I HAD NO clue what time it was when I was finally conscious again, but I knew it had to be the middle of the night. The room was quiet; the only sound was a light snore coming from the body next to me. The bed was so warm and comfy, my body thoroughly sated from the night’s activities. I didn’t want to move, but I knew it was time for me to take my walk of shame.
My eyes fluttered open and I very carefully sat up, covering myself with the sheet, suddenly feeling shy. Why, I have no clue, since the two hot strangers I just spent the night with saw every inch of my body already.
I rubbed my eyes for a second before opening them again, trying to assess my surroundings. The room was dark except for the lamp on the end table next to the bed so I couldn’t see much, but enough. What I did notice was who the man lying next to me was; the more dominant man from last night with the hypnotizing green eyes. He was laying on his stomach, his head turned away from me sleeping soundly. The light emanating from the lamp next to him illuminated his gorgeous form making him appear even more godlike than I remembered from a few hours ago.
I took a minute to admire his beautiful form before slowly climbing out of the bed in search of my panties and possibly something to put around me, since I had left my clothes in the main room along with Trish’s.
As I snatched my panties up from the floor next to the bed, I noticed two things. Firstly, there was no sign anywhere of the other man from last night. Where the hell did he go? Secondly, someone answered my silent prayer for some additional clothing to cover myself with as I walked through the halls. There was a white button-down business shirt not far from the scrap of thread I call underwear.
I threw my underwear and his shirt on with a smile as I could only assume that the shirt belonged to my godlike Adonis that was still sleeping soundly. Holding it to my nose, I closed my eyes, deeply breathing in his scent before buttoning the last button, giving me all the confirmation I needed, and I couldn’t help but smile wider. The thought of taking and keeping something of his with me always, made me giddy like a teenager trying to remember every moment of prom.
I would never see him again after I left this room, but at least I would have his shirt to always remember this night by, I mean it’s not like I really need it or anything because what happened tonight is forever burned in my brain. I will never forget it or him.
After I felt relatively dressed, I tiptoed towards the door to make my escape. One hand on the knob, I stole one last glimpse of his beautifully sleeping figure, mouthing the words “Thank you,” and with a smile, slipped out, on a mission to collect the rest of my shit and get the hell out of here.
The halls were darker than they were earlier, but, regardless, I managed to make my way back to the main room where the bar was. I felt like a damn teenager sneaking around somewhere she wasn’t supposed to be, not to mention that’s probably what I looked like too.
Relief hit when I peeked through the slightly opened door and noticed that everyone was gone, that is, until I heard the clanging of glasses and a man’s voice behind me.
“Hey sweetheart, you lookin’ for someone or something?” The man chuckled as he stood there holding a very large dishwasher rack of freshly washed wine glasses.
Startled I quickly spun around, eyes wide, “I…um…yes. Yes I am.” Now I just sound like a fucking idiot, and I must have had that deer in the headlights look because the man’s chuckle went from just that to a full-on laugh.
It was late and all I wanted to do was go home and sleep for the next twenty-four hours, instead I’m standing here half-naked with some asshole laughing at me. Sarcasm and irritation evident in my words.
“Why are you laughing? Didn’t your mother ever teach you it’s not nice to sneak up on half-naked people in the middle of the night?” Crossing my arms in front of my chest. My eyebrow raised in question.
“Whoa, simmer down Ms. Feisty. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you, but you have to admit, it was funny. I mean you looked like a teenager who just got caught sneaking back in half-naked at four in the morning. It’s just not something I see around here too often, that’s all, but I didn’t mean to scare you so sorry about that.”
I could see he really meant what he was saying, not to mention he did have a legit point. I won’t deny that I must have looked like a complete idiot, taking out my own embarrassment on the poor guy.
“I’m sorry too. It’s late and I’m just ready to call it a night.”
“No need to apologize, I totally get it. I’m calling it a night myself as soon as I get the bar back in order. Name’s Rick, how can I help you?”
“Well I seemed to have lost my friend and my clothes, and I would really like to at least locate my clothes.”
