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“You don’t seem like a silly kind of guy,” Thane says right away but then his eyes widen. He throws a hand over his mouth. “I’m so sorry. That was so rude. I shouldn’t have said that, Maverick.”

“Hey,” I say right away, putting a hand on his knee. “You’re fine. I’m not upset. I like it when you say the first thing that comes to mind. I like hearing what’s going on inside your head without a filter,” I admit. “You’re not wrong but I’ve been around a lot of people thanks to my job. I hear about all sorts of silly things.”

“Right. Yeah. That makes sense.”

“Have you ever heard of fanfiction?”

That blush is back and fuck, is it cute. “Yeah, of course. I’ve read some as well.”

“Why don’t you write a fanfic about your favorite characters from your favorite show? Put them into some silly situation and then when you’re all done, change the main characters to someone different. At the very least, maybe something like that will have your creative juices sparking. It could be a good starting point.”

Thane looks away for a moment before finally nodding his head. “That’s a good idea. I don’t know if I can pull it off but at least it’ll help get ideas flowing. Thank you, Maverick.”

“You’re welcome.” I eat my wrap slowly, unable to keep my eyes from drifting away from Thane.

“Do you umm, do you like working here on campus?”

“It’s different than I’m used to.”

Thane tilts his head to the side. My chest gives a weird twang at the sight. “Good different or bad different?”

“That’s to be determined,” I say with the smallest smile. “In all seriousness, I think this is what I needed. I think the slower pace will be good for me. I’m enjoying the fact that it gives me moments to enjoy the sun. It allows me to enjoy the beautiful views,” I say, not taking my eyes off Thane.

Thane looks away, letting out a surprised noise. He stares at his notebook before whispering, “but you’re looking at me.”

I wait until he looks at me. “I know. I said exactly what I mean.”

What the hell am I doing? I shouldn’t be flirting with a student! I shouldn’t even be bothering him like this. I can’t seem to stop myself though. There’s something about Thane. I want to know him. I want to press his buttons. I want him on his knees, begging me to tell him what to do.

Thane buries his face against his arms. He’s so fucking cute when he’s embarrassed like this. Even so, I can’t help but ask.

“I’m not making you uncomfortable, am I? One word and I’ll stop, Thane.”

Thane shakes his head before propping his chin on his knee. His big golden eyes are wide as he stares at me, like he’s trying to figure out my intentions just from looking at me. His lips quirk up slightly.

“I’m uncomfortable but not in the way that makes me want you to stop,” he says, barely above a whisper. My heart hammers against my ribs, suddenly making it hard to pull in a full breath. “I’m just not used to this type of thing.”

“What type of thing?”

He waves a hand at me. “Attention from attractive men. Making friends. Being on my own. For my entire life, my whole mission was to take care of my siblings. Now, I’m trying to figure out things just for me without feeling like a selfish asshole.” Thane lets out a small, amused noise. “Just today, some people decided to adopt me as their own personal pet project. They’re dubbing me the introvert that needs help getting out. They’re going to take me to a party and everything.”

Everything I learn about Thane leaves me intrigued. My insides squirm with how badly I want to pull his layers back. I want to know him, all of him, every dirty little detail. I want to flay him open until there isn’t a single thing left to learn. I want to tear him down so I can help him remold himself into a bigger and brighter version of himself.

“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” I tell him, squeezing his knee before finally taking my hand back. My fingers tingle from where I was touching him. “I hadn’t realized this was your first time out on your own. That’s an important step in everyone’s lives. Live to the fullest. Experience everything there is to experience. Enjoy a bunch of your firsts.”

Thane smiles down at his lap. “That’s what Wanda and Percy said as well. Isn’t it kind of silly, though? I’m thirty and haven’t experienced half the stuff these other students have experienced.”

I’m trying really fucking hard not to let my mind wander. What sorts of things does Thane want to experience? Has he been kissed before? Has he ever been with someone intimately?

This shouldn’t be affecting me, but it is. My stomach swoops and my cock twitches with interest. I can’t stop thinking about having him. I bet he would make the most wonderfully adorable embarrassed noises when he’s being touched.

“And I’m almost fifty and haven’t experienced everything. What difference does it make how old we are? Everyone does these things in their own time,” I say, getting back to the topic at hand and ignoring the throb going on between my thighs.

“I suppose you’re right.”

“I usually am,” I say in my best deadpan tone. He stares at me for a long moment. I throw him a wink, watching as his eyes dart away but a smile morphing across his lips. Gods, he’s adorable. I feel like I’m growing obsessed with cataloging his reactions.

“Talking to you is a nice change,” Thane says eventually. He plucks a piece of grass from the ground, tearing it into tiny pieces. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s been nice being around all the other students and making friends and stuff, but there’s something really relaxing and refreshing talking to you. You’re not a kid. I like that.”