Chapter 8
Lyra
I left Lowe at the stove to make my breakfast (which I felt completely guilty about) and crossed to the table. Scott passed Cole a tablet and pointed to something on the screen. The grin that split his lips made my heart skip. He was stunning. My breathing slowed and for a second, I worried I needed to lie back down. Maybe I should’ve grabbed a bowl of cereal or something easy and taken it back to my room. Heck, I didn’t need food. A cup of coffee would do.
I glanced over my shoulder at Lowe, who appeared right at home having someone, or in our case, more than one other person, in his kitchen eating his food. More importantly, he looked downright comfortable. There was an ease there. An unguarded moment where nothing bothered him. He wiped his fingers on the towel laying over his shoulder before adding more batter to the skillet on the stove.
“Morning,” Scott said, drawing my attention from Lowe.
“Morning,” I said. “What are you watching on your tablet?”
“You really want to know?” He gave me a devious look while his steely eyes darkened to obsidian.
Cole nudged him. “Don’t be an ass. If she wants to see, show her.”
Scott patted the seat between him and Cole. “Gird your loins, Lyra.” Confused, I stared at him, sure he was messing with me more than anything else. Until he hit play. The soft, docile tone of pleasure perplexed me before I fixed my gaze on the screen.
A woman tied to a bed had her legs draped over the shoulders of a man who feasted on her pussy. His hand splayed across her lower belly, while the other tweaked and pulled on her nipple. The crimson flush on her creamy flesh glowed in the low light. Her expression filled with exultation as she strained against the restraints holding her in place. Then a man came up beside her, stroking his impossibly thick cock before smearing the precum across her lips. Adding another layer of intensity to the scene.
“Holy shit,” I murmured, glancing at them before looking to Lowe to see if he heard what they were watching. “Aren’t you afraid of getting caught?”
“For this?” Cole chuckled. “Nope.”
I leaned into him and whispered, “But it's two guys and a girl.”
“Yes,” Scott agreed. “What do you think?”
I didn’t know. Sure, every girl back home had fooled around in some barn during some bonfire party at the beginning of the year. But this was different. Choreographed, maybe? It was like they knew where to put their hands. How to touch each other. Every bit of the scene flowed. The image didn’t disgust me, but I also couldn’t say I hadn’t been uncomfortable too. Porn wasn’t on my list of things to watch.
“It’s sex,” I said, motioning to the screen. “I’m not sure what you want me to say.”
“Does it get you hot?” Scott hedged. “Before you joined us, we had a running conversation going between the three of us. Lowe has refined tastes. He likes movie quality scenes that make you feel like you’re in the midst of the action, watching the story unfold. We like quick and dirty scenes. Sometimes playful depending on how we feel that day.”
“Wait,” I stated, holding up a hand. “You actually have conversations like this with a professor?”
“Why not? This isn’t high school, Lyra,” Cole said with a small shrug.
“Definitely not,” I murmured, watching more of the scene unfold. “I’ve never watched porn before. So, I don’t know what I like.”
“A virgin,” Scott teased. “We have so much to teach you.”
Heat filled my cheeks. Scott and Cole gave off this self-assuredness I wish I had sometimes. Nothing was off limits with them and to be honest, they reminded me of those frat boys across the campus. Only not as conceited or douchey. “Well, I wouldn’t say I’m a virgin by any means.” Out of the corner of my eye I’d have sworn I’d caught a smirk on Lowe’s lips. No, that’s crazy. You’re imagining things.
A conspiratory glance passed between Scott and Cole before Cole took the tablet from me. “You should know a new donation link went up. Already has a quarter of a million dollars in it.”
Stunned, I blanched. “How?”
“Happens when good people come together for the right cause.” Cole handed me the tablet with the fundraiser page pulled up. “Alumni, mostly those in the entertainment field, got together to lend their support. They always help local charities. I guess they heard about the school and the injured students who needed help with medical bills along with assisting those displaced reclaim their lives.”
“Wow,” I said, not sure what else to say. “Doesn’t explain why you’re watching porn.”
Society had rules about such things and everything I’d been taught since I was a child included porn being the devil's deeds. Not something to praise. Those who watched it or participated lived a life of sin and shame.
“Here you go,” Lowe said, bringing my food to the table. “Boys, tablets away.”
