Love and History (2 page)

“Here? She said New England in the post, but that’s rather generic.” Scott let Nelson build up to his moment. Hackers loved to show off, and while Nelson no longer used his powers for anything too illegal, he loved to brag.

“No, she works here. She’s a professor. Not bad to look at, early thirties and single.” Nelson tapped on his phone then turned it toward Scott.

A thunderbolt of arousal and shock hit him.

“You’re joking.” Nelson leaned in. It was her picture off the university website, but he’d seen Bridget Sanger plenty in real life. Tall with a curvy figure, she had plenty of men commenting on her attractiveness. Her sharp blue eyes and the long spiraling reddish curls against her pale skin were the view that made Scott stop. Her love of skirts and fuzzy cardigan sweaters made her style seem a bit old-fashioned, but this blog post put a new spin on it.

He could see her now in the lounge, pouring over a book with her wild hair falling in her face. There was always a clip attached to her sweater that she’d eventually use to pin back her hair. She looked great with her hair up or down.

“Not a joke, my friend. Traced it to her home IP. Private laptop. She’s no fool. Never does anything on the work system, or I’d know. She’s using a different email to throw people off. She reposted the blog link to the group so it would look like it came from someone else and she’s just sharing it.”

“So why are you telling me? Go get her! You can give me all the dirty details later.” Scott could imagine he was the one with the sexy sub, but Nelson had done the work.

“She’s not my type.” Nelson took back his phone. “She’s yours.”

Frowning, Scott closed his computer. “You know what my type is? We’re friends, but we’ve never played with subs or anything together.”

“Look, I didn’t peg her as a sub either, but I’ve never spent much time around her. You’ve noticed her. Right?” Nelson asked.

That damn hacker was too observant and smart. Scott was controlled and reserved, but few people would pick him out of a crowd as a sexual dominant. Nelson could see the logic in chaos and the truth behind the fronts people put up. “She’s attractive. Outgoing. That’s not exactly me.”

Nelson leaned forward. “No, but it’s what you need. A sub who turns you on and likes it private. In public, she can even you out.”

“Even me out? I’m tenured. I don’t need to suck up. The last thing I need to do is get involved with someone at work. A relationship is the last thing I want.” Scott had always been very clear on that point.

Nelson held up his hands. “I get you. You were burned badly by someone. I don’t need the details. You’d never give them anyway. She sounds like she’s had a few bad Doms herself. All I’m suggesting is maybe you two can satisfy each other’s needs. You’re not getting any younger, and casual hookups aren’t you.”

“They work,” Scott lied.

“So does porn and jerking off. That’s not enough. If she was right for me, I’d snap her up. The vibe isn’t there. If you feel it, just a tingle of wanting to see her naked and kneeling, don’t miss out.”

“And if it blows up? We both work here.” Scott folded his arms.

“She’s English Lit; you’re European History. Different departments for one thing. You can both be grownups if it ends. More importantly, there’s no rule against you two being together if it does work out, so you won’t mess up her tenure. Plus you have something in common.”

“Dom/sub, we all do.” Scott took a deep breath. The temptation grew. He admired her strong mind and behavior. She’d kept her private life far off the radar from her work. Everyone respected her. Rumor was she’d get tenure this year.

“I meant the English and European thing. Those are connected, right? Either way, as soon as I figured out who our mystery blogger was, I thought of you. Don’t let her give up. I’d hate to see her end up alone with a bunch of cats. She’s too eager and passionate about life. Bridget knows there’s a lot of good in our type of sex. Plus she’s right here…”

“It’s a coincidence.” Scott could give Nelson a dozen examples of how dumb luck had helped or hurt armies throughout history.

“I don’t believe in coincidence. I deal in code. It works or it doesn’t. Something doesn’t fall into place and work because you made a birthday wish.” Nelson stood up.

“What do you think that blog is? She’s getting attention. I bet she has dozens of offers right now. Why would she bother with me?” Scott asked.

Nelson laughed. “She needs attention. No Dom is giving it to her. I’m sure plenty of men think exactly what you did. She’s ugly or unbalanced. Some might reach out to her just to get a picture or a meeting. You, she knows you. She’s worked here almost as long as you. Maybe she’d like you to ask her out, but she doesn’t think you’re into what she is. This isn’t coincidence. She asked for it.”

