by Claire Adams
I sighed. “I don’t suppose I’ll ever get a chance to act on this though.”
“Oh, never say never,” Missy said, with a secretive wink.
“What does—”
“It’s time to get ready!” Missy said, clapping her hands together and cutting me off.
“So, what have you picked out for me to wear?”
“Something great,” she said unhelpfully.
“Okay… just as long as it’s not too short…or too tight…or—”
“It’s short, tight, and sexy as fuck,” Missy said. “And, you’re going to look smoking tonight. Now sit down, shut up, and trust me.”
Chapter Eight
Chance
It had been a long day, and I was eager to put it behind me. I had noticed the dark-haired girl in my morning lecture. As usual, her hair had been tied back in a ponytail, and she wore the same oversized clothes that seemed to swallow her whole. I had also noticed Jason staring at her a little more than I thought was necessary.
I shook my head, trying to snap myself out of the weird funk I had been in lately. Am I really so hard up that I am fantasizing about students now? I decided to go out that night and work out some of the sexual frustration that seemed to be building up inside me. I had just turned the corner into another hall reserved for professors’ offices and consultation rooms when a sound caught my attention.
I stopped walking and concentrated on the familiar sound. It couldn’t be what I thought it was. I wondered if my own desires were simply making me hear things. I walked further down the hall, and the sounds became more pronounced. It was the unmistakable thumping of flesh on flesh, and I knew instantly that I wasn’t imagining anything.
Half shocked and half amused, I tried to figure out which office the sound was coming from. I was almost at the end of the corridor when a door to my left opened, and Lindsey stuck her head through. She was disheveled and panting heavily. Her blouse was hanging out of her skirt, and her hair was a mess of tangles. She gasped audibly when she saw me standing there, and I raised my eyebrows at her.
“Chance,” she stuttered.
“Professor Hayes.” I smiled.
Caught in the act, she sighed and hurried to straighten out her hair. Then she tucked her blouse in hurriedly and donned a more formal tone of voice. “Mr. Stevens, you are excused.”
A moment later, a young man walked out of her office. He wore a smug and satisfied smile on his face, and I could tell he was bursting to get back to his dorm to share his conquest with his friends. The moment he had disappeared from view, Lindsey ushered me inside with a silent gesture.
As soon as she had closed the door, I let out a low whistle. “Is this the new extra credit system?” I teased. “Because if so, I’m afraid I’m doing something wrong.”
Lindsey groaned and dropped her face into her palms. “How much did you hear?”
“Just the finale,” I said, dropping into the chair opposite hers.
“But you could hear everything?”
“Pretty much,” I nodded. “You weren’t exactly quiet.”
“I was trying to be.”
I laughed. “You’ll need to try harder from now on.”
She sat down on her desk next to me so that I had to look up at her. “You’re not going to tell anyone, are you?”
I put my hand over my heart. “You can trust me.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “You’re enjoying this a little too much.”
“I have to say, I’m impressed,” I told her. “It takes a brave woman to risk her job for a relationship with a freshman.”
“He’s a senior, not a freshman,” Lindsey corrected me. “And, it’s not a relationship. It’s just sex.”
“You’re risking your job for sex?”
Lindsey gave me a sly smile. “I’ve gotten away with it this long.”
I raised my eyebrows. “You do this often?”
“Well… I wouldn’t say often,” Lindsay said. “A couple of times a month.”
I smirked. “I would say that qualifies as often.”
“It makes life interesting.”
“And, you’re really not worried about your job?” I asked seriously.
“Of course, I’m worried,” Lindsey sighed. “And usually, I’m much more careful. But Jeremy walked in, and he was so confident…it was a turn on. So, when he pushed me against the desk and raised my skirt—”
“All right,” I said quickly. “I don’t need the play by play.”
“My point is… I was taken unawares this evening, and I let my hormones take the lead,” she explained. “I’m just glad you’re the one who overheard us. I can count on you to keep my secret, right?”
“Scout’s honor,” I smiled. “But you really should be more careful.”
“Don’t worry,” Lindsey nodded. “I will.”
“So, you’re going to continue seeing…what’s his face?”
Lindsey smiled. “I’m not going to continue to see him – I’m going to continue to fuck him, at least until he gets boring. Then I’ll move on.” She paused for a moment. “Just so you know, he’s not my student nor has he ever been.”
“Is that how you justify it?” I teased.
“The whole point of that ridiculous rule is to prevent sex being used as leverage for better grades. But since I don’t sleep with my students, there’s no chance of that happening. As far as I can see, I’m doing nothing wrong. We’re all consenting adults here, and we have the right to make our own choices. Allowing the faculty to dictate who we can and can’t sleep with is ridiculous.”
“I hope that argument stands if you’re ever caught.”
She sighed. “I doubt it would.”
“You’re a gorgeous woman, you know,” I pointed out. “You don’t need to sleep with students. You can have any man you want.”
