Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Having fixed my eyeliner, I wipe the rest of my lipstick off. It’s more effort than I would usually put in because tonight is nothing more than coming out to drink with my two best friends. I’m not looking for a boyfriend, and I’m not looking for a hook up. So, what does it matter what I look like?
I walk out of the women’s restroom and try not to worry too much about the way my head is swimming. I’ve got quite a high tolerance for alcohol—which is needed when you have friends like Andrew and Dane—but I realize I haven’t had anything to eat since breakfast this morning. I had a huge oral presentation today for my differential equations class, and I had to work through lunch to finalize it.
“Avril… you are looking smoking hot tonight,” I hear from behind me.
Before I can turn, a large, meaty arm surrounds my waist and pulls me into a sweaty armpit. I manage to pull my head back and look up into the drunk, leering face of Jordan Massie, also a chemical-engineering student.
I grimace and try to pull out of his hold. “Let go, Jordan.”
Not only doesn’t he comply, but his grip tightens on me before his other hand comes to squeeze my ass as he pulls me to his front. His words are sloppy and slurred, indicating he’s shit-faced. “Come on, baby. Tired of you always teasing me.”
“I do not tease you, jackass. You are vile and disgusting, and your breath always smells like fermented cheese.”
This does not deter Jordan, but I really didn’t expect it to because he’s so drunk. I try a more reasonable tact.
“You had better let me go before Dane and Andrew see you.”
This gets his attention. Everybody knows Dane, Andrew, and I are a threesome. Granted, we are strictly friends, but we always do everything together. They are both overprotective of me. Jordan would not be the first guy they’ve had to put in their place when we are out.
Jordan’s gaze slowly spans the bar before coming back to me with a malicious twinkle. “I don’t see your two boyfriends. Maybe they already left.”
For a split second, I have a moment’s worry. But then I realize that’s ludicrous as they would never leave me here alone. Jordan must not have seen them sitting at our table. Still, I turn my face that way only to be utterly shocked when I see the table is occupied by other people and Dane and Andrew are nowhere around.
Jordan seems to be emboldened, and his hand drops lower on my ass as he tries to push his fingers between my legs. He tilts his head to put his mouth near my ear and says, “What is it with you and those two guys? Do you fuck them both at the same time?”
With a growl of indignation, I slam my hands into Jordan’s chest, but he’s twice as big as I am and doesn’t budge an inch. He just grins down at me as he pulls me in tighter to the front of his body, and I can feel his dick pressing into my stomach.
And then… he’s gone.
Just gone.
“Come on, Avril,” Andrew says as his hand engulfs mine and he starts pulling me away.
My eyes search the area. I see Dane punching the crap out of Jordan, who is on the floor and trying to cover his head with his arms.
“But… you have to help Dane,” I yell at Andrew as he pulls me through the crowd.
Andrew laughs. “Does it look like he needs help?”
I watch as Dane lands a solid punch to Jordan’s nose, and blood sprays. But then that vision recedes as Andrew pulls me out of the bar.
My two heroes.
I love these guys.
I hope we never lose this friendship.
CHAPTER 1
Dane
I swipe my identification card to open the heavy glass doors of Caterva BioTech. It’s still an hour before everyone will start trickling in, a diverse group of scientists, programmers, research assistants, and other support staff. Still, I’m probably an hour behind my partners.
Avril will have arrived first, usually by six AM. Andrew wouldn’t have been far behind, but he likes to stop by his favorite coffee shop on the way in and flirt with the cute barista there. Or, at least, that’s the last I’d heard. His love life has been on the decline lately.
I’m usually not far behind them. But this morning, I’d gotten waylaid by a frisky redhead who insisted on starting my day with a fantastic fucking blow job, and who was I to say no?
I don’t bother with turning the lobby lights on. There’s enough dawn light coming through the wall of glass on the eastern side of the building to guide me to the elevators. I swipe my card again and ride up to the fifth floor, which houses the executive offices. The first floor comprises the lobby, cafeteria, and employee break room, which is outfitted with a variety of plush couches, TVs, arcade games, and nap rooms. Second and third floors are all research and development. Fourth floor houses administrative and support staff. The fifth floor is comprised of the executive offices, marketing, and additional conference rooms, including a huge board of directors’ hall with a custom-built table that seats thirty.