Chapter 7

Krista

“I can’t thank you guys enough, seriously.”

I glance at the three guys and smile gratefully at them.

“For what?” King chuckles lightly as he dares to place a tender hand on my shoulder in public.

My reaction is to melt inside and form into a puddle of desire. Hopefully, they won’t notice because I’m apparently a fucking weakling when it comes to wearing my heart on my sleeve.

“You know.” I grin and bite my lip. “For agreeing to show me around the university a little. I would totally be lost without you guys. I have like…zero friends here.”

I laugh pathetically.

“That’s not true. You have us,” Simon says with sincere compassion.

He’s not wearing his glasses today, but he’s still remarkably handsome.

“Not to mention, you have a bubbly personality. I’m sure you’ll make friends with other students and professors in no time,” Dylan, the shy, brown-haired one adds.

“I hope you’re right.”

I pout and lean against the counter in the faculty room.

“Of course we’re right,” King, the overly confident and cocky one, teases. “We also have brains in our heads. We aren’t just eye candy.”

“You sound like a Dr. Seuss rhyme, dude,” Simon laughs.

“Fuck you,” King jokes, but I know he’s being playful, because he’s smiling, taking it all in stride.

“So, what are we going to see first?” I ask them, because I’m thoroughly interested in the tour they promised to bring me on today, now that my classes are completed for the day.

I’m honestly having the best time with the three of them, and I find myself daydreaming about being reunited with them every time we’re apart.

This, of course, scares me in massive ways, because the last thing I need is to become attached to three men I barely know.

On the other hand, I feel as if I’ve known them for years…

Fuck.

“We would absolutely love to show you around our top-ranking research facility, envied by all the other universities in the area.”

I look at Dylan, who might be one step away from bursting open with pride just by the way his eyes sparkle when he talks about his respective field.

“You guys aren’t just fucking with me?” I just have to ask.

“What do you mean?” Simon frowns.

“I don’t know,” I shrug. “Why are you so willing to help me?”

“Are you kidding? We live for this stuff!” Dylan exclaims.

God, he’s so cute. If I could run over to him and squeeze him, I would, but I’m not sure that would be appropriate on—or off—school grounds.

“Well, then, by all means, please lead the way.”

I gesture for the guys to head out in front of me as I gaze at them. My eye wanders to their juicy, tight asses as I follow them through the hallways and rooms they take me to.

“So, how long have you guys worked here?” I ask as we stop in front of a laboratory that Dylan mentions I might use on a weekly basis.

“I’ve been here six years,” Simon answers.

“Me, well, I have four years under my belt,” King nods.

“As for me, I’ve been here the longest. Eight crazy years.” Dylan says and then tips his head down.

“How old are you guys?” I blurt out, although I’m instantly embarrassed. What kind of person asks another person a question like that?

“We should be asking you the same thing,” King grins with playfulness.

“I’m twenty-four,” I state nonchalantly.

I’m not afraid or ashamed of my age.

“Ah, a young one,” Simon laughs.

“Okay, well you guys can’t be forty yet,” I say defensively, even though I know they’re just toying with me.

“We’re all fraternity brothers,” King admits. “We graduated from this university, just as you hope to do in a couple of short years.”

“You still aren’t answering my question,” I tease him back.

“We’re all thirty-four,” Simon finally admits.

“Oh,” I state with an anticlimactic flare. “That’s not old at all.”

King erupts into laughter. “Good to know you won’t be trying to shove us into a retirement home anytime soon.”

“Don’t be silly.”

I playfully slap his arm.

“Let’s keep walking.” Simon points directly ahead. “There’s so much ground to cover.”

“I appreciate your efforts to get me acclimated to my new environment,” I confess to the three of them. “All three of you are total lifesavers for me.”

“It’s really nothing.” Dylan waves his hand dismissively. “We’re happy to help. Besides, the university is extremely supportive of your research. They want us to come to your aid as much as possible.”

“Really?” I turn to face him, surprised.

As if reading my mind, Dylan chuckles. “Don’t react with so much cynicism. We’re telling the truth.”

“Well, that gives me a boost of confidence, for sure,” I admit. “I’m proud of this research field. I know I can do great things with it.”

