New Leaves, No Strings (Austin Erotic Romance Series) Read online

  I left her to it and ran through the empty corridors, passing all of the closed doors, the squeaking of my trainers on the polished floor echoing, breaking the silence. I gently opened the double doors that led into the English amphitheatre, hoping to find a seat before I was spotted by the professor. It was packed and everyone was seated, but for one guy dead ahead. He had his back to me and was bent over taking his books from his black rucksack. A pair of dark grey trousers were painted onto the cheeks of the most perfectly sculpted bottom I’d ever seen and strained around his muscular firm thighs. He was on display, just like a dazzling peacock, so I tilted my head to study his bottom further, it would’ve been insane for me not to admire it.

  Slowly he straightened up and I could see his strong biceps taut beneath his crisp pale grey shirt sleeves, his broad muscular shoulders tapered down to a slim waist and that perfection of a bottom. I drew my eyes up to his messy blonde hair, which just scrapped the back of his shirt collar and as he began to turn to face my direction, I held my breath in anticipation of what was to come.

  For that moment time froze and I totally I forgot where I was as I stood there, just inside the doorway. Everything else melted away, the temperature in the room rose a few degrees and I realised my heart was beating faster. I liked what I saw, really liked what I saw. Please let him be a Tyler in the looks department I chanted inwardly, if so operation seduction would be on with the first male specimen I’d spotted, Lexi would be so proud. Before I had a chance to see his face, she barrelled through the door straight into the back of me and we fell arse over tit into a tangled heap on the floor, the contents of my bag flying everywhere.

  ‘Well I can see I’m going to have trouble with the two of you. I don’t tolerate tardiness, if you plan to attend my lectures be here on time,’ chastised Mr Jenkins our well to do professor. ‘As if that weren’t bad enough, one of you looks like she’s just arrived from the film set of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, while the other appears to be parodying a mental patient dribbling at the sight of a male posterior. Please will you pick yourselves up and find a seat, so I can finally start my lecture.’

  I could hear the sniggers going around the amphitheatre like a Mexican wave and clambered off the floor trying to keep my head down. I could feel my cheeks blazing and I felt thoroughly humiliated as I gathered up the contents of my bag, hastily shoving them back in. Lexi paused for a bow before dragging me to the only remaining table with two chairs, of course they had to be right at the front, to the left of the entrance door. Damn it, we were right opposite him, my potential new Tyler. The blonde with the gorgeous body, whose face I still hadn’t even seen.

  I shuffled myself forwards in my chair and put my books on the desk and tried to sneak a surreptitious glance through my fringe at him. I could see a pair of black lace up oxfords, with grey socks peeking out from beneath his trouser leg. Was this guy for real? Most of the Uni guys were in baggy jeans with their arses hanging out, scruffy trainers and dirty t-shirts and he was all dressed up like a male catalogue model. His legs were parted with one hand his thigh, which seemed to be trying to hide a sizable bulge that made me even flush even more, he had an erection.

  I slowly drew my gaze upwards over the desk and worked my way up his Paul Smith shirt to his face and was momentarily stunned. He really was a Tyler, but so much more. He had a firm square masculine jaw, his cheekbones were chiselled, lips full and soft with a gorgeous cupids bow and his nose was just perfect. I drew my gaze up to his eyes, which had a hue so blue they rivalled my own and were framed by the longest dark lashes. He was serious model material, David Gandy move over.

  I’d never seen someone so handsome in my life. I could feel my breathing quicken as I stared in awe, then realised he was looking right back at me. As our eyes locked, I felt a surge of heat rush over me, the look in his eyes was pure lust, the likes of which I’d never seen. He tilted his head, drew his kissable lips into a knockout smile and winked.

  ‘Holy shit,’ muttered Lexi. ‘Did blonde and beautiful over there just wink at you?’

  ‘Yes, I think he did,’ I uttered in amazement. My cheeks flamed as I quickly looked back down at my desk.

  ‘Mia close your bloody mouth, you’re drooling again.’

  It started to become harder to breathe, as if I could feel the air being sucked out of the room and my lungs. My hands began to tremble and a wave of nausea hit me like a bullet train. The light started to dim and everything sounded muffled and distant.

  ‘Lexi, I think I’m going to pass out,’ I whispered, as the light oak desk top rapidly approached my face.