They exchanged looks. If I didn’t know any better, they carried on a conversation I couldn’t hear. “Right. Sorry Lowe.” Cole took the tablet from me and shut it off before placing the device on the shelf beside him.
“You stayed last night,” I said after taking a bite of pancake. I bit back a sigh as the pillowy soft confection coated in real syrup exploded on my tastebuds. “I saw your stuff in the bathroom.”
“I have the room here,” Lowe said, “plus I work weird hours. I thought you could use the company.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” I said, heat filling my cheeks. “I’m fine on my own. Besides, aren’t you married or in a relationship?”
“Nonsense,” he said, ignoring my last question. “It must be unnerving after everything you’ve been through to be in this huge house alone. Plus, Scott and Cole’s lease on their apartment was up.”
“Lowe here is Mystic College’s most eligible bachelor,” Scott said, wiggling his brows.
“Don’t inflate his ego,” Cole chided.
“Wait, but you’re so...”
“Debonaire?” Cole added.
“Sexy?” Scott wiggled his brows.
Not only did Lowe’s gaze turn downright sensual, but the way he rolled his bottom lip between his teeth, held me spellbound. Heat flushed my body, and my pussy ached. I was thankful for the sweatshirt I wore, because at least they couldn’t see my hard nipples. It was safe to say he perfected the smolder. However, when he grinned then winked at me, even while he wore those black square-framed glasses, my whole world imploded. No one should ever have that much sex appeal housed within their person. It was unnerving and unnatural.
“I think you broke her, Lowe,” Scott said.
“Blink twice if you’re okay,” Cole murmured.
I sputtered, shaking my head as I stuffed more of the pancake into my mouth. Even the way Lowe chuckled was inappropriate for any librarian. What the hell had I gotten myself into? I thought when I filled out the application for the library professor’s house, I’d walk into a creepy old manor or something with tons of lace doilies and spider webs. Okay, okay, that was a stretch too, but you get the picture. Not some hot bachelor’s home with two boys who didn’t necessarily need to be there, but I didn’t want them to leave...
To be perfectly honest, I don’t know what I expected.
This, however, wasn’t it.
“Good morning, everyone.” My attention snapped to a new arrival. The man glided into the kitchen like he owned the place. He wore the same kind of sleep pants as Lowe only he was shirtless. The man went straight to Lowe, kissing the back of his shoulder before snagging a piece of bacon off the plate next to the stove. “Mmm...”
Scott leaned in. “That’s Jonesy.”
He turned, as if hearing his name and smiled. “You must be the new girl.” He crossed to us, and my breathing picked up. He reminded me of prime Matthew Lillard. Pre-Shaggy. Post-Stu right about the time he played Dennis Rafkin in 13 Ghosts, maybe? He even wore the same kind of glasses as Matthew Lillard.
Shit. I was spacing.
“I’m Lyra,” I said, unable to take my eyes off him.
“You didn’t tell me how stunning she is,” Jonesy said, turning his head. “Always being selfish.” He glanced back at me. “Lowe doesn’t share. He’s a naughty boy.”
“Now, now,” Lowe said, carrying two plates to the table, giving me a reprieve from Jonesy’s intensity. “Let’s not make Lyra uncomfortable. She’s had a rough couple of days.”
Jonesy’s expression sobered. “The boys told me everything. I’m so sorry. If there is anything I can do, my services are at your discretion.”
“What do you do?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.
Jonesy grinned, and two perfect dimples formed on either cheek. Yep, it was official. They were trying to kill me. “I’m a lawyer.”
August
My dick twitched in excitement every time Lyra squirmed. I didn’t get off on making people uncomfortable. Quite the opposite. Seeing her cheeks turn a shade of scarlet while her nostrils flared, and her gaze froze on my mouth gave me a perverse pleasure. She might not be a blushing virgin, but she also didn’t have experience. The idea of getting her under me had my pulse racing and my mind churning out ideas and scenes we could play out together.
According to her records, she was a few years older than most sophomores at the college. After her explanation of what her life had been like at home, I suspected getting away took more planning and saving than most students considered. The devastation of the fire took on a new meaning for her after watching her home away from home burn.
