Chapter 19

CanI blame being sex drunk for why I invited Ian to volunteer with Rio and me? If so, that's what I'm going with because I'm still shocked those words tumbled from my lips. Yet I'm not freaking out like I figured I would be. There's actually a small amount of excitement buzzing through my veins about hanging out with Ian outside of our usual environment. That should be terrifying because it means we are slowly moving into a territory outside of friends with benefits, but again, the fear isn't there.

When Ian made the sweet confession about wanting to keep me and being willing to wait until I was ready for more last night, it flipped a switch in me. My brain is still leery and wanting to take things slow, but trust is beginning to form between us. The only way to grow it is by spending more time with Ian and giving him the chance to prove what I mean to him.

When I got home last night, I spent some time thinking about my friendships and the people I've surrounded myself with since arriving at GSU, and I realized that not everyone leaves anymore. At least, not how they used to when I was younger. I've developed friendships here that I'm pretty positive will last a lifetime, and I'm not scared of them leaving. So why should I just automatically assume Ian is going to bolt the first chance he has?

If Ian were the kind of guy to up and leave after he's had his fill, he wouldn't have said the things he did in the shower. He also wouldn't hold me like I'm a cherished treasure.

Obviously, he was hesitant to say those things, but I'm glad he did. It settled a lot of my anxiety because now I'm no longer afraid my feelings for him are one-sided, which also played a part in me inviting him today.

"Where are we volunteering today?" I ask Rio, coming out of my room to find him lounging on the couch.

"The animal shelter on East Street at one," he replies, and I nod, moving to the recliner and sitting down.

"Is it okay if I invite someone to join us?" I question, twiddling my thumbs awkwardly.

I'm a bit nervous for Rio to hang out with Ian, but only because I want my friend to approve of the guy I'm seeing. Ian, being a professor, might make things awkward, but I'm hoping that once Rio sees us together, he will be okay with it.

"The shelter never turns down volunteers on adoption day, but who are you inviting?" he inquires, tilting his head to the side, studying me.

"You know how I told you about that guy I'm messing around with?"

Rio smirks. "The one you caught feelings for?"

I roll my eyes but nod. "Yes," I murmur. "I was talking with him this morning and kind of randomly invited him."

Rio chuckles. "So, after you had phone sex, you wanted to see him in person, but you already had plans with me?"

"Fuck, was I that loud?" I ask.

"Dude, did you actually think you were being quiet? I was wondering if you were filming a porno or something with how loud you were," Rio informs me, and I groan from embarrassment.

"So, are you okay with him tagging along?" I ask once my embarrassment has faded a little.

"Totally. I'm excited to meet the guy who's tamed you," Rio says with a devilish grin. "Maybe I'll tell him some hilarious stories about you."

I pick up the Kleenex box sitting on the table beside me and throw it at him. "Don't embarrass me."

Rio laughs, holding up his hands in surrender. "I'm just fucking with you. You obviously like this guy a lot, or you wouldn't have invited him."

I press my lips together and nod. "He's different than anyone I've ever been with. He's special."

Rio gasps. "Damn. This is serious."

I stick my tongue out at him, but maybe he's right. Maybe I'm already falling for Ian.

Shit. I just hope he really is the good guy he says he is.

Rioand I are standing outside the shelter, and my stomach flutters a little when Ian parks his car and walks over to us.

"You're dating the sexy professor?" Rio whisper-shouts before Ian gets too close to hear.

Yeah, I probably should have given Rio that information earlier, but it's too late now.

"Thanks for inviting me," Ian says when he reaches us. His shoulders are pulled back, and he stands with the confident air he always has. "I hope I'm not intruding on your friend time."

Rio shakes his head and smiles at him. "Not at all. The shelter always needs more volunteers. I'm Rio, by the way," he says, sticking his hand out.

Ian shakes my friend's hand. "I'm Ian, but I recognize your face, so I assume you know me as Professor Johnson."

Professor Johnson.Why does the way he just said that have my cock stirring? Maybe I should try calling him that in the bedroom. Although it would probably piss him off since he likes to keep our personal and work lives separate.

Rio nods. "Yeah, I figured out who you were. Is it cool that you two are being seen in public together?" he checks. "Or are you supposed to be having some sort of secret relationship?"

