Crushing on the Bad Boy (Bad Boys on

Campus Book 2) Josie Max

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 Crushing on the Bad Boy

I was crushing on him hard but he thought it was a joke. He’s about to pay for breaking my
heart.
Madison
Jack was the coolest guy on campus. A bad boy with talent. Once I saw his band play my freshman
year at my university, I only had eyes for him. When he invited me to his party, I thought he might like
me too. But then I found out it was all a joke. I refused to be laughed at… again. He never expected
me to turn the tables on him.
Jack
There was a beautiful girl who always hung out where I worked on campus, I had a bit of a
reputation but that wasn’t me. The real me wanted the girl, not the fling. The real me wanted to sing
songs for her, not a crowd of people. The real me was someone I hid. I took a risk and showed her the
real me. But when I did, she ran away.
Crushing on the Bad Boy

Copyright © 2022 by Josie Max

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by
U.S. copyright law.
 Contents

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
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 Chapter 1

Madison
“Wow! This party is amazing. Thanks for letting me tag along, Madison.” Emma’s blue eyes
widened as we stepped into the older Arts and Crafts-style home.
Emma was my roommate and best friend. She had been through a lot over the past year, so I jumped
at any chance to take her out to enjoy herself. But tonight wasn’t just about making her happy.
“Jack invited me. I think he rents this place with his bandmates.” Jack was a senior art major and
the lead singer of a band. Basically, he was the coolest guy around.
I hadn’t told Emma yet, but I had the biggest crush on Jack. We all went to Winter River University,
and that was where I met him. He worked part-time at the Campus Café. Since I hung out almost every
day at the café, we got to know each other. While I loved coffee, I mainly hung out at the café so Jack
might see me as more than just a customer.
Yesterday when he invited me to his party, I thought he might like me too. I didn’t think I had a
chance with him because the guy was seriously gorgeous. While I was tall, it wasn’t like I was model
beautiful. I had curves—lots of curves—but it was more than most guys liked.
Yet, Jack was always nice to me, so I kept my hopes up.
The music was pumping as we moved into the living room. There were people everywhere, and I
scanned the place, looking for Jack.
“I think he mentioned his band would play in the basement.” I raised my voice so Emma could hear
me.
“What?” She held up a finger. “Wait a second. My phone’s going off in my pocket.” She pulled out
her phone and tapped on it. “Oh, no...” She frowned. “Ryan’s been hurt.”
 Ryan was her boyfriend and the best player on the Winter River Miners, the university’s soccer
team.
“What’s wrong?” I moved closer to her so we could hear each other.
“He twisted his ankle.”
“I guess he won’t make it to the party.” I shrugged.
I had invited both of them. Perhaps it was nerves, but I wanted to be surrounded by my friends
when I made my move on Jack tonight.
The guy had creativity oozing out of his pours. What was I compared to him? Just a weird girl who
had too much bounce in her step, and the only creative thing I had done was hot glue some buttons
onto my backpack.
“Would you hate me if I went to Ryan’s and took care of him?”
“No, you go. He’s hurt. I understand.” And I did, but part of me worried I would follow her right
out of the party. Emma saw me as fun and a risk-taker, but in reality, I wasn’t as brave as I let on.
“Okay, Madison, just text me if anything happens and you need me. I’ll come right back. Okay?”
I blew out a breath and shook my head. “I’ll be fine.”
She had never had a nice guy in her life. Ryan was the first, and he loved her and was sweet to her.
I was a bit jealous—I wanted a guy who cared for me the way Ryan cared for Emma.
I waved to Emma as she left with uncertainty written all over her face. She was gorgeous and
curvy, just like me.
She once told me I should be a model, and I thought she was joking. Modeling was for the skinny. I
knew a lot of guys liked skinny girls, but I kind of liked the curves I had. It took me a while to accept
my body, and at times, I still had trouble, but I wasn’t about to diet to fit someone else’s idea of pretty.
Things were different in high school. Maybe it was the hormones and awkwardness of that time,
but I hated my body and hated myself—and the names I was called in high school didn’t help either. I
was glad those days were over, and all those nasty people who bullied me were no longer in my life.
College was different—no one cared about that crap. Sure, there were a few superficial assholes,
but it was easy to ignore them on such a big campus.
Then, when I met Jack last year at the café, and he was friendly, I thought I truly left those bullying
days behind me. He was a genuinely sweet guy, even with that coolness about him. He wrote songs
and created art, and there was an aura about him that drew me close. I had never been around
someone who saw life with such color and beauty.
 Even the place he rented with his bandmates gave off a cool, artsy aura. I had been to parties off
campus, and they were either in crappy apartments or rundown shacks, but Jack’s place... there was
history here.
I didn’t know how he got this place, but it fit him. There was art on the wall instead of the typical
pictures of half-naked women or video game posters. Even the furniture looked like it went together
—it looked like something from a store instead of castoffs from parents or cheap particle board
tables.
Taking a fortifying breath, I made my way through the living room toward the hallway. I noticed a
door open with people coming in and out, and the music grew louder the closer I came.
It was the door to the basement. Unable to hold my smile back, I maneuvered down the wooden
steps. The lighting was dim, but once I stepped foot onto the basement floor, the place glowed.
There were string lights hanging from the ceiling everywhere, and people were waving glow sticks
around. The place was relatively devoid of furniture. The only thing down here, other than a large
crowd of people, was a washer and dryer.
I stood on my tiptoes, and that was when I saw him. There must have been a small platform on the
other side of the basement. He stood up there singing into a microphone, surrounded by his bandmates
—one played guitar, another keyboard, and the guy behind him was frantically hitting his drum set.
It was my first time hearing live music, and it moved me. Like a hypnotic trance, I weaved through
the crowd, trying to get closer. When sweat dripped from his forehead onto his ripped tank, my heart
surged along with the melody. Tears pricked the corner of my eyes because I felt everything... It was
overwhelming.
Jack was the most talented person I had ever known, and it was like witnessing something great.
“Hey, watch it,” a girl said as she bumped into me.
Despite knowing she shoved into me, I mumbled, “I’m sorry.”
The last thing I wanted was to start a fight with a drunk partygoer. The tall blonde sneered at me.
She looked like someone I’d suspect to be a model. If she told me she just arrived from walking the
catwalk in Paris, I’d believe her.
She had that frown on her face, and I knew it all too well. I’d seen it enough times on the girls in
high school, right before they viciously attacked me.
I swallowed, lowering my gaze to the cement floor. “I was just trying to get closer to the stage. I
wanted to see the band play.”
Her brow rose. “You’ve heard them before?” she asked, as if that wasn’t even possible.
 Pursing my lips, I nodded. “Jack, the lead singer of The Degas Grind, invited me.”
Her blue eyes widened as they bounced between me and the stage. “Huh.” Her lips curled, and she
stepped closer, placing her hand on my shoulder. “You must be that girl he’s talked about.”
Why would he tell her about me? Maybe she wasn’t a terrible person; I couldn’t imagine Jack
letting a stuck-up bitch in his life.
“Really?” My smile grew. “He’s talked about me?”
She sighed and lowered her head so only I could hear what she said. “I hate to tell you this, but he
only invited you as a joke.”
As her words sank in, I felt bile rise in my throat. “J-joke?” My hands felt clammy as I shook them.
“His band does this all the time. Every time they play a show, they each invite someone and then
prank them. Whoever has the most pathetic guest wins.”
Pathetic. My eyes lifted to Jack. He was jumping, lost in the song he was singing. He was
amazing... amazingly cruel.
“So, I’m pathetic...” I murmured to myself.
She patted my shoulder. “I hate to have to be the one to tell you all that, but us girls have to stick
together. I mean, it’s not like he doesn’t have a reputation.”
I nodded. She was right. I had heard all the rumors about the dorm rooms he trashed and the fights
he started. And then the rumors about all the people he screwed with just for fun. I guessed I was the
newest victim he was having fun with.
Jack had always been nice to me, so I thought it was all just gossip.
I was wrong.
“Thanks,” I mumbled as I turned to go.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out to see it was a text from Emma.
Hey! How’s the party? Did you see the band play?
I sighed as I walked up the stairs. Band sucked. Heading home.
 Chapter 2

Jack
I took the towel that hung from the mic stand and wiped my brow. We had just finished a set and
told the crowd we needed a break.
“Excellent set, man.” Jimmy slapped my back. “I love the new songs, really deep. Glad you made
us practice them for tonight.”
Jimmy was the drummer for our band, The Degas Grind. And while Jimmy was a talented
drummer, he always doubted my song ideas. But once we played the songs, he usually wised up pretty
quickly.
“Thanks. I wrote them about certain girl.” I grabbed a bottle of water at the edge of the stage. I used
to drink whatever alcohol was available right after sets, but that drinking led to some poor decisions
in the past.
Excruciatingly poor decisions, and I didn’t do that anymore.
His brow rose. “Are they for Jane?”
“Jane?” I spit out a bit of water and wiped it away with my arm. “No, we broke up over a year
ago. I thought you knew that?”
“Yeah, but I didn’t know if you started seeing her again.”
“Nah, man. She was fun at first, but then I changed, and she hadn’t, ya know?”
He nodded. “I get it. So, uh... would it be cool if I asked her out?”
When I said I made bad decisions, Jane was one of them. She was pretty on the outside, but
something rotten festered just below the surface. She even admitted she only dated me because I was
in a rock band. The girl was using me, and she didn’t care who knew it.
“Sure. But I’ll warn you, she’s all surface, man.”
 It was as if Jimmy didn’t even hear me, because he just grinned and said, “Thanks.”
I glanced out as he walked offstage and into the dwindling crowd, trying to find someone. A hand
lifted in the crowd, but it wasn’t from the person I was looking for.
It was my good friend, Aiden, who was an art major like me. We got to know each other when we
were freshmen and had been friends ever since. The guy was crazy talented.
I stepped off the two-foot-high platform and went over to him. “I’m glad you could make it.”
“Yeah, the songs were great. Love the party.”
“Thanks, man.” I gazed around.
“You looking for someone?”
I hadn’t told anyone about Madison. When I saw her last year at the Campus Café, I couldn’t
believe my eyes. She was gorgeous, more stunning than I had remembered, and I made it my mission
to get close to her.
“Yeah... a girl I’m interested in. I invited her here tonight, but I haven’t seen her yet.”
“Really? Tell me what she looks like; I’ll keep an eye out for her.”
Scanning the few people left in the basement, I still couldn’t find her. “She’s tall with long, dark,
curly hair. Curves till... you know.” I snickered.
“Okay.” Aiden winked. “If I see anyone matching that description, I’ll let you know.”
There was a pair of legs coming down the stairs. I smiled, hoping they were Madison’s, but my
grin quickly faded once I saw the swinging blonde hair.
It was Jane, my ex-girlfriend. Her red lips widened when she saw me. I quickly averted my eyes,
hoping she wouldn’t come over.
Aiden noticed my expression and turned. He knew my history with Jane and had met her a few
times. The guy was a player, but he didn’t even like her.
“Oh god,” he mumbled. “Is there a back door out of here?” He glanced over my shoulder, seeking
an escape.
“Ugh, I wish.”
“Jack.” Her whiny-baby voice caused my shoulders to tighten. “I’m so glad I didn’t miss you. I
listened to the songs! They were fantastic as always, but I had to go up to use the little girls’ room.”
I rolled my eyes. She was nauseating.
“Great, well, I have to head up—”
She pushed past Aiden, placing her hand on my chest. “I heard that new song of yours. You know...
the one about the dreamy girl.” She bit her lower lip, getting red lipstick on her teeth.
 I plucked her hand off my chest and lowered it. “Okay.”
She batted her eyelashes as she gazed up at me. “I think it’s sweet you still think of me...”
Aiden snorted behind her. She frowned as she glanced at him but twisted her attention back to me.
“I really don’t, Jane. In fact, I don’t think of you at all. That song was about someone else.”
Her lips thinned as a darkness skated over her features. “I hope not that fat chick who was here.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “She mentioned you invited her.”
My jaw tightened. “This is why we aren’t together anymore, Jane. The only way you can make
yourself feel better is by putting others down. But that doesn’t make you better than them; it only sinks
you even lower until you’re nothing more than a worm slithering through the mud.”
“I was only stating a fact, Jack.” She straightened with a huff. “I can’t help it if I take care of my
body. It’s obvious you took pity on her. You have too big of a heart. If you aren’t careful, someone
will take advantage of you.”
I glared at her. “Yeah... someone already has.”
“Fine. I can see I’m not wanted.”
“I didn’t even invite you,” I added.
She turned, but before she walked away, she said, “Despite what you may think, I still care about
you. And that girl you invited...? All she did was complain about the house and the loud people. She
called your music noise and said she’d rather be back at her dorm than at this lame party. Those were
her words, not mine.” She turned and stomped off.
“Damn. Jane is the worst,” Aiden said as he slapped my shoulder. “You totally dodged a bullet
with her.”
Jane and I broke up over a year ago—the summer before our junior year. I was glad I did because,
when school started, that was when Madison first stepped foot into the Campus Café.
I sighed because what she said stung. Had Jane actually met Madison? And if so, did Madison
really not like my songs?
 Chapter 3

