When the hour was almost up, Declan tried not to let his relief show as he quickly went over the syllabus and the first reading assignment. He had an hour break coming up and then he’d be repeating this lecture for his next class, but neither one of his current distractions would be present to tempt him.
As the students started to file out, he packed up his laptop methodically, keeping his head down to give the impression that he was too busy to be disturbed. It was an effective method to prevent students from swarming his desk and peppering him with questions instead of leaving in an orderly manner.
He was a fan of orderly. Structure was good. Erections in a sexual behavior class filled with twenty-somethings? Bad.
Trick’s raspy voice interrupted his pretense. “Flannel is a good look for you, Declan. I like it. I always thought you wore sweater vests and bow ties to your lectures. The facial hair is new. Don’t they have razors in Europe?”
His words affected Declan physically, like nails digging into his back or a bite on his shoulder. He touched his glasses and looked up at the nearly empty room with a frown. “I’m thinking of growing a beard. What are you doing here?”
“You’re more than thinking about it. I like it. And I’m auditing. I did it last semester too. I have to say it seems a little screwed up to pay to not get credit for attending a class. Who does that?”
You do.
Declan met the amused green gaze and tightened his lips. “You’re not on my attendance list. You know you have to get approved to be in my class. And actually pay.”
“I decided at the last minute.” Trick shrugged and lowered his voice. “But I already know you approve of me being here. At least, part of you does. I’m very observant.”
Declan was zipping his computer bag, ready to argue the point, when his other distraction for the day appeared beside Trick, scowling up at him. “I’m sure the professor needs to get somewhere, Trick.”
Keeping his eyes on Declan, Trick reached up to lightly tug Jennifer Finn’s ponytail. He knows what I want, Declan thought, forcing himself not to respond. The sexy, manipulative bastard.
“Don’t be mad, Jen,” Trick offered sweetly. “Declan and I go way back. We’re just catching up.”
Jen’s light blue eyes widened and her lips parted in surprise. “You know each other?”
“Very well, Little Finn,” Trick said before Declan could head him off. “We’ve had sleepovers and everything.”
Jackass.
Declan closed his eyes and shook his head. “Trick thinks he’s funny, Miss Finn. He always does.”
“I know.” Her fascinated, slightly disappointed expression said more clearly than words that she got Trick’s meaning. “I’ll just go and…let you two catch up. Professor,” she added with a nod before turning and disappearing from his view.
When they were alone, Declan took off his glasses. “You shouldn’t have said that in front of a student. Weren’t you listening when I said my private life was private?”
“I didn’t.” Trick stared at him and licked his lower lip. “I said it in front of Jen. She’s used to me saying things I shouldn’t. She likes it.”
What did that mean? “Is she related to the senator? Why are you here with her?”
“His baby sister, and that’s a complicated question. I’m looking out for her,” he added. Then he winked. “And possibly getting her into trouble at the same time. Call it multi-tasking.”
“What does she call it?”
Trick laughed. “Stalking. I haven’t actually been completely upfront about my intentions, so I can’t blame her. Still, no use causing unnecessary concern.”
Was she in trouble? If Trick was following her around, Declan knew one way or another she was. From him, if nothing else.
“She doesn’t look old enough to drink,” he warned Trick and himself at the same time.
“She’ll be twenty-six this month, but believe me, Declan, she’s old enough. And not knowing whether or not she could drink didn’t stop you from losing your cool when she gave you that floorshow. I was sure for a minute you were going to join her. That would have been a stimulating intro to my favorite topic.”
Declan rounded the desk so he could keep his voice down. “I don’t care what you think you saw, but I don’t get involved with students. Period. And you should think twice about making time with Stephen Finn’s sister.”
“I’ve thought about it a hell of a lot more than twice,” Trick murmured. “And now I’m thinking about the both of you together and wondering why it didn’t occur to me before now. She liked your flannel too, Professor. I know she’d like what you can do with your tongue.”
Declan groaned under his breath and put his glasses back on. “Stop, Trick. Not here.”
“Here. Your house. Her little apartment bedroom. The more I think about it, the better it sounds. You and me with that delicious little redhead pressed between us? She’s got fire, Declan. Brains, too. And I happen to know she’s always wanted to have a ménage.”