Leave No Boss Unturned (The Rosi Brothers #2)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

ADONIS

Demetrius

Yo bro … Stop working and come out with us.

Eros

Yeah, man. It’s been months since you partied with us.

Adonis

Can’t.

Demetrius

Can’t or won’t?

Adonis

CAN’T

Atticus

Surely you can take a break for one night.

Adonis

Not if I want to get tenure.

Eros

Isn’t that something that takes years????

Demetrius

Yeah? How can one night this early in the game hurt you?

Adonis

Trust me. It can.

A fter checking the time, I silence my phone before stuffing it in the front pocket of my jacket. It’s almost ten o’clock, and definitely too late to still be working.

I glance over my shoulder and sigh at the darkness that greets me at the window. There’s also frost forming around the edges. The temperatures are dropping just like the weatherman said. We didn’t get snow at Christmas, but chances are good, we’ll get it for New Year’s Eve.

I’ve been so focused on this grant application that I didn’t even notice it had gotten dark. It didn’t help that the office has been quiet all day. Not a lot of faculty work the week between Christmas and New Year’s. If I weren’t a new faculty member, I’d likely take it off too.

I’m the only faculty in my department that doesn’t already have tenure. My colleagues don’t have to work as hard as I do. They already put in their dues and get to enjoy the holidays and time off.

I’ve only got four more years to prove myself and meet the requirements the university expects of me to become the youngest tenured faculty in this department. I’ll tie for that same position university wide.

Not that it matters a whole hell of a lot. The age at which I become a tenured faculty doesn’t earn me anything special. I’ve just set my mind on it. It’s a personal goal.

I flip through the remaining pages of my proposal, searching for the next comment from my department chair. When I get to the last page without finding any more, I sigh. Finally. I think I can call this thing done.

After saving my files and backing them up in a secondary location, I shut my computer down. It’s too late to give it a final read through tonight. I need to take a break and come back to it after I’ve gotten some rest.

It should be safe to head home now. My brothers have probably already headed out for the night, which means I’ll have the apartment to myself.

My living arrangements are not ideal, but it’s all I can afford right now. I share a four-bedroom apartment with my three brothers. It’s not much, but it is close to everything. The living and dining room are basically nonexistent. The kitchen is tiny, as are all the bedrooms. But we each have our own bathrooms, so that’s a plus.

It’s one of those apartments where the landlord rents it out by the room with a shared common area. We got lucky when we found it. All the tenants but one had moved out and their lease was ending in three months. We snagged the entire place for a hell of a lot less than anywhere else this close to Manhattan.

I love my brothers, but I’m looking forward to the day that I have my own place again. But this time alone. No more live-in girlfriends for me. Hell, no more girlfriends. Period.

I made the mistake of dating one of the grad students in my department while I was working on my PhD. I thought Lulu and I were in love. And for a few blissful months, we shared a small apartment together close to campus.

She may have lived with me, but that didn’t stop her from fucking several other men while we were together. The excuses she told me when I confronted her about it made my stomach turn. She insisted she loved me, but that her cheating was my fault. That my sexual habits were weird, and she needed a partner that was normal.

I’m not even sure what that means.

I double check that my phone and keys are in my jacket pocket before I push to my feet. Taking my keys out, I grab my coat before I shut my office door behind me and lock it. Then I head toward the stairwell.

My office is on the second floor of my building. I’m one of the few faculty members whose office is on the same floor as the main offices. Most of the faculty offices are on the third floor. Lecture halls occupy the entire first floor.

As expected, the offices are all dark as I make my way down the long hallway. It’s a Thursday night. From what I remember, Thursdays were always the best night to go out to the bars. I didn’t go out a lot, but Thursdays were when Lulu always tried to drag me out.

Should have known something was wrong when she stayed out half the night without me. I shake out the shutter that threatens to run through my body. Nothing good will come from ruminating on my past with Lulu. I’m better off without her.

Just before I reach the door to the stairwell, the main office door opens, and Dr. Carver comes barging out. He’s moving so quickly, he almost runs into me.

“Adonis!” He comes to an abrupt stop. “Burning the midnight oil, I see.”

I force a smile in return. “Just finishing up your comments on my proposal.”

“Aw, good.” He pats my shoulder before giving it a squeeze. “I’m very pleased with your ideas. I’m confident the committee will approve the grant.”

“I hope you’re right,” I say, trying to hide my skepticisms. “I know these grants are very competitive.”

“Yes, they are.” He leads the way down the first few steps. “But yours is one of the few being submitted from the School of Liberal Arts. The university always sets aside a few of these early career grants for us. Your chances of winning it are quite high.”