Madison
I nibbled on my lower lip as I entered the campus art gallery. As I glanced around the white room,
the level of talent that hung from the walls amazed me. The paintings and a few mobile displays were
all done by Winter River University students.
I was not here to look at the artwork; I was here to find Jack. It was Monday, two days after the
party, and I came to the gallery to start my plan of getting revenge on him.
He wanted to pretend to be friends with me for a practical joke, then I would do the same to him.
Then he could discover just how bad that was to do to someone.
I had talked to Emma about it over the weekend after the party, and she thought I should talk to Jack
first—to find out if what that girl said about him was true. But I knew enough about bullies to
understand that everything she told me was true; the girl’s words made sense. Why would someone as
gorgeous and talented as Jack ever want to be friends with me, anyway?
Besides, if I asked Jack about it, then he would know that I had found out. Then I couldn’t
implement my plan.
I cared for Emma, but she had never been bullied, not like me. Sure, she had curves, but she got
them when she started at the university. Before that, her high school experience was perfectly fine.
Mine, on the other hand, taught me a few life lessons about people—and I knew better than to trust the
pretty ones.
I looked around the gallery, but there was only one person in it. My target. I strolled up to Jack and
tapped him on the shoulder.
He twisted around with surprise painted all over his face. “Madison. I’m glad to see you,” he said,
but his smile didn’t reach his eyes.
 His gray sweater clung to his chest, and I tried to keep my eyes from focusing on him. Heat traveled
up my neck to my cheeks. I hated that being near him caused my body to react the way it did.
I hated him, but apparently, my nipples didn’t agree.
“I came here to apologize for leaving your party on Saturday.” I nibbled on my lower lip.
“Something came up, and I had to leave.”
“I looked for you.” His lips thinned as concern etched his features. “Someone mentioned they saw
you leaving. I hope it wasn’t my music that caused you to leave...”
I shook my head. “No, of course not. That was the best part. I wanted to get closer to the stage, but
then a girl... uh, I mean, I got a text from a friend telling me she needed help.” I shrugged, thankful I
caught myself before the truth slipped out.
“I hope she’s okay.” He took a step closer and reached for me. When his fingers fluttered over my
upper arm, a shiver ran down to my core.
“My roommate’s boyfriend had gotten hurt. He plays for the Miners, and she needed help taking
care of him.” I didn’t know why I felt the need to make up these ridiculous excuses. I hated lying to
him, but every time I thought of just saying fuck it and telling him the truth, that girl’s words entered
my head again. Jack had no problem lying to me in order to hurt and humiliate me, so why shouldn’t I
do the same?
“You’re a good friend.”
I frowned and didn’t respond because, right now, I felt like a lying asshole.
“You missed a cool party. I sang some of my new songs.” His cheeks turned pink, and he looked
down at the ground. “Look, Madison, I want to talk to you...”
My eyes widened. Was he about to admit to trying to trick me? It felt like I might have won this
battle by not even playing his game.
“I know I have a reputation as a bad boy, and part of it’s true. I really got into the whole rock star
mentality last year. It screwed some things up for me and people around me. Perhaps it’s because I
know I’m going to be graduating this year, but... I got my life together. If you heard anything about me,
just know that crap doesn’t happen anymore.”
I narrowed my eyes. That had to be a lie; I was sure of it. He was only trying to trick me into
having sympathy for him, and it wouldn’t work.
“I heard some things, but you were always nice to me. I figured it was just gossip.” At least, that
was the truth—something I fully believed until Saturday night. “We all have a past, don’t we?” Mine
was filled with bullies tormenting me, while Jack’s was filled with being the tormentor.
 “Yeah... I guess so. Some more than others.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
The muscles in his arms flexed, and even through his sweater, I could tell the man was built. I
licked my lips and tried my best to focus on my task—becoming friends with Jack so I could trick
him. I needed to make him believe I liked him, when, all the while, I was stringing him along until I
dumped him.
That was the thing about jerks like him: they couldn’t stand being the one rejected. It was fine for
them to reject anyone they felt unworthy, but the moment they were kicked to the curb was a
completely different story. It was the only way to take their power away.
“Jack, are some of your paintings here?” I smoothly changed the subject. “I thought I could check
out some of your artwork since I’m here.”
A smile broke out on his face, and it was as if the sun broke through the clouds. He had a dimple on
his right cheek, and it only made him sexier. Trying to stay angry with a guy who could melt my
panties with one glance was harder than I thought.
“Yeah, I have a piece of art over here. I like to work in pencil, sometimes in pastel and
occasionally oils. I prefer to do portraits.”
He gently placed his hand on my lower back and guided me toward the corner of the room. I took a
deep breath to remain focused on my mission as heat bloomed from his touch, but it was difficult as I
didn’t want him to stop touching me.
The drawing he showed me was of a woman. I saw her long dark curls but just the outline of her
nose and chin since her head was turned. It was beautiful. Even with the picture being mostly hair, he
made her appear mysterious.
“That’s gorgeous. You’re so talented.” I wasn’t lying when I said that.
As much as I hated Jack, between his music and his artwork, he was incredibly gifted. I felt like I
was standing next to greatness. I just wish the greatness wasn’t trapped inside a jerk.
“Thanks.”
“She looks familiar. Is it someone I know?”
I am assuming he picked a girl from the Campus Café to draw since lots of students go there. He
would have had his pick of beautiful girls.
“You could say that.” He turned to me with flushed cheeks before he said, “It’s you.”
“No, that’s not me.” I shook my head. “She’s stunning. I’m not...”
He tilted his head and placed his hand on my arm. “Not what? Beautiful? Gorgeous? A soft flower
opening its petals on the first warm day of spring? You’re all those things and so much more,
Madison.”
My throat tightened, and my voice wobbled. “Why do you lie?”
“I’m not lying. I would never lie to you.”
Why would he draw pictures of me if he was only going to hurt me? Now I was confused.
I took a deep breath and wondered if maybe that girl at the party had me confused with someone
else. But even if she had, it still didn’t make it right that Jack would do that to someone.
I turned my attention back to the portrait. “It’s beautiful.”
“You like it?” He seemed genuinely surprised, like he didn’t know how talented he was.
“Yeah, it has an old-fashioned feel to it. I like old-fashioned things, like letters in the mail instead
of texts. I know it’s weird since everyone texts each other, but I like phone calls and letters. I’m sort
of an old-fashioned gal, I guess.”
I did not know why I was sharing this with him, but I guessed it couldn’t hurt.
“I like Impressionist-era paintings the best. The modern stuff isn’t my taste, so I’m kind of old-
fashioned too with art. That’s where we came up with our band name, The Degas Grind. Named after
the impressionist Degas.”
I figured, but he never told me that before. “That’s cool.”
What that girl told me about Jack and from what I knew about him from talking to him at the
Campus Café for the past year made little sense. Maybe Emma was right, and I should talk to Jack
about it.
“Jack... I lied about the reason I left your party on Saturday. It wasn’t because a friend texted me.”
He gave me a soft smile, and his dimple popped out again. Heat was building between my legs, and
I was suddenly nervous, worried he wouldn’t like what I had to say.
But the more I stood there, the more I realized that the whole lying thing just wasn’t for me. Other
people could easily do it, but I couldn’t. Maybe that made me weak, but I’d rather be weak than a
horrible person who treats people like nothing.
His eyes darkened as they skated over my features. He was gorgeous, and I couldn’t help but be
mesmerized by him.
I took a breath. Here goes nothing.
“I ran into a girl, and she said some things about you to me... some things that hurt my feelings.”
Jack held up his hand. “That must have been my ex, Jane. She’s been trying to get me back for a
while now. I don’t like to speak ill of people, but believe little of what she says.”
 Right as I was going to ask him more questions, Jack slid his fingers across my cheek, tucking some
hair behind my ear. I gasped, and he asked, “Madison, is it okay if I kiss you?”
I blinked in surprise. No guy had ever asked me that. Honestly, no guy had ever done much with
me. And whatever things I had done with a guy, they never asked my permission.
“Yes,” I whispered.
His soft lips fell to mine, and when his tongue darted out, I let him in. The kiss was deep, and it felt
better than I ever imagined. His fingers curled into my jeans, pulling me by my hips to him. I felt his
thick bulge under his jeans. The guy was incredibly sexy.
There was a noise behind us, and I backed up in surprise. Jack’s brown eyes were hooded, and his
lips shimmered from our kiss.
I wondered, just for that moment, if maybe Jack was making up those things about his ex to lure me
in. Now that he had me alone, was this part of his plan? I was utterly confused.
I shook my head. “I’m sorry, Jack. I’ve got to go.”
I ran out of the gallery and promised myself I would never look back.
 Chapter 4

