Living With Him

By J.L. Ostle

I am your typical good girl, I work hard, I don't drink and I have never been with a guy.

I am invisible to those around me, and I like it that way until one bad night leads me to run away from my dark past and move in with the campus bad boy.

Jackson McKenzie.

Jackson oozes sex appeal and intrigue. Girls surround him wanting to be the next girl he charms into bed.

He either is playing in his band or being the college Casanova.

But he treats me differently from the other girls, he's kind to me, treating me like I'm fragile, being my everything.

We need each other, in more ways than I ever could imagine. He teaches me how to be happy, smile and have fun but will it be me who teaches him how?

Warning: this book contains a small encounter of abuse, strong language and sexual scenes, recommended for ages over 18.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.L. Ostle
• Release date: Jul 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393495703

Book preview

Dedicated

To my son, who I love to the moon and back.

Copyright 2017 J.L. Ostle

All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including but not limited to photocopying, recording or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to people, either living or deceased, is purely coincidental. Names, places, and characters are figments of the author’s imagination, or if real, used fictitiously. The author recognizes the trademarks and copyrights of all registered products and works mentioned within this work.

All rights reserved.

Edited by Daniela Prima (Prima Editing & Proofreading Services)

Proofread by Jen Wildner

Formatted by Leigh Stone

Cover designed by Kennedy Kelly

Chapter 1

A re you sure you’re okay? Kendra asks me, looking at me with concern.

I take a deep breath as I look out at the house in front of me—the place I’m going to be living in now.

Yeah, I think so. I’m so sorry I am putting you through all this. I just couldn’t handle being there anymore. I feel my eyes start to brim with tears but I wipe them away angrily. I don’t want to shed another tear for him. He has hurt me for the last time.

You know I would do anything for you. I’m just happy you left that psycho. I still can’t believe you stayed there as long as you did. She leans over and gives me a hug.

Let’s just not talk about him anymore. I stretch my arms and wince when I feel what he did to me—the last thing he will ever do to me. Right, show me the way. I need to stretch my legs.

Right this way, m’lady, she jokes in a British accent.

I climb out of her car and we grab the only possessions I own. The whole two black bags worth containing my only clothing, toiletries, and my only picture of me and my mom.

I walk up to the two-story house, taking in a deep breath as I watch Kendra open the door, letting us in. I look behind me, expecting the asshole to be there. I know he won’t find me here. He is always too drunk to even remember who my friends are, or which college I go to.

I’m safe. I’m away from that monster.

I walk in and close the door, and my mouth hangs open when I see the mess around me. Pizza boxes are laying everywhere; empty bottles surrounding every space possible. I am dreading now about whom I am going to be living with. I walk farther in and I see a black bra sitting on the couch.

I told you he was a slob, she apologizes.

It's fine. You did warn me. I just wasn’t expecting to see it like this. I grew up making sure everything was clean and tidy. Everything had to be in its place.

The living room is spacious. A huge flat-screen TV sits with every game console imaginable. Opposite is two worn navy blue couches. A few guitars line up one wall. I follow Kendra to the kitchen and it's just as bad as the living room. Dishes and garbage covering every surface.

This guy is a pig. I have only been here a couple of times and each time I must have been so drunk that I’ve never noticed what a mess he lives in. She shakes her head in disgust as she grabs a pair of tongs and lifts up a pair of boxers from the sink. This guy is just gross.

I scrunch up my nose.

I can’t let you live here. I wouldn’t even let my worst enemy live here. I am sure I can sneak you in my dorm room. My roommate will just have to get used to it. She grabs my arm and starts dragging me away, but I stop her.

Seriously, I’m okay living here. You said this guy is nice and both you and Jayce have said he will look after me while I’m living under his roof. I am not going to get you into any trouble. Trust me, this place is better than you know whose.

Her shoulders slump.  Are you sure? You don’t need to be nice about this shit hole.

I laugh. I am fine. Now show me my room.

Okay, come on. We head back to the living room and she opens a door leading to stairs. We walk up and I see three doors ahead of me. Right, this room is Jackson’s. She points to the first door on the left. I nod. We walk past it and she opens the one in the middle to see it’s a bathroom. At least it’s cleaner in here. But damn, there are loads of products. We head to the next door and she opens it, and I’m shocked at how clean and spotless it is.

Oh, my God. This room is so nice. I step in and place one of my bags on the neatly made bed. The room is simple but it’s so much nicer than what I’m used to. I look back at the bed, not believing the bed is a double. My old bed was a bed made for kids; my feet used to dangle over the edge.

I’m just happy it’s clean. She places my other bag on the bed. I walk to the window and it is massive. It's lovely and wide, taking up most of the wall, and the curtains are a light blue. I bet the room looks lovely when the sun shines through. Opposite the bed is a desk and next to the desk is a set of drawers.

This is so great. Are you sure this guy doesn’t mind me staying here? Kendra knows I have no money to my name and I am sure that she and her boyfriend must have pulled in a huge favor for this guy to let me stay here, rent free.

Yes, he is fine with it. I’m just happy my boyfriend is good for some things. She wiggles her eyebrows at me.

