Starved - Novella 18+ ✔

Chapter One

Hey! Before you start reading this book is a short and spicy novella published on Kindle Unlimited (link in bio). Only part of the story is published here.

   Ella:

   There is beauty in simplicity.
   I've always believed that.
   Even now, as I stare across the fine washed sand lining the Pacific, I find joy. The peaceful sound the ocean makes as it kisses the shore calms me, simmering the raging turmoil within me. The sun beats down against my back, causing droplets of sweat to fall along my temples. I drop my head and close my eyes, taking a moment to refocus my thoughts.
   Just for a moment, I want to be a carefree seventeen year old. I don't want the burden of my father's expectations. I don't want to feel his wrath once he finds out I've received less than perfection on my final exam.  I don't want to see the disappointment on my mother's face for angering him, again. From as young as I can remember, anything other than excellence, was unacceptable. I knew better, I know better. I should have tried harder and I have no doubt my father will make me spend my summer making up for it.
   I've never been to a high school dance. I've never had a boyfriend. I've never snuck out to a party in the middle of the night. I've never even slept over at a friends house before. To say that my family was strict would be an understatement. My home has always been more of a prison than a haven to me and my final grade is going to get me thrown in solitary.
   I take another few moments memorizing the soft blues of the ocean, knowing it will be a while before I see it again. Glancing at my watch, I hastily stand, knowing my father will be home shortly. A light layer of moisture coats my skin, partly from the sun, but mostly from anxiety.
   My black yoga pants and matching sports bra stick to me as I jog along the beach. I'm careful not to kick up sand as I weave through the sunbathers as fast as I can, only slowing down when a toddler intercepts me with a grain covered popsicle in hand. He wails, his face nearly prune colored, as he shoves his distress at me. I glance around, searching for his parents just as a voice booms behind me.
   "Jake! I told you a thousand times, do not dip your popsicle in the sand." His mother scolds.
   I wait, watching at Jake's mother soothes him, rubbing his back while handing him a fresh ice cream. Her tone is soft as she assures him this is not the end of the world and everything will be okay. His harsh cry slows, gently replaced by his toothless smile as he takes a bite of his fresh treat. My heart aches, wishing for a parent who could accept my mistakes too. I'm not perfect, and I don't think I'll ever be no matter how hard I try. 
   With dread, I regain speed, I zip through the rest of the crowd, finally gaining clearance as I approach the pier. The shark warning signs are a great deter for beach goers although there is the occasional idiot that enters the water here, typically a tourist who doesn't heed the warning or a surfer who thinks they're untouchable. Just underneath the pier, my endurance gives out, and my lungs seize. My body isn't use to the abuse of a mile long jog in ninety-degree weather. I bend at the waist, resting my hands on my knees as I desperately try to catch my breath.
   "Are you okay?" I straighten my spine as the deep silky voice surrounds me. My eyes search frantically before they land on a lone man sitting along the back of the pier, blending into the shadows. I nod politely at the man, my lungs still not strong enough to speak as I soak in his disheveled appearance.
   His shoes are nonexistent and his jeans look slightly too used to wear, rolled up half way up his calf's. His deep grey shirt stretched tightly against his muscles, ripped partially along the collar which exposes his dark golden skin. His large hands clench tightly at his sides. My eyes roam towards his soft pink lips, along his sculptured jaw, over the crooked bridge of his nose, finally reaching his beautiful hazel eyes. They sparkle with amusement, quickly turning sad, and then finally tired at my unorthodox staring. Pity sits deep in my gut. He was filthy. Smudges of dirt collected along his neck and forehead while grime caked into his nails. Homeless. He looks homeless and suddenly I was overcome with irrational fear of him.
   "Do you have any spare change?" He rasped, causing me to take a step back in awareness. My father would kill me for talking to a man, especially this type of man, who according to my dad is 'the scum of the earth'. I've been warned that the homeless were ruthless, prepared to scheme and harm to get a step up in the world. I swallowed audibly as my nerves began to take over, knowing I wasn't where I was supposed to be. But, for some reason I couldn't get my feet to move in the direction of home. He appeared wretched but still, he looked harmless.
   "I don't." I replied. Defeat crossed his features as he dipped his head in understanding. He looked worn down, exhausted.
   "No worries." He sighed. "Thank you anyways." He stared at me from beneath his lashes, assessing me as I did him. His features gave nothing away, hiding behind a mask of indifference.
   "Are you okay?" I asked, returning his earlier question. He ignored me, dropping his head further, resting against his palms.
   "I'll be okay." He finally whispered. "One day."
   Wordlessly and without thought, I stepped closer until I stood at the base of his feet. Behind the anger, his sadness called to me, begging me to relieve the agony. I wanted to help him. I wanted to offer him money, shelter, something, anything to bring him some type of comfort. I was baffled by my response to him. He was no one to me but, I had this desirable need to help him somehow. I dropped to my knees, pulling the straps of my backpack down my arms before bringing it in front of me and praying I was doing the right thing. I dug until I found the item I was looking for. His eyes darted between mine and the key-card I extended towards him. What am I doing? This is dangerous. "But, I have this."
   "Is this an invitation to spend the night with you? Do you want to fuck me princess?" He goaded, still not reaching for it. His vulgar words caused a blush to heat my skin. Never have I ever been talked to like that.
   "No! I- um." Clearing my throat, I tried to find my words, nearly choking. "I th-thought that you'd um..." I trailed off, embarrassed. What if he wasn't homeless? What if he just needed some spare change for a bus ride home? Oh, god! I'm naive. My face reddened even further as I attempted to return the key-card to my backpack. Before I could reach the zipper, his hand reached out, halting my movement and my breathing. I couldn't look at him, I was mortified.
   "Thank you." He whispered, gently pulling the card with my father's hotel logo on it from my hand. As silence fell between us, I could faintly hear his stomach growl over the roaring of the ocean. My heart clenched, he's hungry.
   "Room P-2. It's my family's suite but it's never used." I manage to spit out. "You have to hold the key-card in the elevator slot or you won't be able to reach the floor. It's really inconvenient but my father believes in privacy and doesn't like the guest to roam his floor." Unable to stop my rambling, I continued. "There should be water in the fridge and there's a fully stocked bar, if you're old enough to drink and I'm not sure if there's any food there but I can bring you some, if I'm not grounded." I cringed at my last statement.
   "What's your name?" He asked, staring at me with a soft smile. I was entrapped, lost in the shade of his eyes. Blue, brown, green, and gold swirled through his iris and I couldn't choose which one was my favorite. He was truly breathtaking, in every sense of the word.
   "Ella Parker."
   "Ella Parker." He tested my name on his tongue, rolling it around like a prayer, or a curse. I wasn't sure. All I knew was I had this unexplained need to be this mans refuge. Call it ignorance but I knew I was doing the right thing. He deserves a break. He deserves a shower, and a warm bed to sleep in. He deserves some peace. Everyone deserves some peace and I wanted to offer that to him, even if it's only temporary.