Jack
It was Wednesday, and I hadn’t seen Madison since I kissed her at the art gallery on Monday. That
kiss opened something up inside me. I couldn’t think of anything but Madison’s lips and touch.
She was beautiful and tasted so sweet—unlike any girl I’d ever been with. I had to make her mine.
Perhaps the kiss scared her off. Maybe I went too far, too soon. Maybe it was something Jane told
her. Either way, I had to find Madison. I would stop at nothing to win her back.
I ran into Aiden in the hallway after class. “Hey, Jack, how’s it going?”
“Not good. That girl I told you I was looking for at the party on Saturday... Well, we kissed.”
He frowned. “Did she have terrible breath?”
“No. The kiss wasn’t bad... It was great, actually.” My cock twitched just thinking about touching
her lips. “We kissed, but then she ran off. I must have spooked her.”
We made our way to the stairs that led to the exit of the art building. I always met Aiden at this time
of day. I was heading to the Campus Café to start work, and he was going there to get something to
eat.
“The same thing happened to my roommate, Ryan. He took a risk and kissed a girl, and she ran off
too.”
“So, what happened?”
Aiden stepped to the side to let a few students up the steps as we were going down. “He won her
back.”
“Really?” That gave me hope. “What did he do?”
He glanced around as if he was afraid someone would hear us. “I don’t want to go into too much
detail about his life and what happened with her. Let me just say he didn’t stop until he had her. He
even slept outside her dorm one night, like right outside her door. He did everything he could to woo
her.”
I didn’t even know where Madison lived, so sleeping outside her door wasn’t an option. Besides,
that sounded a little creepy and totally not my style.
“That’s what I need to do. I need to prove to Madison that I care about her. And whatever Jane told
her is nothing compared to what I’ll show her.”
“Madison?” Aiden rubbed his chin. “You said the girl had long, dark curls, right?”
I nodded. “Yeah, and brown eyes.”
“It isn’t Madison Davis, is it?”
I hopped off the last step and came to a stop. “You know Madison?”
Aiden nodded, and I felt like my prayers had been answered.
“She’s roommates with my friend’s girlfriend. Ryan, the one I told you about.”
I couldn’t believe my luck. “You’ve got to help me, man. Tell me where she lives.”
He held up his hands and turned to push the front glass door to the building open. “Hey, Jack, I like
you, but I’m not about to give out some girl’s address. That’s not my choice to make.”
I sighed and followed. “You’re right. Sorry. I didn’t mean to put you in that position. But I have to
let her know how I feel. That I didn’t mean to scare her off.”
The sun was bright as we walked along the sidewalk toward the Campus Café. I adjusted my
backpack on my shoulder.
“While I can’t give you her address... I could pass along a note. The worst that could happen is she
doesn’t respond.”
He was right. “A note. That’s perfect. Shit. But what should I write?”
“Look, Romeo, that’s on you. I can give her the note, but I’m not the guy to ask for any advice on
girls or what to say to them. Besides, I got my own problems to hash out. I just lost my housing
scholarship, so now I have to find super cheap off-campus housing. No more plush dorm life for me.”
“Shit. That sucks, dude.” I slapped him on his back. Aiden was a good guy. He might have looked
like he was an extra in a prison break movie, but he was one of the nicest guys I knew. He had a rough
past, but I knew he was working hard to make it in school.
“It does. Now I have to go look at a room to rent. I hope it works out because it’s the only one I
found cheap enough for me to afford.”
“How is Ryan taking it?”
“He’s sad to see me go, but he understands. It’s not like I won’t see him on campus.”
 I nodded.
“You going to be in thesis class later?” he asked as he turned and walked backward.
“Yeah. You know Professor Cascella would kick me out if I didn’t show.”
The professor was strict and didn’t accept any excuse for absences. She even said the only excuse
would be if we were in the hospital, and even then we could only miss one class. After that, we’d
have to retake the class.
“Just give me the letter then. The one you want me to give Madison.”
I nodded. “Thanks. See you then.”
I waved as he turned to head toward the campus garage. It surprised me he was going there, as I
knew he didn’t own a car. Maybe he was meeting someone there who was driving him to check out
the room for rent.
Slowing down my pace, I took a leisurely stroll to work. It was a nice autumn day, and I wanted to
enjoy the beauty of the trees changing.
There was a couple seated on a bench, sharing a kiss. A pang of jealousy ripped through my chest. I
wanted to be sitting with Madison, kissing her under the autumn trees.
I thought about how the sun would glitter across her curls. I sucked in a breath as an idea came to
me.
That would be my letter to her. Not so much a letter, more like a postcard. Something old-
fashioned, just what she liked.
I picked up my pace toward the café, ready to get to work. There wasn’t a lot to do at the café
except get students coffee and ring up prepackaged food. In between the rush of customers, I’d work
on my postcard.
And it wouldn’t be just one. I would not stop until she agreed to see me.
 Chapter 5

Madison
“Wow, those are gorgeous,” Emma said as she pointed to the postcard in my hand.
“I know.” I stared at the hand-drawn picture of my face.
The artist’s use of color with sweeping lines made the image pop off the paper. But it was the
detail in the eyes and slight curve of the mouth that made the image captivating.
Somebody drew this for me. While they didn’t sign their name, I had a feeling I knew the artist.
Jack.
Emma gazed at the card again. “Whoever drew it really likes you, not to mention, is massively
talented.” She handed back the two postcards as she sat on the edge of my bed.
I glanced up at the poster overhead that had a lion on it with the word Excellence underneath. I was
anything but excellent. But when I looked at the way Jack drew me, I felt beautiful.
He was incredibly talented, both musically and artistically. What did I have that he would be
interested in? Even my décor of inspirational posters was anything but creative.
Why would a guy like Jack want a girl like me?
“I’m not surprised someone drew you. I said you should be a model.” Emma bumped my shoulder
with hers.
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, right. I’m sure with the right imagination, anyone could be a model.” I held
up the two postcards I had received over the past two days. The first one arrived on Tuesday, and
then another came today.
Emma pursed her lips. “Madison, you’re beautiful. How can you not see it?” She stood me up and
dragged me to her floor-length mirror that hung from her closet door.
 “Look at that hourglass shape and those wide doe eyes. A nerdy anime artist couldn’t draw anyone
hotter.”
“I’m not like you, Emma. I didn’t get these curves to hide from a crazy person.” I regretted what I
said the moment it came out of my mouth. “Shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.”
She took a step back, her eyes falling to the floor. “You’re right. I got my first taste of being called
names and laughed at because of my weight when I went to college. I haven’t had to deal with it all
my life.”
I rubbed my face and turned to her. “That was a shitty thing for me to say. I don’t know what it’s
like to hide from an abusive ex.”
She shrugged. “You could say we’re different, or you could say we both know what it’s like to just
want to be invisible.”
I clenched my jaw and nodded. “It all sucks.” I let out an exasperated sigh.
She chuckled and threw her arms around me. “Not all of it. Being with Ryan doesn’t suck.” Her
lips curled into a devious smile. “And I bet it wouldn’t suck to be with the guy who drew those
pictures of you.”
“What if it isn’t a guy? I mean, it’s cool if a girl likes me that way, but I’m not really into it.”
Emma pulled away and folded her arms over her chest. “We all know the guy Jack you’ve been
talking about drew those postcards. You told me yourself he had already drawn your portrait, and it’s
hanging in the student gallery.”
I shrugged. “Maybe.”
“Ugh,” Emma huffed as she marched past me. She went over to my bed and picked up the
postcards. She held them up and read what they said: “You’re the light in the darkest part of my
soul.” She pushed the Tuesday card into my hand and then read the Wednesday card. “This card can’t
even begin to capture all your beauty.”
“But what that girl told me at the party—”
“Stop.” Emma held up her hand. “You told me you’ve been talking to him at the café for over a
year. From what you know about him, does what she said make any sense?”
It didn’t... which was why I felt so conflicted.
“Not really.”
She went over to my closet and pulled out my jacket, holding it up as if I were a kid who needed
help putting on my coat. “Go. Talk to him. Ask him about the girl and what she said.”
 Instead of fighting Emma, I agreed. Shrugging on my green utility jacket, I waved goodbye to my
roommate before setting off to the Campus Café.
When I got there, the girl behind the counter told me it was Jack’s day off. I nibbled my lower lip,
wondering if I should give up. Then I took one postcard out of my pocket and gazed at it. He went to
all the trouble of drawing this, somehow finding where I lived, and sending it to me. The least I could
do would be to head over to the Arts building and see if he was there.
I crossed the street and climbed the cement stairs to the large, modern glass and steel Arts building
that sat on the tallest hill on campus. The building housed the art department, as well as the music and
theater departments—basically everything creative was in this building.
I made my way to the art department, and, since it was late afternoon, there weren’t that many
people around. A few doors were closed, with classes being held inside, but it was eerily silent in
the hallway.
When I walked past a room with easels instead of desks, I noticed just one person inside. His back
was to me, and, based on what he was painting, I knew who it was right away.
“Jack,” I said as I stepped inside the room and closed the door behind me.
He turned, lowering his brush. Paint stained his fingertips. “Madison.” His brown eyes sparkled as
he grinned.
“Another painting of me?” I pointed to his canvas.
He blushed and walked across the room, away from me, to a sink in the corner. With his back to
me, he washed his hands and said, “I usually draw you with pencil, but today I was inspired by all the
colors on the leaves, so I used oils instead.”
“It’s beautiful.”
He turned, leaning against the sink while drying his hands with a paper towel. “Not as lovely as
you.”
I wrapped my arms around my stomach as it flip-flopped inside me. What he said made me
question everything I thought about Jack. I moved closer to him and pulled out a postcard.
“I see you got my card.”
“Yes. But why? Why me?” I placed the card on the counter and wrapped my arms around myself
again.
A wrinkle appeared between his brows as he stepped forward. We were only a few inches apart,
and I felt the heat of his body as if he were pressed against me. My skin pricked at the sensation.
“You don’t remember me, do you?” He reached out and pulled my arms from my stomach.
 “Remember you? Of course I do. We met last year at the Campus Café.”
He shook his head. “No, I’ve known you since high school. I was a junior when you were an
incoming freshman. The moment I saw you, I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”
“You went to my high school?” I racked my brain trying to remember him. I would have noticed
Jack if he went to my high school. As sexy and cool as he was, there was no way I’d miss him.
“Yup. But I looked different back then.” He gave a lopsided smile. “I lost a lot of weight since high
school. I figured I could make a fresh start once I began college. Follow my passions of music and
art.”
Memories surfaced of a guy at my high school who was always watching me. I thought I happened
to be looking at him when he was looking at me, since he was much older. Even then, I figured an
upperclassman would never be interested in me.
It had been Jack all along?
“You should have talked to me...” I moved closer and placed my hand on his chest. “I would have
liked that.”
“I wanted to, but I knew a girl as beautiful as you would never look at a guy like me.”
I shook my head. “How can you say that? You’re sexy and amazingly talented, Jack. When I heard
you sing on Saturday, I had never felt so moved.”
He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me toward him. My heartbeat quickened. I had wanted
this for so long.
“Then why did you leave?”
“I told you that girl at the party said some things to me. Well, she told me you only invited me as a
joke and that you planned to play a trick on me.”
His nostrils flared. “It’s not the first time she’s done that. I know I have a reputation for playing
pranks on people, but it was actually Jane who did those things. Whenever she’d get caught, she
would say it was all my idea. That was one of the reasons we broke up. She took it too far once, and I
almost got kicked out of school.”
“That’s terrible.”
“It was, but I learned my lesson. Never date someone only because they have a pretty smile and
shower you with compliments. I learned to only follow my heart.” He cupped my cheek and
whispered, “And my heart is banging loud and clear in my chest. It cries out for you.”
Jack lowered his head, and when his lips brushed mine, I sighed. The kiss was soft but filled with
passion.
 His hands moved down until they covered my ass. His fingers curled, and my head fell back. Jack
continued to dot kisses down my neck.
The way he touched me felt incredible. He slid one hand up my back and around until he was
cupping my breast.
“I want to taste you,” he murmured between kisses on my neck. “I want to hear you cry out for me.”
“Yes,” I moaned as my fingers curled into his hair.
I shrugged off my coat as he unfastened my jeans. It didn’t take long until my jeans and panties were
on the floor. I was naked from the waist down, and the way Jack kept touching me, I didn’t care that
he could see all the curves and dimples.
He grabbed me as if I weighed nothing and lifted me onto the counter. Jack pressed my thighs apart
and slid his thumb over my clit as he leaned forward to kiss me. Electricity shot through me, and I
arched my back.
“God, you’re so wet,” he groaned, and I didn’t know if that was good or bad. The way he looked
down between my thighs and licked his lips, I figured it was good.
“I’m going to show you how much I’ve longed for you all these years,” Jack said right before he
bent over and kissed my inner thigh.
I felt his tongue dart out and swipe across my clit. I inhaled the unique scent of paint and soap
mixed with sweat. His fingers slid inside me, and I gasped, “Jack.”
He began sucking on my clit as his fingers worked me. I couldn’t stop my hips from undulating. He
reached for my hip, holding me in place.
“Fuck, you taste so sweet. I could lick you all day long.” He glanced into my eyes and pulled up my
sweater.
I knew what he wanted, and at this point, I’d do anything for Jack. I peeled back the cups of my bra
until my tits spilled out.
“God, you’re so sexy, Madison.”
I felt myself tighten and knew it wouldn’t be long until I came. And when I did, I gave him what he
wanted. I cried out his name.
The orgasm was wild—stronger and longer than anything I had experienced in the past. As I came
down from my high, Jack got up and went over to the sink. He got a paper towel and gently cleaned
me up. Then he found my clothes and handed them to me. “In case someone walks in,” he said.
He was right. I wanted to keep going, but we were risking someone walking in on us by fooling
around in a classroom.
 “What about you?” I asked as I tugged up my jeans.
“Another time.” He pulled me in for a kiss, and I tasted myself on his lips. “This moment was to
show you everything my paintings can’t express.”
I sighed, and we held each other. Jack was everything I dreamed he would be, and so much more.
 Chapter 6

