Page 35 of Gin & Sin

Several students and faculty members pass me as I make my way over to the Psych building, some of them giving me appreciative once-overs that stoke my ego. Almost forty-one and still catching glances from people half my age? Not bad at all.

Funny that not that long ago, I would have been posturing and seeing which one appealed enough to get a phone number for, but I couldn’t be less interested in that. Not just because I have a delicious nugget of a man waiting for me, though that makes it easier to remember why I burned out on younger people. There’s so much drama these days. Back in the day, you fucked, you said something nice, then you dipped. Now they follow you on your socials, tell all their friends about you, and hit you up every time they get horny. I prefer having a go-to guy who doesn’t bust my balls all the time.

Entering the building, I pause, hit with memories and the musty smell of an old academic building. The scuffed floors, heavy wood trim, and faded paint on the walls fill me with warm nostalgia, and I smile as I take the stairs two at a time to the third floor.

I walk down the hall looking for his office. A guy pops out of one of the doors, almost running into me. He’s tall and handsome, with tan skin and a mop of dark curls. As he focuses on me, a big smile spreads across his face.

“Oh, hello,” he says. “Can I help you find something?”

“Professor Hanley’s office?”

“Two doors down on the left.”

“Thanks, man.”

“My pleasure.” He leans against the wall to let me pass, eyeing me up and down.

What a weird interaction. I keep going, finding the door to Stewart’s office partially open. I peek inside to see him sitting at his desk, sorting through papers.

“Hey, gorgeous.”

He gasps slightly, then swings around in his chair to face me. “Kit.”

I step inside, glancing around as I approach. His office isn’t big, but there’s a whole wall of bookcases crammed full, room fortwo chairs in front of a substantial wood desk, and his leather chair.

Stewart shuffles his papers, pushing them to the side. “Hi.”

“How’s your day been?”

“Just the usual professor stuff. Are you feeling more awake now?”

“Sure am.” I stop beside him, leaning my butt on the edge of his desk and reaching out to touch his styled hair. “This is different. Special occasion?”

His brow furrows as his cheeks turn pink. Adorable. “You noticed?”

“I did.”

“Um, nothing special. Just experimenting I guess. Not sure if I should get a haircut or not. It’s kind of long.”

“I like your hair. It’s thick and perfect to tangle my fingers in.”

Stewart chuckles, shaking his head. “Will I ever learn to butter up a guy the way you do?”

“Do you want to?” I brush my fingers across his cheek, which is just starting to show his scruff growing in for the day. “Or do you just want to be authentically you?”

He shrugs. “I got lucky with you, but when this is over, how will I ever get another date?”

His question shouldn’t raise the hair on the back of my neck, but it does. “I don’t think you’ll have any trouble getting another guy to trip all over you.”

He smiles. “Can I keep you in my pocket as a confidence booster?”

“I have other methods.” Using my knee, I push his legs apart and step between them.

Stewart cranes his neck to look up at me, and there’s something vulnerable and so fucking gorgeous about his expression.

“Stand up, beautiful.”

He does, his body brushing against mine. He searches my face, his expression reflecting the desire I know we both feel.

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