Chapter 3
DIEGO
Pissed. That’s what I am. I take things too far sometimes. Boredom does that, and a dash of arrogance doesn’t help. But the last thing I expected was for hot Professor Rossi to have such a stick up her ass, a stick I’ll gladly replace with my dick.
I mean, it’s the first day of class.
Sure, I was late.
Maybe I flirted too aggressively.
But getting kicked out on day one? That’s a new record, even for me.
She’s not what I expected. Most professors would chuckle, roll their eyes, maybe make a sarcastic comment, and move on.
They usually let it slide, especially on the first day.
But not Rossi. No, she’s all about control and rules and, apparently, zero tolerance for my kind of charm.
It’s almost impressive, in a frustrating, infuriating sort of way.
Her accent and stern demeanor mask what’s clearly a fiery spirit. It’s a challenge if I ever saw one. Maybe that’s what got under my skin, why I pushed so hard.
Or perhaps it was the way her eyes didn’t just skim over me as most do. They drilled in like she knew exactly what kind of game I was playing and called it out on the spot. Sitting on this bench outside the classroom, I figure out my next move.
Apologize?
Double down and try to win her over?
Hell, part of me wants to do all three.
But another part, maybe the part still stinging from her sharp dismissal, wants to prove something to her. I want to show her I’m not just some rich kid playing at college.
I have plans.
Big ones.
This damn class is standing in the way of them. She must be new this semester. I’ve never seen her before. With those long legs, plump lips, and rope-thick hair, I’d fucking remember if I had.
I pull out my phone, flipping through messages, not really seeing them. I see Rossi’s face. Annoyed and authoritative. Possibly intrigued?
No, intrigue isn’t the right word.
I close the app, a plan forming. Maybe it’s not about proving her wrong. Maybe it’s about proving her right that I can meet her expectations and rise to the challenge. What did she say when those sexy lips caressed the words, leaving her accented mouth?
Punctual and respectful.
I can be both of those things. I mean, I haven’t in a long time, but I pull it out whenever I’m summoned back to my parents’ home.
Yeah, that’s it.
Time to switch gears, Kahale.
Not just the front, I put up to keep things interesting when bored.
When I go back to talk to her, I’ll redirect my energy to being respectful, apologizing first, and then keeping my fucking mouth shut to listen to her.
To watch those damn lips as they communicate whatever the hell she wants me to know, just so long as she agrees to let me back in.
What do they always say about college?
It’s about sexual exploration and experimentation. I’ll gladly do both with that woman. She can recite the periodic table as I push into her.
If my performance is worth it, maybe she’ll give me a little extra credit for a job well done. My dick hardens at the thought of her hair coiled around my fist. Those fat lips covered in her dark lipstick staining my fucking sheets as I shove her face into the mattress.
Kokami.
My phone rings in my hand, startling me out of my thoughts about Professor Rossi, and I answer it.
“Hey, Holli.”
“Sup, man.”
I glance at the time, surprised he’s calling since he has class today.
“You going to the twins’s mixer?”
The twins’s mixer.
Might as well put a bullet in my head. It’s not that I don’t like to party.
I do. But their bashes spiral out of control way too fast. The cops always show up too early to head home and too late to hit another party.
My fingers tap a restless rhythm on the concrete bench, watching a stream of students crisscross the campus toward their classes.
“Diego?”
“I don’t know, man.”
My sigh ripples through the phone.
“I know you hate going, but they really want you there. It’s the first one of the semester.”
My jaw clenches as I mull it over, knowing he’s right. I should show my face, even if I don’t stick around.
“I’m riding with Dominic that night.”
The times don’t conflict, yet I’m fine making it sound like they do.
“I’ll come after riding. Don’t expect Dom there. You know he can only take them in small doses, and I think this weekend was enough for a while.”
Holli laughs, light and carefree, knowing I’m right as I mediate between Em and Dom.
Holli’s tactic is to distract the twins with stories of the chicks at his university.
That won’t be necessary tonight. More likely, he’ll dare them into some foolish stunt for the crowd’s amusement, and they’ll quickly forget all about Dom’s absence and my moodiness.
“Trust me, Dom will be there.”
His laughter fades, hinting at knowing something more than I do, which is usually the case. Hollister is the glue that holds us together.
“Aren’t you supposed to be in class right now?” I ask, wondering if he got kicked out like me.
There’s a brief pause on the other end.
“Snagged an early release, man. The professor bailed because of some department emergency or something. Lucky break. But what about you? Shouldn’t you be melting beakers or mugging down with some chick in the chem closet?”
I let out a dry laugh, the irony not lost on me.
“Funny you should mention that. I’m actually on a forced break from all things academic. Got kicked out of my class today.”
“No way, dude!” His surprised chuckle blasts through the line. “Already?”
“Yeah, it’s been a record-setting day. And you won’t believe this. My chem professor. She’s hot as fuck. Italian, and has this no-nonsense vibe about her.”
Holli whistles softly.
“Sounds like you met your match, bro. Hot and fiery, and here you are getting booted on day one. What’d you do?”
I can’t help but grin, even though the sting is still fresh.
“Let’s just say I made a grand entrance that wasn’t exactly on time, and she wasn’t having any of it. She doesn’t play games.”
He laughs again, this time with a hint of empathy.
“Well, that’s one for the books. But hey, man, maybe it’s a sign. It could be the universe telling you to change classes before it’s too late. Or is your dumbass going to try to get back in her good graces?”
“The latter. I need that class to graduate. Just got to figure out how to win over the formidable Professor Rossi.”
“Good luck with that. Sounds like you’re going to need it. And who knows, if you fail, maybe I’ll give her a shot.”
A strange burst of jealousy crawls up my throat, seizing up at the thought of losing her to the promiscuous Hollister. Visions of him and her naked deflate my dick.
“The fuck you will. You’re not messing this up for me. I need this grade.”
And if anyone’s taking a shot at her, it’s my ass. Not that I’d tell him that. He loves a good challenge, even if it’s at my expense.
“Calm down, man. Older women are Dom’s thing, not mine.”
My ears perk up with that new piece of information I never knew. Maybe he’ll have some insights he can share with me on how to get back on this older woman’s side.
“Whatever, Holli. I got to go.”
“Good luck, bro.”
I end the call knowing I’ll need all the luck I can get.
She was wound tight as a spring-loaded chemical reaction waiting to ignite.
And if uncapped? There’d be no gentle release.
Just a fiery, uncontrolled burst of energy that would consume everything in its path, leaving burning embers and scorched earth in its wake.
Let the games begin, Rossi.