Alecia pulled her book bag strap over her shoulder as she passed by the general education building at. She had two more classes and then she would call Ryder. They had no plans for tonight, just watching a movie and cuddling. Laughter floated to her. “There’s Ryder's new slut.” She stopped and turned. Kat leaned against the wall surrounded by a few other girls. All wore the same sorority shirt, a white V-neck with pink Greek letters ironed on. Alecia shook her head and reached for the door handle. Her hand stilled. “Of course, she keeps insisting she hasn’t slept with him yet.” Tears swelled in Alecia's eyes. She pushed back her shoulders and turned to look at the girls. “I see Helen's jealousy has spread to you.” “Jealousy.” Kat twirled a red ringlet around her finger. “More like gratitude.” Kat turned and headed in the opposite direction. She stopped and looked over her shoulder, focusing on Alecia. “I bet you’ll be his pick for one more week.” She laughed, shaking her head. “I want to be next. I’ve heard about his moves,” another girl said as she locked arms with Kat and strolled away. Alecia wiped away the tear that rushed down her face. He wasn’t going to leave her. He loved her. Told her that. She again wiped at the tears pouring down her face. They had called her a slut. That they couldn’t wait until he dumped her. Well, she would make sure he wouldn’t. She would do anything to make sure Ryder was completely satisfied with her. Alecia reached for her phone and pulled up Ryder number. The stuff burned through his nose. The blood would flow soon. Ryder leaned his head back, and let out a slow low breath while Barbie ran a hand over his arm. She must be waiting for him to pass the plate. Lucas had said she only wanted the drugs since she had a constant need to get high. The blonde laughed saying some crude joke, while she wrapped her legs around Lucas. His phone rang. Could that be Alecia? Nah, it was too early. She had two more classes before their Friday could begin. Maybe tonight he could finally get that shirt off. She had already started letting his hands roam all over her upper body so he could relish the silkiness of her skin. He closed his eyes, feeling the jitters dissipate. Lucas put the phone to Ryder's ear. “It’s Alecia.” “Hey babe,” he whispered. “I’m on my way to your place. I need to talk to you.” “You are?” he pushed out. What was she doing skipping class? He glanced around at all the evidence that would make Alecia never speak to him again. “Yeah, I hate Helen,” she shouted into his ear. “Okay. Give me ten. I need to clean the place up.” Lucas closed the phone. “Take everything to your bedroom. I don’t want Alecia to see it.” “What about her?” Lucas pointed to Barbie. “What do I care?” Lucas laughed and said, “more for me.” He held out his hand to the brunette. The girls picked up the glass plate and the supplies and followed Lucas up the curvy stairs to the bedroom. Well, she got what she wanted. “Be quiet,” Ryder shouted at them before they closed the door. He pulled himself to the couch and focused on the oak door in front of him. Would she notice that he was on something, but then again he hadn’t taken too much. Besides, she probably had no clue what drugs could do to a person. A few moments later, someone knocked on the door. He stood and opened the door, letting Alecia swoop in. She flung herself in his arms as he glided his hands into her hair. Her eyes were red as if she had been crying. He ran a thumb over her cheek, feeling the dampness. “What’s wrong, babe?” he asked. “Kat called me a slut.” He pulled her into a firm embrace, burying his face into her hair. The smell of her strawberry shampoo floated around him. “Those girls are shallow. Don’t let them depress you.” “I know, it’s just I wish I had a girlfriend here.” “You’ve got me,” he said. A smile stretched across her face as her eyes brightened; her pink lips glistened from the strawberry lip gloss. He licked his lips. Man, did he love the taste of it. Ryder leaned down to kiss her, but pulled back as a warm sensation flooded through his nose. “Man.” He turned for the bathroom. “What’s wrong?” The sound of Alecia's heels clicking on the bare floor followed him. Ryder turned the faucet on and hung his head over the sink as the blood dripped, coloring the white porcelain. “I get a lot of bloody noses.” Behind him metal clanked together. His shirt was yanked back, and something cold was pressed onto his back, making him flinch. “What are you doing?” he asked. “The blood will stop in a second. Just keep your head over the sink.” Ryder swallowed