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  Release Me

  AC Marchman

  The Third Book in the Callahan Series

  Chapter 1

  2001 Donovan

  “Dude, you got laid? Who was she?” Gabe asked as we walked down the hallways of St. Paul’s. I loosened my tie and gave him a cocky grin.

  “I’m not telling you. Let’s just say, she was very experienced.” Was she ever!

  “Aw, come on. Do I know her?” he pleaded with me to give him an answer.

  “Nah uh, no way. Not kissing and telling. But, I do know I’m going back tonight.”

  “You suck donkey balls, you know that?” he sulked as he repositioned his backpack on his shoulder.

  “Don’t get mad because Tasha isn’t giving it up yet.” I laughed. Gabe and Tasha had been together for like six months and he hadn’t moved past second base yet.

  “Hey, watch it. We’re just waiting for the perfect time.” He glared at me and I busted out laughing.

  “When is that? When you get married?”

  “Screw you.” Gabe stalked off towards his English class and I walked down towards Mr. Bowles’ Biology class.

  “Sucks to be you, dude,” I shouted, causing him to turn around.

  “You’re a dick.”

  “And I know how to use it. Do you?”

  That made him laugh. “You know I hate you, right?”

  “Yep.” I wave as I walk into the classroom. Mr. Bowles is writing notes on the blackboard and we collectively groaned. Mr. Bowles was a pain in the ass and he knew it. I took my seat in the back of the room next to Daniel.

  “He’s got to be kidding me. Another five pages of notes to study? This is crap, man,” Daniel said as he slammed his notebook on the desk. “I mean, we actually have lives, ya know?”

  “You don’t have to tell me. I got plans tonight.”

  “Like what?” he asked.

  “I’m going to see this...girl,”I stuttered., not even realizing that I had said that out loud.

  “Who is it? One of those girls from St. Mary’s? I know that chick Hailey has a crush on you,” his eyes lit up. Yeah, he had a crush on the captain of the volleyball team at our sister school. I didn’t; she just wasn’t my thing.

  “Nah, not her. You don’t know her. It just kind of started.” I didn’t say that it started just the other night. “She’s older than me.”

  “It’s not Frankie’s stepmom, is it? She’s really freakin’ hot!”

  Shit.

  “Uh, no, it’s not Mrs. Dubois. Wish it was though.” Funny thing is, it is her. I slept with Claire Dubois, my best friend’s stepmom. She took my virginity and she was ten years older than me. She knew how to take control and she sure showed me a few things. She asked for me to come over again tonight because her husband, Frank, was going to be in New York for the week producing some show.

  Hell yeah, I’m coming over!

  “I wouldn’t mind banging her.” Daniel snapped me out of my thoughts and brought me back to the present.

  “Yeah, I guess.” I had to sound like I’m not that interested. She said she didn’t want people finding out about us since I was underage and she was a married woman. Of course, that was fine with me. A fling sounded exciting to me, and if she’s willing to have sex with me, I’m happy to help her out.

  Mr. Bowles started to speak and we turned our attention towards the front of the room.

  “Today, class, we will be learning about the reproductive system. Please pull out your books and turn to page 95.”

  “At least class will be interesting,” Daniel whispered as we both turned to the correct page.

  “Yeah,” I smiled. I got a healthy dose of the female anatomy and I plan on getting another lesson tonight.

  Once class was done, I headed back to my dorm room. Claire had told me to check my email when I get a chance today. She said she had a surprise for me. Thank God I had my own room; I don’t think I would have wanted to have a roommate. I’ve never had to share anything with anyone before. Now I was sharing a woman with another man, which was crazy. I tried to push that thought out of my head and just focus on the physical attraction. There was nothing more than that-just sexual lust we mutually shared.

  I powered up my PC and waited for my internet to work. I really hated dial up; I wished they would come out with something faster than this. It took five minutes to sign in. I groaned as AOL finally decided to load. I typed in my username and password, then clicked on the icon for my email. There was one from my little sister, Megan, and three from different girls that had been trying to get me to hang out. I ignored them when saw one from Claire.

