She kisses me, her hand still working me under the sheet.

  I chuckle. “You’re going to make me ask for it, aren’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  I cup her cheek, kissing her harder as pleasure surges through my groin. “Rose, can I have your mouth?” I ask. “I will, of course, return the favor.”

  She laughs. “You already did.”

  “Oh, I’ll do it again. Don’t you worry.”

  Rose kisses the edge of my mouth. My cheek. My neck. She releases my cock as she slides down my chest, every soft kiss striking fire down my body.

  “Do you need me to teach you what to do?” I ask.

  Her head disappears beneath the sheet. “I think I’ll figure it out.”

  I buck my hips in surprise at the sudden powerful suction on my tip. I groan as her head bobs. She takes my thick tip in and out, each swipe of her tongue turning my brain to mush.

  I push the sheet down so I can watch those pretty eyes gaze up at me. Stretched lips. Concave cheeks. My abs flex, barely able to keep up with the sensations dancing through my shaft. It’s sloppy, the obvious work of an amateur, but it’s playful and fun. That makes it better somehow.

  “Rose,” I say, tapping her head in warning.

  She keeps her lips wrapped around me, refusing to pull out.

  “Rose.”

  Her chuckle is almost too much. I come hard and she flinches, but she keeps her lips wrapped tightly on the tip until I spill my last drop. Then she slides me out and swallows before sitting back to catch her breath.

  “Holy shit,” I say, laughing hard.

  “Was that okay?” she asks, her voice cracking.

  “Was that—? Come here.”

  I cup her face and pull her in for a deep kiss. She laughs, settling on my chest as I keep my arms wrapped around her.

  “It was great,” I say. “I’m shocked.”

  Rose smiles. “Don’t you mean flabbergasted?”

  Fucking perfection.

  “Spread your fucking legs, Darling,” I say as I burrow beneath the sheet.

  She laughs. Then she moans.

  I hop up the stairs of the Delta Xi house, pausing in my window reflection to make my hair look extra ruffled before walking inside. It’s just after eight in the morning, so there should be enough of them scattered about to give my ego a boost. Not that I need one after last night.

  I step inside and my housemates break into applause.

  “Way to go, buddy!”

  “Atta boy!”

  “Well done, Mr. Kirby. Well done.”

  I take a bow, taking my morning after walk of shame in stride. God, I love living in this house.

  “Thank you, gentlemen,” I say. “Thank you very much.”

  I bound up the stairs to the second floor, stopping at the balcony to bow again, and my brothers whoop and holler one more time.

  Harvey is still asleep, so I slow my movements and gently close the door behind me. I ease forward in the dark, careful not to trip over the guy’s guitar case lying open by the closet. I’d ask him to keep it off the floor again, but that’s obviously not going to happen at this point. It doesn’t bother me that much anyway, and the dude’s gonna be huge one day. I want as many rich and famous friends as possible when I graduate in the spring.

  I reach my desk in the corner and flick on the lamp. It’s quiet, only the gentle hum of Harvey’s fan spinning by his bed to keep me company, but it’s a nice time to sit down and reflect.

  Last night was good. Real good.

  Better than I thought it’d be.

  One down. Two to go. But…

  I’d be insane to never let this happen again.

  Rose Darling Hawthorne is perfect. Perfect body. Perfect mind. Everything about her. Her eyes, her voice. Her sense of humor. Even her imperfections are adorable, like the freckles speckled between her thighs. I’ve never met a woman like her before. I will not waste my time looking for another one.

  I pick up my phone and start a new email.

  Hey, Ms. Hawthorne. I really enjoyed our session yesterday. I would love to stop by again soon to talk midterms. John.

  I send it. Within a minute, she replies.

  Of course, Johnny. My door is always open. Rose

  Yeah.

  My trifecta can wait.

  CHAPTER 17

  ROSE

  October

  “Next week, we start the really hard stuff.”

  John Kirby’s lips twitch from the front row.

