Chapter 6

Krista

Walking out of my last class of the day, I feel confident but drained. All I can think about is how I’m in desperate need of a bath in my tub when I get home so I can soak and touch myself while picturing the three guys going down on me.

I’m hustling out the auditorium classroom door when I hear Professor Finnigan calling my name...yet again.

Is he following me around today or something? It just seems like an awfully big coincidence that he seems to be everywhere I am.

I turn around and put on an eager face. “Hi again,” I greet.

“Hi, Ms. Abernathy,” he says, sounding a little winded; he’s panting as if he’s been running to catch up to me for quite some time.

“I just finished up my last class of the day.” I smile with exuberance.

“That’s wonderful. I hope you find that you’re enjoying your studies even though it’s only the first day,” he replies with a chuckle.

With a nod, I smile at him. “Yes, absolutely. So far, so good.”

“Well, I have a little proposition for you,” he tells me, but unless it involves a gigantic glass of Merlot to accompany me in the tub, I’m sure I won’t be interested in what he has to offer.

“Sure, anything.” I smile at him because I have no other choice.

We move to the side, by the wall, to give other people easier access as they try to skirt through the hallways, dodging through the crowds as classes dismiss.

Professor Finnigan sighs. “Well, as you probably already know, this morning, you did not get an opportunity to meet everyone because we were all pressed for time.”

I nod in response. “Yes, of course, there are tons people to meet here.”

“Are you free right now?” Finnigan asks me.

Not really, but I can’t exactly admit that to him right now.

“Sure,” I chime with polite enthusiasm.

When we get back to the faculty room, this time, I notice there are refreshments. Not the alcoholic type that I need right now, but I admire the university’s efforts to supply their staff with snacks.

I also notice something else in the room: King, Dylan, and Simon are all standing in a little herd, a trio of magic and sexual perfection.

Damn, I’m so goddamn attracted to all three of them.

Why?

I don’t understand it. I’ve never branched out to this type of behavior in my life. Before coming to the city, I would never even think of participating in a threesome, much less a foursome.

And yet here I am, trying not to visibly swoon over their handsome features as my eyes are drawn in like a magnet to the bulges in their pants.

I realize I’m treading on dangerous waters here. Obviously, in reality, I can’t pull off—or even explore—any type of relationship with any of the three of the guys.

There’s no way around this land mine: they’re forbidden territory.

Fuck, this makes me want to have them all to myself even more. In my head, I’m whining and pouting, praying that nobody notices the current battle of good-versus-evil happening in my brain right now.

“Hi.” I wave, standing awkwardly beside them.

“Hi,” Simon, the dark-haired and most studious-looking one, greets me with a devilishly handsome smile. He’s wearing glasses that make my panties melt.

Taking a deep breath, I force myself to remember the fact that, in the rules and regulations of my contract, I have a code of conduct to uphold here. In the clause, it specifically states that I’m not allowed to engage in any sort of romantic relationship with a coworker.

If I dare break these boundaries, it’s grounds for termination—and I most definitely don’t want to walk that path. I need to conform to the wishes of my contract and back off the guys.

It’s going to be extremely difficult, but I have strong willpower, and I believe in myself.

“Good afternoon, Ms. Abernathy.”

I turn around and notice that one of the tenured, senior professors is standing right beside me. He smells like moth balls, and he’s wearing a suede jacket. His silver hair is thinning on the top but still prominent on the sides.

“Please, call me Krista.” I smile and pump my hand with his in greeting. “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Professor Thompson.”

“Krista,” he begins, bouncing on his heels. “Thank you for joining our graduate program. We’re happy to have you as part of the team.”

“It’s a true honor,” I state with pride.

This guy is the one to impress, if anything.

I suddenly remember the trio of hunks standing on the other side of me, and my cheeks flush with uncontrollable desire.

Shit, I’m having worlds of difficulty concentrating on anything with them in the room, and I can feel them staring through me, probably undressing me with their bedroom eyes.