Tell him again that I owe him.

Well, you could tell him yourself if you let me drag you to Davie’s. She pouts at me. Davie’s is the local bar, but with my back still sore from earlier, I’m not in the mood to be around men who will try to hit on me. Around Kendra, I am comfortable to be myself, but around others, I am a quivering mess if I try to form two sentences together. I am a huge social leper, thanks to my dear old dad.

I think I just want to settle in here. It’s been a long day. You go and have fun for the both of us. I see her bite her lip and she looks around my room. I know she is questioning leaving me alone. Kendra has been my best friend since kindergarten. She knows everything about me. If it hadn’t been for her over the last few years, I don’t know how I would have coped.   I can see that brain of yours working overtime. I am going to be fine. I am safe here. Please go. I mean it. I put my hands on my hips and she rolls her eyes at me.

Fine, but I want you to text me every thirty minutes, letting me know that you are fine.

This time I roll my eyes. I still can’t accept this phone. I pull it out of my pocket. I could never afford one but she insists that I need it for my protection.

It’s an old phone, so trust me, it’s no bother. Just please text me or I will be driving over here, barging through the door.

I know she would, too. Okay, I will text you every thirty minutes until I’m about to go to bed.

She sticks her hand out for me to shake. Deal. Now walk me to the door. She links her arm through mine as we head back down to the front door. I swear this guy is disgusting. I don’t even know how he gets laid with this place looking like this. She turns and gives me a tight hug. Okay, be safe and remember to text me.

Yes, ma’am. I salute her. I watch her as she starts to walk towards her car, but she stops and turns around.

Go and close the door.

Fine, I will see you tomorrow. We both wave and I close the door, leaning against it.

Now that she’s gone I feel a little awkward. I head back to my room and smile when I see it. I go to my bags and start putting the few clothes I have in the drawers and take my shop brand shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, and bar of soap to the bathroom.

With all the things I own now unpacked, I wonder what to do next. I have two used books I could read again. I love a good steamy romance but I can only read ones when I see them at thrift stores. These two I brought are my all-time favorite.

Thinking about the mess downstairs, I decide to tidy it up instead to show Jackson that I will earn my keep by cleaning up. At least I won’t feel guilty about staying here for free. I head to the kitchen first and look in the drawers for some plastic bags, and when I find some, I start gathering all the empty bottles, takeout boxes, and garbage. My phone alerts me that it’s been thirty minutes so I send Kendra a quick text saying I’m fine, with her replying to text her again in thirty minutes time.

Even just by gathering up the garbage, you can already start to see the difference. I gather all the dishes and put them in the sink to soak with hot soapy water. I start to wipe down all the counters, the oven, and stove and I quickly sweep up.

After doing the dishes and putting them away, I head to the living room and start cleaning up in there. I find a few more dishes so I soak them in the sink. I grab a clean cloth and start wiping all the surfaces and fluffing up the pillows. The odd clothing items I find I put in the hamper in the bathroom upstairs. From the look of the bras and panties, they are not from the same girl.

I vacuum everywhere, wash the last of the dishes, and then mop the floor. I look around the place and I’m shocked at how much better it looks when tidy. I am sure Jackson is going to really appreciate this. At least we can sit on the couch now.

I make myself a cup of tea, leaving it black as I don’t want to use his milk without his permission. I quickly head upstairs and put on some black yoga pants and a long old T-shirt and head back down with the blanket off my bed and snuggle on the couch.

I flip through the channels, enjoying this luxury as I was never allowed to choose what I wanted to watch. There are so many options that I can’t make up my mind, but I settle on Friends as I’ve watched a few episodes when I used to sleep over at Kendra’s.

I love Chandler and Phoebe. They are so funny, and I have never laughed so much in my life. I reuse the same tea bag I used before and make another black tea. I look around the room, enjoying the peace of it all. The tranquillity.

I make sure I text Kendra every thirty minutes but I never tell her that I cleaned up. I think she would go crazy if she knew. I watch episode after episode of Friends, not wanting to sleep. I want to stay up all night, but all too soon sleep finally takes over.

I am awakened when I hear a noise and my eyes spring open as I clutch the blanket in my fists. What if he has found me? My heart is hammering in my chest but I calm when I hear a girl’s giggle. I try to stay still but my body tenses when I start hearing moaning near the front door.

Jackson, fuck I need your dick so bad, I hear the girl purr.

I know, I hear a husky voice say in reply. I close my eyes, praying they don’t have sex a few feet away from me. I hear them shuffle closer to me.

Jackson, who is sleeping on your couch? Her voice sounds closer.

Fuck, it’s my new roommate. She must have fallen asleep down here.

She? You live with another woman? Her voice goes a little harsh.

Yes, I do. Do you have a problem with that? I hold my breath. Will he wake me up and kick me out if she says yes?

I guess not. But I can tell she does.

Good, now let’s head to my room and you can fuck my hard dick. I hear a slap and her squeal and then hear them start to walk up the stairs. I am just going to get a bottle of water. I want you naked and dripping by the time I head back up.

