that made Elara’s skin prickle. “I've heard that a lot,” she said in a soft tone. I'm just glad that he didn't hurt you. A woman can never really be safe with men like this around.”

“I'm Elara” she managed to say, extending her free hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, Elara,” she responded, shaking her hand. “I'm Serene.”