7

Boma's eyes lingered on the last line of the rule she had just read:

"My girl must be above average."

It increased her anxiety. She managed to control herself as her eyes traveled down to continue reading.

No unnecessary closeness with any guy. No flirting either.

No clubbing or partying without my knowledge or permission.

If you're traveling for the weekend to be with your family, I must be aware.

Don't even think of bagging an extra year in school. That means you can't fail an exam. Consider a C score, a fail. I will go through your test and examination results.

She slowly lifted her gaze and stole a glance at him. He was relaxed in the chair and engaged with his phone. God, I’m in serious trouble, she thought again.

Unexpectedly, he lifted his eyes and met hers. She quickly returned hers to the rules and continued reading.

All-night reading at the theater is highly prohibited. Do your reading at the library or in your room.

Wear your ring at all times, especially around campus. That is one error you want to pray that you never make.

Her heart began to pound against her chest. She fiddled with her left hand, trying to hide it beside her thigh. She was glad that he hadn't noticed.

Do not keep me in the dark about your challenges. I can't read your mind.

Take exercise and personal grooming seriously. Health is wealth.

I don't tolerate misbehavior (for example, back talk, eye-rolling, engaging in fights, brawls, or cussing).

Observe the above rules and you will be fine.

Having reached the end, she looked at him, and he returned his attention to her.

"Any questions?"

"Yes."

"I'm all ears."

"I'm not bright."

"I don't understand."

"Academically, I am fine with a pass."

He shook his head. "Don't give me that excuse. If you believe you're not bright, then you will act like it. Change that disposition and you will be fine. Okay?"

His words, though delivered a bit roughly, were inspiring but did nothing to stop her demeanor.

She lowered her eyes to her lap.

"I, uh, I will try and pass my papers." She said and felt him lift her chin, forcing her gaze back to his.

"A Point One's girl does not pass. She excels. I have a reputation to protect. Because of your current disposition, I will be a bit understanding. Hence, the lowest grade I will expect from you is a C. If you get anything below that, you will be in serious trouble. Am I clear?"

She nodded, feeling cornered. Even her parents had not given her this kind of tough time before. She was in serious trouble.

"Any other concerns?"

"My roommate goes for all-night reading. I may like to join her sometimes because she said everyone is inspired by seeing others studying."

"All-night reading is not safe. This school is not such a secure place. If rivals want to hurt me by getting to my girl, that theater is perfect for an attack."

"I will be careful."

"You can never be too careful. Do not go there. Use the library. Period. If I find out you ever did an all-night reading, after this warning, you will regret it.”

His threat sent chills down her spine, leaving her speechless.

“Any other questions?" he asked.

"About- about partying, can you be more elaborate?"

"For security reasons, you cannot just get up and attend parties inside or outside campus without my knowledge. Do you understand?"

"Yes, but about exercise and personal grooming?"

"What's confusing about those?"

"I'm not fat."

"Exercise should be a lifetime lifestyle affair. It's not just about weight loss. You will register with a gym as soon as possible."

She saw a perfect excuse and took it. "I can't afford a membership."

"I wasn't expecting you to go out all by yourself to find a gym or pay for membership. I already belong to a gym off-campus. You will join me there three times a week. I will communicate the schedule and Phillip or Standfast will come to pick you up."

"Who are they?"

He pointed to his closest pals at the other table. She recognized both guys who had stopped her from leaving the bar after receiving his intimidating note.

"Okay." She said.

"Good. Any other concerns?"

Her eyes fell again. "You- you mentioned personal grooming."

He lifted her chin again, making her meet his gaze. His look was intense at first. Then a tiny smirk softened the intensity. His voice dropped a notch.

"I like a clean girl. Shaved underarms and..." he traced his finger lightly from her shoulder down and rested his palm at the apex of her thighs.

Instant sensual heat flooded her system even though layers of clothing covered her skin. She hated it because it was wrong. It felt wrong. He was, after all, dangerous.

"I prefer this special treasure to be shaved with some pretty hairs left. I don’t want it bare and looking like a child. That’s my preference."

She panicked. "I can't- I can't have sex with you."

He studied her for a few seconds, watching her breath quicken.

Then he slid one palm behind her neck like he had done the last time, rendering her motionless as he took her lips. With his free hand, he kept her waist still, one leg trapping hers against the sturdy chair.

She gasped at how quickly she had become trapped in his hands.

She could do nothing as he kissed her, taking his time to ravage her lips.

Her first gasp of surprise was muffled by his sensual onslaught. As the kiss went on, without him showing any signs of stopping, she gradually felt her resistance weakening. Then she heard a soft moan escape her. It spoke of surrender. Shame flooded her body.

It was at that moment that he suddenly released her, leaving her dazed, a bit shaky, and embarrassed.

Her eyes on his remained dazed.

They were both aware of catching others' attention in the room, but their gazes remained locked together.

Her eyes gave up first and fell to her lap, no longer able to withstand the intense look in his attractive eyes.

"You have a sweet moan." She heard him drawl, feeling his finger tracing her lips. "I like the sound."

She kept her gaze on her lap, her fingers laced together.

The finger on her lips traveled down to her chin and forced it up. She met his gaze again.

"Do you want me to do that again?" He asked. "Because I enjoyed it. And I know you did. Didn't you? Be honest."

"It- it doesn't matter."

"What doesn't matter?"

"Whether I enjoyed it or not."

"The reason being?"

"You're- you're the kind of guy my mother warned me about."

An amused chuckle escaped his lips.

"And what kind of guy would that be?"

She lowered her eyes again. "A bad boy."

"Well," he said, forcing her gaze back to his as usual. "This bad boy likes you." With that, his lips descended on hers, claiming it again.