“Good to know.” He holds the door to the first floor open for me and waves me through. “Any word on another student?”

“Actually, yes. I’m meeting with a transfer tomorrow. I think she might be the perfect fit for your program.”

“Transfer?” I furrow my brow. Transfers aren’t common at the grad level, and it can often mean they’re problematic students.

“I know. I know.” He waves off my concern without me having to say it out loud. “Transfers are not always ideal. But I vouch for her. I’ve known her family for years.”

“Why is she transferring and where from?”

He lets out a deep sigh as if he was hoping I wouldn’t ask this question. “She’s completed three years at Harvard.”

“Harvard?” I raise my brow.

“Brilliant student with a bright future ahead of her. If she accepts my offer, she’ll be perfect for your proposal. She’s already met most of her class requirements, which means her focus will be on writing. That’s what you need.”

“And she’s a PhD student?”

He nods. “Her dissertation topic and interests align with yours. She’s already published a paper on mythology meets history. Trust me. I’d never assign someone to you that I didn’t think would work out.”

“But why is she transferring so late in her program? She’s over halfway done. At Harvard.”

“She had to move closer to home for personal reasons. Her family needs her.” He must see the concern in my expression because he continues before I can ask my next question. “But don’t worry. It won’t distract from her studies. She’s a dedicated student.”

“When can I interview her?”

“She’ll be in tomorrow at ten if you want to join the meeting. I know she’d love to meet you too.”

I frown. “Can’t tomorrow. I have a meeting off-campus.”

“Oh, that’s right.” He snaps his fingers. “You were granted access to the ancient Greek exhibit at the library. Are they letting you take pictures?”

I nod. “It’ll be a nice addition to my paper on epic poems.”

“Enjoy the visit,” he says as we step outside into the cold air. “Get some rest. Can’t have you burning out your first year.”

“Not a chance.” I wave as I head in the opposite direction. He drives to campus while I take a cab.

When I hit the sidewalk, I start to hail a cab but then stop myself. I was excited to get some alone time at home, but I think need something different. I need a little adventure. A little fun. I need to go somewhere that no one knows me.

I bunch my coat up around my neck and look around. A few blocks away from campus are several bars and nightclubs. Maybe I can find some entertainment in people watching for a few hours.

The loud noise will probably give me a headache, but it’ll be more entertaining than going home and staring at my ceiling.

Forty minutes and two drinks later, and I’m only mildly entertained. It’s mostly young college-aged girls getting drunk and dancing with their girlfriends.

Now I remember why I didn’t enjoy going out with Lulu. I don’t enjoy dancing and most of these girls aren’t my type.

Most of the guys are standing at one of the several high-top tables that surround the dance floor, watching the girls act like they’re in a seductive music video.

A few guys are dancing and getting in on the action. Those are the ones that are probably getting lucky tonight.

As much as I would love to get lucky tonight, I prefer my place in the shadows. Interacting is not my thing.

I like to watch. Watching excites me.

The nightclub has a large open dance floor with a raised stage on one end. Between the dance floor and the stage, there are a few dark alcoves along the ramp that connect the two spaces. I’m tucked into one of those dark alcoves searching for the only thing that’s excited me all night.

I spot the flash of bright pink tips on a head of dark brown hair swaying through the crowd, and a rare smile lifts my lips. This girl doesn’t look much older than the rest of the women dancing, but she’s sexy as fuck.

She won’t let any of the men dance with her, and from what I can tell, she’s here with one friend.

The one time I stepped out of the shadows, our eyes met. She gave me a sly smile before she swirled her hips in my direction. When she spun around to shake her ass at me, I slipped back into my alcove and have remained hidden.

She glances this way often like she’s searching for me. Sometimes she even stares right at me like she knows I’m here watching her.

I look around for her friend, but I don’t see her. Maybe she found herself a dance partner. Unlike my sexy minx, she doesn’t seem to mind when men approach her.

The only girl that’s held my attention likes to dance alone. I even think she likes knowing someone is watching her. At least she moves and touches herself like she does.

Her eyes wander in my direction again. This time I decide to show myself. I step out of the shadows and hold her stare. That same sly smile she gave me earlier reappears. I lift my glass to her and slowly step back without breaking eye contact.

She continues dancing for me until the current song ends. Then she turns around and finds her friend sucking face with some random she met on the dance floor. They exchange a few words and both women laugh before my sexy minx walks my way.

Her stare is fixed on me the entire way. Maybe my dark corner isn’t as hidden as I thought, because her eyes never veer off mine. It’s as if our gazes are connected by a higher power.

When she reaches the ramp, she slows her pace. The smile on her face suggests it’s not out of hesitation, but in anticipation of what it means to join me in the darkness.