Jack
“What a great movie,” Aiden said as he smiled at his new roommate, Sofie.
The short blonde nodded as we all walked up the path to the theater door. “Yeah. I love action
movies. Thanks for inviting me.”
“I’m glad you two could come,” I said, placing my arm over Madison’s shoulder.
It had been two days since Madison came to me with the postcards I sent her. The memories of
licking her sweet pussy filled my dreams.
As much as I wanted to do so much more to her body, we had both been busy with classes. But it
was Friday night, and I planned to take her back to my house so we could explore each other.
She seemed eager to stay the night, and I couldn’t wait to wake up with her in my arms in the
morning.
“I’m not usually an action movie kind of girl, but I liked it. No one does action movies quite like
Hollywood.”
Once we were out of the theater, we headed to the main lobby. We passed enormous posters and
signs for new and upcoming movies, and one was even a large cutout of a dinosaur.
I had never been so happy in my life. Having dreamed of Madison for so long, the moment had
finally arrived. She was with me. I knew we hadn’t officially discussed being exclusive, but that was
something I wanted to talk to her about tonight. There was no way I could share her with anyone else.
Just the thought of her on a date with another guy caused my fists to clench.
“When did you two start dating?” Madison asked Aiden and Sofie.
They both shook their heads. “No. We aren’t dating. I just rent a room in her home. Just bang-mates,
uh... I mean, roommates.” Aiden frowned.
 Bang-mates? What was Aiden not telling me?
“When did you move in?” I asked, wanting to learn more about his situation.
His eyes slid to Sofie. “Last week.”
She nodded a little too eagerly. “He’s been so good. The best roommate I’ve ever had. Not that
I’ve had many roommates. I’ve only lived with my brother before, but Aiden’s even better than my
brother. Did you know Aiden makes donuts?”
I tried to hide my smile. “No. Aiden, why have you been hiding your donut-making skills from
me?”
His lips thinned. “Maybe because we aren’t roommates.”
I shrugged. “You were roommates with Ryan. I’ll just ask him about your donuts.”
Aiden glared at me.
“I have to use the restroom,” Madison said.
“Oh, me too. I’ll go with you,” Sofie said.
I watched the girls stroll away. When I turned back, I thought I saw someone who made me
shudder: Jane. But when I glanced back, she wasn’t there. Maybe I was imagining it.
“I see my advice worked. I guess she liked your postcards,” Aiden said.
“Yes, thank you. I couldn’t be happier.”
There was silence for a few moments before Aiden asked, “Can I get your advice on something?”
“Of course. Anything.”
“Do you think, if you liked a girl, that getting her a gift is too much? Like, you aren’t dating, but you
think she might want to date you.”
I tilted my head. “You’re the expert here, Aiden. You’re always talking about the dates you’re
taking girls on.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I wouldn’t say I’m an expert...”
I had never seen Aiden with a girl, but he told me about them. I just assumed he was a player.
Maybe he wanted more than just sex.
“I think something small might be nice. Girls like adorable things. Though I’d stay away from
candy because of food allergies; you just never know.”
“Small. So, I did the right thing,” he mumbled to himself.
Sofie came running out of the bathroom, and moments later, I saw Madison behind her. But instead
of heading toward us, Madison was making her way to the front door to leave.
“Jack, talk to Madison,” Sofie said, slightly breathless.
 “What happened?”
“There was a tall blonde in there, and she talked to Madison. She told her some things that upset
her. Some bad things about you.”
Right as I gazed over at the bathroom, I saw Jane sashay out before she winked at me.
That bitch.
“I’m sorry, but I have to go.” I waved at Aiden and Sofie.
Picking up my pace, I weaved in and out of the crowd, making it to the front door and pushing the
glass door open. When I stepped out into the darkened, unusually chilly night, I scanned the sidewalk
for Madison.
She was at the corner, and snow flurries were floating around her. I ran over to her as she stared at
her phone. “Madison, where are you going?”
“Home.” She wouldn’t look at me.
“But I thought you were staying at my place tonight? If you aren’t feeling well, I can always drive
you back.”
“Don’t bother. I called for a campus driver.” She held up her phone. The movie theater was only a
few blocks from campus, so we were in the range of free university rides.
“You didn’t need to do that. Like I said, I can always take you home—”
She finally lifted her head and looked at me, tears falling from her eyes. “I think we made a
mistake. It’s not you, Jack. It’s me.”
I winced at her words. It was the quintessential brush-off.
“I realized something in the bathroom.”
“Was this before or after Jane talked to you?” I folded my arms over my chest.
If she was going to believe that bitch over me, I was going to fight to make her see we were meant
for each other.
Her eyes widened. “It doesn’t matter.”
“It does matter. I told you Jane does this; she lies and manipulates people to get what she wants.” I
reached forward and placed my hands on her upper arms. “Madison, I love you.”
She frowned. While I expected surprise, I hadn’t thought she’d be disgusted by my words.
“Everything she said is true...” Madison whispered.
My brows went up. “No, everything she says is a lie.”
“Then how did she know you would tell me you loved me?” A car pulled up with the university
logo on the door. “I can’t right now, Jack.” Madison stepped off the curb and opened the back door to
the car, slipping inside.
I watched as the car drove off with the girl I loved and wondered if I would ever see her again.
 Chapter 7

Madison
It was Saturday morning. What did I usually do Saturday morning? Hang out at the Campus Café.
I knew Jack’s shift—he usually came in at ten in the morning. I got up early today because I
couldn’t sleep. I’d been tossing and turning all night after what Jane told me in the movie theater
bathroom last night.
It made me sick to my stomach to think about what Jack did to Jane. She explained how he
showered her with attention and affection, telling her he loved her only a few days after meeting. And
she gobbled it right up. But then, once he slept with her, he turned cold. He only wanted her attention,
and once he got it, he was distant. She called him a narcissist.
I was so confused. Some things she told me were the same things Jack was doing or saying to me.
When he told me he loved me outside the movie theater, I knew what she had said was the truth.
I started hanging out at the Campus Café when I was a freshman because of Jack. He was gorgeous
and sweet, and he seemed to be interested in what I had to say. There was just something about him
that seemed familiar and intriguing. He was the first guy I’d met who didn’t comment on how I’d be
so pretty if I just lost a little weight.
Jack liked me for me—or so I thought. When I first met Jane at the party, I believed her because I
knew Jack was too good to be true. But instead of just getting angry and wanting to take revenge, I did
what Emma suggested and talked to him.
That was my mistake.
He easily manipulated me by telling me how much he cared. But there was one thing that made
little sense to me. If he was planning to use me up so quickly, then why did he take so much time to get
to know me? We talked all last year, and he never once asked me out. Then there were the drawings
of me...
Would he really go to that length just to sleep with me and then never talk to me again like Jane
suggested?
I shrugged on my jacket and headed out the door. Instead of making my way to the Campus Café, I
kept walking toward the edge of campus. I knew it would be a hike, but I had to speak to Jack.
Was he going to lie, or would I discover the truth? I didn’t know, but I would not hide anymore. It
was time I stood up and demanded to be treated with respect.
It took twenty minutes, but I was finally in front of Jack’s house. Making my way up his driveway, I
noticed a few cars parked outside. Must have been his roommates.
Jogging up the three steps to his wooden porch, I lifted my hand to knock on his red door. But right
before I was about to knock, I heard a girl yell from inside.
A few steps to my left was a window. I leaned over and peered into the living room. The lights
were on, and there were two people inside.
Jack and Jane.
So, she wasn’t lying; he was using me. And the minute I rejected him, he was already running back
into Jane’s arms. I felt my heart crack at the realization.
I was about to turn and walk away when I heard her yell, “I only called you a narcissist to get her
to go away. I didn’t mean it, baby. You know that.”
Wait. What?
I leaned closer and saw she was trying to touch his chest, but he kept pushing her hand away.
“You called me a narcissist. You told her I was planning to play a joke on her at my party. Why do
you keep lying? I want nothing to do with you, Jane,” Jack said with his hands on his hips.
“Jack, you deserve so much better than her. I lied to her to help you.”
He shook his head and said something, but I couldn’t hear it.
“Did you fall off your makeshift stage and hit your head? That’s the only explanation I can think of
that explains why you would like that fat piece of trash.”
I pursed my lips. Jane was a bitch, and I was such a fool. At every turn, Jack showed me who he
was, and a few words from her had me dismissing him. I felt awful.
He marched past her and out of the room. Suddenly, the front door opened. I leaned back against the
wall, unable to hide.
 Jane stepped out and immediately saw me. “Oh, Jack... I know you don’t want me to go, but I must.
What we just did together was special, and I promise I won’t tell her. Your secret is safe with me.”
Her lips curved as she glanced over at me.
“What are you even talking about, Jane? What secret? I told you, you need to leave.” Jack stepped
out onto the porch, and that was when he saw me. “Madison.”
“Hi, Jack. I just came to apologize for leaving so abruptly last night.” My eyes bounced between
Jack and Jane.
“Madison, I’m sorry you had to see this. I warned you...” She curled her lips into a nasty grin.
This time I would not fall for her psychodrama. I held up my hand to Jack, as I could tell he was
about to explain everything that had just happened, but I knew better. Jane was as crazy as Jack made
her out to be.
“Look, Jane, it’s obvious you’re desperate for attention. There is a narcissist here, but it’s you, and
I will not fall for your lies anymore. So do as Jack says, and just leave.”
Her mouth fell open before she sputtered, “I’m... I’m not a narcissist.”
“I’ve known you for over a year. I can definitely say you are the definition of a narcissist. Jane, I
need you to leave, and I never want to see you again.” Jack pointed toward the driveway.
She stomped her foot and stormed off. I had never been happier to see someone leave my presence
than when I saw Jane walk away in a huff.
Jack smiled. “So, how much did you hear?”
I took a step forward. “Enough to tell you how incredibly sorry I am for ever believing her. I know
you may not forgive me, but I wanted—”
He cut me off with a kiss. It was slow and deep, and when he pulled back, my legs felt like jelly.
“I forgive you.” He brushed some of my black curls from my face. “Don’t beat yourself up; I fell
for it too. But the difference is, you realized it in a week, and it took me two months before I was
wise to her. Then it took another month before she finally left me alone when I broke up with her. I
thought she was done with me. We broke up a year ago. But the moment I turned to someone else, she
was back with a vengeance.”
He curled his arm around my back and guided me in from the cold. Once he shut the door, he turned
to me, taking my hand in his. “There’s something I wanted to tell you...” The look in his eyes had me
bracing for the worst.
Was I too late? I walked away from him too many times... Maybe he wouldn’t take me back.
“I meant it when I said I loved you, Madison.”
 “I love you too, Jack.” I nibbled on my lower lip. “Last night, at the movies, I should have said it,
but Jane had me questioning myself. I’m sorry. This past year of getting to know each other, I realized
there’s no one else I’d rather be with.”
“I’m glad you said that because I was going to ask you last night, but then... Jane.” He rolled his
eyes, and I chuckled.
“What did you want to ask me?”
He ran his fingers through his thick brown hair. “I’m more nervous than I thought I’d be.” He let out
a small chuckle. “Uh, Madison... will you be my girlfriend?”
I had never had a boyfriend before. I blinked, unsure of how to react.
His eyes searched mine. “If you think it’s too soon, and we should date a while longer, I understand
—”
I pressed my finger to his lips to stop him. “Yes, I’d love to be your girlfriend.”
His smile took over his entire face, and he pulled me into his arms. I held him tight, never wanting
to let him go.
 Chapter 8

