Brighter Shades of Light

by Jaclyn Osborn

  I couldn’t lie to him. Emily had said I was incapable of lying; that I told the truth, no matter how brutal, or I stayed quiet.

  “If you don’t want me, say it.” Cody’s fingers ghosted over mine, almost touching me but not quite. He tilted his head back, gazing at me through his long dark lashes. His lips were so close. “But if you do want me…kiss me.”

  I was on fire. If I wasn’t careful, I’d catch Cody on fire, too. But his intense gaze told me he was already burning.

  “Cody.” His name fell from my lips, an acceptance entwined in the breathy syllables of his name. There was no more running from him. No more denying us what we both wanted.

  I slid my hand to his nape and pulled him to me, crushing my mouth to his.

  He groaned and gripped my side with one hand, moving the other to my chest. His lips met mine gently at first, and then he deepened the kiss, taking my breath while at the same time giving me life.

  The feelings for him I’d tried so hard to hide burst forward and reflected in the kiss—the way my heart beat faster when I was around him and how I wanted his body close to mine.

  I moved a hand down his spine and brought him closer to me, our lips still fused together. He tasted a little salty and a bit sweet, a perfect combination to match the man those lips belonged to. His energy field circled me, too, adjusting my course and aligning it with his.

  “Dr. Vale,” he murmured, playing with the collar of my shirt before lightly touching my neck. He lowered his head and kissed the base of my throat. “I want to taste you.”

  “Call me Sebastian.” I pressed my hips into him and groaned when I felt his erection. My desire for him was the strongest emotion I’d felt in years. For so long, it had felt like I was on this earth but not actually a part of it. As though I was floating through the universe, unseen and alone.

  I didn’t want to be alone anymore.

  “Okay.” He smiled against my neck. “I want to taste you, Sebastian.”

  Cody didn’t wait for an answer before he dropped to his knees in front of me and started undoing my belt. The jingle of the buckle was the only sound in the room aside from my frantically beating heart. As he popped the button on my pants, he kissed right below my bellybutton, making me shudder.

  “Cody, I don’t think this is the place to—” I sucked in a breath as he palmed my dick through my briefs.

  He dipped his fingers under the waistband and pulled them down, licking his lips as my dick bounced free. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. I stared at his glistening mouth and the flash of tongue that purposefully glided across his upper lip.

  He gripped my base and slid me between his wet lips, eliciting a soft moan from me. The air touched my sensitive skin as he pulled back, and when he blew on my tip, I gripped the edge of the desk.

  “Relax, Doctor,” he said, his lids heavy with lust. The usage of my title seemed to arouse him further. “Let me rock your world.”

  Cody licked my tip, flicking his tongue slow and then fast. I breathed harder as he pumped my shaft, creating delicious friction with his hand as I plunged into his warm mouth. Our gazes locked and he bobbed his head faster. The eye contact as he sucked me amped up my arousal, and I hardened even more.

  There was a smile in his eyes as my dick swelled. He took me further inside his stretched mouth, to the back of his throat and back out before doing it again.

  “You’re so beautiful.” I gripped the short strands of his dark hair, rolling my hips forward as he brought me closer to the brink of orgasm.

  I panted as he picked up speed, tightening my hands in his hair. We were in my office in a building full of people. I had to keep it down, but it was a challenge. My muscles tensed, and I kept my eyes on him as pressure built in my shaft. When I started to come, I groaned and thrust into his wet heat, over and over again.

  He jerked my base faster as his mouth remained at my tip, catching every drop of my release.

  Afterward, I slumped against the desk, my head spinning and my breaths coming quick. Cody tucked me back into my briefs and zipped my pants, appearing proud of himself. As he should be.

  “I’ve never enjoyed giving a BJ so much,” he said, after wiping his mouth and standing. He slid an arm around my waist and moved so we stood chest to chest. A kiss to my neck, then another to my jaw. “Did you enjoy it?”

  “Mhm.” My mind was too fogged to form a more articulate response.

