Seducing Professor Coyle (16 page)

For the first time, he realized that Dominick didn’t know. He’d not spoken to him in so long, and so much had happened. Dom didn’t know he’d been with Peter. That he planned to be with him more. A lot more, he hoped. But now that Dominick was happy, he could tell him. He wanted to tell him. He wanted to show Peter off, brag about how good he was in bed, things he could only trust Dom with. He really hoped Dominick would go to the party. But either way, nothing could ruin tomorrow. He was graduating, getting his degree finally. And he was spending the night with Peter Coyle.

Whistling, he trotted into his bedroom to set out his cap and gown.

Chapter Thirteen

Peter watched Benjamin through the crowd at the barbeque, and couldn’t help smiling. He’d looked nervous when he received his diploma at the commencement earlier, but now he seemed relaxed, smiling and accepting congratulations, chatting amicably with his fellow students. Ben looked up and caught his eye. Peter gave him a nod. His gut did a little flip when Ben started through the crowd, toward him. Peter glanced around at the other faculty members scattered here and there. He was still nervous about being seen with Ben, and hoped he understood they still had to be discreet. Maybe after some time passed, he’d consider loosening his caution a bit, but now was not that time.

“Hey.” Ben gave him a hug, startling him. He patted Ben’s back, trying to return the hug as platonically as possible, at least to prying eyes. But there was a lot of hugging going on today, between students and faculty alike, so he wasn’t overly concerned.

“Congratulations,” Peter said. “You have a bachelor’s degree. How’s it feel?”

Ben shook his head. “I still can’t believe it. It feels weird. But good weird.”

Peter smiled at him. Benjamin was positively glowing. His eyes sparkled, cheeks flushed with happiness. He was the most beautiful, sexy thing Peter had ever seen. He was still amazed this creature wanted to be with him. And still terrified at the prospect. “So Thorn’s party starts at six-thirty. Can you still make it?”

Ben huffed, grinning. “Hell yeah, I wouldn’t miss it.” He placed a hand on Peter’s shoulder and leaned in, whispering in his ear seductively, “And I packed a bag.”

Peter jerked back, just as Tammy Albert approached them. She paused for a moment, frowning, her eyes darting back and forth between him and Ben. Peter’s pulse sped. He told himself to relax, act natural. “Tammy.” He smiled at her, carefully moving back, away from Benjamin. “I was just congratulating your star student here.”

Ben turned to her, his face flushing crimson.

Tammy wrapped her arms around Ben. “I’m so happy for you, kid. So proud.”

“Thanks, Dr. Albert.”

“So,” she said. “What are the big plans tonight?”

Ben’s glance shifted to Peter. Peter winced internally.
No, don’t do that. Don’t look at me
. But Ben recovered quickly, giving Tammy his megawatt smile. “Partying with some friends, what else?”

“Well, be careful. No drinking and driving.” She pinched his cheek. “But have fun. And you better stay in touch. Let me know how that job interview goes.”

“Definitely,” Ben said. “I definitely will. Thanks for everything, Tammy.”

Tammy offered Peter a glance, then moved off without saying another word.

“Ah, shit,” Peter muttered, rubbing the bridge of his nose beneath his glasses.

Ben looked at him, his smile dropping. “I’m so sorry,” he said. “Did she hear what I whispered to you?”

“I don’t think so,” Peter said softly. “But she caught the vibe. Didn’t help that your face developed an instant sunburn.”

“I blushed?” Ben lowered his eyes. “I never blush.”

Peter chuckled. “Yes. You do. Often.” He patted Benjamin on the shoulder. “Now please don’t take this the wrong way, but get the hell away from me. I’ll see you tonight.”

Ben smiled, then turned and headed off into the crowd. But not without offering him a grin over his shoulder along the way. Peter watched him go, unable to turn his eyes away.
This kid is gonna be the death of me.

“Peter, can I talk to you for a minute?”

Tammy Albert stood beside him. Watching him watch Benjamin. He cleared his throat, nervously adjusting his eyeglasses. “Sure, Tammy. What’s up?”

She stared at him pointedly. “In my office. Okay?”

They locked eyes, and Peter could see it in her expression. This was not going to be a pleasant, or a comfortable discussion. Finally, he sighed. “All right. Let’s go.”

****

“So how long has it been going on?”

