Chapter 35
THIRTY-FIVE
WARREN
I step out of the shower, then gather my wet hair into a towel. It’s gotten a lot longer and I still wear it down more often than not. It’s starting to curl up at the ends, something Chance really likes.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I smile as the deep purple marks reflect back at me.
After Chance told us about the shit that went on with his frat, Thorne immediately told Chance he was coming home with him. We had already planned to go over to Thorne’s house to hang out, but I wanted to go even more so I could comfort Chance after his ordeal.
Comforting turned into me bent over the kitchen counter, Thorne and Chance taking turns railing me until we all exploded. They both sucked marks into my neck, the color deep against my paler skin.
“You gonna cover those?” Thorne asks as he steps into the bathroom, kissing over one of the prominent bruises.
Smiling, I shake my head and pull the towel from my hair. The red strands tumble down my back, framing my face. “No. I like them. No one has to know who gave them to me.”
He grins at me before pulling my hair back and kissing my neck one more time. “I’ll see you later, Professor.”
I grin at him as I hurry to his room to get dressed. He and Chance don’t have class until later this morning but woke up with me to keep me company. I like that more than I should.
Whatever is going on with us is far deeper than I thought it would be. In the beginning, I thought—with them both being so young—that they’d get tired of me or would want a third closer to their age.
But the way the two of them dote on me, making me feel sexier than I ever have in my entire life…the feeling is indescribable. I wish I’d had this when I was their age, but I think it came when it was supposed to.
I often wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t gone on the cruise with Emma and instead stayed in New York like I’d planned. Would any of us have gotten together? Maybe Chance and Thorne, since they were stuck together, but would they have noticed me?
It’s not something I want to think about. We have what we have and I love it.
Do I love them? Is it possible to love two men at the same time?
I’m snapped out of my introspection when Chance grabs me by the arm, his hair still mussed from sleeping. “What are you thinking about so hard this morning?”
“Nothing,” I say, not quite ready to expose myself like that. I’m still unsure how much they want. Yes, Thorne says we belong to him, but that doesn’t have to involve big emotions like love. I don’t want to be in this alone.
Chance gives me a skeptical look but lets it pass. “You hungry? I can make you some breakfast while you get dressed?”
“No, but I’ll have some coffee, if that’s okay?”
“I gotchu.” He kisses me quickly and hops out of bed. Chance never wears underwear, his plump ass pressed against his pajama pants. It’s a really nice ass. An ass I felt bumping against my thighs when I fuck into him.
My cock stirs, but I don’t have time to do anything.
I have an early class, and we have an important lesson that pertains to their final.
Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t skip it.
But maybe in a few weeks during the holiday break, Thorne and Chance will want to go away with me somewhere.
There are plenty of resorts within driving distance.
We could even go across the border to Canada.
Just somewhere we can be together in public without fear we’ll be seen.
By the time I’m dressed, Chance has a travel mug of coffee and my messenger bag waiting for me. My heart flutters at the thoughtfulness.
“Thanks,” I say, my cheeks burning.
“Welcome. Have a good day, Professor.” He kisses me softly, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear.
“See you in a few hours.” When I walk into the living room, I beeline to the couch where Thorne is drinking his own cup of coffee, give him a quick kiss and breeze out the door.
Saying goodbye to them as I head to work felt better than it should. It makes me want more. Maybe something I shouldn’t have.
I should put some distance between us so I can untangle what’s going on.
I’ve never put myself out there with anyone, let alone two people.
I’m out of my depth and I need a bit of time to figure out if I want to jump off the cliff or continue to live in a land of delusion until one or both of them tell me they’re done with me.
I’m not usually so negative about myself, but Thorne and Warren are more than ten years younger than me, and they look like they live in the gym.
I’m short and pale with freckles everywhere, and I’m fluffier around the middle than I’d like to be.
They can find someone that looks like them, a person their age.
Ugh, I wish I knew what they were thinking, but I need to figure my shit out first. One minute I’m all in with them, the next I’m wondering if they’re all in with me.
A little time alone might help.
At least I hope it will.
I’m a few minutes late when I arrive on campus and I rush to my class.
“Sorry, I’m late,” I announce as I put my bag and coffee down on my desk. I pointedly ignore the Venus Flytrap sitting on my desk with a sticky note under it. The latest in my frat boy fan club gifts.
