“I want to swoop now,” I grumbled.
“You would probably miss and land on your ass, just saying,” Finn said helpfully.
“Thanks.” I clenched my jaw. “All right, when are you scheduling her?”
“Two hours from now.” Finn rocked back on his heels. “So, you better bring your A-game.”
“Great.” I sighed. “And I get to do all of this with you two. Just what I wanted, to watch you touch her while I try to find out a way to date her.”
“We’ll be gentle.” Slater winked.
“This is so messed up.” I tugged my hair. “Fine, fine, but don’t go all pleasure pony on her, all right? None of that Reiki shit either, Finn, I mean it! The last girl orgasmed.”
“I set her free.” Finn shrugged.
My. Ass. He’d learned that gift of massage without touching way too quickly, and there was no chance in hell I wanted him near her.
“Do you hear yourself?” I asked. “I’m genuinely curious?”
“He’s not wrong,” Slater added.
“Aghhhhhhhhhhh.” I banged my head against the door. “No oils, no candles, no—”
“Bro.” Slater shoved me away from the door and opened it. “We know how to do our jobs. Go take a shower, so you don’t smell like pickles, and we’ll get everything ready.”
“I don’t smell like pickles,” I protested under my breath.
“Yeah, okay big guy.” Another shove from Slater.
“I like pickles, though,” I muttered.
“Nobody said they were bad,” Finn said helpfully. “Go shower, do all the things, and try not to panic.”
“Don’t panic,” I repeated. “Don’t. Panic.” I took a step toward the common area. “I’m not panicking. I mean, how bad could it really be?”
They wisely chose not to answer.
Meaning I had my answer.
It was going to be a living Hell.
Chapter Six
“My smile should make you think of every dirty fantasy you’ve ever had. My secret? It’s all in the side smile. I call it the Leo face, and yes, it works ninety-nine percent of the time. Wingmen Inc tested and approved.” — Leo Blackwood
Kora
I woke up with a splitting headache and a vague memory of applying to the campus Wingmen.
And when I checked my phone, my nightmare just kept happening. It was from a subscription number, and it said: “Congrats! We’re so excited to meet your needs this afternoon at three p.m. Wear something comfortable and don’t be nervous. Not only are we as professional as they come—but you’ll walk away feeling like you’ve just been set free.”
I gaped at the message.
Did people really buy that crap?
“Aghhhhh.” I slammed a pillow over my face and felt a paw on my thigh. Stuart made his way into my lap and snuggled.
I was doing this.
If for no other reason than I got drunk with my cat last night.
Alone.
In my apartment.
I cringed.
When had I turned into that woman? The one who hid away from the world? Had Chadwick morphed me into that, or was it the only way to protect myself from him? From others?
I worried my lower lip and stood on wobbly legs. I had three classes to teach, and then apparently—I was going to get my life changed by way of three college Co-Ed’s who apparently knew how to give orgasms without touching.
I wasn’t sure if I should be horrified or excited.
I took one look in the mirror. My cheeks were flushed, my hair was a mess around my face. Horrified. Definitely horrified.
The day went by fast. Thankfully I didn’t have Leo in any of my classes, though I was cursed to have one of the other guys in my last class. He was too gorgeous for words and kept smiling as if we shared a secret. He didn’t leer; he just… looked excited? Was that right?
“So.” I cleared my throat, ready to dismiss the class and head over to my appointment. “If anyone has any questions, you can email me over the weekend. Class dismissed.”
Everyone shuffled out, the sound of people making plans almost depressed me more. The only plan I had was to go meet with a few guys younger than me and hope to feel better, and the only reason I was even going through with it is because I know Leo would give me hell if I chickened out. Well, that and I was curious.
And lonely.
And sad.
Damn it!
“Hey.” Finn moved in front of my line of vision. His smile was friendly, open. His brownish blond hair was tucked under a black beanie, and his green eyes sparkled with mischief. His poor mother.
I bet she used prayer beads on a daily basis in hopes he didn’t give people heart attacks simply by existing.
“Hey.” I managed to find my voice; it sounded like I was giving birth to a hyena.
He jerked his head toward the door. “I know you have a few minutes until your next appointment. I figured it might calm your nerves if I walk with you, answer some questions if you have any.”
I exhaled and nodded. “Yeah, actually, that would be nice. It was an impulse, you know.”
He smirked knowingly. “Always is.”
“I mean, signing up. I may have had a bit too much wine and—”
He pressed a finger to my lips and winked. “I’m not a priest, no need for confessions here, sweetheart. I promise whatever you need, we can provide it, though I’m pretty sure Leo’s heart may not handle anyone else touching you.”
I frowned. “The player has a heart?”
“Terrifying, am I right?” He flicked off the room’s lights and opened the door, letting me go out first.
“Absolutely.”
He had his hand on the small of my back as he opened the door again, and I almost didn’t walk through it, not because I was being a chicken but because I couldn’t remember the last time Chadwick had opened a door for me.
And for some stupid reason, I felt like crying. My throat was thick with emotion as I slowly stepped through the door.
“He’s right,” Finn whispered.
“What? Who?” I forced a smile.