“Well, aren’t you sweet,” Lindsey smiled. “But it’s not that I don’t have other options. I just like having fun, living on the edge. The risk involved is what makes the sex so exciting. Plus, I find that younger men tend to be more…eager to please.”
“I resent that,” I said.
“Please,” she said, rolling her eyes. “You still fit into the younger men category.”
“Thanks,” I said smugly. “I was hoping you would say that.”
“Plus, these boys are young,” Lindsey continued. “They’re not looking for anything serious, and neither am I. It’s the perfect setup, really. You should try it.”
The way she looked at me, it almost felt as though she could read my mind and saw the baser desires lurking just beneath the surface. I shifted in my seat uncomfortably and tried to keep my face free from expression.
“Nah,” I said casually. “I don’t think it’s for me.”
“Come on,” she said. “Don’t tell me you haven’t even thought about it?”
I paused for a moment. I couldn’t deny it outright. Lindsey would see through that immediately. I gave her a smile and a shrug. “Of course, I’ve thought about it,” I said. “I’m a red-blooded man, and this campus is teeming with hot young women. But it would just be too messy.”
“Why?”
“Women tend to get more attached than men do.”
Lindsey narrowed her eyes at me. “I resent that.”
I laughed. “No offense.”
“Offense taken,” she said. “You do realize that I am currently involved in unemotional relationships with several different guys?”
“You’re different,” I said. “And college girls don’t compare.”
“I’m flattered, Chance,” Lindsey said, giving me a wink. “But I also happen to think you’re wrong. Women are just as capable of casual hookups; it just depends on the girl.”
“I suppose you’re right,” I nodded. “Either way, it doesn’t matter. I’d prefer not to get involved with a student.”
“Suit yourself,” she said. “You know, I’m not a student.”
I smirked. “Haven’t you had enoug
h fun for one day?”
Lindsey threw back her head and laughed. “You can never have enough fun, darling,” she said, lightheartedly. “So now that you know my big bad secret, how about you tell me one of yours?”
“What makes you think I have secrets?” I asked innocently.
“Please,” Lindsey said, rolling her eyes. “Everyone has secrets. Have any of your students caught your eye?”
I smiled.
“I knew it,” she said. “What’s her name?”
“I don’t know, actually,” I admitted.
Lindsey frowned. “How can you not know?”
“I have a lot of students,” I said, with a shrug. “Plus, even though I do all the lectures, I only teach two classes, and she’s not in either one.”
“What does she look like?”
“Oddly, she’s not my type at all,” I admitted. “And still…”
“You can’t get your mind off of her?”
“Yup.”
“Hmm…sounds like my first time,” Lindsey said fondly.
“Do tell.”
“I had been teaching for about six months,” she began, launching into her story immediately. “And, I kept noticing this one guy in the first few rows of my lecture hall.”
“I thought you don’t get involved with your students?” I asked pointedly.
“That was the first and last time,” Lindsey clarified. “Once I decided to make it a regular thing, I knew I couldn’t keep doing it with the guys I taught.
“So anyway, after class he came up to me and set up a consultation time. He claimed that he needed some help with his paper. That evening, when he arrived at my office, he told me that he didn’t actually need any help, he just wanted to see me again.”
“And one thing led to another,” I filled in for her.
Lindsey nodded. “It was one of the more exciting things that had happened to me in those few years. And, I saw the possibility in that kind of arrangement.”
My mind flashed to an image of the dark-haired girl. “So, how long did that first hook up last?”
“About three months.”
“That long?”
Lindsey nodded. “Only because he was amazing with his tongue.”
“Geez, thanks for that detail.”
“My pleasure,” she laughed, unconcerned with my reaction. “You know what? I’m actually glad you found out. It’s nice to have someone to talk about this with.”
“No one else knows about…you know?”
“No one,” she confirmed. “Just you.”
“I guess that makes me special,” I said.
“I think that qualifies you as my best friend.”
“I haven’t had a best friend since high school,” I said.
“You’ll just have to get used to it again,” she said. “So, where were you off to before you started spying on me?”
“It didn’t take a lot of skill on my part to ‘spy’ on you,” I pointed out. “I was just getting back home.”
“Quiet night in, then?”
“Not exactly,” I admitted. “I was actually thinking of hitting a bar tonight. It’s been awhile since…” I trailed off, wondering if I needed to be sharing this with Lindsey. But she knew what I was saying instantly.
“Time to let off some steam, huh?”
“So to speak,” I admitted.
“I can’t imagine it’s been all that long for you.”
“A month or so,” I said.
“That’s not so bad,” Lindsey said.
“I know,” I nodded.
But ever since I had become preoccupied with the dark-haired girl, my need had been running a bit high, and I knew I needed to get laid in order to satiate that desire. I hoped it would help put her from my mind so that I could give my damn lectures without constantly getting distracted by her.
“I better head out then,” I said, standing up.
Lindsey patted my cheek with her hand as she gave me a wink. “I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship.”
“Should I be scared?”
She rolled her eyes. “Get out of my office.”
