I only had Astronomy lab every second week and it was scheduled in the evening so we could see the stars from the observatory. The sun was already beginning to set as we left the residence area and entered the campus.
“Will I see you tonight?” Ian asked as we walked.
“I can’t, I’m going to the library. You’ve distracted me enough and I really do have to keep my grades up. Need to catch up after skipping yesterday’s classes too. Not all of us can charm the profs into giving us good grades.”
Ian opened his mouth in mock shock. “Is that what you think I do?”
“I wouldn’t put it past you.”
He rolled his eyes to the sky. “You’re itching for it. You really are. When I decide you’re ready, I’m going to make it good.”
“Ready for what?” I asked, batting my eyelashes innocently.
In response he squeezed my hand tightly.
We were on the other side of Quad from the fountain and almost at the Astronomy building when someone called Ian’s name. He stopped and squinted to see across the darkening campus.
“It’s Zach. Come meet him—you’re early.”
“Do your friends ever go to class?”
“Never.”
Ian draped an arm around my shoulders and steered us to them. “Guys, this is my girl, Alexis Watson. Lex, these are my bros.”
“Zach.” A tall dark haired guy I recognized from somewhere stood up first and put out his hand. “Nice to officially meet you.”
Zach’s hand engulfed mine and he smiled down at me, his eyes such a dark brown they looked to be all pupil. He was all black—black leather jacket, black jeans, black hair—and his height and demeanor was more than a little intimidating. I blushed slightly under his gaze and then dropped my eyes guiltily.
“And those lazy asses are Josh and Bracken,” Ian said, motioning at the guys still sitting on the edge of the fountain, one of whom was lighting a pipe. Josh had closely shaved hair and dark skin and was wearing a polo shirt. He looked completely opposite next to Bracken, a pale dude in a sweatshirt with a mess of long brown hair and pipe against his lips.
Josh gave me a curt nod and Bracken exhaled a large puff of smoke, followed it up with a grin and a sheepish “Hey”.
“I’m happy for you and my boy,” Zach said and slapped Ian hard on the back. ?
?Surprised the fuck out of me when he first started talking about you. Never seen him hung up like that.”
“Shut up, man,” Ian said, but he was grinning.
Zach turned his attention back to me. “I hope you don’t mind I outed you for being at the party. Looks like it turned into a happy ending though,” he added with a knowing smile.
My pulse quickened as understanding set in. Of course—Zach was the dark-haired guy I’d seen in the front hall of the spanking party. Obviously he was the one that texted Ian and let him know I was there. I heated at the realization he must know Ian spanked me. Then again, Zach had been at the party to do the exact same thing.
Ian pulled me into his chest and kissed the top of my head. “I’d say you’re right, man.”
I peeked up at Zach and he winked at me. I quickly looked back down, busied myself with hooking a finger through one of Ian’s belt loops.
“You should get to class,” he murmured into my hair.
“Meh,” I responded, tugging gently on the loop and hoping he’d get the hint that I wanted him to walk me back.
“It starts in five.”
“I know.”
“Kiss me.”
I tilted my head up to meet his waiting lips. The moment we touched, everything felt right. I couldn’t care less that Zach was still there watching. I breathed in Ian’s scent, sighing involuntarily as we broke the kiss.