  My heart sped up as I clicked to open it, then my jaw dropped open.

  Hi there, sexy. Just wanted to let you know that I’m thinking of you and it makes me so horny. Come over at seven. Frank leaves at five, so I want to make sure he’s on the plane before you come over. This is what is waiting for you.

  Claire had added an attachment and I couldn’t open it fast enough. I downloaded it and I couldn’t believe my eyes. As the picture popped on the screen, I saw it was a photo of Claire, wearing nothing more than than a red lace bra and panties. Her blonde hair barely touched her shoulders; her brown eyes were staring right into the camera; her index finger was pulling her bottom lip down.

  Holy shit!

  My poor teenage brain, or hormones for that matter, could hardly handle this. I saved the picture and adjusted myself so my erection wasn’t obvious. I turned my computer off and grabbed my backpack. I sighed loudly and headed out the door.

  That woman was going to drive me crazy.

  Chapter 2

  Four years later

  I walked onto Emory campus for my third year. I ran my hand through my hair, which had some blonde streaks in it from the summer. Claire had just taken me to Cabo three weeks ago when Frank was in L.A. to help shoot a pilot. I shook my head; I was getting so tired of her. Sure, it was fun going to different places and of course, all the sex. But her possessive ways were really starting to piss me off at that point. She would call at least twenty times a day, and God forbid if I had my phone turned on silent or off. She would flip the fuck out if I didn’t answer her. I tried to push it out of my mind and concentrate on my class schedule.

  As I walked to my first class, Human Anatomy, I saw one of the girls I met at Gabe’s party last weekend. She was really hot; around 5’6, green eyes, and blonde hair. She waved when she saw me and walked up.

  “Hey, Donovan. How are you?” Her full lips formed a smile and I couldn’t help but return it.

  “Hey, Carrie. I’m good, yourself?”

  “Fine. What class are you heading to?” Her fingertips brushed my arm, but I tried to pay no attention.

  “Anatomy. What about you?” God, I wasn’t used to talking to chicks my own age anymore. Claire always talked about her high society, nose in air friends. And of course, I had to pay attention, or at least act like I was.

  Her eyes lit up. “Me too. Who do you have?”

  “Uh,” I grabbed my class schedule from my back pocket. “Looks like it’s Dr. Martin.”

  “Me too! Want to walk to class together?” Her green eyes stared back into mine and I swore I saw lust in them.

  “Yeah, we can do that.” I smiled and together, we walked across the campus to Dr. Martin’s room. Once I got past my awkwardness, the conversation came easy for us. She told me about her classes, which happened to be most of mine, and what she was doing that weekend.

  “I’m having a party this weekend. Would you like to come?” She was flirting; I was liking it. It felt good to talk to a girl who liked the same things I liked.

  “Sure. Just tell me where and I’ll be there,” I grinned back at her.

  “Here, give me your number and
I’ll text you the deets.” She pulled out her phone and flipped it open. She looked at me expectantly and I swallowed, hard. Claire would have lost it if she knew I was giving my number out.

  “Here, give me your number and I’ll text you instead.” I winked at her and she blushed. Damn, that was cute.

  She took my phone out of my hands, again brushing her fingertips against me. She punched in her numbers and handed it back. “You can call me anytime you want. I’m free tonight if you want to, uh, study.” Wow, she really was hitting on me.

  “Since it’s the first day, do you think we’ll have homework?” I smirked at her; I knew her game, so I was going to play along. What Claire didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her. Besides, this girl are way too hot to pass up.

  “Never know. The offer still stands, even if there is no homework,” she said, her green eyes hooded. I could tell she wanted me, and soon, I forgot all about Claire and her bitchy ways. I was thinking it was about time to dump the crazy anyways. She was trying to keep a tight rein on me, which wasn’t exactly fair since she was still banging her husband after fucking me. I turned away from Carrie and shook my head.

  Yeah, it’s over between us.

