Co-Ed(15)

Fuck my life. I hated being the damn treasure almost as much as I hated this internship.

One. More. Semester.

Finn shrugged. “She was stressed out over Human Anatomy. Thought this might perk her up.”

Yeah, in more ways than one.

Five guys in a small dorm room without AC. What could go wrong?

I coughed when Leo sprayed the room with lavender while Finn lit two candles and started stretching like we were getting ready for the annual Track and Field Open.

One. More. Semester.

A soft knock sounded at the door.

I pasted a surly look on my face then jerked open the door as our two clients stood outside wringing their hands, apparently confused as to what to do with them. They were attractive enough, freshman dudes who really needed to learn the hard way how to stop getting dumped.

It wasn’t that they desired our attention sexually.

They just wanted to learn how to be like us.

So, we gave them lessons.

And we showed them how to touch, how to listen, how to look — the Holy Grail of dating lessons. It helped that we were trying to groom at least one of them to take my spot next year. They both had the looks — striking features, tall, muscular — but they were seriously lacking in the confidence department. I wanted this lesson over so I could finish with our next client and take a long sleep.

“Chris, Jay, come on in.” I opened the door wide and nearly slammed it shut before I noticed Shawn standing right behind them, arms crossed, judgement so evident on her face it made me crack a smile. Just what the hell did she think we did behind closed doors?

“You coming?” I leaned against the doorframe and crossed my arms. Please say no, please say no. I wouldn’t be able to concentrate worth shit.

“I was pondering it…” Her eyes narrowed. “…mainly because I have a proposition for you after, and I’m curious if I want to get involved with someone who…” She didn’t explain.

“Proposition.” My eyebrows shot up. “Color me intrigued.”

“Yeah, well…” Her cheeks went red as she looked down at her shoes and finally back up at me. “Human Anatomy is killing me, no exaggeration. You’re going to find my body one of these days under the textbook just suffocating.”

I smirked.

“Laugh all you want, but I need— I would pay you— I mean—”

“Prove to me you can hang around this…” I pointed behind me. “…and I’ll do it for free.” I’d almost said, “I’d do you for free.”

Damn it, Knox, rein it in!

“Really?” She perked up as if I’d just offered sex on a silver platter, with free orgasms.

“Really.” I found myself smiling.

I rarely smiled.

I wanted to hate her for it.

I cleared my throat and opened the door wider.

She peeked under my arm then gave me a wary look.

“Aw, come on. Your innocence is showing.” I winked. “Just promise you won’t repeat what you see here.”

Her eyes went so round I had to look away to keep myself from laughing out loud.

Finally, she gulped and stepped into the room.

Finn had one of our desk chairs pulled out for her, indicating he’d known she would come, and Leo just winked at me like he was solving world hunger by inviting a girl into our room.

I rolled my eyes and turned to Chris and Jay, who literally could not take their eyes off Shawn, even if they’d wanted to.

Yeah, I understood that feeling all too well.

She had gorgeous wavy black-and-brown hair, what could only be called voluptuous lips, and innocent-looking eyes that slammed into me so hard it was almost freaky. And her body? Don’t even get me started on those legs, those breasts. She was the perfect package of hot chocolate with marshmallows, and I was freezing my ass off for a taste.

“So…” I rubbed my hands together. “…Jay, how did this week go?”

I shot a glance to Shawn, who looked so confused it was almost cute.

“Well…” His eyes flickered away from Shawn as indecision warred across his face. “I just… I think I come on too strong. I was with a chick—”

“Woman,” Finn corrected. “They’re never chicks, you insensitive prick. Try again.”

“Woman.” He cleared his throat. “Classy woman.” His eyes were wide. Damn, I needed to dirty him up if he was going to join the team when I graduated. “Things were going great. We were laughing, joking around… then I reached for her hand, and she flinched.”

Leo grinned. “Show me how much of a flinch.” He held out his hand.

Jay took it hesitantly then jolted back.

“Fear,” Finn sighed. “You surprised her, man. Sounds like you were coming in hot with the jokes.” He sighed. “Joke, joke, joke, sex.” He shook his head. “Not how women work, my friend.”

“But—” The jackass actually looked confused. “—I thought you guys said humor’s the easiest way to break boundaries?”

“Emotional boundaries,” I jumped in. “Not physical.”

“Oh.” Jay nodded. “So next time I warn her?”

Groaning, Leo covered his face with his hands. Then he dropped his hands and marched over to Shawn, keeping his eyes on Jay. “Watch and take notes.”