As soon as she’s close enough to touch, I reach for her and pull her into the alcove. She sucks in a breath as I press her body flush to mine. She’s soft and curvy against my hard chest. My senses are overwhelmed with the scent of vanilla.

“Are you drunk?” I ask.

She chuckles, and the throaty sound causes my dick to twitch. “Not the question I thought you’d ask.”

“What did you think I’d ask?”

“Something a little sexual in nature.” She doesn’t hesitate to say. “I didn’t come here for a sobriety check.”

“I don’t fuck girls who are drunk.”

She laughs harder before she fists her hands around the lapel of my jacket. “Then I guess it’s a good thing I’m not drunk.”

I growl as I spin her around and lift her onto the small ledge behind me. I’m sure it’s intended as a place to set drinks, but it’s also the perfect height for what I’m about to do.

“You’ve been teasing me all night, little minx.”

“Mmmhmm.” She lets her head fall back and exposes her neck to me. We may be hidden in the shadows, but there’s still enough light coming from the club that I can see all of her. I lean closer and breathe in her scent as I run my nose against her skin. “That’s what you get for watching me so intently.”

“I like watching.” I admit.

“And I like being watched.”

I grip my hands on her knees and spread her legs apart. Her skirt rides up her thighs, exposing the silky pink color of her panties.

“Why did you come to me?” My voice is rough and gravelly. This isn’t what I expected to happen tonight, but it’s a welcome change to my otherwise boring night.

“Because you intrigue me.” She wraps her fingers around my tie and pulls me closer. Her mouth hovers mere millimeters from mine. “Why did you beacon me?”

“Because I want to fuck you.” I see no reason to lie to her or waste time admitting what I really want.

She smiles, and I hold my typical frown. “You don’t even know my name.”

“Names aren’t important for one-night stands.” I rest a hand on her chest and press her back into the wall so I can see between her legs. “Are you okay with that?”

She holds my gaze, and for a second, I think she’s going to tell me no. “Yeah. I could use a little mysterious fun.”

“Good. Now touch yourself.” I demand as I stare at the wet spot on her panties. She’s ready for me and as much as I want to slide my throbbing cock inside her, I want to watch her play with herself first.

She doesn’t hesitate to slide her hand down her body and pull her panties aside. I groan when I see she’s completely bare. Not a single hair in sight.

“Fuck,” I whisper.

She laughs. “You like what you see?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” She slides her finger through her slit before swirling it around her clit. “Now let me see you.”

I shake my head. “Not until you let me watch you make yourself come.”

She nibbles on her bottom and smiles. “You really do like to watch.”

“Do you have a problem with that?” I ask.

She shakes her head and slides her finger deeper between her legs. I spread her thighs further apart so I can see her better. “Add another finger.”

She does as I command, and it makes me even harder. This is what really turns me on. Nothing excites me more than watching a woman pleasure herself. There’s nothing more erotic to me than a woman who owns her sexuality and takes what she wants.

When she’s willing to do it in public, even better.

It’s a thrill unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced.

She moans as she rubs her clit faster. I pull my eyes off her pussy and stare at her face. Her head is tilted back. Her eyes are closed, and her mouth is slightly open. I can’t stop myself from grabbing my cock as another moan escapes her. Seeing a woman’s expression while they come to climax is my kryptonite.

I step closer between her legs, so my hard cock presses against her inner thigh. With one hand gripping her thigh, I slide the other around her neck and force her eyes on me. “Look at me while you come.”

“Oh, god.” She moans.

“Is your clit throbbing?”

“Yes,” she breathes.

“Dip your fingers and rub it.” I don’t pull my eyes off her as she slides her fingers deep inside her pussy. When she pulls them out, they’re coated. She rubs it all over her clit until it’s slick with wetness.

She moans and my eyes snap back to her face. Her eyes are still fixed on me. She’s just as turned on watching me as I am watching her. It makes me wish I were already buried deep inside her. I’d explode in an instant if I were.

She lets out another moan. This one louder than before. “I’m gonna come.”

I crash my mouth onto hers, forcing my tongue past her parted lips. As soon as our tongues meet, she explodes. I swallow her cries and steady her body on the ledge as she trembles. While she continues rubbing her clit through her orgasm, I slam two fingers deep inside her. The sounds that come out of her are unrecognizable and sexy as fuck.

My plan tonight was simple. Watch and go home.

But this little minx lured me in. I’m not gonna be satisfied until my throbbing cock is buried inside her. I need to feel her pussy coming on my cock.

She pulls her mouth from mine, gasping for air. “Tell me you have a condom?”

“Fuck,” I growl as I drop my forehead to her chest.