  “I’ll accept that.” He chuckled and lifted his head to look at me. “No more of this back and forth shit, Sebastian. Okay?”

  I couldn’t make any guarantees. We were playing a dangerous game; breaking university policy and putting not only my career on the line, but his, as well.

  “Why do you want me?” I asked, unable to see what I could offer him. I was older, a bit of a social recluse, and spent my days buried in my work. We shared a love for physics, but that was as far as our similarities went.

  “Because you’re my spark,” Cody said, his voice taking on a raspy note.

  I wasn’t sure what he meant, but I liked the tenderness in his eyes as he said it.

  “This is new for me.” I ran my thumb along his jaw.

  “Being with a man?”

  “No. I’ve been with a man before.” The thought of Leon physically hurt, as if there was emptiness inside my chest that begged to be whole again.

  Cody seemed surprised. “Really?”

  “Mhm.”

  “Then, what’s new?”

  “Feeling so much for another person,” I said, and the confession tugged at my already aching heart. “Especially in such a short time.”

  “Well, in that case”—Cody leaned forward and lightly pressed his lips to mine—“this is new for me, too.”

  When he kissed me, my eyes closed of their own accord, but I wanted to see him. I opened them again and was met with him staring back at me, as if he hadn’t wanted to look away, either. Our lips moved together, familiarizing ourselves with the feel and taste of each other.

  His tongue slid into my mouth, and I bit back a groan.

  As he deepened the kiss, he bumped my glasses and broke away from my mouth with a raspy laugh. His playfulness and high energy were only matched by his sweet nature.

  The moment was cut short by the knock at the door.

  Cody snapped his head around, and I froze.

  “Seb?” Vance said, knocking again. “You in there, buddy?”

  Thankfully, there wasn’t a window in the door like some of the other professors had, otherwise he would’ve had a clear shot of me kissing Cody. There was, however, a small window on one side that he could peek through if he was feeling nosy, which given the fact it was Vance, I was sure he’d do. I kept the blinds closed on it, though.

  “Sebby?” A shadow appeared on the other side of the blinds as he tried to see inside my office.

  “Stand over there,” I told Cody, nodding to the far right corner that put him out of sight once the door opened. “Please.”

  He cracked a smile. “Yes, sir.”

  I stared at his lips, wanting to taste them again. I straightened my stance and adjusted my shirt before walking over to the door. When I opened it, sure not to let it swing too wide, Vance stood on the other side.

  “Did I interrupt something?” he asked, moving his head to try and look behind me.

  “No.” My steady tone and indifferent expression came easily, even though I was shaking on the inside. “I was catching up on grading. Is there something I can help you with?”

  “You remember Claudia? Well, she’s been asking about you lately.”

  “I remember her.”

  “Not a fan, huh?” Vance raised a brow.

  Was it my bored tone that gave it away?

  “We share very little in common.”

  “Do you need to have something in common to take her home, Seb?” He laughed and clapped me on the shoulder.

  I cringed a little at his touch and tensed. “Is that all you wanted? I
f so, I need to get back to work.”

  “You know, Seb, some people say you have a stick stuck up your rear.” Vance shook his head and stepped back. “I don’t say that, but other people do. I think it’s your tone. You might want to watch it sometimes, so you don’t give people the wrong idea. Don’t want them to think you don’t like them.”

  Oh, how unfortunate it would be if they did.

  “I don’t mean to be rude,” I said, gripping the door a bit tighter. “I’m just very busy.”

  “Okie doke.” He shoved a hand into his pants pocket. “Maybe we can go out again soon. When you’re not busy.”

  I closed the door and immediately felt a pressure at my back. Cody wrapped his arms around me and pressed a kiss to my nape.

  “We can’t do this here,” I whispered, enjoying the feel of him but knowing I was wrong for doing so. “If we continue this, there has to be rules.”

  “Okay.” Cody kissed my shoulder. “But there’s no if about it, Doctor. I’m kinda stubborn and won’t let you walk away from me again. What are the rules?”

