“Hey! Whoa, man, chill the fuck out, it’s not what it—” His voice is cut off, and I run faster, taking a shortcut to the path back to student apartments.
I burst inside my front door, slamming it behind me and leaning up against it. I’m out of breath and panting as I pull out my phone. The adrenaline coursing through me makes it difficult to type, and I force myself to take several deep breaths to still my shaking hands.
Megan
Where are you?
Rylee
Where did you go?
Are you okay?
Megan
OMG someone just said they saw you take off running. What happened?
Can you guys come to my apartment? I had to get out of there.
Ten minutes later, Megan and Rylee are on my couch and I’m filling them in on what happened at the party.
Rylee sits next to me, concern etched in the lines of her face. “Megan and I left you alone for two minutes while you got drinks. It’s not like we abandoned you, this is crazy. We always stick together. I feel like shit about it.”
“There were way too many people in that house,” Megan says.
“It’s not your fault.” I pause, taking a deep breath. “This is just my luck anyway. But now I know frat parties aren’t for me.”
“Yeah, you definitely weren’t going to find your Prince Charming at that one, Cinderella,” Megan quips.
Rylee places a hand on mine, drawing my focus back to her. “So after that guy came up on you and you took off, what happened?”
“I came back here. I don’t know what happened to him.”
“Well, I hope he gets what’s coming to him,” Megan says.
——————
John
It’s late, and I should have gone home hours ago, but grading papers is a welcome distraction. None of this year’s students are as promising as a certain blonde that I still can’t seem to rid from my thoughts. As I scroll through essays on my computer, my frustration grows. It’s getting harder to find anyone not using AI to write their work for them. Doesn’t anyone think for themselves anymore?
A noise from the quad distracts me, and my head swings in that direction where I see a small group of female students congregating right outside my window. They look like they’re dressed to attend a party, and I wonder which frat house they’re headed to when I spot Emma. Blood rushes to every part of my body, my ears, my face, and my dick. I can hear my heartbeat in my ears as I try to process the flood of emotions hitting me. Anger,longing, and sorrow overwhelm me as I push away from my desk.
Where the fuck is my sub going dressed like that?
Except she’s not mine. I was the one who ended things, pushed her away. I need to let her go. It was what was best for both of us. I have to be in control of this situation. I’m not in a place to get involved with anyone, even if I want her more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my entire life.
I should just stay focused on my work, but when I heard her laugh and saw her in that tight little dress from my office window, I knew I was fucked. There’s no way I’m going to concentrate when she’s dressed like that. My siren is calling to me, and she doesn’t even know it.
Minutes later, I’m out of my office and following them across campus. My earlier suspicions confirmed when I watch them walk into the frat house.
It’s killing me not knowing what’s going on inside of that house. What is she doing here anyway? And since when are frat parties her scene?
Following along the tree line at the edge of the property, I cling to the shadows like a creep. Even though it’s not nearly cold enough yet, I grabbed a hoodie on my way out of my office, and I tighten it around my face, praying no one sees or recognizes me. What the fuck am I doing? So I’m not only willing to break rules for her, but I’m also willing to break the law too?
Just when my common sense returns and I’m ready to leave, I hear voices on the patio and see her, watching as some asshole comes up behind her and she elbows him, throwing her cups in the process.
When he chases her, I lose my shit, taking off after him and catching him near the side of the house. I pull him into the woods, grabbing him from behind so he can’t see my face while he prattles on. I lock my arms around his neck, holding him in place and cutting off his words.
