CHAPTER 32
KENDRICK
Brevan doesn’t always spend the night. In fact, I think this might be only the third time. But after we talked about going to the draft, I didn’t want to let him go back to the dorm. He struggled with wanting me to be there with him and knowing that I shouldn’t be.
Shouldn’t. He used the word ‘can’t,’ but I absolutely can… if I’m willing to risk my career.
I’ve poured through the staff handbook as well as the student handbook for hours. Far more hours than I think those who keep it up to date do. I’m pretty sure I have all the pertinent sections memorized. I’m convinced that nothing in either makes this relationship against school policy.
I’m equally convinced that it doesn’t matter if we can just hold out until graduation.
If no one knows, then no one can say anything.
They can ask questions after the fact, and yes, perhaps our relationship beginning two months before Brevan graduates coming to light will have ramifications, but the fact of the matter will be, he’d no longer be a student, so there’s no discussion necessary.
That only works if we keep it hidden, though.
I know how much Brevan wants me to share his draft experience with him because I want to be there with him just as badly. I want to support him in this biggest, most important step he’s made in his football career so far.
That means our simple, straightforward plan is going to go up in flames.
I know there’s nothing in our policies against my dating Brevan.
There will be those who interpret what they want differently, as is the case with lawmakers and religious figures.
Everything can be interpreted differently if the twisted want to see it that way.
But as they’re written, this doesn’t break any rules.
And quite frankly, what would it matter if someone in my position dated one of the student athletes?
My so-called power can’t truly touch Brevan.
I’m not his coach. I’m not the dean of the athletic department, nor of the science or humanities departments.
My name on anything in his file isn’t going to mean much because I have no firsthand interactions with the students.
That doesn’t mean I want to announce our relationship to the Board of Trustees by being at the draft with Brevan.
There will be cameras everywhere, so even just showing up in support might be reasonable given that we’ve just been to Iceland together on the same university mission.
But I know that neither of us will be entirely able to hide what’s between us at this point.
Not for an entire three days under constant surveillance.
Brevan rolls over with a yawn, and his big body drapes over mine. I smile, letting my hand slide down his smooth skin. He murmurs sleepily. His hand moves over my stomach and down to my waiting dick.
It’s wild waking up with someone. My body remembers what it means to wake up beside someone much more clearly than the rest of me does. It’s ready and waiting.
His hand slides over my dick and down to my balls.
As he has the previous mornings waking up together, he begins there.
Massaging them. Maybe kneading them. I don’t know whether he does so for my stimulation or because he enjoys it, but he doesn’t stop messing with my nuts until I’m practically writhing under his touch while I moan.
Brevan leans over me as he reaches for the lube and a condom on the side table. While he’s stretching across my body, I suck on his nipple, earning myself a groan. But then he’s back, sliding down my body to take my dick in his mouth.
It feels as if I’m watching him through a haze. The way he sucks me never fails to turn my brain into a sludge pool. Any coherent thoughts move right out the window. His eyes remain on me as he sucks me. He’s a damn multitasker because he’s also lubing his pretty hole.
This morning, it appears he wants to ride me as he slides the condom on and straddles my hips. There’s no better feeling than the first heat of his body as I slide inside him. My breath catches while Brevan moans on top of me.
I really hope that someday we figure out how to last longer than just a few minutes. On the one hand, it’s entirely mind-blowing that this feels so good I can’t hold myself together. I’m thankful that Brevan is right there with me in that feeling.
On the other hand, I feel like a cliché. Old men don’t last when they manage to get it up. I have zero issues getting it up, but yeah, the lasting part I’m going to need to work on.
This morning doesn’t prove any different. As soon as he’s riding me, I’m nearly a goner. If I close my eyes, I’m plunged into the feeling of Brevan moving on top of me. The way his body feels so hot and tight around my cock.
If I keep my eyes open, I’m watching how his cock bounces, with drops of precum glistening on the tip. Strings of precum connect his cock to my stomach. Watching the way my cock is swallowed by his body.
Or I’m watching Brevan’s face. The unabashed lust that paints his expression. His hands slide over his sexy body, with those muscles flexing. His back arches. His head falls back.
No matter what, it’s all sensory overload contributing to the rush of my orgasm. It’s too big, too insistent to keep in, and I finally grip his hips to hold myself deep inside him while my cock pulses.
“That feels so good,” Brevan groans, his hand wrapping around his cock to stroke himself. They’re quick, short strokes. I watch, transfixed, until his dick spurts like a hose.
I shiver with pleasure. Just… wow.
We lounge in bed until the alarm goes off before getting up to shower.
Then we make breakfast together. Brevan plays with Martha in the backyard until he has to leave for class.
I go about the rest of my morning routine by taking Martha for a walk and then preparing my lunch before walking to the Alok building and my office.
I check in with my secretary, Morlan, on the way by, and he notifies me that I have a meeting at ten. Lastly, I stop at Byndley’s office for anything I need to know or work on today.
“Enjoy your quiet morning,” she says. “This afternoon we’re going to talk about CAP again.
I think we have made some good progress on getting tóreargleei University’s separate phases rolled out, as well as our first steps to an exchange program for this fall.
There isn’t much time to make this happen, and I think it’s best if we stick to the ten ambassadors we already have, since they know our mission.
We need to work on growing CAP so it’s open and active to second- through final-year students. ”
“Sounds good. And we need to begin looking at another university. Or are we sticking with tóreargleei University for a couple of years?”