Jack
I led my girlfriend up to my room.
Girlfriend. It felt incredible to think that Madison was my girlfriend. I had wanted her for over five
years, but once I graduated from high school, I thought I might never see her again. But when she
walked into the Campus Café last year, I saw it as a sign. We were meant to be together.
Unfortunately, Jane kept popping up every so often. Right when I got the nerve to ask Madison out,
Jane would suddenly appear. I swear, the girl was like a bloodhound. She could sniff out the moments
I had my sights on another girl.
I opened the door to my bedroom.
“Wow, this is nice. How old are you? It’s like walking into a cool, thirty-something’s bedroom,”
Madison said as she stepped into the middle of my bedroom and glanced around.
I rubbed the back of my neck as warmth flooded my cheeks. “Twenty-one.”
“Where did you get this furniture? Most people have castaways from their parents and cheap
bargain-basement stuff. But it looks like you had some decorator come in and put this all together.”
I chuckled and pulled her to me, unable to keep my hands off her any longer.
“We did. One of my bandmate’s mom is an interior designer. She has lots of furniture she doesn’t
really use anymore. Excellent stuff. My roommate got to pick a bunch of pieces to fill the space. And
the art on the walls is my stuff and a few pieces from friends. It’s important for me to have actual art
on the walls and not just posters.”
She frowned.
I was about to kiss her neck but stopped upon seeing her expression. “What’s wrong?”
“You will hate my dorm.”
 I laughed. “I doubt there’s anything about you I could hate.”
“I have posters on my wall.”
“Everyone I know does, and besides, it’s not that I don’t like posters. I don’t expect others to have
my taste, nor would I want everyone to think and act like me. That’s boring.”
She nibbled her lower lip, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her mouth. “They’re inspirational
posters, like the ones you’d see in office buildings.”
“Are you serious?”
I thought she’d have posters of half-naked guys. I never really knew what girls would hang on their
walls and just figured it’d be the girl equivalent of what guys put up. So, instead of scantily clad
women, it would be a man’s chest and, most likely, abs.
“Yes.” She sighed and stepped back. “I understand if you don’t want to be with me anymore.”
“What?” I reached out for Madison and pulled her back into my arms. “I think it’s cute that you
decorate that way. It’s different and unique. I doubt any other dorm rooms have those posters up.”
“They were only five cents at the local charity shop. My family doesn’t have much money, and I
shop there sometimes. The only reason I can afford college is because of my mom’s brother—who
hated her, so they never spoke. He died and left me and my siblings an education fund. With that and a
few scholarships, I can attend here.”
I leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I think you’re sweet and smart because every morning you wake
up and only see the positive when you look at your walls.”
Her hazel eyes lit up. “That’s what I thought when I picked them out. I start the day with a positive
mindset.”
There was no more holding back. Madison was too adorable and gorgeous to wait any longer. I
dotted kisses up and down her neck and into her thick, curly black hair. “I want you, Madison.”
“I want you too, Jack, but there’s something you should know before this goes any further.” She
placed her hands on my chest, and I lifted my head.
“What is it? If you don’t want to do this, we can wait. I am happy to wait as long as you want.” I
took her hand and planted kisses on her fingertips.
She blushed. “I want to. I really want to have sex with you and not wait at all. But after you hear
this, you may not want to go out with me.”
“That’s not possible.”
She took a deep breath and seemed to steel herself for my reaction. “I’m a virgin.” She let out a
long sigh.
 I blinked as my heart thundered in my chest. I tried to hold back the smile, but it was difficult. I
knew it wasn’t normal, but the thought that I would be the only one Madison had ever been with made
me grin.
“Of course I want to be with you. Whether you are or aren’t a virgin wouldn’t change my mind.”
“Really?” The corner of her mouth curled up.
God, she was gorgeous.
“Yes.”
She threw her arms around my neck and squeezed me. My cock grew hard as it rubbed against her
stomach.
I lowered my head to her neck, and her hair surrounded my face. I inhaled, and she smelled like
sunshine.
My hands snaked under the hem of her sweater, roaming up across her back. She arched into my
touch as I unclasped her bra. When she leaned back, I saw lust in her eyes.
Madison clasped my head and pulled me down until she was kissing me, and that was when the
dam broke. I wasn’t about to hold back anymore. This girl wanted me, and I was happy to give her
everything she desired.
Clothes flew to the ground, both hers and mine. When she stepped out of her black lace panties, I
clutched my heart. “You’re more stunning than I could have imagined.”
She blushed, and I watched it take over her chest and move up her neck until her cheeks turned a
pretty shade of pink.
I grabbed her hand and led her to my bed. “I want you to get on top of me,” I said as I lay down. “If
at any point you’re not enjoying it, you can stop. You don’t need to say anything, just stop.”
Her eyes lingered on my cock, and I couldn’t help the grin on my lips. “Okay.”
I reached over to my bedside table and pulled out a condom from the drawer. Unwrapping it, I slid
it on as quickly as I could.
“It might hurt a little at first, and if you want to stop, you can.” I reached out my hand as she stood
by the edge of my bed. “I promise I’ll do anything to make sure you’re happy.”
Madison nodded and crawled onto the bed. I watched her tits bounce as she swung her legs over
me. Licking my lips, I gripped her hips, wanting to slam her onto my cock, but I held back to let her go
at her own pace.
“You’ve got this bad-boy, rockstar image going on, but you’re so much better than that, Jack. You’re
sexier than a rockstar and tougher than any bad boy.”
 I barely had time to take in her words before she moved her hips. My nostrils flared as she
lowered herself onto me. My heart surged as the girl I loved chose this moment to take my breath
away.
I saw her wince as she shifted herself onto me. I was only partly inside her when I asked, “Do you
want to stop?”
“Not on your life.” She shifted some more until I was deep inside her.
My head pushed back as her sweet pussy embraced me. “You’re so tight,” I groaned as I dug my
fingers into her hips.
“Is that okay?” she asked, moving up and down.
“Yes. Very much.”
I kept asking if she was okay, and I could tell she was getting annoyed. So instead of asking, I made
sure she was enjoying it. I moved my thumb to her clit and played as if I were strumming my guitar to
the song I wrote her. I was going to make Madison sing from her heart.
“Jack,” she sighed, and my cock twitched. I loved hearing my name on her lips.
She picked up her pace as I felt her walls tighten. It wouldn’t be long before Madison came.
“Oh, Jack. I’m coming,” she moaned as her tits bounced, and her back arched.
Madison was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen as she let her orgasm envelop her. She
reached back and held herself up, grasping my thighs. My cock thickened, and I knew it was my time
to join her as we crashed together.
I groaned and pushed her down so I could get as deep inside her as possible. Stars appeared
behind my closed eyes. This orgasm was the most incredible one I had ever felt, lasting longer than
any I had before.
It felt like an eternity until I opened my eyes again. But once I did, she gifted me with the most
beautiful sight: a glistening, naked Madison with crinkled eyes from having the biggest smile on her
face.
After a few moments, she shifted off me and laid her head in the crook of my arm. She fit perfectly.
She smiled up at me. “That was better than I thought it would be.”
“I’m glad you liked it.”
She lifted up on her elbow. “Liked it? I loved it. I hope we can do it again soon.”
My brows shot up. “Anytime.” I lifted my head and kissed her. “But let’s just hold each other for a
moment before round two.”
“I’d like that.”
 What I’d like is to sleep next to her every night and wake up to her beautiful smile every morning.
Madison was the moon and stars, the air and the sun, all wrapped up in an addictive package.
I knew this was only the beginning of our happy life together.

***

Want more? Make sure to check out the BONUS SCENE of Madison and Jack's anniversary.
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a minute of your time to leave a short review on Amazon.
Make sure to check out Aiden's story, the next book in the series: Roommates with the Bad Boy.
 Josie Max Books

Green Hills Academy Trilogy - cliffhanger series/must be read in order

Book 1 – Savage Devil – High school bully romance

Book 2 – Twisted Knight – High school bully romance

Book 3 – Broken King – High school bully romance

Green Hills Academy Trilogy Box Set – contains Savage Devil, Twisted Knight, and Broken King +
extra bonus scene

Bad Boys on Campus Series

Book 1 – Tutoring the Bad Boy – a running from danger romance

Book 2 – Crushing on the Bad Boy – a revenge, secret crush romance

Book 3 – Roommates with the Bad Boy – a roommates-to-lovers, forbidden romance - releases
June 22nd, 2022

