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I lift my eyebrow, waiting for him to answer. This is one of the main reasons I avoid these gatherings. Someone always wants something. A donation for the department, a recommendation for a grant, anything to help them get a leg up on the others in the department. Hell, the department chair practically threatened me to get me to come to this party. Everyone always has a game to play, and they try to use me as a pawn to get what they want. If I would let them, that is.
“Always so cynical. Can’t a man enjoy a good bottle of whiskey?” Atkinson scoffs, pouring himself a glass. “Honestly, I remembered you brought a bottle with you to the last faculty dinner. I figured if you showed up, the least I could do was ensure you had something nice to drink while you endured the torture.”
“Thanks,” I grumble, not wanting to show what his gesture means to me.
“Enjoy your whiskey, Wylder.” He gives me a mock salute before disappearing into the crowd.
I continue to sip my whiskey, relishing the burn as it travels down my throat, as I scan the room. These events are about being seen. Mingling among our colleagues and gaining favor with the department chairperson, hoping to get first dibs at whatever carrot he has dangled over our head.
To make matters worse, there are students here. This year, the department chair thought it would be a good idea to invite some of the top students and the teaching assistants. Teaching assistants are even worse to be around than the other professors in the department. Not only do they want to gain favor from me, but what usually happens is they try to get into my pants.
I’m not a bad-looking guy, especially for pushing forty. Tall, broad shoulders, and a full head of hair. I’m never lacking for company…if I was interested in the opposite sex. It’s been years since I’ve taken a woman to my bed. It’s never helped when all they ever wanted was my money. I’ve never found someone who wanted me for me.
“Professor Scott.”
I bite back a groan as I turn around and plaster a fake smile on my face.
“I was wondering if you’d graced us with your presence this evening,” Jackson Chase, our department chair and resident pain in my ass, says as he holds his hand out.
“Good evening, Director Chase. It isn’t as if you gave me any other choice,” I mutter, gripping his hand a little tighter than necessary so he knows my ire at being blackmailed.
“Please call me Jackson. There’s no need for formalities outside of the office.” He motions for the bartender.
I open my mouth to respond, but freeze in place, mesmerized by the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on entering the room. She’s wearing a form-fitting red dress, hugging all her curves. Her blonde hair is hanging in loose ringlets framing her face with two small sparkling red devil horns perched on the top of her head.
My eyes follow her as she glides across the room toward a small group standing near the fireplace, grabbing a glass of champagne from a nearby table as she passes.
“Besides, you need to mingle with students and other faculty members. Being social with others cultivates healthy work environments,” Jackson drones on, but I barely hear him.
I can’t focus on anything but the sound of my heart pounding in my ears.
My jaw clenches as all the men in the room focus on her, like moths to a flame. The warm glow from the decorations turns her hair the color of a sunset as she takes a sip from her glass, her tongue peeking out between her parted lips and licking the remaining liquid from them.
Images of those lips wrapped around my cock invade my mind. My body moves on its own, not caring about being rude to Jackson while the little devil consumes my attention.
“It was nice speaking with you,” I call over my shoulder as I make my way through the crowd.
My eyes focus on her, not wanting to let her out of my sight for a moment.
Her tinkling laughter fills the air, and I turn green with envy at all the boys standing next to her. I growl in frustration as she gently places her hand on one of their shoulders, and even more people step between me and my prize. As I stalk closer, the sweet scent of honeysuckle and vanilla envelops my senses. The desire to bury my nose in her neck and breathe her in, committing her scent to memory, overwhelms me. I want to bathe in it, rubbing myself all over her like an animal marking my territory, letting every bastard in this room know who this devil belongs to.
Mine.
My entire being hums in anticipation, the need to be near her becoming almost unbearable.
“I never thought I’d catch you mingling, at one of my parties no less.” Atkinson’s voice breaks through my haze as he steps in front of me, halting my movements.
I bite back a groan of frustration as I contemplate the repercussions of tossing him to the side.
“Come and let me introduce you to a few other people in the department.”
“I’ve been a part of the department for as long as you, introductions aren’t necessary,” I say through clenched teeth, hoping that he’ll take the hint and leave me be.
But my silent plea is left unanswered as he grips my elbow, ushering me in the opposite direction. My body screams out in protest as I move farther and farther away from her, but my mind regains some sense of control, giving me a chance to plan my next move.
I have no idea who this girl is or what spell she’s cast on me, but I don’t plan on leaving this party without her.
three