“Leo.” He sighed. “Your ex is an asshole.”
I barked out a laugh. “Yeah, pretty much.”
“I have a friend, you know, pretty high up in the mafia, just say the words and—” He made an exploding motion with his hands.
I laughed.
He didn’t.
I sobered. “No need for violence.”
“It’s not violent if he doesn’t feel a thing.” He just shrugged and kept walking. “So, Leo’s going to be doing the actual intake while we use sock puppets and charts—”
“What?”
He burst out laughing. “I’m kidding. Well, not about the intake, but no sock puppets, no puppets at all, no charts, no whips, no chains, and I truly have no idea how the whole Lucky Charms rumor even got started. It’s been disproven many times.”
“How disappointing.” I joked.
He flashed me a grin. “Careful, or I might throw my hat in.”
“Hat in?”
“The ring, see only one of us gets to kiss you on the mouth, and I’m pretty sure I could get yours to say some pretty wicked things.”
My cheeks heated. “I thought—”
“You’ll see.” He chuckled. “Anything you’re curious about?”
“Um, well…” We started walking toward what I liked to call the nice new dorms. Each had a common area shared between the rooms, with fully stocked fridges, pantries. It was basically for the rich kids and athletes, not that the administration would ever admit it. “Do I get a safe word?”
He smiled. “You won’t need that, Kora, because you’ll be safe the entire time, and why the hell would you need a word other than ‘stop’?”
I tilted my head. “You seem older than a senior in college.”
Something flashed in his eyes. “Yeah, well, they don’t pick us just because we’re pretty, and that’s all I’m going to say about that
.”
I touched his arm, not sure why. We both stopped walking. “If you need to talk.”
“You gonna be my therapist?” he fired back softly, his eyes darting from my mouth back up to my face. “Don’t worry, I’m all better, but just because I’m functioning doesn’t mean the scars don’t still pull, you know what I mean?”
“Yeah.” I sighed. “I really do.”
“That’s why I like my job.” He opened the door to the dorm and ushered me in. “I get to help people, I get to make them realize their own potential, there’s nothing in it for me other than giving something to someone who needs it. When someone’s hungry, you give them food, but when you’re emotionally starved, it’s hard to see where the need is. That—” he pressed the elevator button “—is Wingmen Inc.”
“That’s deep.” I stepped inside.
“Don’t be fooled by the player facades, Kora. Each of us plays a part in a multimillion-dollar business here on campus. And we’re fucking good at our jobs. Remember that when you see Leo tonight.”
I gulped. “Okay.”
“And here we are.” We stepped off the elevator and turned the corner, they were in a suite. Of course they were. He opened the door, and I was instantly hit with the warm smell of cinnamon and something else… chocolate maybe?
Two bottles of wine sat on the main table—one in ice and the other breathing—an assortment of chocolates was on a nice plate, and soft music played in the background.
I let out a little gasp when Leo stepped out of the bedroom in nothing but low-slung jeans and a smile. “Ready?”
Abs. So many abs I got dizzy.
“Close your mouth.” Finn coughed under his breath.
Another guy stood behind Leo. Slater, I remembered from the website. He was a bit leaner, with darker skin, and then Finn turned to me and peeled off his shirt. “Let’s do this.”
“Am I shirtless too?” I asked, dumbfounded.
“Not unless you wanna be, sweetheart,” Finn joked, at least I think he was joking. “And most of our clients stay completely clothed, easier for us to focus that way.”
“Yeah, except Grandma Jean,” Leo said in a totally serious voice.
“Grandma?” I squeaked.
“We don’t discriminate.” Leo winked. “Let’s go, Kora, time to feel better.”
My heart beat out of my chest as I took five steps toward him, and then I was inside his room, and someone was asking me what sort of wine I preferred.
And then Leo’s gorgeous green eyes locked on mine, and I knew.
I was better.
Just because I was sitting across from him.
Chapter Seven
“There is nothing sexier than a woman who owns her body and makes no apologies for the battle scars she’s survived to get to where she is. Show me a scar over tits any day—because it’s all about the story, isn’t it?” — Leo Blackwood
Leo
I was sweating bullets. Why the hell hadn’t I turned on the AC? She looked so prim and proper sitting there, her lips parted just enough for me to want to tease them farther open with my tongue.
Her hair was still in that severe bun that made me want to pull it, so her hair tumbled around her shoulders.
At least today she was in a plaid pencil skirt and a shapeless cardigan that did nothing for the curves I remembered.
“Take it off.” I pointed to the brown cardigan.
“Excuse me?”
Slater’s eyes widened a bit in my direction while Finn stood behind her, his hands softly moved to her shoulders. “I’ll help.”
And next on my list.
Finn’s murder!
His fingertips grazed her neck as he slowly helped her out of the piece of clothing and then gently laid it on the back of one of our desk chairs.
He winked at me over her head.
I clenched my hands into fists.
He was doing it on purpose. My blood pressure skyrocketed as I tried to regain my focus.
“Kora.” Saying her name already had me at half-mast and attempting to tell my brain not to salute.
Shiiiit.