Book 4 – Trapped with the Bad Boy – a trapped-in-cabin, forbidden romance - releases July 6th,
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Book 5 - Friends with the Bad Boy - a friends-to-lovers, virgin romance - releases July 20th, 2022
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that venerable humbug to exhibit the contents to his guests. The
sight of so much riches naturally inflamed the already excited
cupidity of the Wa’G’nainu. The next step was easy. In spite of Bei-
Munithu’s lukewarm remonstrances, they helped themselves liberally
and departed, exulting, to their villages. The next day El Hakim
unexpectedly arrived, and, entirely unaware of what had taken place,
asked that his trade goods should be brought out for his inspection,
as he wanted to take them over to M’thara. Bei-Munithu, with many
excuses and much wringing of hands, detailed the events of the
preceding day. El Hakim was exceedingly wroth, and he there and
then wrote me the note which had brought me over.
After Bei-Munithu had retired to his village we talked matters over.
El Hakim was very much annoyed at the turn of affairs, and assured
me that this was only one of the unpleasant results of our reverse in
Embe. What others were in store for us, time alone would disclose.
We decided before we turned in that we would go early on the
morrow to G’nainu and demand our goods. We wished to proceed
on the principle of suaviter in modo rather than fortiter in re, but if the
former failed we were determined to apply the latter without
hesitation. El Hakim had taken an inventory of the missing goods,
and found that more than four loads had disappeared. Bei-Munithu’s
conduct in the affair was not above suspicion, but we could not
afford to quarrel with him just then.
At night a bed of banana leaves was made up for me on the
ground in El Hakim’s tent, which, with the addition of a couple of
blankets, made me as comfortable as possible under the
circumstances. My well-earned rest, however, was soon disturbed by
the field-rats, which used me as a playground, and continually
skipped and jumped over my body and face, to their own infinite
amusement and my extreme discomfort. Two or three times during
the night I woke up and found a large rat curled up fast asleep in the
hollow of my neck or under my arm. El Hakim awoke at my frequent
and somewhat profane exclamations, and gently inquired what was
the matter. When I held forth on the drawbacks of slumber in the
savage wilds, he feigned polite incredulity, and remarked, “Shocking,
shocking! Most unfortunate delusions! Very regrettable, Hardwick,
very;” and turning over in his blankets, he added insult to injury by
chuckling audibly at intervals for an hour afterwards, in a most
aggravating manner.
At four o’clock next morning we roused our fourteen men, and set
out for G’nainu, some twenty or thirty of Bei-Munithu’s men
accompanying us. It was rather a rough tramp, the country being
very hilly and much cut up by ravines and streams. We crossed the
river Kazeta (which flows in a south-easterly direction through Zura
at an average altitude of 5000 feet) by a tree-trunk bridge, and at
seven o’clock reached the first village of the Wa’G’nainu and halted
outside. Our men waved green branches as a sign that we came in
peace, but got no answer, the village, which was very strongly
fortified, seeming to be entirely deserted. It was situated on the crest
of a forest-covered hill, and was surrounded by a very massive outer
stockade of roughly hewn tree-trunks with pointed tops. Inside there
were two additional stockades of pointed logs, and the huts within
were also stockaded one from the other, the whole forming a position
almost impregnable to an enemy without firearms. We waited for a
while, but were unable to get any answer to our signals, and held a
consultation to decide on our next move, but in the middle of the
discussion a shower of poisoned arrows from the surrounding bush
winged their destructive way into our midst, killing three of Bei-
Munithu’s men outright; at the same time the now familiar war-cry
rose on all sides, and resounded from hilltop to hilltop in a manner
which showed us that we were fully expected.
The natives, we found afterwards, had driven off most of the stock,
which, with all their women and children, was safely out of the way
on the hills, while their husbands and fathers contentedly settled
down to a comfortable day’s fighting with the Wasungu, with the
prospect of a nice little massacre afterwards as a fitting conclusion to
a most enjoyable day.
We were compelled to quickly decide upon our course of action,
as the Munithu men were wavering, and their desertion would have
meant disaster, they alone knowing the paths. Retreat was not to be
thought of, as, taken in combination with the Embe reverse, it would
have confirmed the natives in their opinion of our helplessness, and
our prestige would be hopelessly lost. Our men summarily settled
the question by firing a volley into the surrounding bush in reply to
fresh showers of arrows. We were now in for a large-sized quarrel,
and as we did not see any immediate prospect of recovering our
pillaged goods by pacific means, we determined to avail ourselves of
the opportunity to recover at least their value, and also to punish the
treacherous Wa’G’nainu for their unprovoked attack. Accordingly we
gave the word of command, and our little force advanced at the
double and captured the village without encountering any serious
opposition. Inside were a few goats and sheep that had been left
behind in the general stampede which occurred when our arrival was
first signalled. The enemy had drawn off for reinforcements, and
meanwhile contented themselves, after the native fashion, with
shouting insulting remarks, together with a list of the various surgical
operations they later on intended performing upon our persons.
El Hakim mustered our men in the village, and divided them into
two parties, one of which he placed under my command, with orders
to forage round for more live stock, while he, at the head of the other,
held the village as a fortified base.
When I was about to select the men I required, we discovered, to
our consternation, that there were only nine instead of fourteen!
Questions elicited no information as to the whereabouts of the
absentees. It was that firebrand Sadi ben Heri and three or four of
his particular cronies who were missing. I had seen them only ten
minutes before, but where they had gone after we captured the
village I could not ascertain; however, we trusted they would turn up
all right. I took five men of our own and about a dozen of the
Wa’Munithu to try to capture some more stock in order to balance
our account with the Wa’G’nainu.
They certainly made me work for what little I captured. They
disputed every plantation and every village till I began to run short of
ammunition. Two or three of my Munithu contingent were killed, so
when I reached the next village I burnt it, just to show the enemy that
they had in no way intimidated us by their opposition; a proceeding
which heartened my men wonderfully. It was very hard work. Every
village was perched on an eminence, and in most cases reached by
only one, or at the most two, almost inaccessible paths. I proceeded
all the time at the double, so that my men should not have time to
think about the danger, and after racing up and down several hills as
steep as the roof of a house, I was fairly pumped and streaming with
perspiration, in spite of the comparatively low temperature. I
captured a few head of cattle and a hundred or so sheep and goats
in the course of an hour or two, and burnt four villages in the
process; which proceeding greatly facilitated my safe retirement to
the base held by El Hakim, when I was forced both by lack of breath
and ammunition to turn my footsteps thither.
During my retirement the enemy concentrated in force along my
route, but a few well-directed shots from my ·303 persuaded them
that it was safer to scatter and take cover. I rejoined El Hakim, and
found that he had also gathered a couple of dozen or so additional
goats and sheep, and three or four head of cattle. It was then nine
o’clock in the morning. There was no sign of the five missing men.
The war-cries and howls of the enemy were increasing rapidly in
volume, and it became more and more evident that a determined
effort was to be made by them to prevent our return. Our Munithu
contingent showed unmistakable signs of wavering, so we concluded
that in the interests of our own lives and those of our remaining men
we had better put on a determined front, and fight our way back to
Munithu. We therefore burnt our temporary headquarters, and retired
in good order, trusting that the misguided Sadi ben Heri and his
equally misguided companions had already safely retired by another
route.
After leaving the village the path abruptly descended into a narrow
valley and ascended the opposite slope, winding amid thick bush, in
which large numbers of the enemy had congregated. Our first view
of them was by no means encouraging. The bush seemed alive with
them. We were at once greeted with a shower of poisoned arrows at
long range, which, though they did no bodily harm, badly shook the
nerves of the men; but El Hakim and I put in a little fancy shooting at
200 yards, and order was soon restored. We got safely through that
particular part, but several times in the next mile or so we were
greeted with showers of arrows from concealed natives. A few shots,
however, generally persuaded them that discretion was the better
part of valour.
After a tiring march, with intervals of skirmishing, we reached
Munithu with our captures intact. When we reckoned them up,
however, they barely covered the value of the trade goods stolen, to
say nothing of the expenditure of ammunition and the personal risk
entailed in the collection. We were very tired and very hungry, but
before eating we dispatched native spies to try to obtain news of the
missing men. After lunch we retired for an hour to sleep off the
effects of our unusual exertion.

FOOTNOTES:
[5] Should the reader be inclined to consider my language to be
somewhat theatrical, it must be remembered with whom I was
dealing. I knew my man, and pointed my remarks accordingly.
 CHAPTER VII.
RETURN TO M’THARA.