  “Okay, well, we better get to class if we don’t want to be late.” I placed my hand on the small of her back and slightly nudged her along. She leaned in a little closer to me. Together, we walked to class.

  Carrie sat beside me at one of the long black lab tables. She rested her chin on her hand and looked up at me. I cut my eyes back over to her. “Looks like we’re going to be lab partners.”

  “Looks like it.” I couldn’t take my eyes off this girl. I really had no idea how much I wanted out of the relationship with Claire until now. She was really dragging me down. The sex was always good, but I honestly didn’t think it was worth the hassle of dealing with her shit. I knew she would be extremely angry, but I didn’t care anymore. I was breaking it off that night. I focused my attention back on the babe next to me, unaware that class had even begun.

  After class, Carrie and I went to grab lunch at the sandwich shop down the street. Thank God I got a scholarship for a full ride; I hardly had any damn money left. Pops had cut down on my funds because of Donna, my bitch of a stepmom. And I was not about to ask Claire for any money. I had just enough to buy our lunch. We sat outside at one of the picnic tables; it was a really nice day.

  “So, Donovan, what do you want to be when you grow up?” she asked. I don’t know if she was doing it intentionally, but she was licking her bottom lip.

  “A doctor. My dad’s pissed that I won’t take over the business for him one day, but I don’t want to. It’s not really my thing.” My phone buzzed at that moment, so I flip it up to see who it is. My heart stopped. It was Claire.

  ** I see you, lover boy. Now get the fuck up and walk away from that tramp or you’ll regret it**

  My heart shot up to my throat. I started looking around, trying to find her. I didn’t see her black Porsche or her silver Lexus. Carrie looked at me with curious eyes. “Are you alright?”

  “Yeah, yeah. I’m fine. I just, uh, have to go. I’m really sorry.” I wrapped my meatball sub up and took off. I felt guilty as hell leaving her sitting at the table that way. But I knew if I didn’t heed Claire’s warning, my ass was history. I turned around and poor Carrie had the most confused and hurt look on her face. I felt like a complete asshole, which I suppose I was. But I knew I couldn’t catch heat from her.

  I power walked all the way to my blue Beamer in the student parking lot. I flipped my phone back and texted her.

  **Where are you at?**

  By the time I reached my car, I still had no answer.

  She’s gonna kill me.

  I tossed my book-bag in the back seat and started the car. I tried to calm down. I can’t believe I was so scared of her. I was a grown man and I was terrified of what she was going to do to me. I crossed her one time and I will never forget it.

  “Oh my God!” Claire screamed as she straddled me. She was crazy in bed and that night was no different. She was riding me hardcore, her perky breasts felt so firm in my hands. “Fuck me, Donovan. Fuck me!” Her nails were digging into my chest and I was trying to keep pace with her. She grabbed my hands from her chest and placed them on her ass. “Harder, damn it, harder!”

  I complied and pummeled her, bucking my hips to meet her thrust for thrust. I had to hold back my orgasm; she always told me to make her cum first. She was so close; I felt her clench herself around my dick. As we screwed in her and Frank’s bed, I saw the door crack open. I panicked, thinking her husband had come home early. When I tried to point it out, she started to spiral out of control. She pulled me up to her and started to kiss me roughly. I couldn’t hold back anymore and I spilled myself into her. I grunted and groaned as I grabbed her hips and pushed her down further on me. As I finished, she pulled herself off of me.

  “Uh, Claire. I saw the door open while we were in the middle of having sex.” She was walking naked into the bathroom. I couldn’t help but admire her. Her skin was tanned from her tanning bed, her body was tight from working out, and she was a freak between the sheets. What man wouldn’t want her?

  “And? What’s your point?”

  “Well, don’t you think someone saw us?” I turned my head towards the door, but didn’t see anyone peeking in.

  “Do you really think I give a shit?” She turned to face me and stalked out of the bathroom. “People look at me all the time. It was probably the damn maid, trying to get a good look at us fucking.”

  “Well, I really don’t think I want anyone watching us. What if they tell your husband?” I started to get up and slip my boxers on.