  I turned to face him. A weight dropped into my stomach. He was so young but clearly old enough to know what he wanted. But I still couldn’t wrap my head around why he wanted me of all people. For my reputation?

  He said I was his spark, but I failed to understand.

  “No coming to my office unless necessary,” I said. “And no more public outings.”

  Cody’s face fell. “So, no more coffee dates?”

  His disappointment caused a twinge in my chest. “You enjoyed those.”

  He nodded. “When will we see each other if we can’t go out or come here? My place isn’t exactly ideal since I live in the dorm.”

  “We’ll go to mine.”

  “So…the university basement?” Cody grinned.

  “I might spend a lot of time here, Mr. Miller,” I gripped his waist and brought him against me, “but I do have a home.”

  “Prove it.” Cody stared at me with a challenge in his eyes.

  I was digging myself deeper into a hole. Soon, I wouldn’t be able to get out of it even if I wanted to.

  “Very well.” I met his challenge and raised him one. “Saturday morning. I expect you for coffee, unless you have other obligations with the program.”

  “Nope. My weekends are free.”

  “Good.”

  The deal was sealed. Whatever it was that had brought us together couldn’t be undone now.

  ***

  Thermodynamics the next day was interesting. Cody sat in the front row, having been one of the first students to arrive in the lecture hall, and he stared at me with an amused gleam in his eyes as I prepared to start class.

  It was hard to focus when I saw his lips and remembered how they felt against mine; when he chewed the tip of his pen and I recalled the warm of his mouth as my cock sunk into him.

  “Can anyone tell me the four types of thermodynamic processes?” I folded my hands on the podium and waited.

  Brandon’s arm shot up into the air. “Isobaric, isochoric, isothermal, and adiabatic.”

  “Did everyone catch that?” I asked, receiving scattered laughs and a few nervous glances. “The terms are difficult to understand based on their names alone, so I’ll spend time covering each one.” I started the PowerPoint and changed it to the first slide. “First, there’s the isobaric process. In simple terms, it’s when the pressure of the system stays constant. Iso means same and baric means pressure, if you need a way to remember the definition.”

  Each time I looked at Cody, my chest flooded with warmth. He smiled and averted his gaze to his notebook, and I watched him a second, knowing we shared a secret that could ruin us if anyone ever found out.

  Logic told me to let him go. That he wasn’t worth tarnishing my reputation and damaging my career. If it was a warm body I desired to make me feel less alone, there were plenty of willing individuals.

  Yet, I saw no one but him.

  Toward the end of class, my watch buzzed, and I wrapped up the lecture. “Remember, I posted an assignment on the course page that’s due on Monday. Have a wonderful weekend.”

  The room began to clear as students packed up their things and left. Cody took his time placing the textbook in his backpack and zipping it. I placed my notes in my messenger bag and watched him from my peripheral.

  “Dr. Vale?” Cody stood at the front of the podium, his face upturned in a smile he only gave me since his back was to the class. “I have a quick question about the assignment.”

  He’ll be the death of me.

  “Yes, Mr. Miller?” I glanced up at him, tightening my jaw even though I wanted to smile.

  “How early in the morning is it due?”

  I suspected he was really asking what time he should be over at my house on Saturday, as we hadn’t specified an exact time yesterday.

  “Bright and early,” I said, doing my best to ignore the way my stomach flipped. Quieter, I added, “Eight should be just fine.”

  “Thanks, Doctor.”

  I couldn’t help but admire his toned arms as he walked away from me. Strange how the closer I felt to him, the more attractive he became. Cody was physically beautiful, but it was his heart that called to me most.

  Chapter 14

  Cody

  “Where are you off to so early?” Tristen asked, as I bolted out of the bathroom with a towel around my hips.

  “Um.” I went to my room and searched my closet for a shirt that wasn’t too casual but didn’t scream I’m trying to get laid, either. “Going to the gym.”