Laughing, I waved goodbye and headed to the staff parking lot where I had been allotted a space. As I got into my car, I decided to avoid the blondes that night and approach someone dark haired.
Chapter Nine
Natalie
I stared at the dress Missy had picked out for me. It was a strapless mini dress with an intricate layering of beads worked into the bodice and the hemline of the skirt. The beads were a whimsical silvery blue, and the dress itself was a stunning shade of lilac.
“It’s beautiful,” I said. And, I meant it. It was a gorgeous dress, the kind that you would expect to see on a runway. “But…”
“No buts!” Missy said immediately. “This is your birthday present, which means you have to accept it.”
“It looks expensive,” I pointed out.
“I got a good deal,” she smiled. “In any case, it’s not my birthday present for you.”
I frowned. “It’s not?”
“No,” Missy shook her head. Then she pulled out a card and handed it over to me. Immediately I recognized Mom’s familiar handwriting.
“Happy Birthday, my beautiful girl! I can’t believe how fast time has flown by. It feels like just yesterday we were cutting your first birthday cake. Remember, darling; you’re only young once. Make use of the time you have. Enjoy yourself, get up to some trouble, and break a few rules. You’ve been a perfect daughter and a model student. Now it’s time to live a little. Dad and I are so proud of the young woman you’ve become. Love always, Mom and Dad.”
I blinked back my tears and looked up at Missy. “Mom picked this dress out for me?”
“Well, technically, I picked it out,” Missy admitted. “But your mom paid for it. She just wanted my help.”
“This dress must have cost a fortune,” I said, staring at the intricate details of the design. “How could she even afford it?”
“She said you would ask that,” Missy smiled. “And, she told me to tell you not to worry about the cost. It was worth every penny.”
I reached out and took the dress from Missy’s arms. I was surprisingly heavy, and I realized that that was because of the beadwork.
“Leave it to you to pick something short, tight, and strapless – all the things I specifically told you I wouldn’t wear.”
Missy laughed. “It’s kind of cute that you actually thought I would listen to that. So, are you going to wear it or do I have to force it on you?”
I gave her some side eye as I unzipped the back of the dress. “I can’t very well refuse now, can I?” I said. “Especially knowing that the dress is from my parents.”
“Exactly.” She nodded triumphantly. “But before you put it on, I have some finishing touches to complete first.”
I raised my eyebrows. “There’s more?”
“Of course, there’s more,” Missy said impatiently. “Do you really think those glasses of yours match this dress?”
My eyes went wide for a moment. “No…no way… Missy…”
She whipped out a little contact lens container, and my hands went up to my glasses automatically. “I hate contact lenses.”
“Have you ever actually given them a chance?”
“I’ve worn them a couple of times… they’re annoying.”
Missy rolled her eyes at me. “Remove those glasses, please.”
“Do I have to?” I asked imploringly. “Seriously… I hate putting them in and taking them out… it feels unnatural.”
“There’s no gain without pain,” she said distractedly, as she grabbed the glasses off my face. “Now, come here…if you want I’ll try and put the contacts on.”
“No,” I said quickly. “I think I’ll do it myself.”
“Fine,” Missy said. “As long as you do it.”
I sighed and sat down in front of the small square mirror that we had bought two years ago. Missy had bought
it specifically for applying makeup, and this was the first time I was using it.
“These are my contacts,” I observed as I opened it.
“Yeah, your mom dropped them off,” Missy smiled.
“You two have been conspiring behind my back?” I asked, not entirely surprised.
“We should have teamed up sooner,” she said. “I had no idea I had such a resolute supporter in your mother.”
It took me almost ten minutes to finally get the contacts in. I blinked uncomfortably for a moment, but the blurriness faded almost instantly, and I could see perfectly. Except this time, there was no frame around my eyes. I felt strangely naked, and the nerves started building slowly.
“Perfect.” Missy smiled approvingly. “You’re starting to transform.”
“I’m starting to get nervous.”
Missy sat down opposite me and opened up her makeup kit. There was a plethora of different cosmetics stowed away inside.
“I don’t really like makeup.”
“Don’t worry,” she said bracingly. “I’ll be subtle. You don’t need much makeup, anyway. You’re a natural beauty; I’m just playing up your natural assets, that’s all.”
I almost laughed at the natural beauty part, but I knew that would only earn me a glare. So I sat still and let her go to work on my face.
“Nat?”
“Hmm?”
“Relax,” Missy said firmly.
I tried to breathe, but it came out in a short nervous burst. “I just keep over-thinking, I guess,” I sighed.
“I’m only halfway done, and you’re already looking like a different person,” Missy pointed out. “I barely recognize you.”
“Um…okay?”
Missy laughed. “My point is that it’s almost like you’re wearing a mask tonight – a metaphorical mask. Think of it that way and draw confidence from the belief that no one will know or recognize you tonight. So, you can do whatever you want and say whatever you want. You’re free. You don’t have to be conscious of yourself because no one is going to know who you are.”
I thought about that for a moment. “You know what? That actually helps,” I nodded.