This wasn’t the first time Deja had heard Alejandro speak, obviously, but it was the first time she’d heard his voice all day. Normally, they passed each other at least once in the hallways of their building, and he would smile at her and say hi. Sometimes, she heard him speaking to a colleague down the hall, and the deep timbre of his laughter would settle into her stomach. But it was like her body never quite got used to it, and the first time she heard it after a while always unsettled her, but in the most deliciously sensual way. At least in their building, she could shut her office door or hide in a bathroom stall and will her nerves to settle before she had to interact with people again, waiting until she felt less raw with need. Or maybe just until she felt able to better hide the fact that the sound of Alejandro Mendoza’s voice had a tendency to make the hair on her arms stand up and her pussy wet. But there was no warning or place to hide in front of Founders Hall, surrounded by faculty from all over the university and her best work friend, and not with him so close.

Deja turned around slowly to see Alejandro smiling at her, his brown eyes big and friendly and also maybe intense.

“I…” She hesitated, licked her lips, watched him watch her lick her lips, and then swallowed. “Yeah, I just need to pick up my charger.”

“I’m heading over there too. Can I walk with you?”

Deja was nodding before she decided to say yes, and Alejandro’s mouth spread into a soft smile. It was a mild afternoon in early fall, but Deja felt as if she was standing under a midsummer sun, which is to say she was pouring sweat under her clothes. Gross.

“Are you coming as well?” he asked Toni, speaking over Deja’s head.

Deja didn’t turn to look at her friend at first. She got distracted watching Alejandro’s profile, the way the muscles in his jaw moved as he spoke, the faint gray at his temple, his long, dark eyelashes. She had to shake herself to turn to Toni, who was shaking her head and backing away.

“No, thanks. I’ve got to go feed my cat before he shreds something expensive. See you two later.”

Toni locked wide eyes with Deja. Alejandro turned away to say goodbye to Mike, and Toni took the opportunity to mouth “oh my god” to Deja before turning and practically jogging away. Deja watched as Toni pulled a folder from her shoulder bag and began to fan herself.

“Ready?” Alejandro asked, making Deja jump. His hand lightly cupped her elbow, and her mouth went dry.