Peter had removed his glasses because he was sweating, though Tammy’s office was air conditioned. He struggled to maintain control as he looked back across the desk at her. He wouldn’t fall apart in front of another teacher. And he wouldn’t hand this to her either. She was going to have to work for it if she wanted a confession. “What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean. You and Ben LeClair. How long?”

“Tammy.” He shook his head, wiping his brow. “Why would you think such a thing?”

She sighed, eyeing him with something like sympathy. “Peter, I have eyes. I saw you with him today, but I had my first suspicions at Dean Yarboro’s party. When I was up on the patio with him, he couldn’t stop looking back at you. And you at him. Then, when you left, he excused himself. And followed. So are we going to play denial games here, or are you going to admit it?”

He sighed, shaking his head. “You have no proof of anything.”

“Peter! I’m not here to lynch you. I just want to give you some advice.”

He blinked, meeting her eyes. “Advice?”

“Talk to Dean Yarboro.”

Peter laughed, shaking his head. “Oh, boy. That’s your advice?”

“So what are your plans, then? Just sneak around, keep it hidden? What if the dean sees you with Benjamin some day? He’ll think it was going on while Ben was still a student. And we both know you’d
never
do that.”

Peter narrowed his eyes. “And what if I did? Do that.”

“Then you don’t admit it. Ever. Can I assume no one else knows?”

Peter shrugged. “It’s only been a couple of weeks. No one knows.”

“Then you go to the dean, and you come out to him. Tell him you have romantic feelings for a former student and are thinking of pursuing it. Tell him you wanted to run it by him first, to see if he has any objections. He’ll love that. He likes thinking he’s the ultimate liberal, and he loves thinking things are his idea.”

Peter shook his head. “What if he doesn’t react that way? I can’t lose this job, Tammy. I just bought a house. And you never really know how someone’s going to feel inside when you tell them you’re gay, ultimate liberal or not. I’ve learned the hard way that people aren’t as accepting as they let on sometimes.”

She sighed, drumming her fingers on the desk. “I came out to Dean Yarboro two years ago.”

“You?” Peter fidgeted with his fingers. “I had no idea you were...”

“Gay? Yeah. Married, actually. To a lovely woman. She coaches field hockey. We’ve been together eight years. But like you, I try to keep my private life private. I have no interest in dragging my wife to academic parties so everyone can be overly friendly to let me know how okay they are with it. It’s no one’s business. But if you hide this, especially the thing with Ben, it’ll come back to bite you in the ass, I guarantee it. So tell me this. Is this something important to you? Or just a fling. Are you in love with Ben LeClair, Peter?”

Peter met her eyes, a dance of fairies doing a jig in his gut. “I don’t know.”

Tammy fell back in her chair, laughter pealing out of her. “Oh, Peter. I bet you never had a chance.”

He tried to chuckle, but didn’t quite make it. “What do you mean?”

“How long have you known Ben?”

“Not long, actually. That’s why I’m having trouble believing this. I mean...Tammy.” He sighed, groaning as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I never saw it coming. He just...came at me. And I tried to say no, I tried so hard. I’ve never lost control like this. This has never happened before, I swear. I’m not some serial pervert preying on students.”

“Peter.” She leaned forward, smiling. “Give yourself a break. I’ve known Ben for four years. I love the little bastard. But I’m incredibly glad I never had to compete with his like when I was out looking for a job. He’s the most persistent, driven, student...scratch that,
person
I’ve ever met. He once stayed in the computer lab for two days without sleep because he couldn’t get a program to work. I had to literally drag him out of there and send him home. If Ben LeClair wanted you, then I’m not the least bit surprised that he got you.”

Peter closed his eyes. “You really think I need to talk to Yarboro?”

“Yeah,” she said. “And I think you need to do it today. Before your little sleepover with Ben tonight.”

Peter opened his eyes. “How did you—”

“I have very good hearing. He packed a bag. Am I right?”

Peter allowed a grin, unable to resist Tammy’s taunting smile. “Yeah. He packed a bag.”

“Then go find Dean Yarboro, and ask his permission to court a former student. Before the dean bags
you
.”

“All right,” he said. “But I’m not mentioning Ben’s name. It’s not my place to out him.”

“You don’t have to. But this is a small town, Peter. You don’t want the dean making speculations down the line. Bite the bullet. And go talk to him. I don’t want to see you lose your job over this.”

