“Is ‘issues with your place’ code for sleeping with tons of women?”
“It’s code for my neighbor sleeping with tons of men,” he said. “She’s quite insatiable, and loud as hell.”
“Maybe you should invest in a place that can adore soundproofing then.”
“Why do you care?”
“I don’t.”
We stared at each other in silence.
“Next in line, please!” The barista’s shouting cut through our stare-fest.
Sebastian popped a few almonds into his mouth, watching the two of us as if we were front row entertainment.
“Um, do either of you plan on ordering coffee today?” The barista intruded once more.
“Yes,” we said in unison.
Before I could beat Tyler to the punch, he moved past me and placed a couple of hundred-dollar bills onto the counter.
“This is for Miss Heritage’s coffee this month,” he said, nodding toward me. “I’ll have a secretary come pick up black coffees for my team in twenty, and you can keep the change.”
He turned to walk away, but then he looked over his shoulder.
“Oh, and Chassie?”
“We’re not back on a first name basis yet.”
“Fair enough.” He had the audacity to smile. “Miss Heritage?”
“Yes, Mr. Hudson?”
“I arrived at the firm five hours ago,” he said. “That’s my definition of dedication, and all these years later, my work ethic is clearly still in a league far better than yours.”
“Fuck you, Tyler.”
“Give me the date and time.” He was still smiling. “I’d be happy to give it to you.”
“Say that a bit louder for Human Resources, will you?”
He laughed and walked away.
“So, you’re telling me that you have no desire to sleep with that man, and you never have?” Sebastian said from behind.
“Never,” I said. “I told you. He’s on my shit list, and he always will be.”
“So, you’re panties aren’t wet after the way he was looking at you right now?”
They’re soaked. “Not at all. He looked at me that way in college, too. No big deal.”
Chassie
Sophomore Year Incident #2
Cambridge, Massachusetts
I have never worked this hard in my life.
I’ve never had to.
Before Tyler Hudson spun into my life’s orbit, I was always the talk of the professors and the department.
Within six weeks of him being here, though, the tides have turned, and he’s reveling in every wave.
To make matters worse, every time I see him, my nipples harden at the sight of his smile, and he can make my panties wet with something as simple as an unwanted wink in my direction.
Sometimes, I almost think that we can be friends, but I can’t bring myself to do that.
He’s too calculating, and we don’t need to talk outside of the classroom or the library.
“Miss Heritage?” The department chair breaks me out of my thoughts as we walk through the quad. “Miss Heritage, did you hear what I just said?”
“No, I’m sorry.” I shake my head. “What were you saying?”
“That I’m highly impressed with how hard you and Mr. Hudson are working,” he says. “You two have once in a generation level work ethic.”
I resist the urge to tell him that he just invalidated his own point by mentioning the two of us.
“If everyone on this campus approached their work in the way you do, we’d have most of the world’s biggest problems solved by now.”
“Well, it’s mostly me, sir.”
“Ah, Mr. Hudson mentioned that you’d say that.”
“Come again?”
“Mr. Hudson came to me yesterday morning concerned that you may be working yourself a little too hard.” He looks down at me. “He didn’t want to come off condescending, so he asked me to convey the message. He’s such a gentleman.”
“He’s such a fuck-boy …”
“What was that, Miss Heritage?”
“I was saying that Mr. Hudson is quite the student.”
“He is, isn’t he?” He smiles. “It’s going to be so hard for us to determine which one of you will be awarded Scholar of the Class at the rate you’re going.”
“Thank you so much for reminding me about that goal.” I damn near seethe. “I’ll never forget it again.”
“Tyler brings it up all the time.”
I bet he fucking does …
I fake a smile through the rest of our conversation and storm across campus the moment we’re finished.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Amy jumps in front of me once I’m on the steps of Tyler’s dorm. “Why does it look like you’re in a rage?”
“Because I am. Get out of my way.”
She places her hands on my shoulders. “Tyler again?”
“Yes,” I say. “Move.”
“After you repeat the mantra that calms you down.”
“Fuck Tyler Hudson,” I say, feeling an instant sense of relief. “He’s an asshole who I’ll never forgive.”
“Have you recorded it lately?”
“I’ve even sent you a copy.”
“Great.” She steps out of the way. “Now I can be one hundred percent certain that you won’t be convicted of a first-degree murder charge.”
“It would be third degree,” I say. “I wouldn’t make it look premeditated.”
Her eyes widen, and I rush inside before she can hold me back.