Page 45 of Kings of the Campus

Her fingers caress my balls, teasing them with short, almost ticklish strokes while her mouth moves up and down on my length, her head bobbing as she hollows out her cheeks and sucks hard.

I’m on the edge within a few moments of this and I bite back a strangled cry as I come, my body tensing as I release down her throat.

But then the fantasy ends and I look down to find my hand covered in my spend. I make a face as I start cleaning it off with some nearby tissues, then swipe at my belly where some landed.

Why can’t I get Tessa out of my head? Why am I so obsessed with her? It’s like she’s got a direct line into my subconscious at this point. I can’t go anywhere or do anything without thinking about her.

As I sit back in the bed, crossing one foot over another, I lean back and cover my face with my arm, trying to drive all thoughts of her out of my mind.

It doesn’t work and her smiling face pops into my head. I want to be near her, I want to touch and caress her, but more than that I want to see her smile again, to make her laugh or feel her hand in mine.

Am I falling for Tessa Collins?

27

JACE

As Alec walks away, I exhale a long breath, feeling a strange sense of relief wash over me. Tessa’s finally leaving us alone. No more drama, no more tension—just us focusing on the frat, on the toy drive, and on making Sigma Theta what we’ve always wanted it to be. It’s exactly what we needed, what I needed.

But as the days pass and I throw myself into the final days of the toy drive, something feels off. I keep catching myself drifting back to thoughts of Tessa—memories flashing through my mind when I least expect it.

I find myself thinking about that night in my room when we stayed up late after the Halloween party. She sat cross-legged on my bed, her hair falling loose over her shoulders, laughing at some dumb joke I made. For once, I wasn’t trying to be charming or cool. I didn’t need to. With her, it wasn’t about impressing anyone, just…being.

And we talked about stuff I never told anyone—not even Devin or Alec. About my dad’s expectations, about how sometimes I felt like I was suffocating under the pressure tobe perfect. She didn’t judge. She just listened, her eyes soft, understanding.

And then there was that time during midterms. I was stressed out, sleep-deprived, and ready to snap, but she showed up with coffee and stayed with me while I studied. She didn’t say much—didn’t have to. It was like she just knew I needed someone there.

I shake my head, trying to snap myself out of it. None of that matters anymore. Tessa’s in the past. I need to stop letting her take up space in my head.

I set up another donation bin and check my phone. There’s a text from Aubrey, the girl I’d lined up a date with. I glance at the time. I’m supposed to meet her at the campus café in twenty minutes. This is good, I tell myself. A distraction. Something new to focus on.

But when I walk into the café and spot Aubrey sitting by the window, it already doesn’t feel right. She waves and smiles, and I force a smile back, sliding into the seat across from her.

“Hey,” she says, her voice bright, too bright. “I got us a table by the window. Isn’t it cozy here?”

“Yeah, it’s nice,” I mumble, tugging at my collar. The air feels thick, like it’s pressing in on me. I reach for the menu, pretending to look it over, even though I already know I’m not hungry.

“So, I was thinking we could split the croissant,” she continues, flipping through the dessert options. “And maybe try the peppermint mocha? Or are you more of a black coffee kind of guy?”

“Uh, black coffee’s fine,” I say, distracted, my eyes darting around the café. I notice how she keeps fidgeting with her hair, twisting it around her finger, her laugh coming out too high-pitched. It’s awkward, as though she’s trying too hard to fill thespace between us. And no matter how much she talks, I can’t focus. My mind keeps drifting back to Tessa.

Aubrey starts telling me about her group project for marketing, but her words seem to filter right through me. My foot taps restlessly under the table. This isn’t working. The conversation feels like I’m wading through mud, heavy and slow. Every attempt to connect falls flat.

I glance out the window, and suddenly, my heart stutters. Tessa. She’s walking by with her head down, bundled in a heavy coat, looking like she’s in a hurry.

Without thinking, I push my chair back. “Uh, excuse me for a sec.”

“What? Where are you going?” Aubrey looks up, surprised.

“I’ll be right back,” I mumble, already halfway to the door.

As I step outside, the cold air hits me, and I spot Tessa again, moving quickly down the street. I jog to catch up with her.

“Tessa!” I call out.

She hesitates for a split second but doesn’t stop, just walks faster, her shoulders hunched against the cold.

“Tessa, wait!” I try again, closing the gap between us.

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