Naked, I lay on my bed, imagining Derrick’s hands on me, his voice in my ear. My hand snaked between my thighs, and I thought about what might have happened if we hadn’t been interrupted. The coiled strength of his body under me. The way he said my name. The thrill of his mouth against my bare skin.

I came with alarming speed and sighed as the pent-up frustration finally eased. Memories of my time in the film room would probably haunt my dreams, but I felt good in the moment. Unfortunately, the respite didn’t last long.

My phone vibrated from the nightstand, so I picked it up. A text from an unknown number. It could have been a spam message, but I didn’t think so. The heat that I’d just finished alleviating started to build again.

Hey Em, I hope you’re thinking about me as much as I’m thinking about you right now.

I smiled and shook my head. How did you get my number?

Eva put it in my phone when we weren’t paying attention. Do you know how hard it is to concentrate when I keep picturing you with your head thrown back, all that glorious hair wrapped around my fist?

That does seem like it would be distracting. Shouldn’t you be getting ready for practice?

I am. I have fifteen minutes before I need to suit up, and I seem to have a little problem.

I snickered. From what I remember, it’s not so little. Want some help?

Three dots appeared on and off, and I wondered how he’d respond. I wasn’t usually this open, but Derrick brought out a side of me I hadn’t seen since I’d started college—well before my tutoring days.

The phone rang in my hand, surprising me. I hesitated for half a second. Was I really about to do this? The resurging ache between my legs assured me that yes, I definitely needed to answer that call.

“Hello.”

“Are you alone?” Derrick’s rough voice curled inside me, making me slowly circle my hips searching for relief. I closed my eyes and propped the phone up next to me using a pillow.

“Does it matter?” I meant to sound teasing, but the words came out breathless.

“It does to me. I want you focused on my voice, on what we do together. I don’t plan on sharing you, Em.”

I shivered at the warning in his tone. This connection went beyond a simple battle of wits with the hot football player in class. I thought we’d crossed that line this afternoon, but in reality, we’d been heading here since I’d looked up that first day and locked eyes with him. It had never been simple.

“That goes both ways,” I said.

“Only you, Nadia. Now tell me what you’re wearing.”