  I clear my throat, trying to ignore the heat rising on my skin. It’s downright Pavlovian at this point. I stand up here, John stares at me with those fuck me eyes, and my body instantly responds.

  “And by that,” I say, quickly spinning away from him, “I mean molecular and empirical formulas, so bring your calculators because you’ll officially need them starting now.” I pause. “Any questions before I dismiss you?”

  No one raises a hand. Of course they don’t. It’s Friday and no one’s going to delay the end of class with a stupid question.

  “All right. I’ll see you all on Monday,” I say. “Be sure to cheer on the Bearhawks tomorrow! They’re four for four so far!”

  Students applaud in response.

  John grins at me, his pen balanced between his teeth as he waits for the other students to pass me. His gaze stays locked on me the entire time as he stands and throws his backpack over his shoulder.

  Gulp.

  “Excuse me, Ms. Hawthorne,” he says at normal volume as he approaches, a few other students still mingling nearby. “Do you have office hours today?”

  I nod. “Yes, I do.”

  “Do you mind if I stop by?” he asks. “I think I screwed up those problems in chapter eight.”

  “Sure. I’ll walk you through them again.”

  “Excellent. Thank you.”

  I stop him as he turns. “Oh, and bring a calculator.”

  John smiles. “I will.”

  “We can’t keep doing this, John.”

  He chuckles as he draws a line from my ear to my collarbone. With his tongue. “I hear you, Ms. Hawthorne.”

  “I don’t think you do,” I say, moaning softly as he rests a hand between my thighs.

  “Loud and clear, actually.”

  “Well, if just seems like every time we fool around in the TA office we say we won’t anymore, but then we end up… back in the TA office, so…”

  John looks me in the eye. “Ms. Hawthorne…”

  A shiver glides down my spine. “Don’t say my name like that.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like it’s… hot.”

  “It is hot.”

  “No, the way you say it is hot and that makes me do stupid things.”

  John looks at my chest, biting his lip. “Darling…”

  “Oh, now that’s worse.”

  He laughs as he cups my face. “I hear you,” he says again. “I do. And I agree with you.”

  “Do you?”

  “Yeah. I think this is a bad idea.”

  “A horrible idea.”

  “And we should stop.”

  “But not right now,” I say.

  “Oh, no. Not right now.” He kisses me. “Of course not right now.”

  “But next time.”

  “Absolutely.”

  We lean against the desk, our lips locked. The last shred of resistance in me fades away. I spread my legs for him. He presses his body against mine and another wave of pleasure tingles my spine.

  This shouldn’t be happening.

  But is it? Yes.

  Will it happen again? Also yes.

  John breaks the kiss, but only for a moment. “How long do we have?” he asks.

  “The other TAs bolt by two on Fridays,” I say.

  “Good.”

  I tug on his belt. “Did you bring a calculator?”

  He chuckles against my lips. “Back pocket.”

  I reach around him and slide my fingers into his jeans pocket, feeling the square foil package hidden inside.

  A knock strikes the office door.

  “Hey, Rose, you in here?”

  I push John away as panic takes over. “Desk—!”

  “What?”

  “Under the desk.”

  John falls to his knees behind the desk as the door cracks open and I rush to push my skirt down before Dr. Zach pokes his head into the office.

  “Hey, Dr. Zach!” I say, my voice way too loud.

  He steps inside with a smile and closes the door behind him. “I was hoping to get a few minutes with you to talk midterms.”

  I nod and take a wide step around the desk to sit there before he can. “Sure.”

  As I slide into the chair, I see John peeking out with mischievous eyes. I lay a hidden hand on his forehead to push him back.

  “What’s on your mind, Dr. Zach?”

  He sits down in the chair across from me, thankfully oblivious. “We’re getting into some heavy material now...”

  “Yes, we are.”

  “So, I hope you don’t take it too personally when I say I’m benching you for the next few classes.”

  Strong hands force my knees apart. I softly kick John with my toes, tapping him wherever I can to stop him. “Benching me?”

  John keeps going, sliding his fingers between my thighs.

