Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 103033 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103033 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
“I do feel better these days, I promise,” Gael mumbled. “I just struggle with—like, being unsure if I’m welcome and stuff. If I’m enough the way I am.”
“The way you are?” Joshua murmured. “You mean smart, funny, handsome, adorable as fuck, and sweeter than sugar?”
But despite the envy that tightened its fist around my chest, it was impossible not to smile to myself. Joshua and Gael deserved all the happiness, and I was sure they’d be good together.
Christ, I shouldn’t be here. If it weren’t for me, they’d be making out on the couch by now.
Gael let out a nervous snickering sound, and I’d had it. I truly was the third wheel here, so it was time for me to call a cab.
I cleared my throat and slid off the stool—
“You can sit right back down, Dean.”
My stare snapped to Joshua, only he was still watching Gael.
“Here’s the thing, pet.” He spoke to Gael now too, and he withdrew his hands. “Dean’s about to do something stupid, so I have no choice but to say this now. I want the three of us to have fun together—”
“Joshua,” I warned, getting heated in an instant. “This isn’t the time.”
“Don’t fucking Joshua me,” he told me, then turned back to a visibly bewildered Gael. “Is this something you’re interested in?”
“Y-yes, very much, but he’s protesting.” Gael pointed to me. “Maybe we should hear him out? I don’t want to m-make anyone uncomfortable.”
“It’s not about discomfort,” I had to say. “Or interest, for that matter. It’s my position as your professor. I won’t get involved in anything while you’re in my class. It’s not right, dear. I hope you understand.”
He flicked a glance my way and bit at his lip. He was so clearly out of his comfort zone that I felt bad for him.
“I do, and I happen to agree,” he said quietly. “When Macklin suggested the class, I never thought in a million years that…you know.”
That, what? I’d be interested?
I furrowed my brow, wondering just how low his self-esteem was. “Well, you were wrong—and Macklin’s suggestion was crazy from the start.” If Macklin wanted Gael and me together in some way, he should’ve introduced us at an event. This wasn’t some fantasy; it was my career and my work ethic. Exploring kink with Gael would put us both in a vulnerable position where so much could go wrong. I faced Joshua, determined. “I’m going home.” Where I could hate my goddamn morals. “You two should enjoy your evening and start things at your own pace. Perhaps you have something to discuss first.” I gave him a pointed look. “Then we can revisit playtime when the semester is over. In the meantime, we’ll see each other in Mclean and at munches.”
Joshua wasn’t happy, and neither was I, but this was how it was going to be.
CHAPTER 5
Santiago Jones
It felt entirely wrong to say goodbye to Dean, but I’d tried my best, and my approach had been anything but smooth. I’d forced the discussion too soon for the sake of making Dean stay. Because I wanted him here. Because I wanted to take care of him too. He thought he could hide his loneliness…?
Unfortunately, the bastard was right. It was time to take a step back and do things the right way. I had to talk to Gael, tell him about the letter, and—
“Sir?”
I stopped before I reached the kitchen island and turned around.
“I have to do this before I chicken out,” Gael said. He was the picture of determination at war with frazzled nerves as he walked over to me, and there was no time to sort out my confusion before everything cleared up. The distance between us disappeared, and a wave of hunger washed over me when he fisted my shirt and pulled me down to him.
I cupped his face in my hands and kissed him firmly. A slow shudder swept heat through me, and he fused himself to my body.
God-fucking-damn.
At the first taste of his sweet tongue against mine, our “talk” was promptly scheduled for later. He tried to lock his arms around my neck, so I lowered my hands and spun him around, then backed him up against the island. Fucking hell, he felt perfect in my arms.
We deepened the kiss at the same time, and I couldn’t help it. I slipped my hands down to his cute butt and squeezed the cheeks, earning myself a needy little moan from him. His body drove me fucking crazy—he was the perfect blend of small and soft and sexy as sin. His big blue eyes… How could anyone resist a puppy-dog look from him? His kisses were full of desperation; it felt like he wanted everything at once, and it flooded me with satisfaction and desire. I slowed us down a bit, just so I could pick him up and position him on the island, and I stepped between his legs and loosened his hold on me. I wanted my hands back on his neck, his jaw, his cheeks.