Chapter 6
TAJ
—If I Fall For You
by Karin Ann
Hello my friend
Who is this?
Someone who is into you, but you placed in the friend-zone
Taj, I did not friend-zone you and how did you get my number?
I have my ways of getting your number. Since I’m not in the friend-zone, when can we go on a date?
You know that is not possible. You are my student.
That’s even worse. You are student-zoning me!
I’m not, it’s just the reality.
What if I drop your course?
Don’t be stupid. You’re in your third year and it’s a pre-requisite for you.
I can delay graduation for a year just to tap that arse.
There will be no arse taping.
If you say so. Anyway, what’s your favourite coffee?
Why do you want to know?
Favourite coffee seem like the sort of thing a “friend” should know.
I like a good Frappuccino.
You love sweet things, can I interest you in my dick? It’s the sweetest.
Goodnight Taj.
Dream of me muffin
“Good morning,” I greet Mike as he steps out of his apartment.
He’s looking spectacular in his black tailored trousers, deep blue shirt, and a fitted black vest that makes him look like he walked out of a completely different world than mine.
His steps falter the moment he sees me and his eyes widen. “W-why are you here?”
I smile, and lift the clear cup in my hand. “Bringing coffee to my friend,” I say easily. “And I’m driving you to campus.”
His gaze drops to the cup despite himself, and I see the way his mouth almost gives him away before he reins it back in. I don’t count this sweet thing as coffee, but I’ll keep that to myself.
“I can get to the campus on my own, Taj,” But his sigh already sounds like a surrender, and he takes the drink. “Thank you.”
I grin at him and swing the passenger door open.
He shakes his head like I’m a lost cause, then ducks into the car anyway.
I count that as a small victory. I close the door, press the lock button on the key fob just to be safe, then stroll round the bonnet to the driver’s side.
I unlock my door, slide into the seat, and start the engine.
The second I settle behind the wheel, he turns to me with narrowed eyes. “Did you just lock me in your car?”
I shrug. “I have to keep you safe.”
“Right.” He folds his arms. “First, you stole my number,” he says, ticking points off on his fingers. “Then you stalk me, and now you’re kidnapping me.”
“I did not steal your number . . . I took it off the university’s website,” I tell him, offended on principle. “And stalking and kidnapping?” I glance at him as I pull away from the kerb. “Are you into kinky shit?”
“K-kinky?” he sputters, nearly choking on the word.
I bite back a smile because he’s too easy. “I can tie you when I fuck you, if that’s your jam,” I say casually.
He stares at me, disbelief written all over his face. His mouth parts, then closes again. “You’re something else.” He lets out a breath that sounds suspiciously like a laugh, then straightens in his seat. “If we’re going to be friends, we need to maintain professional boundary.”
“If you say so.”
I turn onto Chotkova, and thankfully there is no traffic here, just the early morning stretch of Prague opening up in front of us.
Mike leans back in his seat, finally relaxing. Some minutes pass before he speaks again. “I need your help tomorrow.”
I brighten at that and glance at him. If he needs my help, that means he plans on keeping me around.
And if he plans on keeping me around, then I still have a chance.
I’m also fairly certain that if I keep talking about fucking him, he’ll eventually let me do it, so I’ll shut up about it.
Look, it’s not a flawless plan, but it’s the only one I’ve got.
I’ve never had to chase a man before, but I’ve never backed down from a challenge either.
“What do you need?” I ask. “I’ll do anything for you.”
“I don’t want it to look like I’m taking advantage of our, er, friendship or your feelings for me,” he says. I glance at him again, and he looks completely serious, brows pulled together. “But you’re the only one I sort of know here,” he continues, “and I think I can trust you.”
“Of course, you can trust me,” I assure quickly. “I’m serious, I would do anything for you. I can even hide a body.”
“Whoa,” he laughs. “Nothing of the sort. My friend is coming here tomorrow from London with his boyfriend, and they need to lay low because they’ve been in the news. So,” he gives the Mercedes a pointed look, “do you have a car that’s not this extravagant, or can we rent one?”
I ignore the insult to the car and grab hold of the interesting bit instead. “Is this friend of yours perhaps a footballer?”
He frowns at me. “You follow sports?”
I try to look offended, but I probably look dopey because I can’t stop a small smile from spreading across my face. “You think I can’t understand football because I’m gay?”
“What? No!” he exclaims loudly. “I’m sorry if that’s how it came across.”
“Nah, I’m just messing with you,” I chuckle. “So, the news is true then? Roland Johnson and Austin Coker are a thing?”
He pinches the bridge of his nose. “How did you connect the dots?”
“I was actually talking out of my arse, I didn’t connect any dot.” I chuckle. “But Johnson is my favourite footballer, and he’s the only one currently in the news for having a boyfriend.”
He lets out a long sigh and sinks back into the leather seat. “No one can know they’re here.”
“I’ll take it to my grave,” I nod at once. “And yeah, I can bring a less conspicuous car. My cousin drives a Camry.”
“And they’ll lend you their car without asking why you need it?” he asks, sounding unconvinced.
“Oh, he’s in America with the rest of his family.” I tap the steering wheel. “This car belongs to his mum, my aunt. I’m house-sitting for them while they’re visiting her husband’s family.”
He visibly relaxes, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. “Thank you. Their flight gets in by ten, and they’ll be staying at mine, so they don’t have to book a hotel.”
“Isn’t your flat one bedroom?” I ask and he nods. “Why not come stay with me?”
I’ve not even finished speaking before he starts shaking his head, exactly as expected. “I’ll be fine on the couch. You’re already doing more than enough, and if we’re going to maintain this boundary, we need to keep things—”
“Professional,” I finish for him. “But think it through. Would they be comfortable doing things while you’re in the living room?”
“Doing thi—” He cut himself off as understanding dawns on him. “Uh, I didn’t think of that.”
“Look,” I start, making my voice serious for once. “I promise not to proposition you. Firstly, the optics doesn’t look good, and secondly, I love my men willing and eager.” Then, just to see him squirm, I add, “Like you were in the club.”
From the corner of my eye, I catch him shifting in his seat. Interesting. I’m pretty sure if colour were visible on his skin, his cheeks will be flaming red right now.
“Okay,” he concedes after a moment. “Thanks.”
A smile brushes across his mouth just as I find a free parking space and pull in. I switch off the engine and grin to myself.