  I felt myself coming around and was sure I was in someone’s arms. They smelled so good, so masculine. I could feel the firmness of their chest pressed against my cheek and strong arms clutching my body. I felt so woozy that I had to shut my eyes and the next time I opened them, I was lying down on a bed, in what appeared to be a small surgery. Lexi was holding my hand and a Nurse stood over me taking my pulse.

  ‘You’ll be fine, it was probably a combination of the heat, dehydration and low blood sugar,’ she said, giving me a kind smile and she handed me a dextrose tablet. ‘Here suck this slowly and then try to sit up. I’ll go and get you a sugared tea, back in a moment.’

  ‘Thanks,’ I smiled as she left.

  ‘Better?’ Lexi asked giving me a concerned look and I nodded.

  ‘Lex please tell me I didn’t just make a fool of myself in front of the whole class and then faint when he winked at me?’ I groaned.

  ‘Yep you did. Though I have to say, if he’d have winked at me, I might have had a reaction too. He’s seriously hot. He looks like that guy off Suits you fancy, Harvey. Do you know him? I could feel the chemistry sizzling between you.’

  ‘I don’t know him Lexi, never seen him before and what chemistry? The only chemistry going on was a chain reaction of humiliation. It wasn’t bad enough I was frozen to the spot, totally unable to function as I stared at his bloody perfect bottom with the entire room watching me, but you had to come in and made it all the worse by knocking me to the floor and drawing attention to us. Then to top it off, you sit us directly opposite him. I could’ve died when he winked at me. Did I really plank face first into the desk?’

  ‘Yep, all the grace of a rhino. I was shaking you trying to wake you up and he just moved me out of the way, pulled your chair back, lifted you up and carried you here, with me in hot pursuit.’

  ‘What?! That was him? He carried me? Are you joking? Seriously he carried me?’ I exclaimed sitting up in shock.

  ‘All officer and a gentleman Mia and it was a long way here.’

  ‘Officer and a gentleman? I bet he’s some kind of pervert taking an opportunity to feel up an unconscious woman. Jesus Lex, the first attractive guy I see after our little bet and I literally fall for him. I bet I dribbled on his perfect grey shirt too. What a bloody moron.’ I slapped my forehead and winced, it was still tender from its round with the desk and Lexi laughed at me. ‘Shit Lex, it’s not funny. He’s not outside now is he? Tell me he’s not outside? I could die of shame.’

  ‘No, Mr Jenkins came down to check on you and they went back together. Blonde and beautiful wants to meet tomorrow, about quarter to nine at the main campus entrance to get his notes to us, so we can catch up on what we missed.’

  ‘How am I going to face him or go into that lecture again? Is it too late to change subjects? I don’t think I could’ve made more of a fool of myself if I’d tried.’

  ‘Yes it’s too late to change, but hello? Do you really want to when we’ve three years of that to sit across from? And yes Mia, it could’ve been worse, you could’ve been sick on the desk, before landing in it face first, or farted and followed through as you lost consciousness in front of the whole room.’

  ‘Lexi. Do you have to?’ I laughed as I slapped her arm. ‘God he’s going to think I’m such an idiot, like I stood a chance with him anyway,’ I sighed. ‘I bet he has girls throwing themselves at his fee
t all the time and you sitting next to me doesn’t help my chances either.’

  ‘Mia, how many times do we have to do this? I’d trade my body for yours any day, not all men like skin and bone you know. Judging by the wink and rescue, I’m thinking you’re exactly his type. He never took his eyes off you, which by the way match your own, as if that weren’t sign enough. I think we’ve found your H&D guy.’

  ‘HND?’ I asked puzzled.

  ‘Not HND, H and D, Hump and dump. A guy to use and lose, like we discussed. He looks like a guy that’s had some experience. You find him attractive, him you, perfect conditions for our new challenge.’

  ‘I see someone’s already feeling better, you’ve some colour back in your cheeks,’ said the Nurse as she handed me a cup of sugary tea. ‘I’m surprised your boyfriend’s not been back to check on you. He looked very concerned.’

  ‘Boyfriend,’ I spluttered through my first gulp. ‘He’s not my boyfriend, I don’t even know him.’