Ian chuckles. "We've already filed the proper paperwork with the school, so we're fine to do whatever we want. We probably shouldn't flaunt our relationship on school grounds, but they aren't able to tell us we can't be seen in public together."

"Oh, that's cool. I guess it makes sense they would have a policy like that, considering how big the school is and how many students and faculty there are. I bet there are a lot of teachers who have dated students over the years."

"I'm not sure of the exact numbers, but it's safe to say Ben and I aren't the first," Ian supplies.

"Okay, now that we have that awkwardness out of the way, let's go help cute animals get adopted," I say, heading to the shelter's front door.

Ian holds it open for Rio and me, making me grin like a lovesick fool, which is completely out of the normal for me, and by the way Rio is fighting a smirk, he noticed.

"Such a gentleman," Rio whispers, and I shove him gently with my shoulder teasingly.

"He's mine, so back off," I reply quietly, making him laugh.

Ian shakes his head with his lips pressed together like he's fighting a grin. I wonder if he thinks we're acting childish, not that I really care.

Once we've filled out the required volunteer paperwork at the front desk, the lady directs us to where we need to go.

"We need two volunteers with the dogs and one with the cats," she informs us, giving us the option to go where we want.

"I love cats," Rio says, and the lady smiles.

"Perfect, follow me," she states, walking away.

"Have fun, you two," Rio says, following the lady.

"I would have been fine with the cats if you wanted to spend time with your friend," Ian assures me, but I shake my head.

"If Rio didn't want to be with the cats, he wouldn't have volunteered. Besides, it's going to be fun hanging out with you for the day while sex is completely off the table."

Ian smiles. "I agree. It will give us time to learn more about each other."

Once the lady is back, she guides us to the puppies or rather, dogs.

"I've always wanted a dog," I tell Ian when the lady leaves, moving to sit on the floor where two adorable furry friends saunter my way and lick my face.

"Me too," Ian replies, also sitting to give a big poodle some belly rubs. "But it just didn't seem fair to get a dog and not be able to give them the love and attention they deserve."

"That's always been my way of thinking too. Maybe one day when I've finished all my schooling and have settled down in my career, I'll adopt one," I state.

"Are you planning on staying in Michigan?" Ian asks, and I shrug.

"I don't have ties anywhere, so I could if someone was hiring, but I could probably find a job anywhere I wanted," I supply.

Ian nods but doesn't respond. Did he want me to say I was staying? Does he see us being together that far in the future?

"But I still have a long way to go before I have to make those kinds of decisions," I add. "I guess I'll have to start thinking more about where I want to spend my life and do my residency after I graduate from medical school, but that's still over four years away."

"What made you choose such a long career path?" Ian asks.

I've been asked a version of this question a million times before, but most people who ask it sound judgmental. It's almost like they don't think I'm smart enough to accomplish what I'm setting out to take on. But Ian seems genuinely curious, and there isn't a hint of animosity in his voice.

"It just felt right. I knew it was going to be hard to achieve, but I wanted to follow my heart."

The way Ian is staring with this awe-filled expression has me squirming a little, but thankfully, the poodle has a plan to break the tension and gets up to lick Ian's face, making us laugh.

"Your breath is disgusting," Ian scolds the poodle, who isn't offended in the least bit and licks his face again. "I was hoping for a French kiss at some point today, but I was hoping it would be from the man I'm seeing, not a furry lady like yourself."

I laugh as Ian talks to the poodle, enjoying our time together. But, of course, now I'm considering what we could get up to when we spend some time alone together later tonight. Mental images of making out and more pop into my head, causing my cheeks to heat.

"Get your head out of the gutter," Ian jokingly scolds with a smirk.

"You're the one who brought up French kissing," I remind him.

"Would you like to come over after we're done here?" he asks.

"I'll check with Rio, but that can probably be arranged," I reply.

We spend the rest of the day helping people find the perfect dog while also laughing like crazy and learning new things about each other. By the time the adoption day is over, I'm tired but excited to spend more time with Ian.

It seems crazy that less than a week ago, I was running away from Ian, terrified about developing feelings for him and wanting to create some distance between us, to now, being here and wanting to spend all my free time with him. It's funny how things change so quickly.