“Good morning, everyone.” Jonesy woke some time after we’d gone to bed and roused me with a blow job that turned into a slow fucking. I hadn’t realized I needed it until I was coming on his taut abs. He kissed the back of my shoulder and murmured, “would have been better had you been in bed still,” before snagging a piece of bacon off the plate next to the stove. “Mmm...”
“That’s Jonesy,” Scott said.
He turned, hearing his name, and smiled. “You must be the new girl.” He crossed to them. Poor girl was being thrown to the wolves this morning. I felt bad for her. She didn’t deserve the upheaval. She chose my home for peace. Not to be encroached on by four men.
“I’m Lyra,” she said, her voice still raspy.
“You didn’t tell me how stunning she is,” Jonesy said, facing me. “Always being selfish. Not sharing.” He glanced back at Lyra. “Lowe doesn’t share. He’s a naughty boy.”
I chuffed, shaking my head. “Now, now,” I said, carrying our plates to the table. “Let’s not make Lyra uncomfortable. She’s had a rough couple of days.”
Jonesy’s expression sobered. “The boys told me everything. I’m so sorry. If there is anything I can do, my services are at your discretion.”
“What do you do?” she asked.
Jonesy grinned. Bastard had dimples for days and used them to his advantage. “I’m a lawyer.”
“Good to know,” Lyra said, stabbing her fork into her pancake. “So, where were you before you came here?”
“Dubai,” Jonesy said. “Yes, the city is as amazing as it looks on television. No, I wouldn’t stay for longer than I had to, and yes, I’m sure I’ll be going back at some point.”
Lyra chuckled then launched into a coughing jag. She fished the inhaler out of her pocket and took a puff. Then a second before exhaling slowly. “Efficient.”
“Covers all my bases,” Jonesy stated, winking at her before lifting his chin toward her medicine. “You good?”
“Better when I don’t have to breathe,” she said, taking another bite. “Which is kind of always, you know?”
Fuck, I liked her quick wit. “She fits.” Jonesy nodded, picking up his fork. “So what do the three of you have planned for today?”
“Sleep more and work on assignments in my room?” Lyra replied, reaching for her glass of orange juice. “You?”
I nudged him. I already knew what he was about to say before he opened his mouth. The asshole couldn’t help but stir shit up. He ate drama for breakfast. “Catch up on work. Make a few calls. Read a contract. Boring adult work.” Jonesy frowned. “Would you like to grab lunch with me?”
“Hey!” Scott and Cole whined. If they hadn’t looked so serious, I’d have laughed.
“Awe,” Jonesy said, “is she your girlfriend?”
Lyra blanched, shoving more of the pancake into her mouth while averting her gaze from me and Jonesy.
“No,” Cole said, “but she is a friend who’s had a shitty week. Since classes are cancelled for the next couple of days, I thought we’d take Lyra shopping.”
“I couldn’t impose,” she squeaked.
“You’re not,” Scott said. “We’re kind of in a holding pattern too. Hanging out will be fun, plus we can grab some lunch while we’re out.”
I nodded. “Good plan. I think turning your brains off for the day is a good idea.”
“What are you going to do, Lowe?” she asked.
“Him?” Jonesy hooked his thumb in my direction. “He can get into all kinds of trouble on his own. But don’t worry. I’ll keep him out of jail.”
I was going to throttle him. “I have some papers to grade and make a few calls to the administration to find out where we stand with getting your items replaced.”
“Yeah... I should have made a better online order last night. I’m blaming the drugs.” She frowned.
“Don’t worry,” Scott said, “We’ll get you settled.”
Once breakfast was done, I shooed the kids out of the kitchen, leaving Jonesy behind. I held up my finger and waited for their respective doors to close before I crossed to him. When his lips touched mine, I groaned, devouring him. I was such a fool around him. He palmed my cock and balls through the material of my sleep pants and my breath lodged in my throat.
“She’s cute,” he murmured. “Is she the one you want me to send the NDA to?”
“Yes.” I bit my bottom lip as he slipped his hand past the band of my pajamas.
“Do you want me to help with this project?” His fist wrapped around my cock and stroked.
“Maybe? Do you have time?” I hissed as the pad of his thumb rubbed my leaking tip.
“For you, Auggie, I always have time.” This time he kissed me and everything around us disappeared.
“Thank fuck.”