I am always dripping when it comes to you. I cringe. I hear her heels clicking up the stairs as I hear him walk past me to the kitchen, opening the fridge and closing it. I hear his feet walk close to me and it’s like he stops. I can feel his eyes boring into me. I feel myself heating up. I am sure I’m beading sweat everywhere.

You didn’t have to tidy up, he says, but I keep my eyes closed. I don’t want to open them. I know you’re awake. I am sure he can tell, as I can feel the heat on my face, meaning I am turning into a tomato.

I wanted to say thank you for letting me stay here, I say, but I keep my eyes closed.

Ah, she speaks. I feel myself turning even redder. I bet it took you ages to clean up after my shit, I really appreciate it.

It's fine. I like cleaning.

I guess we are going to get along well since I am a slob.

I can’t help but chuckle, but I keep my eyes closed and I can still feel his eyes trained on me.

Jackson, I am ready for you, I hear the girl shout out.

I will talk to you tomorrow. You will have to look at me at some point. I know he is waiting for me to look at him but I don’t. Good night, kitten. I hear him start to walk away.

Good night, Jackson. I hear his movement stop and after a moment he heads up the stairs, closing the door behind him. I finally open my eyes. I look at the door heading to the stairs and then at the ceiling. I will admit he has a soothing, friendly voice.

I feel a little more awake so I decide to watch a few more episodes of Friends until the sun starts to rise. Luckily, I don’t hear what is happening upstairs and I’m scared to head to my room so I stay put, but eventually sleep does take over again.

Chapter 2

Iwake up the next morning to sounds from the kitchen. I sit up, stretching out my stiff limbs and I notice another blanket over me. Did Jackson give me another blanket? I must have been tired as I never heard anyone come back down. Is that girl gone?

I head towards the sound and my mouth hangs open when I see who must be my new roommate Jackson, standing near the oven with nothing on but a pair of black boxers that sit amazingly on his hips, hugging his tight ass. My eyes trail over his hard-toned body and I feel my face blushing.

Stop staring at him, my head screams at me. I quickly look down at the ground.

Hey, you’re up, I hear his voice say. I still feel embarrassed for checking him out. He is letting me stay here and I’m standing here like a moron. You’re still not going to look at me? I can hear the teasing in his voice. My mouth has gone so dry that I can’t even reply back.

Oh, my God, woman, say something, my head mocks me. I see his feet walking towards me and even his feet are all masculine. I feel his finger and thumb lifting my chin. When my eyes connect with his, I feel all the air leave my lungs. His eyes bore into mine—his crystal clear blue eyes. He is smiling at me.

That’s better. I am making us breakfast. He heads back to the oven and brings out a tray of bacon and sausage and my mouth instantly waters, on cue with my stomach rumbling. I feel embarrassed all over again, I know he heard it. I wrap my arms around my stomach, looking back down at the ground. You really need to stop looking at the ground, kitten, he chuckles.

Sorry, I mumble. I see his feet walk towards me again, and then he is lifting my chin.

You don’t need to apologize. Now go sit, I just need to plate up. I feel bad that he has to feed me. He is spending his money on feeding me.

It’s okay, I don’t need breakfast. I can grab something later. Again, my stomach rumbles. Stupid stomach.

He shakes his head. Sit. You are going to eat this.

I nod my head, not wanting to answer back.  Okay, I say timidly. I go back to the couch and start folding the blankets, when I feel his hand grab my arm. My body tenses from the contact, and he must sense it since he releases me.

Did I upset you? he asks me. I look back at the ground, and again he lifts my chin. You have pretty eyes, you need to stop looking down. He tucks a stray hair behind my ear.

You didn’t upset me. I shouldn’t have thrown back your kindness of making me breakfast. It’s me who should apologize. I bite my lip.

There’s nothing to apologize for. I know that you’re hungry or your stomach wouldn’t have growled at me. He laughs and I giggle. Now that’s what I want to hear more of. He smiles and heads back to the kitchen and I follow him.

More of what?

He looks at me. Your laugh, is all he says before grabbing our plates and we head back to the couch. He places them on the coffee table and goes back to the kitchen, returning with two glasses of orange juice. We both take a seat and he turns on the TV and starts eating, so I do the same. After taking one bite, I groan out loud, letting the taste dance around in my mouth. I notice that Jackson has stopped eating and when I look at him, he is watching me. I feel my face heating up again so I look back at my plate.

Have I done something wrong? I ask softly.

He stays quiet for a moment.  No, I’m just glad you are enjoying my culinary skills.

I giggle and eat everything on my plate, never having been so satisfied in my life.

Finished? he asks and I nod as he takes the dishes away. I fall back onto the couch feeling stuffed. I can’t remember the last time I was this full. He walks back in and sits next to me and I tuck my feet under me.

That really was fit for a queen. I smile, and when he turns, he smiles in return.

You are easily pleased, he chuckles.

I guess I am. That was amazing. Thank you again.

Anytime.

We sit there, comfortably watching some show about cars being fixed or something, but I don’t mind. I am looking at the clock on the wall when the door that leads to the stairs opens and a very attractive girl is standing there. She must be the girl from last night. No wonder he is with her. She looks like a model with her long blonde hair, long legs,