  ‘I’ve a feeling that’s about to change,’ she winked.

  ‘What’s with all the winking today?’ I asked Lexi, as I was given a clean bill of health and we left the surgery with me hanging onto her arm.

  ‘You’re giving off a vibe, that and your tits look big in that white top you slut. We need to go shopping and get you some outfits that show you off at your best, we want to knock him out in the morning. Something a bit more sexy than your trade mark jeans.’

  ‘My tits look big in everything Lex, plus I like my jeans,’ I protested as she led me off campus towards the main city shopping streets.

  Three hours later we reached our apartment, laden down with bags.

  ‘Well say what you like about your dad Mia,’ panted Lexi after climbing the three flights of stairs. ‘But buying this apartment for you was pretty generous. Plus that monthly allowance he sends, means you don’t have to worry about buying new clothes or having to go and get a job. Do you think he’d pay for a lift for the building?’

  ‘It’s just money Lexi, trying to bribe me for my affections. Anyway if he’s stupid enough to keep buying me things and sends money I’m not going to refuse. He never paid my mum a cent of maintenance money for me. He purchased my sisters first house for her too, so it’s only what he owes, nothing more.’

  ‘Well I’m grateful. Have you seen the Uni digs? The room Matt had was dire.’

  ‘Who the bloody hell’s Matt?’ I asked as I turned the key in our front door.

  ‘Last night’s man.’

  ‘Right, are we going for Marathon man next?’ I giggled.

  ‘Funny, very funny. Well thanks to your dad anyway. We may have three flights of stairs to climb, but this is a sweet pad and at least we get to stay together.’

  ‘On the rare occasion you’re home Lex.’

  I closed the front door behind us and looked around our new apartment. Lexi was right, it was great. It was in the eaves of a huge old three storey Victorian building that housed six large apartments in total. Ours had a large entrance hall painted white, off which there were five original panelled interior doors. The entire apartment had oak wooden floors throughout, except the two bedrooms, which we’d carpeted in cream. Due to the low sloping ceilings and occasional beams, it was full of character. With some help from Mum and Gerry, along with the money I’d saved up from the allowance from my dad and a summer temping job, we’d been able to fully kit the place out to our style.

  It had a large modern kitchen diner, with a utility and shower room off it. A massive lounge, running the width of the building, in which we’d also been able to put our desks and bookcases for studying too. Lexi had taken the smaller bedroom, which she’d painted black, much to my horror. The main bathroom was a good size, with twin sinks, a walk in shower and double ended bath and had a second door through to the main bedroom, which was mine.

  This had the most stunning large sash windows, like the rest of the property. I’d decorated it in bright white, except for a feature wall behind my king sized white cast iron bed. I’d done that in a deep rich purple, which reminded me of the Cadbury chocolate foil wrapper. I also had the same white shabby chic furniture that I’d loved so much in my old room at home. I thought it left it looking crisp and light and I hated clutter so everything was tucked away and out of sight.

  ‘Right, I’ll open the wine, you go and get those clothes on so we can choose an outfit to commence operation seduction tomorrow,’ ordered Lexi as she headed to the kitchen.

  I shook my head, she was incorrigible. Also right, not since Tyler or Alex had I been attracted to anyone. Not that Kai was bad looking, he just didn’t ignite me. When he could control his mood swings we’d had a laugh, but I did the bare minimum that was expected of a girlfriend. Kissing him wasn’t so bad, that I missed. I pictured the face of my mystery blonde rescuer and felt my stomach tighten, he sure was easy on the eye.

  Tuesday

  I woke up with a mild hangover. We’d drunk over bottle of wine each, as we’d screeched with laughter carrying out our very own version of America’s Next Top Model, doing a catwalk show in the hall with silly poses.

  I opened my wardrobe to take out the outfit that we’d both chosen, it was great, but it left room for me to ramp up the sexiness for possible future encounters. I took out a blue V neck buttoned jersey shirt, that Lexi said made my eyes pop. It had ties that could be done up at the waist to show a tiny bit of flesh, including my pierced naval. I pulled on a tight white and blue striped maxi length skirt, which hugged my curves in all the right places and some white flip flops. I put on minimal makeup, I never wore foundation as I hated the feel of it on my skin, mascara and Vaseline on the lips were my daily staples. I left my waist long naturally wavy hair loose and put on a bit of silver jewellery, a spray of perfume and I was done.

