Page 6 of Necessary Roughness
Also, I was sloshed. That helped lower my inhibitions, too.
I took a long look at the tall, broad-shouldered man. Knox had a megawatt smile that had probably broken a hundred hearts. His dark blond hair was perfectly tousled, which matched the vibe of his mischievous green eyes. And his chiseled jawline looked like it wasmadeto smirk.
“I’m Sloane,” I said, shaking his hand. “Holy shit. Your palm is like a baseball glove.”
“Leathery and old?” the other guy, the brunette, chimed in with a grin.
I stuck my tongue out at him. “I meant it’s huge. You could probably palm a basketball with those bad boys.”
“Or a football,” the brunette said. “I’m Logan, and yes, my palms are just as big. Maybe even bigger.”
“It’s not a competition,” Knox said.
“Bro, it’salwaysa competition,” Logan replied.
“If this is a competition,” I said, “then does that mean I’m the prize?”
They both chuckled, although I could tell they weren’t used to a woman being this forward. I delighted in the new attitude I had adopted. I was a girl who wanted sex, and nothing else, which simplified every decision and interaction I made.
“What are we drinking tonight?” Logan asked.
I turned my gaze to him. He had sun-kissed brown hair, warm hazel eyes, and the kind of easy smile that instantly made me like him without knowing anything else. “Whatever was in the keg,” I replied, sloshing the beer around and giving it a sniff. “I’m detecting notes of… beer.”
Logan did the same with his red solo cup. “From the beer region of Florida. The 2025 vintage.”
“You have a good nose for cheap beer,” I said.
Knox clapped him on the back. “You have no idea. This guy used to drink the rest of us under the table.”
“Used to?” I teased.
Logan shrugged. “Hey, I try to be responsible these days. Especially since next summer…” he trailed off.
“What happens next summer?” I asked.
The two of them shared a private look, then Logan said, “Graduation, I mean. Got to look good in our robes.”
Knox nudged me gently with his elbow. “You a senior?”
“Yes, but I’m on a five-year master’s program,” I replied. “So I still have another year after this.”
“Damn, you must be smart,” Logan said.
I shrugged. “Sometimes. I’m trying to numb that brain right now with alcohol. This semester is going to belong.”
“Tell me about it,” Knox muttered.
I was sick of talking about school. I wanted to blow off steam. Allowing my arm to brush against Knox’s, I said, “Do you guys live on campus?”
“Just off,” Knox replied. “We’re actually just a few blocks west of here.”
“I’m in the Atlantic building,” I told them. “The apartments for upper classmen. They’re technically on campus, but it doesn’t feel like it.”
“Best of both worlds,” Knox said, his eyes glancing to my lips before zipping back up.
Yeah. He was into me. A thrill of excitement filled my chest.
Logan cleared his throat. “I’m gonna go wander around, to leave you two alone.”
