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want to make sure it’s clean and makes the points clearly.” Bridget attached the file to an email and sent it off. “It’s in your inbox now.”
    “Great, I’ll go over it this afternoon, and we can talk about it over dinner,” Colleen suggested.
    “Sure. Sounds great.” Normally, Bridget would be more enthused. On a Friday night without a date, of course, she’d hang out with a friend. Only she’d been hoping Scott would claim her time first.
    “You seem antsy. Don’t worry about it. I’m sure the paper is great. Any little bit of polishing can be done over the weekend and you’ll have it in by Monday morning. That journal turns around quick so you’ll know soon if it’s in. I think you’re a lock for tenure based on your last review and how much you’ve published.”
    “I don’t need a pep talk, but thanks. I just hate things being up in the air.” It wasn’t just tenure now. She almost had an actual personal life with potential.
    “Tonight, we’ll have some drinks and scout some men. Mexican?” Colleen asked.
    “Sounds great but I really don’t need to think about men now.”
    Colleen held up her long fake nails. “Fine, after tenure. You’re right. Focus is good. I’m going to read, and I’ll see you at six.”
    “Thanks. See you tonight.”
    As soon as Colleen was gone, Bridget couldn’t resist the urge to go see the man who’d meddled in her life.
    She headed to the elevators then went down two floors. The computer labs were full this time of day with student workers helping others, but she hoped to grab Nelson between classes.
    He looked half worried when she spotted him. “Bridget, how are things?”
    She folded her arms and walked into his empty computer-outfitted classroom. “You hacked me?”
    He closed the door and locked it with the keypad. “I’m sorry. I was just curious who wrote it. I didn’t know it was you, and when I found out, I went back and read all your posts in the BSDM fetish group. Why don’t you come to anything fun?”
    “The social stuff is fun. I’ve made several friends there whom I can talk to about these things. The Doms I’ve met are always so new or so extreme. That’s been a bust. I can’t believe you told him!” She turned away because her face felt as if it’d catch fire.
    “Wait, are you mad at me or thanking me?” he asked.
    “I don’t know.” She sat on one of the long tables that filled the room. The sting on her ass made her inhale slowly, but she tried not to give away her punished state as she enjoyed the feelings of her very pink ass. “Both maybe.”
    “Good. I’ve got good instincts for this. If you’d come to one of the clothing optional functions, I’d have matched you two up.” Nelson smiled smugly as he leaned on the table next to her.
    “Did Scott ever go to those?” He’d said no, but she wouldn’t mind a little independent confirmation.
    “Nah, I couldn’t drag him there either. He did some random hookups from time to time but never got romantically involved. You’re both solid. You’re not damaged and fucked up. If you two can’t make it…I’m screwed.”
    “How are you damaged?” she asked.
    “I’m not right for you. That’s all that mattered. If I were a selfish bastard, I’d have claimed you for myself and made you happy for awhile, but that’s not the right thing,” Nelson said seriously.
    “A good Dom isn’t selfish. I’m sure you’ll find the right sub or subs.” She knew some people could handle groups or sharing. It wasn’t for her to judge them.
    “One would be plenty. It’s finding the right one. Scott was reluctant at first because of the work thing. There are always complications.” Nelson shrugged.
    “Challenges can be fun. I won’t screw up our careers.”
    Nelson chuckled. “I know that. You two are a lot alike at times. If it doesn’t work, let me know. I’m networked pretty well, but I don’t think you’ll need it.”
    “I hope not.” Truly, she hoped