Scott nodded. “I’ll think about it.”

“Good. Don’t get me wrong. I think she’s attractive. If I have to play with her to keep her from giving up on our lifestyle, I’ll do it. Hell, I’ll enjoy it. But she’s not the one I can’t live without. That sub is still out there for me.” Nelson winked and exited the office.

After a few deep breaths, Scott looked her up online. He knew most of the information already. It was odd how working with someone for so long made their information a part of your life as well. They’d only spoken casually, but he’d never minded chatting with her. Others grated on him, but she was comfortable and so easy to look at, with no extreme makeup or obvious flirtation. She was professional at work.

With no clue what he’d say, he locked his computer and left his office. Never impulsive, he had to see her now to know if that spark was there for real. The nagging in him might go away then. Was the attraction really that strong or was it just Nelson playing with people as if they were bits of data? His friend had the best of intentions; Scott believed that. Still, Nelson wanted romance and kink. Time and again, Scott had seen how love failed to last. He’d closed off his heart years ago, but his sexual appetite never waned.

He nodded to people as he entered the English department. Her office wasn’t far, on the same floor but on the opposite end of the building. Finding Bridget’s office door ajar, he listened.

“I can’t believe your students want to read those books!” Colleen Sheppard’s familiar cackle of laughter caught Scott off guard. He waited in the hall, listening to the conversation—it wasn’t his fault if they were talking loudly.

“It’s true. They say because the author is English we should. Those Greyish books are not literature!” Bridget declared.

Scott cracked a smile. The woman knew her work and had strong opinions. Her voice alone sent desire sparking in him.

“They are popular,” Colleen said.

“Then let the pop culture classes cover them. I have nothing against what people want to do privately or want to read for entertainment, but I won’t turn my classroom into a fan fiction forum,” Bridget replied.

“The department head would never let you teach it anyway. I’ve got to go. Class time. Don’t let some annoying students distract you. Finish that paper and get it published. Your goal this year is tenure.” Colleen pulled the door wide.

“My job is still teaching, but thank you for the reminder.”

Colleen stepped into the hall and smiled at Scott. “Looking for someone, Dr. Kasten?”

He felt out of place, and it seemed as if she knew what he wanted to do to her friend. Work and kink never mixed for him before, but he quickly regained his composure. “I just need a word with Dr. Sanger. Thanks.”

Chapter Two

Bridget had no idea what Scott wanted to talk about, but she ignored the flip of attraction she experienced as he walked into her office. When he closed the door, she grew a bit nervous.

“Can I help you?” she asked politely.

“Good for you, about the books. There’s erotic literature that’s much better.” He nodded to the chair.

“Please, sit down. I’m sure I can find something to teach them a lesson about sensuality in literature. I didn’t think it’d be a subject you’d be interested in.”

He couldn’t be there for that.

She looked into his pale green eyes just to prove she could. No more submissive games, not that he’d play, but it was always her instinct when attracted to a man. Scott aroused something inside of her, though. He always had with that coal black hair trimmed short and his lean muscular form always hidden. He wore long-sleeve dress shirts year round. The rare days when he rolled up the sleeves made her itch for a glimpse of his naked body.

Most considered him stuffy, and he kept to himself.

The man of few words never rushed anything. Woman around the college agreed he was handsome enough but had pronounced him a secret momma’s boy or a closeted gay man. He never went after women or men that she’d heard of, and the literary romantic in her always wanted to know his story.

Scott cleared his throat. “I’m interested in a lot of things; not just history.”

“Such as?” she asked. He could be here over a million little things that were official and proper, but why not chat with him a little?

“Blogs, for example.” His expression changed, and his eyes locked on hers.

A chill hit her skin, and she shivered. The way he stared at her made her squirm in her chair. She’d never seen any signs from him that he was the BDSM type, but her mind never lingered on that private topic on campus. Her pussy tightened, but she grabbed her sweater off the back of her chair and tugged it on, hugging it to her body. The man turned her on, no debate about that.

He let the silence hang, and she believed he’d wait her out indefinitely. “Blogs? Really? I know you do plenty of online classes, and I’m sure those are a useful part of the information.”