I decide not to look directly at them, for fear that they’ll make me cave to my emotions. I’m already deliriously tired as it is, and I would most likely be willing to fuck a lamppost if it came on to me.

Professor Thompson breaks my ridiculous concentration and startles me back to the present—where I need to aim to be at all times from now on.

“I am very eager to hear your pitch and approach for research that you want to bring to the table.” He obliges me with a grin.

“Oh, yes, of course,” I state with a burst of gusto. “I’m quite thrilled.”

“So, tell us,” he starts, “what do you plan to do with your time here at the university? I trust that you intend to use it wisely?”

I don’t know this guy well enough to determine whether he’s being patronizing or not, but as I look toward Simon, Dylan, and King, I notice that I’m being extraordinarily scrutinized. I mean, no big deal; I can power through this beeline round of questioning.

I’m here, after all, to do the research in the first place, so I don’t know why I’m floundering all of a sudden...in front of my intended target.

I take a deep breath, knowing that I’ll be fed to the sharks if I don’t at least pretend to exude even a trickle of self-confidence here.

Suddenly, various other staff members approach us to talk about my research, and I find my mind snowballing with potential ideas.

This is what I’m here for—I’m passionate about changing the way the mines operate not only back at home, but all around the continental United States, as well.

I’m in my zone, in my element as more people gather around me. I’m not entirely sure they’re here to listen to me discuss my research goals or if they’re only standing next to me because they want to get close to the seasoned, legendary Professor Thompson.

Either way, I take it as prime real estate, the best opportunity I’ll probably ever have, to pitch my ideas to anyone with ears to listen.

After a few more minutes, I scan the little group gathering around me and decide to go out on a limb here.

Clearing my throat, I address the general population of the room, noticing that the three guys are still front and center, listening with fervent interest in my subject.

“Is there anyone here who might be willing—or have experience in the field of my research—who I could turn to and reach out for help?”

I stare at everyone, waiting for a response and praying for the best. If they ignore me or laugh in my face, I can always go home and drink two bottles of Merlot, not the one I already plan on gulping down in a few swallows.

“Simon, King, and Dylan are particularly savvy at that trade.” A man nods his head in their direction.

Oh.

Of fucking course they are.

Is this really happening?

What kind of game is fate playing with me right now? Surely, this is a dream, and I’ll wake up soon, still on the farm.

“Really?” I ask, grinning at each of them in turn.

“Yes, actually, we know exactly what you’re talking about and are extremely familiar already with your chosen research field.” King, the gorgeous blond-haired, blue-eyed hunk of meat winks at me.

Seriously, he looks like he just stepped off an Abercrombie advertisement, and instead of being on the NYU staff for research, he should actually be in a surfing tournament in Hawaii.

“That’s great.” I grin, all while reminding myself not to gawk at his gorgeous face.

Seriously? ‘That’s great’ is the only response I can come up with here? What the hell is wrong with me today?

This is not the first time I’m talking to a cute guy. I mean, Brandon is cute and all—just an emotionally crippled jerk-face. My point is: I already at least have had some practice enough that I don’t look like a basket case in front of cute guys.

And yet here I am.

But after glancing at them, they look like they’re taking it all in stride and I should probably stop internally freaking out.

I can’t help myself. What can I say? I take any opportunity I can to become an emotional mess.

“Well, it seems as if you have your plan in place.” I glance at Professor Thompson and note that his eyes are narrowing in on me, like he wants to digest me. His current demeanor makes me slightly uncomfortable, but I decide to shrug it off because he has been nice to me so far.

“I’m very happy to be a part of the research team at NYU,” I state politely. “Please forgive me, but I need to go now. It was lovely to finally meet you all.”

I bid everyone a friendly goodbye and book it the hell out of there. I’m excited to start my work, but at the same time, I need to reenergize for the next round as I do it all over again tomorrow. Especially if it’s going to mean close quarters with these three men.