Chapter 1 I wonder how much trouble I'll get into if I pour scalding coffee all over Professor Lincoln or stab the hand he's running down my arm with a fork . I grimace , hoping it passes off as a polite smile as I pull my arm away from his . " I understand , Professor ; I'll get the papers to you on Monday , I promise . " Elias Lincoln , my Fundamentals of Genetics Professor and the biggest sleazebag to walk the planet , leers at me , his mud - colored eyes raking my body in a way that makes me shiver with disgust . " You know , April , " he says huskily , " as my TA , I expect more from you . " I swallow , turning back to the coffee order I'm preparing . Fridays are always busy at Rover , the local campus café . The last thing I need is my perverted Professor trying to petition me at my second job by using my first job as an excuse . " I understand , Professor , " I answer , trying to concentrate on drawing the leaf art on the latte I've made . " I've been a little busy , but I'll come through . " " You know you're also failing my class , right , April ? " I sigh . " I'll come through , Professor , " I repeat . " You know , if being a Teaching Assistant is too much work , there are ... other things you can do for the pay . " My hand jerks when he reaches for me again and runs a finger up my I hiss sas some coffee spills over , scalding my hand . I glance over at Mindy , my manager . Our eyes ? ) meet I'm being harassed right under her nose . briefly , and I know she sees the pleading in mine , but she looks away , ignoring the fact that " That's okay , " I grit out as I set about making a fresh cup . " I could also tutor you ? " His hand trails further up my arm , and I freeze when he brushes it against my boob . " Privately , of course . " " If you're done with your caffee , Professor , " I grit out , taking a deliberate step back , " we're kind of busy today . " The scumbag smirks . " Three days . " " What ? " three genap fl " If you don't agree to my private tutoring in any de Man 4 days , I'll have to find another TA . " I gape , feeling equal parts terrified and angry . " You'll fire me because I won't sleep with you ? " I ask incredulously . He shakes his head . " Why do you have to make it sound " Because that's what it is , " I hiss . vulgar ? " " I need this job , Professor . " My tone turns pleading . " My sister has pediatric type 1 diabetes and I'm her guardian , we have no insurance and her care is so expensive , I- " " All I'm hearing is you could use the extra tutoring . " He stands and smirks . " Three days , April . " And then he's gone . I stare at the glass door in utter disbelief , feeling like I'm going to drown - under the weight of his absolute shit storm my life is in . proposal , the consequences if I refuse . The If I lose the TA job , I won't be able to afford June's medications , half of the rent , or next semester's tuition . A tear slides down my face , dropping into the coffee cup in my hand with a tiny splash . *** 1/3 י Chapter 1 " Hi , Lou , " I greet when I arrive at my apartment in the evening . My roommate , Louise , turns to me from her perch on the couch . " April ! " She mutes the TV and bounds over to me to give me a hug . " Hi , I sigh against her , feeling the weight of the day threaten to drag me down . " April ... " She pulls away slightly , and her sharp blue eyes study me , no doubt noting my red - rimmed eyes and the eye bags underneath . " You good ? " I shrug , dropping the grocery bags on the counter . " Where's June ? " " Sleeping , " Louise answers . I glance at my watch . " Has she- " " Gotten her insulin shot and had a chicken sandwich for dinner - whole wheat bread . " give my roommate a tired smile . " You're a godsend , Lou ; I don't know what I would do without you . " She shrugs . " Anything I can to help . You run yourself ragged , April ." I sigh , unpacking the groceries . " I'm all she has . " " April- " " If I don't work hard , if I don't get money for her medication and something happens to her- " I take in a shuddering breath as an image flashes through my mind . Of my parents - lying dead on the floor after overdosing together on heroin . I shake my head , forcing the memory away . " I can't lose her , too . " Louise sighs , taking the box of cereal from my hand . " What about yourself ? " she asks , moving for the cupboard . " You entered school on an academic scholarship and now you're barely scraping C's because you're too exhausted and burnt out . You'd be off your scholarship if not for your TA job and- " " Professor Lincoln wants to fuck me . " Louise pauses . " What ? " 1 shrug helplessly , feeling tears form in my eyes . " If I don't agree in three days , I'll lose the job . " " Oh , April , " she sighs and pulls me into her embrace , stroking my back lovingly . " You poor thing . " I sniff , resting my chin in the crook of her neck . " I'm so tired , Lou , " I whisper . I'm glad June is asleep . I always have to be brave for my little sister . If she ever knew what a mess I really am .... She can't handle losing the last parental figure in her life . " Let's report him to Student Affairs , " Louise says . I scoff . " I have no proof ; it'll be my word against hi- I freeze , my gaze zeroing in on the TV behind Louise . " What ? " she asks as she pulls back . I stare at the TV - at the interview going on . A man and a woman in their fifties , with three boys in their twenties standing behind them , smiling at the camera politely . 2/3 P P Chapter 1 " Lou , " I whisper . " Volume . " " What ? " " Volume , " I insist , staring at the boy in the middle . Short dark curls , wickedly intelligent green eyes , sinfully luscious mouth . A face carved by the gods themselves . " This is a joke , right ? " Cruel mocking laughter . " Me , kiss you ? I'd rather eat shit . " More laughter , cruel and mocking - and the sound of my young , teenage heart shattering . Louise finds the remote , and soon , sound fills the room . " ... and there you have it , " the reporter is saying . " Ladies , it's your chance to participate in a real - life version of The Bachelor . The Ashfords are accepting applications for brides for their three eligible sons - Lucas , Peter , and Nathan . The three heirs must find suitable wives to enable them to move forward and start a new generation of Ashford leadership . " I swallow hard . Nathan Ashford . My high school crush - no , crush is too small a word . My first love . And my first heartbreak . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!