“Oh, yeah.” As if he was remembering something. “You’re the girl that came with Trish tonight, the rookie, right?”
I don’t embarrass easily but I could feel my face warming. I was blushing.
“Yup, guilty.” An embarrassed giggle slipping out. “You wouldn’t by chance know where I could find her or,” looking myself up and down, “my clothes, would ya?”
“Sure, follow me. As for Trish, she could be anywhere, if she’s even still here, but I can at least help you with your wardrobe issue.”
I smiled my gratitude before holding the door open for him.
“After you.” Waving my arm, motioning for him to go ahead before me.
I followed him around to the bar where he sat down the glasses he was carrying and produced my bag from somewhere under the counter.
“Here ya go. Trish said you would come looking for it at some point. The ladies’ room is right over there for you to change.”
“Thanks, I really appreciate it. You’re a lifesaver.” I smiled at him and took off toward the ladies’ room.”
“Don’t mention it!” he hollered after me.
Within a few minutes I emerged from the bathroom back in my own clothes and thankful to be on my way home. I had called a local taxi while I changed, and they should be here any minute. I thought it was really fast, but apparently, it’s not so busy at four in the morning.
“Thanks again, maybe I’ll see ya around.” Implying that I may be back at some point. Who knows, maybe I will. Not giving him a chance to answer, I gave him a wave and ran for the door.
An hour later I was home comfy in my own bed. My eyes were so heavy they felt like hundred-pound weights. Holding on to mystery man’s shirt like a lovestruck teenager, and inhaling his scent, it didn’t take long for me to drift off with a smile plastered on my face.
***
That Monday, Trish and I took our usual seats in class, all the way up in the back. I usually like sitting more toward the front, but for this class I like to sit as far away from Professor Herman as possible.
The room was buzzing with everyone sharing their stories from the weekend, but I had no intention in taking part in the discussion. I wasn't about to give the soapbox the dish on my weekend.
We are seniors in college, yet they act like a pack of eighth graders, besides I hadn't even told Trish, about Mr. Set Me On Fire With One Look. I'm keeping him all for myself locked in my memory. No one needs to know because I won’t see him again anyway.
“Hey Laney, you spend your whole weekend in the library again? I didn't see you at Uptown on Saturday,” Brent shouted to me from three rows over.
Brent has been hitting on me for the last two years. Always trying to do whatever he can to get into my pants. Don’t get me wrong he's good looking and all, but I don't go for the, ‘hi I'm the quarterback, God’s gift to women and better than everyone else’ type.
I've always acted more mature than my age and have no room in my life for someone who has no goals in life, and thinks they are still in high school.
Trish answered before I could even acknowledge he was speaking.
“Fuck off Brent!” She rolled her eyes at him.
“Whoa, easy there, killer.” I tried to calm my friend, laughing at the two.
“Yeah, easy killer.” Putting his hands up as if he was under arrest. “I was just making conversation, no need to get hostile.”
“Whatever, asshole. She's never going to give your juvenile ass the time of day, so just give the fuck up already, would ya?”
Trish has never liked or gotten along with the people labeled popular or jocks, or whatever you want to call them. No, she has always marched to her own drum. Always needing to be different than everyone else, with her tattoos, piercings, and dramatic hair color changes almost weekly.
I, on the other hand, get along with most anyone and look like what most people would consider a sweet normal girl. I don’t have any piercings, tattoos or crazy hair like Trish. I’m actually the polar opposite with my long, straight blonde hair, that almost reaches my butt, blue eyes and average build. I wouldn’t say I’m a babe, but I don’t have any complaints about how I look.
“You're just pissed ‘cause you want her all for yourself, and she doesn't roll that way.”
“How the fuck would you know that anyway? How do you know I didn't have her spread eagle, indulging on her heavenly juices as she came in my mouth, just before class?”
Yup that's Trish! She has no shame in her game at all, always saying shit to try and shock people. The room erupted in oohs and damns, and I just laughed because it was just Trish being Trish, but it was time for me to chime in and end this conversation.
