"I wanted to ask you something," I said as we crossed the campus; frozen grass crunching under our feet. He raised an eyebrow, signaling me to continue. "How is it that someone with a masters in philosophy is teaching my psychology class?"

He shrugged. "I have a masters in psychology too."

I almost tripped.

"You have a masters in psychology, a masters in philosophy and you're about to get your doctorate at twenty-six, how is that possible?"

I had been staring at him instead of where I was going, and I watched him roll his eyes before grabbing my upper arm and pulling me closer to avoid a collision with oncoming foot traffic. He leaned down to touch his lips to the shell of my ear. "Some girls get off on dirty talk... but my little Eve likes it nerdy, don't you."

I know he was teasing me, he'd obviously read my talk nerdy to me shirt the other day, but if that low, seductive voice didn't do strange things to me... not to mention the hot breathe caressing my skin.

I shivered, looking up at him trying to match his nonchalant attitude. "Now who's avoiding questions."

He straightened back up, grinning like the devil he was. Fully aware of the way he tempted my body. "I had a couple extra years to work at it."

"What does that mean?"

Before he could answer, we heard his name called from behind. Ethan seemed to stiffen, but I turned to find a woman jogging towards us. She was gorgeous, with pink spandex pants practically painted on her curvy legs and a fitted black athletic jacket that showed off her tiny waist. Her dark ponytail still swayed as she stopped in front of us.

"Hey you," she said looking up at Ethan as she pulled out her earbuds and hung them around her neck.

"Hey Mac," Ethan smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes.

"I tried calling you all week."

He shook his head. "Sorry. I took over classes for Tammy Walsh and I'm getting a little behind."

She laughed. "You don't 'get behind' Ethan, but I'll forgive you." Satisfied, the goddess turned towards me shoving her hand out. "I'm McKenzie, a friend of Ethan's, but everyone calls me Mac."

I was stunned silent for a moment by her vibrancy, but came to, taking her offered hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Eve."

She smirked up at Ethan. "This ones adorable. Where'd you find her?"

The morning sunlight glanced off his sunglasses as he did one quick shake of his head.  I felt like a whole conversation passed between them in that moment and I had to remind myself that I had no claim to him.

"That's enough Mac," he laughed. "Eve needs to get to class and I have a meeting with Hiddleston. Call you later." It sounded like a command. An end to the conversation and I wondered what kind of friends they were. She didn't seem to be upset by my presence in the least. But still.

She finally released my hand. "Sure York. I'm free tonight, but don't leave me hanging. And you." She looked at me. "I hope to see more of you around Eve."

"Uhh." I tucked some hair behind my ear, not sure what to do with my hands. "Yeah, me too."

She winked, before putting her earbuds back in and running in the direction she had come.

***

Class went by in a rush and before I knew it, I was gathering things into my bag.

"Feeling better?"

My head snapped up to find Mason standing in the aisle. His smile was bright as usual, pulling my own out despite the lingering guilt. He wore his black and gold jersey with the sleeves pushed back... and a huge bruise across his forearm.

"What happened?"

He looked at me questionably for a moment before he followed my line of sight. "Oh that?" He laughed, twisting it around, making the muscle pop. "Bruises are pretty standard for hockey players. You should see the perfect imprint of a puck on my ass."

"I'll take your word for it," I blushed. "To answer your question, I am feeling better, and... I'm sorry about last night." I threw my bag over my shoulder - over Ethan's jacket - and walked with him to the exit.

"Sorry for getting sick? Don't be silly. I was just happy you said yes... though, you could make it up to me if you felt the need."

"Oh yah?" I said. "How is that?"

He held the door for me as we entered the crowded hallway. "Come to my game tonight? Obviously, I won't be able to sit with you or anything, but it would mean a lot just to have you there."

My eyes swept the hallway, taking in the admiring stares. The ones that followed him around campus and opened my mouth to give him one of my standard excuses... but then I thought about Mac and Ethan's plans, and decided I didn't want to sit around my room later wondering what those might be...

"Can I bring my cousin and her girlfriend?"

He stopped walking. "Yeah. Absolutely! I'll have three tickets waiting for you at will call." Someone walked past us yelling 'go knights!' and we both laughed. Mason looked down at me, grinning. "I told you I'd get you to a game Eve Bailey."

"So you did."

A group behind Mason cleared and there, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, was Ethan. His sunglasses were pushed up on his head and his grey eyes looked like steel.

Out of the blue, Mason leaned in for a hug. "See you tonight."

Ethan's chest expanded. His eyebrow lifted and I could practically hear him say, is this how we're playing it Little Eve?

"Yeah... see you tonight."

What the hell had I just done?

**********

I think I rewrote this chapter about fifty times, so I'm not really sure how it turned out... like I'm literally blocking it out! But I hope you liked it :)

I can't thank you guys enough for your continued support. It took me about a month to get 1k reads, and now it's going up about 100 per day!

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With love always,

xxxBre

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