Peter stood. He felt nauseous, but he was going to do it. Tammy was right. Hiding would just lead to more hiding, more anxiety about getting caught, and he couldn’t live like that. Benjamin was an adult. And he was no longer a student. He only hoped Dean Yarboro would see it that way.

He headed for the door, pausing before he opened it. “Did he ever get that program to work? Ben, I mean. When he camped out in the computer lab.”

She laughed. “What do you think? He sneaked back in and cracked it that night.”

Peter smiled, and opened the door.

“Hey Peter?”

He turned back.

She grinned. “Nice going, by the way, I’m impressed. Even I’d have trouble tossing
him
out of bed.”

Peter rolled his eyes and left the office, heading down the hall, back to the barbecue to find the dean. Hoping his life wasn’t about to be ruined. Again.

Chapter Fourteen

A crowd of happy-looking strangers were gathered in Thorn’s back garden, laughing and drinking. None of them seemed to notice Ben as he wandered through, his eyes scanning for Peter.

Someone tapped his shoulder and he turned around. “Hey!” He gave Peter a hug, then pulled back, frowning. “Why are you still in your teacher clothes?” He wrinkled his nose. “And why are you all sweaty?”

Peter smiled. “Because I was sweating. A lot. It’s been a hell of a day. I do want to talk to you about it later, but it can wait. Want a drink? Oh, and ah, your friends are here.”

Ben cocked his head to the side. “Friends? Plural? I only invited Dominick.”

Peter looked uncomfortable suddenly, his eyes darting around. “Well, he brought a date.”

Ben glanced around the crowd, then spotted them. Dominick was with Scotty, the boyish blond Ben had had the liberty of watching his current love interest screw senseless in a cabana twenty yards away. His temples throbbed with annoyance. Why couldn’t Dominic have chosen someone else to start dating? He wondered if some subconscious hang up made Dom want to throw Scotty in his face, as punishment for choosing Peter over him. But even if Dominick realized he had such motivations, he’d never admit it.

The two of them stood chatting with other party guests, drinks in hand. Scotty had on the tightest white tee shirt Ben had ever seen. He had to have bought it in the children’s section. “Oh, no. Not him again.” He looked at Peter, narrowing his eyes. “How long has
he
been here? Have you been talking to him? Did he—”

Peter grabbed his chin. “Don’t get mouthy with me, Benjamin. I’m not the one who invited him.” He leaned in and kissed Ben, deeply, melting him. The kiss was soft and tender, but filled with passion, Peter’s hand stroking the back of his neck as his tongue gently explored Ben’s mouth.
Wow
. He wouldn’t have thought a gentle Peter Coyle could be as exciting as a rough Peter Coyle, but damn, it was arousing. And it was the first kiss he’d gotten from Peter in public. He swooned when Peter finally released him.

“You did that on purpose,” Ben said, trying to catch his breath. “To shut me up.”

“Well, it worked.” Peter grinned. “Come on, let me introduce you to some people.”

Peter led him around, introducing him to the rest of Thorn’s friends. Peter had said there would be thirty people here, but it seemed closer to fifty. Ben was deliriously happy at the way Peter kept grabbing his hand. Or squeezing his shoulder affectionately, as he was doing when Thorn approached. Thorn bypassed Peter and gave Benjamin a wide smile, arms open. “Happy graduation, Benjamin. I’ve heard a lot about you. Give me a hug.”

Ben laughed, hugging Thorn awkwardly. “Thank you.”

“I’m gonna steal Peter from you for a minute. You should go talk to your friend, Big Red. He’s been looking for you.”

“Okay, thanks.” Ben glanced back as he walked away. Thorn leaned in and whispered something in Peter’s ear, and Peter nodded and smiled, eyes still on Ben. He had the feeling they were discussing him. But he couldn’t really say he minded. He’d been dying to talk to
his
best friend about Peter. But of course now that Dominick had brought a date, he couldn’t. But he committed to trying to be nice to Scotty, stupid tee shirt or not. If he made Dom happy, then he was all right. As long as he kept his damn clothes on.

He found Dominick by the pool, sitting on a lounge chair. Scotty sat between his legs, smoking a cigarette, and his eyes widened when he saw Ben. “Hey!” Scotty said. “
Benjamin
.” He winked.