Page 56 of The Texas Sterling Collection
Anger infected me. My soulmate was falsely accused, and a rumor started. Sure, I was charged, too, but I could walk away. Rod’s livelihood was the campus. His reputation was important. “Who is the son of a bitch? I’m going to make sure he pays for spreading false information.”
“I can’t tell you, Wyl. It’s a college disciplinary matter.”
“But…” I stuttered.
Rod held up his palm. “I’m not trying to protect the individual or keep information from you. I want the offender dealt with as much as you do. Dr. Waverly handled the matter. She couldn’t provide details but assured me that my position was safe and that your name was cleared. Oh…and I had a tough conversation with Stella. I was ready to fire her, but I’m giving her a chance to make amends. I warned her: one false move and she’s history.”
I gritted my teeth. Nobody hurts my man and gets away with it. But I guess if the college handled it, I should accept it. “I don’t want you hurt.”
“Don’t worry. You and Walt helped,” Rod said.
“How?” Walt lifted his empty glass toward me, the cubes clinking as he jiggled.
I took Walt’s glass for a refill. “Yeah, how did we help?”
“I remembered seeing the Sterling name on the list of foundation donors at the college,” Rod said.
“Yes,” Walt said. “I think the list is on the college website.”
“That’s right, Walt. The Administration Building includes a kiosk with names and photos of all foundation donors. Your parents are pictured in the slideshow of donors.”
“I didn’t realize,” I said. “I’m glad their legacy is what people remember.”
“We kept the gift going in their honor, Rod,” Walt added. “So, how did our gift help you?”
“When I was called to her office, I wasn’t sure what Dr. Waverly wanted. Given Stella’s antics, I decided to arm myself. I checked with Frank Jones, the college development officer, about the endowment amount. I mentioned the dollar figure in my conversation with Dr. Waverly. I wanted her to realize that a faculty member’s false accusations may impact your endowment. I also wanted to protect Wyl from the false rumors.”
“I’m glad you took the chance, Rod,” Walt said. “We like supporting the college, but having the family name dragged through the mud by a faculty member with an agenda would be enough to sever our support.”
“And another thing,” I handed Walt his refilled martini glass and sat beside Rod. “You are part of our family now. If the college does anything harmful to you, I will make sure our support is withdrawn, and I will explain why.” I slammed back my drink, emptying the glass.
Rod reached for my hand and laced our fingers. “Wyl…calm down. Dr. Waverly verbalized her support for me. She won’t put up with any antics from faculty or staff.” Rod jiggled the ice in his empty glass.
I took a calming breath. I seldom resorted to angry outbursts, but Rod and I had already gone through a couple of challenges, and I wanted to protect my guy. I took Rod’s empty glass, picked up my own, and stood to refill both.
“In my heated conversation with Stella, after I met with Dr. Waverly, I put her on a final warning. Things will quiet down on campus.”
“No wonder you needed a martini.” I chuckled and handed Rod his refill. “Let’s move to the patio, and I’ll grill those steaks.” The news of the trouble on campus increased my uneasiness about Mitzi’s possible involvement. What was her angle, and why did she involve Rod? He had nothing to do with the divorce or Sterling Ranch. Not that I didn’t hope someday he might, but what Rod did or didn't receive was none of Mitzi's business. She was up to something.
* * *
In the bedroom, I cradled Rod’s face in my palms. He gazed at me with lust in his blown pupils. I loved his stubble against my hands. The stubble of a handsome man who belonged to me, heart and soul. I leaned in until our lips met. Soft and supple, Rod’s lips parted for my probing tongue. I let my tongue explore his mouth, pausing to trade swipes with Rod’s tongue. A deep moan rose from his throat, giving my already stiff penis incentive to stiffen more. Rod’s breath quickened, and I pulled back. “Are you okay?”
Rod panted. “Yeah, babe. Your kiss alone held me on the edge. God, you are the sexiest man in the world.”
I planted my forehead against Rod’s. “From my perspective,youhold the sexiest title, cowboy. And tonight, I intend to make you forget everything troubling you and focus on how good I can make you feel.”
I opened Rod’s shirt one button at a time and pushed it off his shoulders. It fluttered to the floor. I tugged Rod’s undershirt up to run my hands over his skin. He shivered under my touch as I explored every inch of his stomach and chest, pausing to massage the nipples as the nubs hardened beneath my fingertips. The erotic energy flowing from Rod into my hands is the same energy from the night of the unexpected kiss; it is the energy I wanted from this man for as long as I could have it.
A deep moan rumbled in Rod’s chest as I worshipped his body.
Rod raised his arms as I lifted his undershirt and dropped it at our feet on top of his shirt. Leaning forward, I kissed Rod’s neck below the ear, nipping and licking around his collarbone and down his chest to his nipple. My tongue scraped across the nipple before I bit the hard nub.
“Ow…ohhhhh…” Rod’s eyes closed, and his head rolled back.
I gave equal attention to the other nipple. Rod moaned the moan of a man lost in a sea of pleasure.
With the tip of my tongue, I flicked my way down to Rod’s navel. I bathed the indentation while unbuckling Rod’s belt. The clasp on Rod’s pants opened, and the zipper snicked down. Rod’s cock throbbed in his briefs as I knelt and lowered his pants.