  “It took me years before I even mastered this stuff, so I’d rather take the wheel and make sure the students get it right. The midterm is a beast — as I’m sure you remember.”

  “Oh, I remember.”

  “Not that I don’t think you’re more than capable of teaching this, Rose. You’ve come a long way since your first day.”

  “Thank you, Dr. Zach. And no worries,” I say, sitting still. “I completely understahhh—”

  I bite my tongue as John slides a thick finger inside of me.

  Dr. Zach furrows his brow. “Are you okay?”

  I try to ignore the firm stroke inching in and out of me. “Of course.” I laugh. “I skipped breakfast today. Just hungry, I think.”

  He points a stern finger at me. “Take care of yourself. I need you sharp.”

  “Yes, sir.” I chew on my lip, feeling that familiar pleasure growing in me as John plays me like a damn drum.

  Dr. Zach leans back in his chair and I try not to moan. “So, are you doing okay? No classes giving you a headache? We haven’t had a chance to talk about your studies lately.”

  I breathe deep to quell the storm inside. “Oh, my classes are great. No complaints here.”

  “And your thesis?” he asks.

  I cringe. “Well…”

  He laughs. “Yeah, I figured. We’ll dig into that after midterms.”

  “Thank you,” I say, grateful.

  “And are you having fun?”

  “Uh...” I laugh as John lays his thumb against my clit. “Yep.”

  “Good. Letting loose sometimes is just as important for you. Just remember to—”

  “Keep the keg stands to a minimum,” I spit. “Got it!”

  He stands up and pauses next to the door. “I’m really proud of you, Rose. You’re going to do great things.”

  My thighs tremble. “Oh, I hope so.”

  I clench my jaw, keeping it together as he opens the door.

  Dr. Zach waves. “I’ll see you on Monday.”

  “Bye, Dr. Zach.”

  As soon as the door is closed, I roll back and slap John’s forehead. “Are you crazy?”

  He eases back a bit, but keeps his finger inside of me. “A little, yeah.”

  I finally let myself moan quietly as he continues that firm grind in me.

  “Do you want me to stop, Ms. Hawthorne?”

  I hesitate for far too long. “No...”

  “Good. Letting loose sometimes is just as important—”

  I slap his head again. “Shut up.”

  He laughs and intensifies the thrust, pushing me even closer to the edge. My muscles pulse around his finger, sending pleasure through my spine, and I dig my nails into the arm of the chair.

  I bite my lip. “Johnny...”

  He smiles wider as he feels my body submitting to his will. “So fucking beautiful,” he whispers.

  I cover my red face with my hands as he leans in to kiss my inner thighs. “We can’t keep doing this, Johnny.”

  “I know, Darling.” He rips the condom wrapper with his teeth. “But we will.”

  CHAPTER 18

  JOHN

  I need to drink more coffee. Especially if I’m going to keep having so much sex in the middle of the day.

  Not that I’m complaining. Satisfying Rose Hawthorne is a goddamn privilege, but it is exhausting in the best way. Luckily, there’s a coffee cart stationed at every corner of Chicago North’s campus. I’m going to need to refuel if I want to make it through my last class of the day.

  I wait in line, scanning the Northies around me until I catch sight of that douchebag man bun about three people ahead of me. So greasy, yet fluffy. It’s like Douglas doesn’t even wash it. I swear, if he wasn’t so ripped, he probably wouldn’t get any at all.

  He’s talking to a girl ahead of him. I can just make out the top of her head; petite, blonde. Samantha, I guess. Wait, no… That’s not Samantha.

  Rose.

  I blink twice. I shake my head, waiting for her features to blend into Samantha’s again. But they never do. Samantha doesn’t wear glasses. Nor does she have an adorable line of freckles along the bridge of her nose.

  Nope. It’s definitely Rose. Douglas fucking Floyd is talking to Rose Hawthorne ten feet away from me.

  And she’s smiling. She’s smiling.

  Oh, hell no.