“We’re excited to see what you can build from the ground up,” Simon offers.

I’m bonding with them, taking notes on each of their unique qualities that make them special as individuals, the qualities that keep the glue binding them together as a trio.

I’m beginning to crave more and more time with them, and I’m scared of the impact this might have on my ability to stay focused on school and work.

“Let’s end the tour in the library,” Simon suggests. “That way, we can collect materials vital to the research.”

“That sounds like a great plan to me,” I beam. “I’ll follow you.”

When we arrive in the library a few minutes later, Dylan points to a table in the back. “We can have privacy if we sit there.”

“Okay.” I nod.

We sit down together, and I smile at the guys, waiting to see what they will come up with next. I’m always guessing with these three, and that’s part of the fun.

They stare at me, ogling with hungry eyes as if they were feasting on a platter of delicious food.

“What?” I chuckle, suddenly self-conscious. “Do I have something in my teeth?”

“No,” Simon continues to grin foolishly, meeting my gaze, which, of course, makes me tingle from the inside out.

“Then why are you guys staring at me like that?” I cut to the chase and try to keep my voice to library-approved decibels.

“I can’t speak for these guys,” Simon nods at his partners, Dylan and King. “But I just can’t stop thinking about the other night. You’re just so profoundly beautiful…I don’t think you realize just how deep it goes.”

“I’ll have to concur with my friend here,” King quips. “You are so tantalizing and sexy and…well, perfect if I’m being honest.”

“Stop it,” I blush. “Really, you guys are too kind. I’m hardly perfect.”

King takes my hand and cradles it in his. He’s warm and masculine, especially with his brooding muscles.

I jerk it away instinctively but then I try to recover.

“I’m sorry,” I say, glancing around. “It’s just…”

I lick my lips and cast suspicious eyes around the room. “Well, to be honest, I’m petrified of the university finding out about us and taking everything I’ve worked so hard for away from me.”

“That won’t happen. We’ll be careful,” King tries to reassure me, but I remain unconvinced.

I continue to glance around the room, noticing a certain man who has rounded our table at least several times. It’s almost as if he’s trying to eavesdrop on my conversation with the guys.

“Do you know him?” I point to the perpetrator as soon as he turns his back to us.

All three guys curiously crane their necks to look over my shoulder.

“I don’t think so.” Dylan is the first to speak and shakes his head.

“Hmm,” I begin. “Something’s eerie about him.”

“Want us to punch him in the face for you?” King grins.

“No.” I laugh a little too loudly and cover my mouth with my hand. “Oops.”

The guys are bringing out a playful, liberating side of myself that I don’t recognize but now fully embrace. I want to be outgoing, charismatic, and brave…all while living on the edge.

I want to not only teeter on the edge of wild and reckless endangerment; I also want to shatter it into a million pieces.

I may not recognize my new personality quite yet, but I’m well on the way to conquering every single fear I’ve ever had in my entire life.

“Are you guys sure you didn’t know who I was when you invited me into the supply closet in the bar?” I stare at each of them individually, trying to gauge their reactions in case they’re bluffing.

“Absolutely not,” Simon flat out denies involvement. I can tell by his expression that he’s being honest with me.

“Good.” I nod and breath a sigh of relief.

“Don’t be paranoid,” King offers. “Everything will work out.”

“I hope so,” I trail off and stare straight ahead as the strange man continues to walk laps around the perimeter where I sit with the guys.

We’re speaking softly, so there’s a very favorable chance that the man can’t hear our entire conversation.

I glance back at the guys. “Shall we get to work?”

“You bet.” Simon winks at me.

As I follow them to the computer research area, I know I’m in trouble—emotionally. These guys are going to take my whole heart.

But do I even care at this point?

It’s already been stomped on by Brandon, so no real stretch there. I don’t have the guts to mention to the guys that I’m afraid to ease into a comfortable relationship with them because I want to focus on my career and research.

Plus, it’s a huge risk for me to let anything happen again with them, no matter how much I might want it.

But if I’m being honest, I can’t help but wonder what it might be like to just relish in how they pamper me with attention—and shower me with physical pleasure behind closed doors.