1. The Party

Chapter one

The Party

T he first time I see him at a frat party, I know he’s the one. Sex on legs. My stomach does little flip-flops just looking at him. He presses a red cup into my hands and murmurs something low and husky. A waft of sweet breath and cologne wash over me, and when I look up at him, the room drops away.

I thought that only happened in movies.

Black boots, ripped blue jeans, white shirt. Three-day stubble, untamed dark curls, a pout that says trouble, and wicked hazel eyes fixed on mine. A twinkle in them like Sean Connery in his hey-day. Eyes that promise mischief and fun, and oh, how I could use some of that tonight.

My roommate Donna comes out of nowhere and takes the cup out of my hand. “Sofie doesn’t drink!” she shouts, lips curling into a flirtatious smile, gaze fixed on my new friend. Her appearance brings reality crashing back in.

We’re surrounded by people on all sides, and she’s shouting to be heard over the music and the crowd. We’re in the living room of a big suburban house a short drive from campus. I have no idea who owns it, but the fraternities use it for their wild parties.

Donna has been trying to drag me to one of these parties since we first met as freshmen. She hasn’t had a lot of success, and now we’re in our final year.

Most of the girls are showing a lot of skin, including Donna. Including me, in fact. And a few other girls are making predatory eyes at the guy I’m talking to. People are also handing out tiny pills in full view, so I suppose it’s that kind of party. Don’t these people know it’s exam season?

Sex on legs offers Donna a small smile, but his gaze returns quickly to me. “I’m Tom,” he says, and some of the ‘room dropping away’ magic comes back at the ghost of a smile on his lips.

I take the cup back from Donna’s hands. “I’m Sofie. And I’m drinking tonight,” I say, my eyes warning Donna off.

Hers widen with surprise. Only a few minutes ago, I was like a deer in headlights, my heart pounding in my chest, desperately regretting my decision to attend this event. She looks at Tom and then back at me.

Then she grins like it’s Christmas. “Okay, see you later,” she says, turns and walks away. When Tom can no longer see her, she turns back to me, puts her tongue in her cheek and curls one hand into a loose circle and moves it back and forth in the universal symbol for a blow job.

I drink deeply from my cup to prevent myself from laughing or hyperventilating. I thought the drink would be beer, but it’s something sweet, so probably a spirit. It warms my belly. I take another deep swig.

Donna’s joking - she knows that kind of thing isn’t in my repertoire - at least it hasn’t been until now. Who knows? Maybe I’ll get a little wild tonight before my midnight appointment.

That’s why I came here - to remember that what happens at midnight doesn’t define me. I still have my freedom, and a life that will continue tomorrow. I was hoping to run into the sexy mythology professor I’ve been crushing on all semester, but it doesn’t look like he’s here, and Tom’s eyes have convinced me to try something new for a change.

When I look back at Tom, my stomach flutters with butterflies. His expression is intense and entirely focused on me.

My gaze roams the room, and I take a breath. I wish I knew how to flirt.

“I get the impression you don’t come to many of these,” he says, leaning closer. My heart skitters in my chest, and I shake my head mutely.

Normally, I’m a talker. I have a lot of interests and it doesn’t take long for me to connect with new people. New people being women, who are safe. Faced with Tom’s hot maleness, I’ve got nothing.

Someone walks past and jostles me, and my amber drink spills all over me. I gasp and hold my hands and cup out wide and look down. It reminds me of what I’m wearing.

My characteristic loose sweater and jeans have been traded for a red minidress somewhere between classy and slutty. I never would have picked it myself. It fits well, but I’m carrying a few more pounds than is fashionable. I didn’t care much before tonight.

I’m not sure what will happen now. I’ve ruined the dress I’ve been loaned for my appointment at midnight. But midnight is still a couple of hours away.

“How about we clean that up?” Tom suggests. He takes the cup from me and grabs my hand. His hand is warm and dry. It’s nice. I’ve never held hands with a boy before. A grin creeps onto my face and I nod. My head spins slightly. I guess the booze has kicked in.

He leaves his cup and mine on a nearby table and takes me upstairs, pushing past a dozen people on the way to the bathroom. People stare at him - Yeah, he’s that hot. I avoid men’s eyes out of habit and hold Tom’s hand tighter.

After the press of people on the stairs, we find a bathroom with a huge line. I stop, but Tom tugs at my hand and leads me on to an empty patch of hallway with a narrow bookshelf. With a wink, he presses a latch and a door swings open. Inside is a bathroom with a tiny sink, a toilet, and a shower. Perfectly clean and empty.

“How did you know this was here?” I internally fist punch the air at being able to form a coherent sentence.

“I have my ways,” he says, and winks at me. My stomach swoops, and I lose faith that the ability to speak has returned completely.

Tom ushers me inside and goes to shut the door with him on the outside. “Aren’t you coming in?” I splutter.

He raises his eyebrows at me, and I feel my face heat. That was too forward. But he walks towards me, which pushes me against the sink, and closes the door behind him.

This close, he smells like the ocean, but sweet. It must be his cologne, and it makes my mouth water.

He gives me a small smile and grabs the toilet roll, winding some on his hand. Then he glances down at my chest. “As much as I’d like to help...” he hands it to me.

“Thanks,” I say, and look down at my cleavage. Wow, there’s a lot. I blush and work quickly, wiping most of the moisture off before looking up at him.

His gaze meets mine, and he smirks again. He puts a hand on my cheek, winding his fingers in my hair.

There’s a knock on the door we both ignore.

He leans in. His lips are full and soft, and way too close. But instead of kissing me, he looks at me with those mischievous Sean Connery eyes and whispers. “So, what do I need to know about Sofie? What are you into? What do you dream of?” His breath is hot on my lips.

My heart pounds and my skin tingles - especially between my legs. But I find my voice. “I’ve always dreamed of going to Europe, so I booked tickets to Paris for next week,” I say. Next week - after exams, and after tonight’s appointment.

“Ah, she’s an adventurer,” he says, his lips curling up into a smile I only had hints at earlier. “So, do I have to fly to Paris to get a date, Sofie?”

I smile, surprised and pleased. I’d thought Tom was only after a hookup tonight. But I could definitely spend more time looking into those dreamy eyes. “I think we could manage something local,” I say. I haven’t pulled back, and our lips are almost touching.

This could be it… my very first kiss.

Until the door is suddenly, rudely opened - by Professor Ariti, my sexy mythology professor.