  I inch closer to hear what he’s saying, but I can only make out the dull thrum of his voice in the air. That cool way of speaking just above a whisper when you want to show a girl that she’s got your complete, undivided attention.

  I know it because I fucking invented it.

  Rose turns away from him to order her coffee, and I push down the urge to rip his stupid hair off his head.

  Douglas gazes over his shoulder and notices me. He winks. I return the gesture with a head nod.

  Asshole.

  She pays for her coffee and leaves, but not before offering Douglas a kind goodbye, and my chest tightens.

  Apparently, he still needs the alumnus and the teacher.

  Looks like he found one.

  No.

  She’s mine.

  I step out of line and tail close behind her as she heads through the quad toward the student union. Once we round the corner, far away from Douglas and that damn coffee cart, I clear my throat.

  “Hey, Ms. Hawthorne.”

  Rose peeks at me over the rim of her to-go cup. “Hey, John,” she says.

  “Where are you off to?”

  She swallows a mouthful of coffee. “I’m on my way home, actually.”

  “Got any fun plans tonight?”

  “Oh, yeah,” she says, pausing her stride. “I have a thesis to research for and I still have about half of last week’s quizzes to grade. Should be a blast.”

  “So, you’re not going out or anything with anybody or nothing?”

  She raises a brow. “No.”

  “Cool.”

  Her lips twitch. “How about you?”

  “Me? No. Well… I usually make an appearance at the pre-game football parties. There’s one tonight. At Delta Xi.”

  “Cool.”

  “So, you know Douglas?”

  She stiffens. “Who?”

  I point a thumb over my shoulder. “Douglas Floyd. I saw you talking to him at the coffee cart.”

  “Oh, that guy?” She shakes her head, chuckling softly. “Uh, no. No. He just walked up to me and asked for my number.”

  “You don’t know who he is?”

  “Should I?”

  I tilt my head. If the Bearhawks had a fan club, Rose would probably be President. “Well, he’s on the team, so…”

  “Oh, right! Floyd.” She rolls her eyes. “Yeah, I know of him. Of course. But he’s defense. I’m more of an offense kind of gal. As you know…”

  “So, you didn’t you give it?”

  She blinks. “Huh?”

  “Your number,” I say. “You didn’t give him your number?”

  “Nope.”

  I breathe a hidden sigh of relief. “Okay. Cool.”

  “Why?” She smiles. “You’re not jealous, are you, Kirby?”

  “Me? Jealous? Hell no.” I pause. “But I might have the masculine urge to throw you over my shoulder, drag you inside, and bend you over something sturdy.”

  “You really are just a caveman, aren’t you?”

  “Does that turn you on?”

  She shrugs. “Kind of.”

  “Then, yes.” I wink, drawing a laugh from her that leaves a little bliss in me. “Come on. Let’s go find a study room in the library. I’ve got a healthy supply of calculators in my pocket just dying to solve some maths.”

  Rose presses her lips together. “I actually have a lot of work to do tonight, John.”

  “How about later?” I ask. “You should stop by Delta Xi.”

  She squints. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Why?”

  “You know why.”

  I take a short step back. “Right. Sorry.”

  “Are you okay?” she asks.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” I nod a few times too many. “You know me. It’s all good.”

  She turns away. “I’ll see you in class, John. Good luck at the game.”

  “Yeah. Bye, Ms. Hawthorne.”

  What the fuck was that?

  The caveman comparison doesn’t end with my desire to fuck a lot — that was some straight-up territorial shit. Some guy winks at Rose and I go ape-shit? What the hell? This isn’t just any guy, though. This is Douglas Floyd. The prick to end all pricks. The scum on the bottom of my cleat. Just the thought of him laying his filthy hands on her makes me nauseous.

  But come on, this is Rose Hawthorne. She would never go out with a guy like Douglas.

  No way.

  These parties used to be more fun.

  I glance around the living room of the Delta Xi house, staring into the blissful faces of my teammates and housemates and perfect strangers and wonder why everything feels so… different.