Page 39 of Daddy's Muse
“Are you alright?” she repeated, a look of concern marring her face.
“Yes, I’m so sorry!” I blurted, jumping into action to pack up my belongings.
“It’s okay. I was just surprised, as you’re typically very engaged in class. Are you sure you’re fine?”
I slung my backpack haphazardly over my shoulder and walked hurriedly down the steps to her.
“I’m fine, must just be more tired than I thought. I love your lectures. It won’t happen again, I promise!”
Dr. Stratfield pursed her lips, drumming her fingers on the edge of the podium. “It’s really okay, Colby. Trust me, most of your classmates beat you to it. I’m more worried about your health. I know you couldn’t accept the research opportunity I offered you due to your work commitments. Taking a full course load and working a job on top of that is a lot. Are you getting enough sleep?”
“I thought so, but maybe not…” She raised an eyebrow at me. I hunched my shoulders, embarrassed. “It’s very nice of you to be worried about me, Professor. Thank you. I’ll try to take better care of myself.”
She frowned at me, pity in her gaze, along with a bit of disbelief. “Please do. You’re an outstanding student, and I want you to continue to succeed in your studies. If there’s anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to let me know. Okay?”
I nodded, averting my eyes. “I will.”
She sighed at my lie. “I’ll see you next class. Thank you, Colby.”
“Bye, Professor.”
* * *
I spotted him almost instantly, leaning against the brick wall outside the humanities building, broad shoulders catching the light, hair tied back in a bun. He didn’t look like he belonged among the clusters of students with backpacks and earbuds. He looked like he’d stepped out of the lecture I’d just left.
Bodin’s mouth curved in a faint smile when his eyes found me. “There you are,” he said happily, as if we had arranged for us to meet after class.Spoiler alert: we hadn’t.
“Yeah,” I said, “and here you are.”
“I hope you don’t mind, kanin.”
I took a big breath, my exhale ending in a smile.I should mind, I thought. Still, I shook my head and walked toward his outstretched hand. “Hi,” I sighed contentedly as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his chest.
“Hi,” he chuckled.
We were quiet for a few minutes, as if he knew I needed to decompress. I closed my eyes and listened to the beat of his heart, feeling sheltered in the warm nook between his biceps and chest.
When I finally came up for non-Bodin-scented air, I caught him gazing down at me with an overwhelming fondness.
“I love feeling you against me,” he expressed, loosening his arms and letting a hand roam up and down my back.
I blushed, not knowing what to say to that. “We started a new unit on Vikings today,” I said, changing the subject.
That smile of his deepened, like I’d said something pleasing. “And?”
“Our professor spent most of it talking about trade routes and farming… but there was this part…” I hesitated, wondering if it would be offensive to him to ask what I was thinking about.
Luckily, Bodin picked up on my hesitation, placing a kiss on my forehead. I shivered at the light contact of his lips against my skin.
“What is it, little one? You don’t have to be nervous about asking me about my culture. That is what is bothering you, is it not?”
Why did he have to be so… soDaddy?
“Um, well… I just… I’m worried it might be culturally insensitive.”
“Nei, nei. Do not worry about that.”
“Well, um… it was about blót rituals,” I said, watching for any change in his expression. “I’m not sure if I’m pronouncing that right… Sacrifices—I mean… I guess it’s all historical, right? It just… did people really do that? A-and why?”