Friendship, friendship, butterflies, puppies. Grandma Jean naked. Wrinkles. Fake teeth in a glass… and there we go! Cured!
“Kora,” I tried again, “tell us a little bit about what you need in a relationship to be fulfilled. It sounds like a difficult question, so I’m going to help you out. What is your preference out of the five love languages? Touch? Words of endearment? Acts of service? Gifts? Or time?”
She frowned. “You know, I’ve never really thought about it but, I would probably put time at the top of that list, even if the time isn’t spent doing things together, just being in the same room with someone is comfortable. After that, I would definitely say touch and then words of endearment.”
“Good.” I scribbled down some notes on her intake. My damn pen was slippery and sliding through my fingertips. It was like I was back in high school, back when she scolded me for being tardy at least twice a week. God, she’d hated me, and now she was here. Needing something from me.
The teacher from all my fantasies.
My new professor.
I regained my composure. “What did you hate the most about your last relationship?”
Her lower lip trembled, and then she rasped, “Being manipulated. Feeling like I wasn’t enough. Hating that I was invisible, and then praying to God that I would be so he wouldn’t hurt me… emotionally…” She swallowed. “Physically.”
I snapped my pen in half and dropped it out of my hands. “Tell me you’re safe from him?”
“As safe as a person can be,” she said smoothly, her eyes darting away from mine.
Bullshit.
I took a soothing breath. “So, I think we’ll focus our time on rebuilding your self-confidence and helping you understand what you need—and how to ask for it, does that sound okay?”
She gave me a small nod.
I stood and took the wine glass from her hand, handing it to Slater. “We’re going to start with words.”
“All right.” She leaned forward, copying my movements.
“You,” I said with conviction, “are absolutely breathtaking.”
She sucked in a sharp breath.
“But you’re hiding.” I moved my hand to her cheek and slid my fingertips up until they touched her silky hair, and then I very slowly pulled the bobby pins from her head and let her long hair fall past her breasts. “There we go.”
She gulped. “He said my hair tempted men.”
“He was right. He was also jealous.” This from Slater as he stood at her side and caressed her arm with the back of his knuckles. “His insecurity was the problem, so he projected it onto you.”
She started to shake.
Finn put his hands back down her shoulders. “Breathe.”
She inhaled.
“Exhale, slowly, count to five and repeat five more times.” His mouth was close to her ear.
I wanted to sucker punch him in the dick.
Both of them actually.
I reached for her hand and squeezed it. “When was the last time you held hands with anyone?”
Her eyes filled with tears. “I don’t remember.”
“All right.” I squeezed. “For the remainder of our session, I’m going to hold your hand, I’m going to caress your leg… and Kora?” My chest tightened. “You. Are. Safe.”
She burst into tears.
I wanted to hold her, to kiss each tear away, to tell her that everything was fine, that she had me now—she had us. Instead, I held her hand and then reached for the other.
Her lips trembled as I leaned forward and forgot all about the lust I had for this woman. I looked into her eyes, saw her wounded soul, and just touched her.
Because sometimes all a human being needs…
Is touch from someone else, so they know they aren’t alone.
Chapter Eight
“Time is either for you or against you. It depends
on the woman. Often you need to coax before you kiss.” — Leo Blackwood
Kora
I was a mess.
I wanted to crawl under the nearest desk and hide for the rest of the semester, especially since I was supposed to be the adult, right? At least that’s what I felt like my role was supposed to be. Instead, I was having trouble wiping the hot tears from my cheeks while Leo simply held my hand.
For so long, touch had made me either flinch or caused suspicion, because Chadwick had almost always used it as a weapon, and I was so desperate for something—anything—that I gave in every single time.
“Why don’t you tell me what you’re thinking right now?” Leo asked, his thumb caressing the sensitive inside part of my wrist as another glass of wine just magically appeared in my other hand.
And then fingers whispered across my shoulders followed by a gentle graze of a hand down my thigh, a squeeze, and then nothing.
Their touches never lingered long enough for me to even process something beyond the fact that someone was paying attention to me.
Leo was the only one who held on.
“I, uh…” My voice cracked. “I’m thinking a lot of things.”
His lips twitched into a devastating smile that made me sigh out loud as he leaned in and gave me a single nod. “Pick one.”
“Okay.” Mouth dry, I took a lingering sip of my white wine and then blurted. “It feels nice to know that there’s not an ulterior motive. You can’t date clients, so you’re not giving me wine because you want me drunk but because you want me relaxed. You’re touching me for my benefit—not yours. I guess it feels nice to just be selfish for once in my adult—” I almost said adult twice, so he got the idea “—life.”
Something flickered in his gaze before he looked away like he needed to regain his composure, but it was so fast I convinced myself I was imaging things because suddenly the smile was back and he was squeezing my hand and then pulling away. “That’s what we do. We’re happy when you’re happy.” He stood. “And now it’s time to piss you off.”
“Huh?” Wait, I wanted more happy time! Bring the happy back!
“You need to learn how to stop letting a man control you. Women are incredibly strong, gifted, talented creatures.” He paced in front of me. “Did you know that they’re often referred to as the crown of creation in Biblical texts?”
Seducing Mrs. Robinson Page 4