as the taste of metal filled the back of his throat. The dark red drips slowed and then tapered completely off. He splashed cold water against his face, letting it wipe away the red stain that had trailed down his lips. A soft black towel crossed over his face, as five small fingers circled his arm. Someday this girl would make a loving mother. “What did you do?” Alecia removed her hands from Ryder's shirt and held up some keys. “I don’t know why, but if you put metal on the small of your back it stops nose bleeds.” “Ah,” he said as a smile crossed his face. “That’s some conjure woman trick.” “Just science.” She placed the keys back in her pocket. “My mama always did it when I got bloody noses. If you ever meet her, you’ll see she believes in so many natural remedies.” “I’ll meet her someday.” Alecia's eyes lit up and a full smile crossed her face. Ryder took Alecia's hands and pulled her close to him right before kissing her forehead. “Want to get some lunch?” “No, I kind of feel like being held. Just to be reminded that there is actually someone up here who cares about me.” He took her hand and brought it to his chest caressing her fingers. “We could go lie down in my room.” She nodded, looking off to the side. His mouth dropped open. She had actually said yes, but then again he was breaking her down. Soon she would break completely. He led her to his room and shut the door, locking it. Alecia's eyes steadied on the bed -- her hands gripped the sides of her dress. He caressed her back. “You’ll feel better in a little bit. Just rest in my arms.” She kicked off her shoes, and lay down, resting her head in one of his pillows. Her creamy skin contrasted with the black sheets, making her look like a jewel being displayed. His jewel. Completely untouched by men. “What are you doing?” she asked. “You look really pretty.” “Well, get over here.” Ryder lay down behind her, scooting as close to her as he could. Her small body curved into his as she bent her knees. He leaned his cheek on hers and placed his hand on her side. It had been five weeks since he had been with a woman, and every inch of his body grew tense and excited. He ran his fingers up her side, lifting her shirt as goose bumps rippled over her skin. “I’m glad I can trust you,” she said. Ryder pulled her close and let out a slow breath. He couldn't trust himself. “I hate it here,” she said. “What can I do to make you happier?” She rolled over and placed her hands on his chest, caressing his shirt. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. She had no idea how one little touch could make a man want more. So innocent. So ready. He kissed her lips, pulling her close to his body. He tried to roll her on her back, but she moved her face and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m so miserable up here,” she said. Ryder kissed a couple tears as they fell down her cheeks. “You’re so good to me.” “It’s because I really love you.” “You don’t mind not being able to sleep with me?” He looked into her watery blue eyes. “I just like being with you.” “When you say things like that, I know you’re not the guy Helen says you are.” He brushed a strand of her hair from her cheek. He bent down low over her face and said, “tell me how to make you happy.” Alecia pouted her lip out a little. If he could just see into her mind and find out what she wasn’t telling him. “Tell me Alecia, what you want and I’ll do it.” “Take me to a good bookstore.” “Okay, let’s go,” he said, his voice had an edge to it, but hopefully she didn’t notice. Alecia walked into the bookstore holding Ryder hand and glanced at the rows of books filling the oak bookshelves that reached to the ceiling. She had always wanted a large library and that thought didn’t seem so far off now. The scent of cocoa mixed with espresso floated in the air. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, soaking in the scent of cinnamon. Her library would have to have an espresso machine. “Get whatever you want,” Ryder said. She walked up to a bookshelf, and ran her hand on the back of the books. Her fingers stopped on the dark red spine of Gone With the Wind. She pulled it from the shelf. “This is my favorite book.” Ryder took it from her and looked down at the cover. “Have you read it?” she asked. “No, but I will.” She chuckled. Ryder never read fiction, but always books on politics, history and world events. Alecia bent her head to the side. She knew so much about him despite the short time she had been dating him. That must be a good sign. They walked around the store, and each time Alecia picked up a