  Lexi was waiting for me at in the hall. ‘Wow, you look amazing. You’re going to blow his mind. He doesn’t have ownership of the perfect arse stakes you know, you need to dress in tightly fitted clothes more often. Come here, you need to unbutton a couple more to show off your cleavage too.’

  ‘Lexi. I don’t want to come across a total slut,’ I objected and then slapped her hands away. ‘Hey hands off, that’s enough buttons thank you. And what the hell have you done to your hair? It wasn’t bloody orange when I went to bed. When did you have time to do that?’

  ‘You know me, I get bored quickly. I think I was slightly pissed and left the dye on too long. I wanted to impress the guy sat next to me in English yesterday. He was really cute and he has this whole moody tortured vibe going on, which you know I love, so make sure you sit on my right again so I can do some flirting of my own.’

  ‘Well that explains why you’ve gone out to impress too Lex.’ She’d toned down the black eye makeup, put on a maxi dress, in black of course, but with a pair of converse trainers instead of her trademark biker boots.

  ‘Well if you’re going to try to keep up your end of the deal, so am I. If I need to date … shit the words feel awful in my mouth,’ she said with a shudder. ‘If I’m going to date a guy, I need to try and look a bit more accessible, rather than giving off the “fuck me, then fuck off” vibe.’

  ‘Eloquently put as ever Lex. Shall we?’ I held the apartment door open for her and we headed out to yet another hot September morning.

  We left the apartment and crossed the road to the very handily placed bus stop and waited, listening to the sound of an occasional car horn and wolf whistle. I felt the bus driver’s eyes follow my bottom as I sashayed up the aisle. Normally I’d find it perverted, but today it made me feel good. I needed a positive edge after yesterday’s humiliation.

  Twenty minutes later, we were dropped off right outside the main campus entrance and took shelter from the sun under one of the trees. Students milled around, waiting for the last possible moment to head in. I wondered how different the grounds, trees and river would look as it turned to winter, when there’d be no human patchwork quilt to shield the grass, no brightly co
loured flowers or the greenness of the trees. I scanned the area for him and my stomach began to flutter at the thought of seeing him again. Shit, I really had the hots for him and I’d barely seen his face, didn’t even know his name. Lexi said he’d told her and she’d forgotten it.

  ‘Lex I feel sick. I don’t know what I’m going to say.’

  ‘Well you better think of something quick, he’s over there and he’s spotted you.’

  ‘O god. O god, my mouths gone really dry Lexi. Lexi? Lexi get back here, Lexi where are you going? Don’t leave me,’ I pleaded as she grinned and walked away backwards.

  She gave me the thumbs up, mouthing ‘H&D Mia, H&D.’

  I turned to see the epitome of all things I found attractive saunter up, rucksack casually slung over one shoulder, his other hand in the front pocket of a pair of dark blue jeans, my gaze was instantly drawn to his crotch again. O crap, what was wrong with me? I was turning into a cock worshipping whore. I quickly drew my gaze up over his white fitted loose shirt and looked up at his face and it was so much better than I’d remembered. He was quite simply breathtakingly beautiful, stunningly handsome in fact.

  ‘Hi, nice to see you upright and with your eyes open today. I bet everyone tells you that they’re the most amazing blue? I’m Gabe by the way,’ he smiled as he stretched out his hand to shake mine.

  I froze and just stood staring at him. Lexi was right, he did look a bit like Gabriel Macht. I’d really frustrate her as I would pause Suits every time he smiled, as it just slayed me. This guy’s smile was doing it for me even more, plus he was my age and physically attainable, which was a bonus. His voice was like a chocolate fondue, smooth, warm and velvety, with a seriously sexy huskiness to it. I just wanted to bathe in it.

  ‘Hi, anyone there? Mia isn’t it?’

  ‘Sorry, yes it is Mia,’ I nodded, quickly pulling myself together. I reached out, placing my hand in his. He squeezed it firmly and I felt a surge of electricity pass from his hand to mine and run all the way down to my clit, which made me inhale sharply. ‘You must be the guy my friend Lexi told me about, my knight in shining armour. I hear you carried me to the Nurse when I fainted?’