  “Why don’t you let me worry about Frank? You’re just my bit on the side, so what you think doesn’t mean shit.”

  “Bit on the side? What the fuck?” I was appalled by her hateful words. “That’s what I am to you?”

  “Donovan, it’s a good idea to shut the fuck up right now.” Her face grew red and her fists were clenched by her sides. I didn’t understand how we could go from lovers to fighters in the matter of minutes.

  “I should go now,” I said as I pulled on my jeans. “I have to go study anyways.” I needed some excuse to get out of there fast. I didn’t want to deal with her crap.

  “You will leave when I tell you to leave. Now sit your ass back down.” She slipped on her robe and tied herself up. She stomped out of the room, leaving me there wondering what just happened.

  “Nope, that’s not happening. I gotta get back to school,” I said to myself. I slipped my shirt back on and started to walk out the room when she came barreling back in.

  “What did I just say to you?” she screamed in my face, making me step backwards. “I said to stay here, didn’t I? And you still tried to leave?” That’s when she slapped me for the first time, right across the face. That was also the night that Frankie said he saw us together.

  I sat in my car, my breathing was panicked and I couldn’t stop freaking out. I had no idea where she was or how she saw me with Carrie. I didn’t know why I was so scared of a woman, but I was. I wanted out so bad, but I guess the only real reason I stayed was because she scared the crap out of me and it was all I really had known. The physical abuse wasn’t going on nearly as much as the mental and verbal abuse. She always tried to make up for it with sex, and normally it worked.

  I jumped when my phone rang. I looked down at the screen and saw Claire’s number popped. up I tried to swallow the fear down; I knew she was going to be extremely pissed off. I brought the phone to my ear and said, “Hello?”

  “So, you enjoy your little lunch with your new girlfriend?” Her voice was quiet, but I knew she was enraged. I’d seen it before and it was terrifying.

  “She’s not my girlfriend. She’s just a girl in my class,” I stuttered, unable to keep my composure. Claire was not someone you wanted to piss off, and I had just done it.

  “Don’t fuck with me, Donovan Callah
an. I know she’s not just a friend. How do you explain walking with the bitch to class?”

  “Uh, like I said, we are just friends, nothing more.” I struggled, trying to cover myself. I don’t know how she knew everything I did, but she did. She probably even knew when I went to the bathroom, for crying out loud.

  “Is that so? Well, you can bring yourself over tonight. Frank is out of town again and I have half a mind to show you what a real woman can do. That is, if you even deserve it.” Her voice got low and seductive, and I was completely shocked.

  “Seriously?” What else could I say?

  “Be there at seven, not a minute later. I plan on wearing your ass out tonight.” With that, she hung up. I stood there with the phone to my ear for another minute. Then I looked around again for her car, and it was nowhere to be seen.

  Well, that was weird. What the hell just happened?

  I got in my car and started to drive off. I still felt bad about Carrie. I wondered if she was still sitting there or just gave up. I decided to put the car in park and go check, I didn’t want to just leave like that without so much as a goodbye. To my surprise, she was still sitting there, with her head in her hands.

  I’m such a dick.

  “Hey, Carrie. Look, I’m really sorry I bailed like that. It’s just that...”

  “Hey, you don’t have to explain anything to me, Donovan. I’m not your girlfriend.” She turned to look at me. “Seriously, it’s fine.”

  “Well, I’m busy tonight, but can I call you sometime? Maybe we could hang out?” I couldn’t believe I just said that, but I did. I was dancing with danger.

  “Sure, I’d like that.” She stood up and grabbed her purse. “Call me anytime.” She smiled at me as she walked back towards the school.

  Oh shit, what did I just do? I slapped my forehead. I had no idea why I said that, especially since Claire knew what I was doing at all times. I have got to get out of this relationship. This is just too much to handle, even if the sex is amazing. I exhaled all the air that was in my lungs and headed back to the car. I was still watchful, always looking around for my psycho girlfriend...or whatever she is.