silenced the worries that constantly nag at me. I could sink back into sleep instead of waking for fretful hours.
Huffing a small noise, I reach back. My butt hurts. It certainly had last night between the spanking he called a warm-up and the thorough paddling I’d been treated to, but I wasn’t sure how long the pain would linger. I’m strangely pleased the sensation hasn’t gone away entirely. I like being able to call up the feeling of being hit from the dialed-back ache.
“Sore?”
I purse my lips—because of course he’s awake and paying attention to me. “A little, sir.”
“But you like it.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good.” His easy satisfaction makes my heart glow, and I practically purr when he runs a hand through my hair. “Room service for breakfast?”
The rest of the day is a delight. I don’t dress, I spend much of my time on the floor, and I do precisely what’s asked of me. I don’t worry about a thing. Rey wasn’t lying about giving me enough time to do my work, and I find when I do, it’s easier because I’m more focused. Like my brain’s a battery that’s finally been allowed to recharge. I hadn’t realized how exhausted and strung out I was. By the time I go back to classes tomorrow, I’ll be unstoppable. Although I wonder if I’ll sit in my dorm room at my standard-issue desk and wish I were still cross-legged on a pillow at Rey’s feet.
Chapter Five
‡
Year One
“I got an interesting phone call last night.”
“Oh?”
Rey’s “interesting” phone calls are, on average, more interesting than most. My curiosity is piqued.
“Hunter Vaughn called.”
“And?” I swallow another spoonful of my tomato bisque, trying to sound casual even though I’m feeling anything but. Hunter Vaughn: mysterious, mercurial, and oh-so-mouth-watering host of the party Rey took me to several weeks ago. He’s not left my mind since.
Rey chuckles and takes a bite of his salad niçoise, the house specialty. Rey treats me to lunch here sometimes. Today it’s to celebrate an A on my econ paper. Or so I thought.
“You’re cute. And although you’re almost convincing, you don’t need to play with me. I know how you feel about the guy. It’s part of my job. I’m very good at my job.”
Right. If Hunter asked Rey today how long he’s been working with me—in earnest, of course—the answer would be three weeks, four days. Since the day after the party, when I gave Rey the official go-ahead I’d been debating for weeks. It’s been…educational.
“You should save the coy for the man himself. He wants to see you.”
“He does?” A bolt of excitement shoots through me. Hunter Vaughn wants to see me. “What did he say?”
“He’s having a party on Saturday. He wanted to know if I was coming.”
I frown. That doesn’t sound like wanting to see me at all.
“He asked if I was bringing a plus one.”
That sounds more promising, but still…
“And are you going to bring Kevin?” Kevin is Rey’s latest fuck buddy. He’s revoltingly handsome, in a dumb jock sort of way. Well, as dumb as you can be and still be a jock at Princeton at any rate. Which, it turns out, dumber than you’d think. There’s no way Rey would take him out anywhere. He’s a strictly-behind-closed-doors, mouth-shut, clothes-off kind of lay.
“Not unless you never want to see Mr. Vaughn again.” Rey takes a long sip of his water. “Hunter does not personally collect RSVPs to his parties. That’s about as close as he was going to get. To be honest, I’m surprised he was so blatant. He may as well have been begging. He’s got it bad for you.”
“That’s convenient, considering I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him.”
“I think so.” Rey smirks, his mouth curling in a vaguely sinister way. I’m not sure exactly why fucking with Hunter delights him, but it sure as hell seems to. “And if you intrigued him when you saw him last, you’re going to downright inflame him this