“Okay kids that's enough. No, Brent, I did not spend the whole weekend in the library. I just wasn't feeling Uptown this weekend.”
Uptown was the hot spot right on Bucknell’s campus, where all the college kids hung out mainly on the weekends. “Now, instead of gossiping about what people did or didn’t do in their free time over the weekend, why don't you guys try and get ready for class? You know how Professor Herman gets when you're not prepared for her to start the minute she walks in that door, and I for one, don't want extra work.”
“Booo... Buzzkill,” one of the other jocks shouted and I just rolled my eyes.
Deciding I wasn't going to feed into their childish behavior, I tried my hardest to set an example, pulling out my things to take notes.
The room finally quieted down and Trish took that opportunity to pry me for information. Knowing I wasn’t escaping the litany of questions that she was bound to rain down on me. Leaning closer to me so that no one would overhear.
“So, Laney, you never did tell me where you were or what happened the other night when you ventured off on your own, now spill.”
Oh no I wasn't doing this here.
“Just stop okay? I already told you nothing happened, I just explored the place, that's all. It was a beautiful place and I just lost track of time looking at all the lavish paintings that were displayed everywhere.” I knew my body was betraying me, because as the lie rolled off my tongue, my face felt like it was on fire, and I had to cross my legs, to try to tamp down the ache between them, thinking about what really happened.
“Oh really? Is that why your face just turned three different shades of red? C'mon Laney, I know you, and I know your lying. You have been too quiet in your own little world since that night. Clearly, just the mention of it has you on edge. Why won't you just tell me? I told you all about Parker now it’s your turn.”
Fuck, fuck, fuck. I know I will eventually have to tell her, but for right now, I want to keep that night all to myself, even if she is my best friend and sees right through my lie. I don't know how I thought she wouldn't, she knows me better than anyone. I won't be able to put her and her questions off much longer.
“Becauuuuse... noooothing happened.” A stern warning for her to back off. “Now quit with the questions and get your shit out before the professor gets here.”
She grumbled under her breath mocking me, making her displeasure known as she too got her stuff out.
“Fine, I'll let it go for now, but I know there is something that you're not telling me, and I will get it out of you eventually,” she retorted with her cocky ass smile.
Right now, she knows me way better than I would like.
I looked to the clock on the wall and realized class should have started ten minutes ago. Professor Herman is late. She's never late.
While we waited, I thumbed through my notebook, refreshing myself on Friday’s notes, since I had been way too distracted yesterday to go over them. Not that I really need a refresher, because I’m kinda what you would call a math whiz. I just like to be prepared.
I tried to read my notes, and all I could see is his face on the paper. Thoughts of all the delicious things he did to my body buzzing through my brain, made it impossible to retain any of the information.
The door to the classroom shutting jogged me out of my thoughts.
I turned to a fresh page for today's notes when Trish leaned over and whispered to me.
“Well hellllo, Mr. Hottie.”
My eyebrows scrunched in question, and I whispered back.
“What are you talking about?” Confusion written all over my face.
“I think Professor Herman took a sick day.”
With a wicked grin she pointed down to the front of the class.
Turning my head to look, my eyes traveled to where she was pointing.
Holy fuck! My eyes went wide from shock. My stomach tightened into a ball of nerves, and my heart felt like it was going to pound out of my chest. The ache between my legs intensified, and I couldn't control my rapid breaths.
“Good morning class. I'm sorry I'm late but I didn't get a call until the last minute.” His deep baritone voice booming through the room. “I'm sorry to tell you this, but unfortunately, Professor Herman, has been in a very bad accident, requiring her to be hospitalized for a period, and will be on leave for the rest of the year. I am Professor Devros, and I will be filling in for her indefinitely.”
Dread washed over me, and I felt like I was going to hurl. I could feel all the blood drain from my face as I sunk into my chair, hoping he didn't recognize me with clothes on.
Not missing a beat, Trish whispered one last time.
“Laney? Laney, you good? You don't look so well.”
No, I'm most definitely not alright! I just had, the hottest fucking night of my life, with my fucking professor!