Byndley taps her desk. “Let’s add that to our list this afternoon. Zarek and Katai will be in. Enjoy your morning off.”
She winks but… “I have a meeting at ten. You appear unaware of it.”
Her eyebrows knit together. “I was just in your schedule twenty minutes ago.” I move around her desk as she pulls it up. Sure enough, there’s something scheduled for ten. Byndley clicks on it.
“Board of Trustees?” She looks at me in confusion. “I didn’t know you had a meeting with the board today.”
“I didn’t either. Call Morlan.”
She taps the speaker button on the phone and then Morlan’s button.
“Yes, Miss Byndley.”
Byndley smirks, but her eyes are on mine, allowing me to speak. “Morlan, it’s me. You added the Board of Trustees meeting this morning.”
“I did.”
“I’m assuming someone called?”
“Correct. Mrs. Dorion. Darion. I’m sorry, I never remember her name. But she called and asked me to schedule a meeting with you.”
“Did she say what it’s about so I can prepare?”
“She did not. She didn’t appear clipped or angry or anything. She was just as pleasant as usual, if that helps.”
“Thank you.”
“Sure, boss.”
Byndley hits the button to end the call. “Well…?”
I shake my head. “In my office at ten to ten, please.”
“So much for our meeting-free morning.”
“I’m not sure we should be surprised.”
Byndley smiles as I head for the door and my office. I haven’t yet sent over the report on CAP, so there’s a good chance it’s regarding that.
Once in my office, I go through emails, but am continuously distracted by literally everything. Primarily, thinking about Brevan’s draft and what to do about that.
My cell phone rings, and Manny Moore’s name pops up. I grin as I answer. “Mr. Moore, good morning.”
“Kendrick. Having a good day?”
“So far. Tell me it gets better?”
“Most certainly does. You, my friend, are single. Divorce papers have been signed. It’s final.”
I sit back and feel the rush of relief settle over me. Once more, as it had over a year ago when I told Natalia I wanted a divorce, the weight lifts. I can breathe easily. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Unsurprisingly, she took the papers as is. I’ll send over everything you need to sign off on.”
“I’m relieved. I appreciate you sticking with this.”
“I know this was massively stressful for you, and I sympathize, but trust me, for me, I’ve handled much worse.”
“I bet you could tell stories.”
“Kendrick, if I shared the things I’ve witnessed, I think there would be far fewer married people in the world.”
I laugh. “Maybe.”
“I’ll talk to you later. Celebrate, man. You deserve a fresh start.”
“Thanks.” It’s not at all surprising that this new thing distracts me further as the morning drifts on.
I hear from all three of my kids. Apparently, Natalia must have gotten the same phone call. I’m just happy that my kids are reaching out on their own. Even if it’s just little things every now and then.
At ten to ten, Byndley is here just as I asked her to be. She sits in the chair across from me, out of the view of my screen, though I always announce her presence when video calls begin. She’s the keeper of my brain, so I need her present.
“It might be regarding CAP,” Byndley says, and I laugh. “You thought so too, huh?”
“I can’t think of anything else.”
At exactly ten, my video call system rings, and half a dozen of the Board of Trustees’ faces fill my screen.
I take note of them and find most appear as they usually do.
Pleasant. Smiles. Welcoming. Dr. Dan Matthews is always a stick in the mud, so I’m not at all surprised to see that he’s looking grumpy.
“Good morning,” I greet. “Byndley is here as well.”
“Good morning, Dr. Keller. While we always welcome Miss Horship, this might be a private matter, and I’m not sure you’ll appreciate her presence,” Dr. Darian states.
I glance at Byndley, and she’s as confused as I am. For a second, I weigh my options. What the hell could they be—
Oh. Brevan.
“I’m going to ask Byndley to stay,” I say.
“If your expression is anything to go by, you’ve realized what this call is concerning,” Dr. Darian says.
“Perhaps.”
“Then let’s begin. It’s come to our attention that perhaps you’ve entered into an inappropriate relationship with a student.”
I don’t look at Byndley, but her eyes shoot wide. I can feel the way she’s tensing, ready to fight.
“First, I’m going to say that while you might mean ‘inappropriate’ because of our positions within the university, that’s very harmful terminology that we’ve spent years encouraging the young minds of our university to erase from their vocabulary.
No relationship is inappropriate unless it’s between an adult and a minor child,” I say.
Dr. Darian bows her head. “I apologize; you are correct.”
“Second, yes. You’re correct. Before you state your decision, I’m going to say something.
Today, my divorce was finalized. My divorce from a woman with whom I share three wonderful children.
Kids that I’ve missed out on almost every big milestone, every sad moment, every life lesson, because I was here.
I chose to be here and sacrificed my family to build, support, and improve this university.
I did so of my own volition, and I take responsibility for the deterioration of my family because of it.
But with all due respect, Board, I’m not doing it again.
I love Rainbow Dorset, and I have no desire to leave this university yet.
I have so many more ideas that I’d like to propose and bring this campus, this community, into the stratosphere.
But I won’t stay to the detriment of my relationship. Not again.”
I take a chance and look at Byndley. Her hands are folded in her lap, and I’m relieved to see that she’s not looking at me with disdain or disapproval. There’s sympathy. Understanding. Her little nod and small smile tell me that I also continue to have her support.
My attention moves back to the screen. “That’s all I have to say, Dr. Darian. Now, I’ll listen.”