“For this class, we’ll have a review on—”
“Holy shit,” one of the students, Devon, says, pointing at me. “Professor Bridge has a hickey.”
I slap my hand against my skin, now wishing I’d worn a turtleneck. I’m not ashamed of my marks, but I don’t want to be the topic of conversation.
“You got some last night, Professor?” Devon asks, leaning forward in his chair like he really expects me to answer.
“That question won’t be on the exam, so let’s focus please,” I say sternly, though my cheeks are blazing.
Thankfully, no more questions about my marks come up and I finish my class with no further incidents.
Once I dismiss my class, I drop my bag off in my office and go to the break room to refill my coffee. Staying up late getting dicked down before a school day wasn’t the best idea. If I’m not careful, I’ll end up falling asleep mid-lesson.
I push my hair over my shoulder just as I round the corner and practically run Barb down.
“Shit, I’m sorry,” I say, steadying her.
“It’s okay. I thought I was the only one with a morning class.”
“No, I have the intro to civil engineering. As a new tenured professor…” I let the words trail off and shrug.
“Ah, yeah. I’m not there yet, but I’m sure it’ll happen next year.”
I step around her and head to the coffeemaker, but say over my shoulder, “It’s not that bad. I was up late last night, so I’m dragging a little today, but I’m usually okay.”
“Up late getting laid,” Mike says from behind me. “What’s this I hear about you having a hickey?”
“Huh?” I ask, tugging my hair back over my shoulder. Barb smiles and waves as she heads out with her coffee. I’m glad. One less person to look awkward in front of.
“I heard some kids talking about it. Saying that even old guys get lucky.” He elbows me playfully and I crack a shaky smile. “Who’s the lucky gal?”
A flush blooms over my body. I’ve never told Mike I was bi. I never told anyone here. The only person who knew before Thorne and Chance was Emma.
Mike is a nice guy, cool to talk to and hang out with, but I’m not sure I want to share my sexuality with him.
Instead, I say, “No one you know.”
He elbows me again, a bright smile on his face. “Gonna keep her all to yourself? Fine. But one day, you should bring her out for a double date with me and Connie. It’ll be fun.”
Yeah, I’m sure it’ll be a great time to bring two students on a date with his wife. That’ll go over real well.
“Sure,” I murmur, voice trapped in my throat. “Okay, yeah.”
“You have plans this weekend? A group of us might head back to Emberwood.”
I usually hang out with Thorne and Chance, but I recall Thorne saying he’d be visiting with a friend and Chance will have a meet. “I’m free. Let me know details.”
We chat for a little while longer, until it’s almost time for my next class.
It’s not until I step into the room that I remember this is the class I have with Chance as my student.
Almost like he senses my presence, his eyes flick up and lock with mine. How have I acted normally so far this year? Right now, butterflies dance in my belly and warmth creeps up my cheeks.
Fuck, I might actually be in love with them.
“You alright man?” Mike asks, brow creased with worry as he leans against the doorjamb of my classroom.
I can’t very well tell him I came to the realization that I’m in love with not one, but two students, so instead I say, “Yeah. I found another gift on my desk.”
Mike looks even more worried now. Whoever this person is, cameras don’t bother them. They’re able to move without being seen.
Which is part of the problem. In their notes, my stalker claims I don’t see them, but I’m not sure who I’m supposed to be looking for. Before Chance and Warren, I haven’t had eyes for anyone.
Why won’t this person just talk to me?
“What was it this time?” he asks, his eyes flicking to my neck before he fights a smirk.
I tug my hair forward more, glad that it’s grown out enough that it covers the marks from either Thorne or Chance’s greedy mouths. “Venus flytrap.”
He hisses, but I’m not sure why. “Don’t they eat like flies and shit that land on them?”
“Yes, so?”
“Could mean they’re getting impatient with you not noticing them. What does the note say?”
“Saw this and thought of you.”
Mike shrugs but doesn’t look very confident. “Maybe you should make another complaint to the dean.”
If I do, it’ll be my fourth complaint. I think he’s tired of telling me the same things he’s been telling me: be careful and call the authorities if someone tries to harm me.
I can tell police that someone is stalking me, but the most they can do is tell me the same thing the dean has.
It’ll give me a paper trail, sure, but that only helps if the person is caught.
Judging by how stealthy they are, I don’t think that’ll happen anytime soon.