39. Alec

39

ALEC

T here's a calm stillness to the afternoon as the three of us lay together in my bed, my arm around Tessa's growing belly, trying to enjoy this brief respite from the hustle and bustle of our usual lives.

Of course, nothing good can last, and it all comes crashing down when Devin returns from his meeting with Dean Harrison, with worried creases etched into his forehead and carrying a tension in the air that we can all feel.

As soon as he steps inside, he explains what happened. The dean seems tired of the constant scandal and drama that we've been bringing to his office, and he demanded that we figure things out or Sigma Theta's charter is still on the line.

When Devin pressed back, arguing that Tessa's life was in danger, he was curtly informed that perhaps Tessa should consider moving off campus.

My gut tightens when I hear this suggestion. Moving her away from the dorms makes sense but the idea of her being on her own is not an option.

"We'll just have to go with her," I say, shrugging like I don't care when inside I feel a tempestuous storm rage. "We'll find a place just off campus."

Devin frowns, my frustration mirrored in his expression. "Isn't that against the bylaws of the fraternity? We're the executive officers so we're supposed to live in the fraternity house to be available for our brothers."

"Screw the rules," Jace mutters, glancing at Tessa. His fingers are flexing against his thigh as he sits up, running a hand through his blond locks. "If the university isn't willing to protect her, it's up to us."

We spend the rest of the evening searching for rental listings online. By the weekend, we're moving into a place that's just a five-minute walk from campus.

It's a spacious, three-bedroom Craftsman-style house with a small yard. The place is older, has probably seen a million university students rotate through its lease history but it's perfect for us.

The only people who know about the move are Matteo and Valencia, knowing those two are the only people we can completely trust at the moment.

It's been a month since we moved in, and nothing has happened yet but we're reluctant to let our guard down.

Tessa is standing on a low stool when I walk into the kitchen, trying to put boxes of cereal away in the pantry. I swoop in, gently pulling her off the stool and ushering her to sit down at the table while I take over the task.

"I can do that," she says, an irritable edge to her voice. She's been more temperamental lately, but I think we're all just on edge so I ignore it and turn to face her.

"You're right. But I would feel better if I could help take care of you," I say. "I feel like I still owe you since I was the one who tried to ruin your life."

"We've already been through this," Tessa says, though she sounds less exasperated. "We've figured out our shit and forgiven each other. You don't owe me any more than being a good boyfriend."

My lips curl into a smug smile. Gotcha . "Then let me be a good boyfriend and put the cereal away for my girlfriend, who, may I remind you, is pregnant with our triplets."

Tessa rolls her eyes but laughs, holding out a box of crackers. "Fine, then you can put the rest of the groceries away too."

"Happy to oblige," I tell her, leaning in for a quick kiss. The buzz of electricity from when our lips meet has me tingling from head to toe by the time we pull apart.

"I can work on my essay for class," she says, pulling her new laptop up.

Her old one was confiscated as evidence by the university pending the investigation, but for now, she's been allowed to return to the Sentinel . She's no longer allowed to do any work for them from home, but I can tell that she's relieved to have that part of her life back.

The sunlight filters through the faded and patched blue-check curtains over the kitchen sink and casts a warm glow through the room. It's quiet as I put away the rest of the groceries, the only sound coming from the tap-tap of keys as Tessa writes her essay.

As I work, I stop, catching sight of her leaning forward slightly, hand resting on the soft swell of her belly. Her strawberry-blonde hair gleams in the afternoon sun and she looks like she should be painted onto a canvas, the subject of some mad, passionate artist who paints ethereal scenes from everyday life.

It catches me off guard and I can't help staring, drinking in the sight of her as she works. How did I get this lucky, I wonder. I've always thought of myself as a bit of a ruthless bastard, someone determined to get their own way no matter what the cost. I figured I'd end up with a cool, calculating woman on my arm who was only with me for the status and prestige I could offer.

But being around Tessa has slowly started to change me. I've softened up around her and realized that not everything has to be centered around ambition. I've also started to examine the toxic biases I've picked up, from the larger part of fraternity culture. It's been eye-opening to realize that despite my best efforts, Tessa was right.

We were, deep down, no better than the men who came before us. We might have a shinier veneer, a kinder-looking exterior but we were still willing to do whatever it took to get what we wanted and step on anyone who got in our way.

"What?" Tessa asks, catching sight of me staring at her.

I shake my head, sliding a bag of rice onto the shelf. "Nothing. Just wondering how I ended up getting to be with such a beautiful, amazing woman."

Tessa's eyes soften at my words, her lips parting as tears fill her eyes. "That's so romantic," she says, sniffling to hold back the tears that threaten to fall.

I frown "I didn't upset you, did I?"

"It's just the stupid hormones," she says, waving a hand. "Ignore me."

"Never," I tell her, deciding to chase away the tears with her favorite pastime as I carry her to the sofa.

Devin and Jace are on campus already, and we both have afternoon classes soon but I figure that we have time for something quick before then.

Kneeling between Tessa's thighs, I lean down and capture her lips in a chaste kiss. She's been insatiable in her second trimester and it's taken all three of us to keep up with her. I'm more than happy to play my part though, and I lean into the kiss, being careful to avoid her belly.

My fingers slip under her sweatshirt and I reach up, teasing her nipples. I pinch and roll them under my fingers. We've learned that Tessa's nipples have become extra sensitive lately and if we play with them, she can orgasm from the stimulation alone.

She tries to push me off with a laugh as I continue to toy with the stiff buds, but I take her wrists in my other hand and gently lift them over her head, keeping her from stopping me this time.

"Alec!" Tessa whines, rubbing her thighs together. "We don't have time for this."

"Shh, yes we do if we're quick about it," I refute, a sly grin on my lips. "Now let me take care of you, sweetheart."

A groan spills from her gloss-shiny lips as I roll the peak between my fingers, twisting it gently from side to side. Tessa shudders, squeezing her thighs together even more now.

"Oh God, Alec, please. I want to feel you. This isn't fair!"

"Life isn't fair," I remind her, before lifting her shirt so I can capture my prize in my mouth, licking around the dusky pink bud before gently biting down.

"Alec!" Tessa cries out, body writhing underneath me. She's an enthusiastic and vocal lover, something I never knew I wanted until I had it and now that we live off campus, she can be as loud as she wants.

I bite down again before pulling away. "That's right, say my name," I order.

"Alec, oh Alec!" Tessa's voice is melodic as I go back to sucking on her hard. I can tell she's getting close because she starts bucking up against me harder and my other hand moves from her wrists to lift up her shirt and flick my fingernail over her other nipple, then twist and pinch it.

She's falling apart underneath me immediately, a warbled cry escaping her mouth as she throws her head back, leaning it against the armrest as she breathes slowly in and out.

I look down at her, mischief in my eyes. "Was that fast enough?" I ask, a teasing lilt to my voice.

Tessa gives me a half-hearted glare before giving up and pulling me down for a kiss.

"What about you?" she asks once we break apart, her eyes drifting to the bulge in my pants.

"Maybe later, after class," I say, sitting up and pulling her with me so we're both on our feet. "We need to get ready to go."

The two of us head to the back bedroom with the en suite and we stand together at the long sink, brushing our teeth.

It's little moments like this, the plain, domestic ones that have me feeling like everything is going to be okay.

Of course, it's that moment when Devin walks in with the news that will shake up our day.

"Guys!" he calls out, his steps echoing across the hardwood. "We have a lead!"