“This blog isn’t related to teaching at all. I believe you’re familiar with it. Something called
Masters Wanted
?” The corners of his mouth turned up just a touch.

She’d rarely seen him smile, but she wanted to. Did he know it was her? He couldn’t possibly. Grabbing her hair accessory off the collar of the worn wool sweater, she clipped her hair back and tried to ignore her pounding heartbeat. “I’ve not read it.”

“You wrote it,” he replied.

Instantly, it felt as if someone had set fire to her face. Her cheeks burned, and her eyes misted up in embarrassment. She grabbed her reusable water bottle and took a long drink. “I think your expertise is the history of Europe, military especially. Computer hacking isn’t—damn. Nelson?”

Scott nodded. “Nelson. He’s a good hacker, a good friend and a good Dom.”

Blinking, she pushed away the embarrassment and fear. If he could be so relaxed about it, she’d do the same. “Is he your Dom?”

Scott smiled a real smile, and it melted her fear away. Still, she waited on the edge of her office chair for an answer.

“No, he’s not my Dom. He knows I share his preference and like submissive women. We both belong to the group where you posted the link. I had no idea.” Scott looked at her.

A Dom? Suddenly, she didn’t want to meet his gaze, but he wasn’t her Master. He could be feeling her out for Nelson. Scott’s friend was nice and brilliant, but he didn’t make her want to be bad. “I should go over there, and give Nelson a piece of my mind. He had no right hacking my post.”

“You know nothing is secret out there. I lurk, but I know better. Nelson won’t betray you to anyone,” he said.

She pointed a finger at Scott. “He told you! You read it? It’ll be all over campus in a day.”

“No, it won’t. Nelson was surprised and sympathetic. You deserve better. But it was a rather risky rant, given the traceability of technology.”

“I know. One bad date too many. I’ve tried for too long. I simply can’t trust someone who won’t respect my boundaries, and yet I can’t deny my nature in the bedroom.”

“You’re direct and outgoing. Many Doms like a challenge,” Scott said.

“I like a challenge, as well, in that area. That doesn’t mean a Dom should push someone to break their limits. All kink, no conversation.”

“The real challenge is to respect the limits and keep things interesting. Creativity is underrated,” he said.

She studied him silently for a moment. “I never thought of you or Nelson as creative types.”

“Not here. I know that Nelson was out of line hacking your IP address. But your blog was passionate. He wanted to find out where you were. You mentioned New England, and he’s gotten around a bit.”

“I’m sure.” She rubbed her forehead. “I appreciate the thoughts behind it, but Nelson just doesn’t do anything for me. I’m sure he’s very good and experienced, but there has to be a certain type of chemistry. I’m sure you understand; you wouldn’t take just any submissive. He’s more like a brother I go to when my computer crashes.”

“I completely agree. That’s why he brought the blog to me. It wasn’t to tease you or reveal your information. He doesn’t need the dean knowing he likes tying women up any more than I do.”

“Good. We’ll all keep each other’s secrets. And I’ll know there are two nice Doms around.
I guess you’re telling me not to give up hope?” Her body hummed with the knowledge that he might want her, but her brain rejected the idea. Just yesterday, she’d given up.

“If that’s all you want to hear, that’s fine. I wasn’t looking for anything either. I don’t date at work. I’ve observed that you don’t seem to either.”

“No, I never thought it was a good idea. Certainly not before I get tenure, but I’d always thought I’d meet the right man before now. I like my life, but I’m tired of trying so hard with the wrong men,” she confessed.

“I know exactly how you feel.”

“I’m working on a paper. I’m very close to sending it off. Hopefully, it’ll help me secure tenure this year.”

She noticed he’d let her change the subject. Maybe he didn’t want to play with her.

“I’m free for another hour. If you are, why don’t we grab an early lunch?” he asked.

She kept her seat as he stood. “We can’t talk about this stuff in the cafeteria. I’m not sure what you’re up to.”

Slowly, he walked around the side of her desk. “We can talk about anything at lunch. Those books, history. As far as what I’m up to… Nelson thinks he’s a matchmaker. He’s a friend of mine and knows me better than most people. I don’t ignore the advice of my friends.”