book, Ryder added it to the stack in his hands. She kept waiting for him to protest even though she knew he wouldn’t. Ryder would spend anything on her. When she had scanned the whole store, and Ryder had at least eight books in his hands, she sat on a bench in front of the magazine section. Ryder sat by her side and looked at the covers of several books. She picked up a Glamour magazine and flipped through it, stopping when she found a picture of a girl with limbs like twigs. The model looked so gaudy with the gold painted all over her body – her eyes held a vague look as though she was already dead. “These girls are so thin.” Ryder leaned over and looked at the magazine. “Girls die to look this beautiful,” she said. Ryder snatched the magazine from her hand. “What do you expect when a fag decides what’s hot?” She flinched. That was a harsh statement. He stood and grabbed a Maxim, flipping through the pages, until he settled on a picture of a girl in a bikini, leaning against a tiger. He sat next to her. “Look at this girl. Look at the curvy fullness of her hips and long nice legs.” He traced his finger over each part of the girl’s body as he pointed it out. “This is what a man wants. That’s why she’s in a magazine for men. No man wants a twig.” “Is that what you want in a woman?” “That’s what I got.” He closed the magazine. “You have a nice body. I imagine you look like her in a bikini.” Alecia's cheeks warmed. “You think I look like her?” “Yeah,” he said. He gave her a sensuous smile, letting his eyes scan her body. Ally tensed. She knew what was on his mind. He pulled her into his arms. “You alright?” The scent of his fresh shirt floated to her as tingles filled her. He gave so much to her, but what did she give him? Nothing. She would have to before he grew tired of her. “Let’s get something to eat.” He bought the books; took her to get a hamburger and then the movies. Afterwards, they walked towards his car. “Want to go back to your dorm?” She got into the car after he opened the door. “No. Can I stay with you tonight?” Ryder raised his eyebrows. “You don’t?” “No, the last person I want to see is my roommate.” She tried to stop her voice from trembling, but it was useless, she could hear the shakiness. She pressed her hand against her icecold cheek. “Do you want to get some clothes?” “No.” All she wanted to do was get to his room, and get things over with. She leaned her head against the window. Was she actually going to do this? To let him have her, before he even made a permanent commitment? Yes, she would. If she showed him how much she loved him, he would stay. He just would. And then she could prove Kat and Helen wrong. She would treat him better than Ashley ever did, and he would soak her up. They didn’t talk much on the way to his apartment. When they arrived, Ally went to Ryder's bedroom. She kicked off her shoes, dropped her coat and lay on his bed - stretching out on the soft silk sheets. She closed her eyes when he lay down next to her. Her body trembled as he ran a hand under her shirt and rested it on her belly before kissing her softly on the ear, his lips trailing to her mouth. It was going to hurt. She’d always heard it would. His kiss became more passionate, more forceful. His hands began to explore. This was as far as she had ever let him go. He pulled on her shirt, making her cringe. She moved from him. What was she thinking? He took a deep breath and rolled onto his back. His eyes darkened. He used to try and hide his annoyance, but no longer. He was growing tired of her prudishness. She felt a harsh burning feeling in her stomach. “I….” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, but the tightness in her limbs wouldn’t subside. The burning feeling grew harsher. Her stomach felt unsettled like she could throw up at this moment. His fingers caressed her cheek. “What is it?” She stilled. Leave. Did she just hear a small voice telling her to leave, to flee the temptation? Ryder leaned over her, longing in his light blue eyes, and her whole body warmed. He loved her so much, showed it in everything he did for her. The time had come for her to show him the same love. “Be gentle,” she whispered. “Please.” “What are you talking about?” She placed her hands on his back. “Just remember I’ve never done it before.” Ryder's lips slowly turned into his sensuous smile. “I….” His lips smashed into hers with such a forceful passion, revealing the depth of his desire for her. She wrapped her arms around his back and pulled him close. This would be their wedding night. The night she clenched him for forever.