An ivory “shauri”—Death of Sadi ben Heri and his companions—

Purchasing ivory—El Hakim and I return to M’thara—A night in
the open—George ill—The Wa’M’thara at their old tricks—Return
of the Somalis from Chanjai—They refuse to return to Embe—I
interview an elephant.
In the afternoon Bei-Munithu paid us a visit in order to hear our
version of what had happened at G’nainu. He listened attentively to
our recital without making any comment. When we had concluded he
informed us that he also had sent spies back to G’nainu, as, in
addition to our five men, eleven of his own who had accompanied
them were missing.
We learnt further that the natives of a village about two hours’
march distant wished to sell us a tusk of ivory. We heartened
considerably at that, and asked Bei-Munithu to bring the owner along
to talk it over. He thereupon withdrew, presently returning with a very
aged and decrepit man, who tottered forward by the aid of a staff,
whom he introduced to us as the owner of the tusk. We politely
begged the venerable gentleman to seat himself, and waited till it
pleased him to open negotiations. In a few moments he had
collected enough energy to speak, and producing a reed some six
feet long, indicated that that was the measurement of the tusk.
“Very well,” we said. “It seems a good tusk. How much do you
want for it?”
After a little thought he remarked that one cow and three sheep
would be considered a very fair return.
“All right,” said we; “if the tusk is all it is represented to be, we will
give even the price asked, in order to save the trouble of a long
‘shauri.’ But first let us see the tusk.”
 He assented to this, and in a little while rose and retired,
presumably to bring the tusk. For over two hours we waited
expectantly, but he did not return, and we were just thinking of
sending over to Bei-Munithu for an explanation when that gentleman
himself appeared, leading forward a native still more ancient than
our former visitor. This latter individual slowly seated himself in front
of our tent and solemnly chewed a twig which he drew from a bundle
of similar ones carried in his belt.[6] The ancient gentleman munched
away for some minutes, and finally condescended to speak. He
announced, between chews, that he owned a tusk of ivory which he
wished to sell us. We, metaphorically, hugged ourselves. Two tusks
in one afternoon! But we received a rude shock when the interpreter
informed us that the old gentleman was referring to the same tusk.
“Why,” we explained, “the owner has already called upon us, and
we have completed the bargain.”
“Oh no,” said the old savage, “that was a young man sent to
bargain with you” (practically testing the market). “I am the owner.”
“Very well,” said we. “We don’t care whom it belongs to so long as
it is sold to us; and the sooner the better.”
“But,” said the old savage, “I want a cow and four sheep!”
We grew heated, and told him to go to Heligoland, or words to that
effect; but he refused to depart thither.
“The other man,” he said, “like all young men, was very rash, and
exceeded his instructions. I myself could not think of letting such a
beautiful tusk go for less than one cow, a good cow, and four sheep.”
We remained firm, however, and he finally agreed to let us have
the tusk at the original price. He then retired, while we wiped our
perspiring foreheads and took a nice long drink of brackish water.
At that moment a messenger arrived from M’thara with a note to
me from George, asking me to return as soon as possible, he being
very ill with fever. El Hakim had intended returning on the morrow,
since we were still waiting for news from G’nainu of our missing men,
though we had lost all hope of their being still alive.
 Next morning, therefore, we rose early, and sent a messenger
over to the people who had the tusk, inquiring why they had not sent
it over the day before as they had promised. The messenger
returned saying that they were close behind him bringing the ivory.
We waited with what little patience we could muster till nearly
midday, when a deputation of elders turned up leading a withered,
tottering skeleton, which on closer inspection proved to be an
extremely ancient native. He looked more like a fossil than a human
being, but, as we found, he still possessed, in a high degree, the
native cunning and keenness in a bargain. The deputation carefully
seated the fossil before us, and, grouping themselves respectfully
round it, relapsed into a dead silence, only interrupted by the clicking
of their jaws as they chewed their everlasting twigs. The fossil
moved, woke up, and for some time gazed at us out of its bleared
eyes, expectorating thoughtfully at intervals, while we in turn looked
at it with some interest. After we had satisfied our mutual curiosity
we spoke to the fossil, politely inquiring its errand. It gazed at us
once more, expectorated, coughed, and announced that it was the
owner of the much-disputed tusk, and had come to arrange the
purchase price!
“What!” we cried, “is this tusk owned by a syndicate? We have
already had two ‘shauries,’ and wasted two days over it. Who is the
owner, anyhow?”
The deputation assured us, with the utmost simplicity that this was
the real owner; the other two were only friends. We resigned
ourselves to the inevitable, and prepared to engineer yet another
bargain.
The fossil again condescended to speak, and declared that the
precious tusk should not go out of his possession except in
exchange for one very good cow, and three female sheep with
lambs! We refused to entertain any such advance on the original
price, and the matter was discussed with considerable animation and
some heat for an hour or more. At the end of that time, when our
patience was almost at vanishing-point, we agreed on a
compromise. We argued that we had not yet seen the tusk, and
consequently did not know if it was really as good as it was
represented to be. We would therefore send a man over to their
village, and on his return with a favourable report would give the
price last demanded. On the contrary, if it were not such a good tusk
as we had been led to believe, we would only give the original price
asked. This plan they eventually agreed to. Resarse ben Shokar was
ordered to accompany them to their village and report on the ivory.
The deputation then rose and withdrew, taking the fossil with them.
We retired to our tent, but had not been seated more than a few
moments when the sound of excited exclamations from the men
caused us, ever on alert for news of our missing men, to spring to
our feet. We rushed outside and saw an excited, heaving group of
our men volubly discussing some object in their midst. I shouted an
order, and the group separated and led towards our tent a man
apparently in the last stage of exhaustion. Commanding silence, we
called Ramathani to interpret. The man straightened himself, and we
were horrified to observe a great gaping wound in his right arm, that
looked like a sword-cut, which had been roughly stitched up with
fibre. He announced amid breathless silence that he was the sole
survivor of our five Swahilis and the eight native allies who had
accompanied them. Our men groaned and wept at the news, but we
again commanded silence, and bit by bit, by dint of careful
questioning, we extracted the whole wretched story.
“Your four Zanzibaris,” said the native, “Sadi, Hamiz, Abdullah, and
Marazuki, and one M’kamba, with eight of we Munithu people,
slipped away from Wa’sungu so that we might collect cattle and
sheep. We went very far and got many cattle. Presently we crossed
the border of G’nainu into Nimbere, and there Sadi ben Heri, who
commanded, seized many cattle and sheep from the Wa’Nimbere,
who at once attacked us; but your men drove them away with their
guns. We could not turn back, as the Wa’G’nainu were behind us,
and Sadi ben Heri said, ‘Let us go on through this country, and so
come to Munithu, where we shall be safe.’ We therefore crossed
Nimbere, being many times attacked by the ‘Washenzi’ (savages) on
the way, but the Zanzibaris always drove them off with their guns; but
afterwards they had not many cartridges left.
 “We then got into N’dakura, where there are many people, and
there Sadi ben Heri said, ‘Let us take even more cattle and sheep
from these people.’ So we took many cattle and sheep from the
Wa’N’dakura, who then attacked us very fiercely; but your men again
drove away the Washenzi with their guns. But their cartridges were
very nearly finished, while the paths were narrow and the bush very
thick. The Wa’G’nainu and Wa’Nimbere were behind us, and the
Wa’N’dakura were in front. They came so close that we had to leave
all the cattle and sheep that we had taken, so that we might try to
save our lives. The enemy came closer and closer to us in the
plantations and the bush, and then your men fired their last cartridge.
Soon after that Abdullah was speared in the stomach, then Sadi was
killed with spears, while the M’kamba was killed with a sword, and
Marazuki and Hamiz were also killed with spears. There were very
many of the ‘Washenzi.’ I was cut on my arm with a sword, and I ran
away and hid in the forest. The other seven Munithu men were killed
while trying to run away. Some were killed with spears and others
with swords, and some with arrows. I waited till it was night, and then
I came here.”
Such was the story of the missing man, and a ghastly business it
was. It was entirely due to the disobedience of Sadi and his
companions, and also to their stupidity in not confining their
operations to the people with whom we were fighting. As it was, they
had now given offence to two powerful tribes who had hitherto been
friendly to us. In addition, four of our rifles were in the hands of the
enemy, which might well be a source of bitter trouble to us in the
future; as, indeed, it turned out.
At the conclusion of the narrative we sent the wounded man away,
with orders that his wants should be attended to, and talked the
matter over. It was then dusk, and much too late to think of starting
for M’thara.
A few moments later Resarse arrived in camp from the village
where the ivory was, and delivered his report. He informed us that it
was a fair-sized tusk, and would weigh perhaps 50 lbs. An hour later
the fossil and his friends turned up, and after a mild discussion we
agreed to pay the price demanded, viz. a cow and three ewes with
lambs—on the condition that they were to let us have the tusk very
early on the following morning, as we explained that we were greatly
desirous of starting early for M’thara; I, for one, being a little anxious
about George.
Therefore at sunrise next morning we despatched Resarse to the
fossil’s village with a cow, together with a message to the effect that
he (Resarse) was to bring back the tusk with him, accompanied by
one or two of their men, to whom we would hand over the balance of
the purchase price due to them, i.e. the three ewes and their lambs.
Partaking of an early breakfast, we next packed up the tent and
the numerous loads belonging to El Hakim which had been in Bei-
Munithu’s charge, though we had to leave some of them behind.
There were about fifteen loads of various beads, a 300-yard Alpine
rope, ten or a dozen loads of mardūf (English drill), about six loads of
iron, copper, and brass wire, some “bendera” (red cloth) and “kiniki”
(blue cloth), and also some loads of camp equipment, medicines,
and ammunition; which, together with some signal-rockets and
gamekeepers’ flares, totalled up to some forty odd loads. The
donkeys gave some trouble at first, as they were very fresh, and
strongly objected to being loaded again after twelve days’ idleness.
Finally, somewhere about ten o’clock we were ready for our long-
delayed return to M’thara.
All this time there were no signs of Resarse or the ivory. Half an
hour after we had finished packing he was descried approaching the
camp, but was still driving the cow; there were no signs of the tusk.
Our disgust and annoyance can be imagined when we heard that the
fossil had hidden the tusk and run away! Bei-Munithu was
peremptorily summoned, and we angrily demanded the reason of
this treatment, expressing our displeasure in sufficiently severe
terms. Bei-Munithu, much disturbed, departed to find out.
We simmered for another two hours till his return. From his
account it appeared that there were two tusks, and the owner, seeing
Resarse approaching with only one cow, thought we intended to
cheat him, and incontinently fled. Bei-Munithu, however, had now
persuaded him that we were honest, and he was now on his way to
camp with the two tusks. Again we sat down and waited, with as
much patience as we could command under the circumstances.
We unloaded the donkeys, and tried to rake out something
eatable, but failed, as there was nothing cooked. At two o’clock in
the afternoon we were still waiting. At that hour one of Bei-Munithu’s
men came into camp with the information that the fossil and his
friends had run away again, taking the two tusks with them. El Hakim
exploded at this aggravating news. He sent for Bei-Munithu once
more, and fairly made the old reprobate shake with fear, though, as
far as we knew, it was no fault of his.
“Go at once,” cried El Hakim, “and tell these people that I have
waited two days on their account. I will wait no longer. If they do not
bring that ivory within two hours, I will come and burn their villages
and destroy their plantations to the last muhindi stalk.”
Bei-Munithu became greatly agitated, and implored El Hakim to
have a little patience while he himself went to see the fossil and his
friends, in order that he might try to convince them of the error of
their ways.
He returned late in the afternoon, accompanied by the fossil and
the other two ancients, with whom we had bargained, bringing with
them the two tusks. We gave them a piece of our minds and the
price agreed upon, and allowed them as a special favour to pick their
three ewes, a proceeding which occupied the greater part of another
hour.
The tusks were only medium specimens, weighing 90 lbs. the pair.
We thanked Bei-Munithu for his efforts on our behalf, although we
had more than a shrewd suspicion that he had caused the whole
delay from first to last, though for what purpose we could not be very
certain.
It was very late in the day when we eventually started for Mathara,
and there seemed very little hope of reaching it that night, though we
determined to try, notwithstanding our many loads and our
miscellaneous collection of cattle, sheep, goats, and loaded
donkeys, all of which seemed to have contracted a malignant type of
perverseness, inasmuch as they would not keep to the path, needing
constant care and watchfulness and frequent halts in order to
recover stragglers. Fortunately, Dirito and one of his tribesmen
volunteered to accompany us and “chunga” (drive) the animals, an
offer which we gladly accepted.
We made fair progress until we reached the strip of forest
described in the account of our first march to Karanjui, on the
borders of which we arrived just before dusk. We were joined there
by Viseli, one of the head-men of Chanjai, and one of his people,
who proceeded to assist Dirito in driving the animals. In this manner
we reached Karanjui, and El Hakim proposed that we should camp
there. I was averse to such a plan, however, remembering George’s
note, so we pushed on.
Traversing the further belt of forest, we crawled out into the open
plain which stretches away to Mathara. The sun had already set, and
the wind became bitterly cold. The porters were tired and beginning
to straggle, but as there was no water nearer than a stream an
hour’s march on the hither side of our own camp, we had no choice
but to proceed in spite of the darkness. On we went, Dirito and Viseli
with the tired animals keeping close to us, while the porters were
strung out in an irregular line in the rear. It grew pitch dark, and a
cold wind, increasing in violence, nearly froze us.
Hour after hour we pursued our hopeless way in the blackness of
the night, until somewhere about 8 p.m., when we reached the small
stream. It was useless going any further, so we camped. We called
for the tent to be pitched and firewood brought, but to our surprise
met with no response. We could not understand it. We called again,
but beyond Dirito and Viseli and their two henchmen with the
animals, there were not more than three or four men with us, and
they were carrying loads of cloth. The others were scattered
somewhere in the darkness along the path by which we had come.
We were in a nice predicament, our small party being perched on a
bare, bleak hillside, exposed to the full fury of the icy blast without a
tent, a blanket, or a thing to eat, though nothing had passed our lips
since our hasty meal at daylight that morning. However, there was
nothing to do but to make the best of it, so we ordered a large fire to
be made, to try to mitigate in some degree the freezing horror of the
icy gale. Another disappointment awaited us; there was absolutely
no firewood to be had. Our few men searched diligently for an hour,
and brought back two or three handfuls of brushwood, which by dint
of a wasteful expenditure of matches, coupled with no small amount
of profanity, were transformed into a puny apology for a fire.
Presently, to our great joy, we heard shouts from the other side of
the stream, and soon we had the satisfaction of beholding a small
body of our porters approaching. We eagerly examined their loads,
but alas! they consisted, of course, of brass and iron wire, and, by
the irony of fate, one load of cooking and table utensils.
El Hakim and I resigned ourselves to a night of discomfort, and
crouched down over the miserable spark we dignified by the name of
a fire. An hour later a solitary porter struggled into our midst, and, lo
and behold, he carried the fly-sheet of the tent. We hastily uncorded
it, and found the tent-pegs rolled up inside; these were at once
sacrificed for firewood, and we soon had a moderate blaze going.
Then Ramathani discovered some pieces of raw meat among the
cooking utensils, the remains of a sheep we had killed two days
before. We very soon had them out, and cutting them into chunks,
toasted them in the frying-pan, which formed a nourishing though
somewhat indiarubber-like meal. El Hakim then spread the canvas
fly-sheet out on the ground, and we both crept under it and tried to
forget our discomfort in sleep.
The gale blew with great violence all night, blowing our protecting
fly-sheet up at the corners, and sending an icy draught up our
trouser-legs in a most disagreeable manner; so that, altogether, we
were unfeignedly thankful when the first grey streaks that heralded
the dawn appeared in the eastern heavens.
We arose and stretched our stiff and frozen limbs, and calling up
the few men who, huddled to the leeward of the animals, resembled
so many corpses under their scanty linen cloths, we started for our
camp at Mathara, which, having struck the right path, we reached in
an hour.
 George had not yet risen, but, hearing our arrival, wrapped himself
in a blanket and came out of his tent. I was very disagreeably
surprised at his appearance. He was quite yellow and very thin and
haggard, the effect of a severe attack of fever, which, coupled with
anxiety on our account and differences with the Wa’Mathara in
camp, had given him a very bad time indeed. He looked more like a
ghost than a living being, but “all’s well that ends well,” and our
arrival safe and sound contributed in no small degree to his speedy
recovery. The Wa’Mathara, it appeared, had again been up to their
old trick of surrounding the camp with armed men, and on one
occasion they had actually attacked some of our camp followers
while on their way to the stream for water. In fact, George was
compelled to get up from his bed, where he lay racked with fever,
and, seizing his rifle, sally forth accompanied by four or five men in
order to drive off the enemy, who, however, fled at his approach
without further hostilities.
We now commenced preparations for our move northward to the
Waso Nyiro River, selecting what trade goods and cattle we should
require, intending to leave the balance with N’Dominuki. Food had
also to be bought and packed into loads, as, after leaving Mathara,
there were no other cultivated districts in the direction we intended to
travel, and we should have to depend for sustenance entirely upon
the food we were able to carry with us, and on any game we might
be able to shoot. An inventory of the contents of our food-boxes
showed that there was no reserve salt, and beyond an ounce or two
in use, there was absolutely none in the safari. I mentioned the
disconcerting fact to El Hakim, but he consoled me with the
assurance that we should certainly be able to obtain salt at a crater,
marked N’gomba on the map, a little to the south of the Waso Nyiro
and due north of the Jombeni Mountains. Our supply of English flour
was also finished, and we were then living on the native M’wele and
Metama.
In the afternoon I took a rifle, and, leaving camp, struck in a
northerly direction in search of game. Crossing the thorn forest, I
came out on to a gravelly highland, covered with thorn scrub, and
here and there isolated Morio trees. Underfoot a few small aloes with
red flowers grew in the patches of earth between the blocks of white
quartz plentifully bestrewn everywhere.
The Morio (Acocanthera Schimperi) is a curious-looking tree with
its bare stem, averaging about six feet in height, formed of several
thin stems twisted round each other after the manner of a vine.
Surmounting the bare stem is a spherical crown of leaves, giving it
the appearance of those little toy trees supplied to children in Noah’s
arks. It has a small leaf and small pink-and-white flowers, which
have a delightful scent. The A’kikuyu and Wa’Ndorobo use the
distilled sap of the roots for poisoning their arrows. It is also used by
the Somalis for that purpose combined with the sap of another
variety of the same species (Acocanthera Ouabaio) which grows in
the Arl mountains of northern Somaliland. The resultant poison is the
celebrated “Wabaio” of the Somalis. No other plant or tree will grow
near the Morio, consequently they are met with only in little groups or
as isolated specimens.
About two miles from camp I reached a small stony hill. On the
summit I discovered a small rudely constructed fort, built of flat
stones, containing small huts of stone roofed with brushwood. It
faced to the north, and I afterwards found that it was used by the
A’kikuyu as a watch-tower when expecting a Rendili raid. From the
top of this fort I obtained a good view of the surrounding country. To
the north the ground sloped away in a long incline to the Waso Nyiro,
the bed of which lies more than a thousand feet lower than M’thara
at the point in its course due north at that place. Beyond the Guaso
Nyiro showed dimly the shadowy outlines of Mounts Lololokwe and
Wargasse, 7750 feet and 10,830 feet in height respectively. Further
away to the north and east lay the desolate sandy wastes of
Samburu or Galla-land.
To the north-east beyond the Doenyo lol Deika (a hog-backed
ridge 6200 feet above sea-level) the great plateau of Lykipia
stretched as far as the highlands of Kamasia and Elgeyo. At the foot
of the Kamasia highlands lies Lake Baringo, distant a hundred and
twenty miles, the southern end of which is inhabited by the Wakwafi
of Nyemps. Fifteen miles south of Baringo is Lake Hannington,
discovered by, and named after, the late Bishop Hannington, who
was murdered by the natives of Usoga in 1885. The water of this
lake is lukewarm, and, being impregnated with mineral salts, is very
bitter. The Lykipia Plateau is terminated on the north by the Loroghi
Mountains, and on its eastern side by the Elgeyo escarpment, which,
together with its southern continuation, the Mau escarpment, forms
part of the eastern wall of the great “fault” in the earth’s crust which
extends from the sea of Galilee, over 33° north of the Equator, down
the valley of the Jordan, thence down the Red Sea, and southward
through North-Eastern Africa to Lake Tanganyika, 10° south of the
line, and which is known to geographers as the Great Rift Valley.
South-west of my point of vantage rose the lofty peak of Kenia,
veiled as usual by its curtain of cloud. To the south-east, and on the
eastern side of Kenia, lay the route we had just traversed, extending
through M’thara, Munithu, Zura, Moravi, Igani, Wuimbe, Zuka, and
M’bu back to Maranga on the Tana River. The first stage of our
journey was safely accomplished. Who could tell what Fate had in
store for us in the unknown regions to the northward?
On the way out I met with no game, but on my return I saw two or
three impala antelopes, at which I could not get a shot, chiefly owing
to the noise I unavoidably made in approaching them over loose
pebbles and quartz blocks. I returned to camp unsuccessful in
consequence.
We learnt from George that during our absence at Munithu one of
the donkeys had fallen sick and died. When El Hakim asked where
the carcase was, George told us that our Wakamba porters had
eaten it. They did not ask for permission to do so, possibly because
they feared the ridicule of the “M’sungu,” but the same night, when
all was still in camp, they sneaked out one by one, and, cutting up
the carcase, brought it into camp and cooked and devoured it during
the night. It became a standing joke against them with the rest of the
safari, who at once nicknamed them “Fisis” (hyenas) for the
remainder of the trip. When any of the Swahili porters felt particularly
jocular, they would sing out, “Nani amakula punda?” (Who ate the
donkey?) which earnest inquiry would be immediately answered by a
ringing shout from the rest of the Swahilis, “Wakamba fisi” (the
Wakamba hyenas), followed by a shout of laughter, accompanied by
cat-calls. The Wakamba themselves would smile a contented,
cheerful smile, and think lovingly of the magnificent gorge they had
enjoyed, and, I believe, rather pitied the Swahilis for their fastidious
prejudices.
The morning after our arrival from Munithu, the Somalis returned
from their sojourn in Chanjai, where they had been purchasing food.
They intended to start from the Waso Nyiro on the following day,
and, as we had expected, absolutely refused to entertain the idea of
another expedition into Embe. I concluded a little “deal” with Ismail
during the morning, exchanging twenty cartridges for a little coarse
salt.
Just before noon I went out alone with the 20-bore shot-gun, with
the intention of shooting guinea-fowl for the pot. I wore rubber shoes,
and in jumping a stream, strained my instep badly. The pain was
severe, but I tried to walk it off. I got into the thick forest between our
camp and M’thara, but saw no birds. Noiselessly threading my way
along a narrow game-track, while on the look-out for partridges, I
suddenly saw a large brown mass looming through the openings of
the foliage. Only small patches of it were now and again visible, and,
as I had not the least idea what it was, I cautiously crept closer in
order to get a better view. It was quite stationary, and at first I
thought it was a large hut, though what it was doing there I could not
imagine. I cautiously approached to within ten yards, and then halted
and watched. Suddenly the mass moved, a low rumbling noise was
heard, and then an enormous head swung into my field of vision,
flanked by vast outspread ears and a pair of magnificent tusks.
There I stood gazing straight into the face of the largest bull elephant
I had ever seen, with only a 20-bore shot-gun and No. 6 shot with
me! After a few seconds’ suspense I regained the use of my
scattered faculties, and it immediately occurred to me that this
particular part of the forest was not a good place for guinea-fowl, and
at once decided to look somewhere else. I am modest by nature,
and deprecate ostentation; therefore I made as little noise as
possible on my backward journey—at least till I was quite a quarter
of a mile from the elephant. I did not wish to alarm him. I took the
bearings of the place, and limped back to camp for a rifle. El Hakim
immediately went back with me, but we could not find the elephant.
He had evidently winded me on my first visit, and retreated into the
deeper recesses of the thorn forest.
On my return to Cairo, I happened to mention this encounter with
the elephant to an American friend of mine. He listened with a
twinkle in his eye, and remarked, “Why, if that isn’t strange! Do you
know, ’most the same thing happened to me last Fall; when I was
huntin’ in the Rockies with my brother. We had gone out pretty early
one morning to try and shoot a few by-ids. After a smart tramp along
the river-bank, through a lot of bushes, we were pulled up with a jerk,
as, on coming round a tree, we spotted an old grizzly b’ar reared up
on his hind legs, feedin’ on something in the bushes. As we were
only loaded for by-ids, we drew back and watched him. Pretty soon
‘old grizzly’ turned around and looked us straight in the face. My
brother thought it must be nearly breakfast-time, so we started for
our camp on the run! As we dodged among the bush we could hear
the pit-pat of the grizzly’s feet in our rear, and I tell you we ran good
and hard. Presently the sound of pursuing footsteps grew fainter and
fainter, and, taking a quick look round, durned if ‘old grizzly’ wasn’t
runnin’ hard’s he could the other way! What?”