  “Uh huh.” Tristen leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms. “Who showers before they go to the gym? That’s like brushing your teeth right before you eat or wiping your ass before you take a shit. Where are you really going? Don’t bullshit me.”

  We had seen each other naked plenty of times, so I didn’t think twice about sliding off the towel and putting on a clean pair of boxers as he stood in the same room.

  “I’m going to see a friend.” I pulled one of my nicer shirts off the hanger. Rachel always complimented me when I wore it, saying the blue went well with my eyes.

  Would Sebastian think so, too?

  “Going to see a friend this early in the morning,” he deadpanned. “Who is it? A certain professor?”

  I didn’t like keeping secrets from my best friend, but I wasn’t sure if I should tell him. The thing with Sebastian was new, and I still didn’t know exactly what we were doing. Casually seeing each other with some friends-with-benefits stuff added in? Or was it more than that?

  “Look, Tristen.” I put on the shirt and turned to him. “You know you’re my boy. But I don’t really want to talk about it right now.”

  “Fine.” He left the room, slamming my door on his way out.

  What the actual fuck is his deal?

  Whatever. If he wanted to be an asshole, so be it. I didn’t have to tell him everything that happened in my life.

  I finished getting dressed, slid my wallet into my back pocket, and grabbed my keys. When I passed Tristen’s room, he was lying on his bed and staring at the ceiling.

  “Have fun,” he said dryly.

  “Don’t worry. I will.”

  I left the dorm in a mood. I didn’t see why Tristen was acting like such a douche. My bad mood lifted a little once I walked outside, though. Summer had finally released its clutches, and the day was almost too perfect to be real; a high of sixty degrees and crisp air that made me want to rake leaves and jump into the pile like Dad and I used to do.

  The parking lot was packed with cars. Blue was the oldest truck in the row, something that once would’ve bothered me but not anymore. When you grew up without much, you got used to being the kid with tattered clothes bought from thrift stores and hand-me-down shoes, while everyone else could afford brand-new things.

  Dad had done the best he could, and now that I was older, I appreciated him even more.

  I stuck the key in the igni
tion. “Please start, Blue.” A failed start. Then, another. “Come on, boy.”

  The engine roared to life.

  Thank god.

  A girl in the next car over shot me a dirty look.

  I smiled apologetically, even though it wasn’t my fault that my truck was so damn loud. I pulled out of the parking spot and drove toward the exit, turning on my blinker to go right. Sebastian—it was still weird to refer to him that way—lived in the bay area, with all the fancy houses, on the hill I had often admired when I was younger.

  His place was more secluded, though. I turned onto a side street, and the scenery transitioned from nice neighborhoods to mostly fields and walls of trees. The paved road began an upward climb, not too steep but enough that I prayed for Blue not to stall out on me. That would suck.

  Trees lined both sides of the road, reminding me of something out of The Lord of the Rings. As the house came into view, my eyes bugged out.

  The cottage-style home wasn’t overly fancy, but it exuded wealth. So many windows, and it appeared to be two stories. There was a place out front that would be perfect for a garden, but nothing was planted.

  I parked, wincing at the squealing brakes, and cut the engine. The front door opened before I was even out of the truck, and my heart leaped into my throat as Sebastian stood in the doorway. I approached him, breathing slowly and trying to keep my cool.

  “Good morning,” he said. He wore lounge pants and a plain T-shirt. And fuck me, he was barefoot.

  I’d never seen him so casual. It was definitely a sight I wouldn’t mind more of.

  “Right back at you.” I stood on the doorstep, unsure if I was allowed to hug him.

  Screw it.

  I stepped forward and pulled him close to me, pressing my face into his wavy hair. His body relaxed at my touch and his arms slipped around me, too.

  “Why do you smell like strawberries?” I pulled back to look at him but kept my arms fastened around his lean hips.

  “Come inside and see for yourself.”

  Well, hot damn.

  I followed him into the house and shut the door, looking around. A person’s house said a lot about who they were, and I wondered what the bare walls and lack of décor said about Sebastian.