FOOTNOTES:
[6] The sap of this wood possesses certain stimulating qualities,
and is extensively chewed by the natives of North Kenia. I tried it
afterwards, and found it of a somewhat peppery flavour. Its effect
upon me was rather nauseating, and it afterwards gave me a
slight headache.
 CHAPTER VIII.
THE START FOR THE WASO NYIRO.

Some of El Hakim’s experiences with elephants—I am made a blood-

brother of Koromo’s—Departure from M’thara—A toilsome march
—A buffalo-hunt—The buffalo camp—Account of Dr. Kolb’s death
—An unsuccessful lion hunt—Apprehension and punishment of a
deserter.
Early the next day the Somalis left for the Waso Nyiro. Soon after
their departure we were aroused by a sound of altercation in our
camp. On sending to inquire the cause, we found that four of the
Somalis had returned, and were busily searching the tents of our
men for deserters from their safari. Summoning them, we asked by
what right they entered our camp and searched it without even
asking permission. They were so impertinent that I lost my temper,
and abused them soundly, and ended up by kicking them out of the
camp. The looks they bestowed on me, an Infidel, who had dared to
raise his foot against a follower of Mahomet, boded ill for my
personal safety, if it should ever chance that opportunity favoured
them.
We were not quite ready to march, as our loads gave us more
trouble than we had bargained for. N’Dominuki came to see us in the
morning, accompanied by a large number of his people bringing
food. We purchased about a fortnight’s rations, as we did not intend
to be away more than a month in any case, and we could easily eke
out the rations with game. We only took a month’s supply of tinned
stuff, soap, candles, etc., for ourselves, leaving two cases behind
with N’Dominuki as a reserve store to take us back to Nairobi. We
also left behind twenty loads of beads, large-bore ammunition, and
odds and ends of equipment, and all the cattle, except eight or nine
head which we intended to take with us. N’Dominuki had five young
camels belonging to El Hakim, which we also took along, as we
thought they might be useful for buying ivory from the Rendili.