Tempting tutor a harem a.., p.4
Tempting Tutor: A Harem Adventure, page 4
I looked Zoe in the eye and shook my head. “You did nothing wrong. This was all about me not knowing how to handle you becoming popular.”
Zoe’s jaw dropped. “You were jealous?”
“I was jealous of Brad, Liam, Noah, Charlie, and Theo. But they were all just Chad’s.”
Zoe’s brow furrowed with confusion. “Chad? I never dated a Chad.”
“Chad is the generic name for a generic stud,” I said. “Ever since that summer, the Chad’s were always there. Hell, Brad Jacobs was a sophomore in college when he tried to get with you after your junior year of high school.”
“Whatever. I didn’t even like him. Those guys all came and went,” Zoe said. “They weren’t you.”
“That day at your house — do you remember who else came to your pool that day?”
Zoe’s eyes drifted upward as if trying to recall. “There was me, you, and Luke.”
“And Brad Jacobs.”
“That’s right. He knocked on our gate and swam with us. So what?”
“When you and Luke went into the house for lemonade, Brad and I chatted. He thought you were my nanny for the summer. He asked me where I went to grade school.”
Zoe’s expression turned angry. “I’m sorry. That guy turned out to be such an asshole. He tried to make a move on me after you left.”
“Yes. He’s an asshole, but in his defense, he wasn’t trying to be mean. He thought I was like ten years old. Who could blame him?”
“So, it was about Brad?”
I shook my head. “That whole summer you had guys coming and going, randomly showing up at your door. They would pretend to be friends with me to score points with you, but I heard them talking behind my back. The guys at school called me your mascot. They said you were friends with me because I was safe.”
Zoe’s eyes widened with white-hot rage. “What? Who? I’ll kill them.”
I waved it away. “It doesn’t matter. Through no fault of your own, your popularity became too much for me to handle.”
Zoe squeezed my hand, and her eyes turned warm with compassion. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You were blossoming, Zoe. I wanted you to be happy, but it was too hard looking like me, standing next to you.”
“So, you left,” she said.
I nodded. “I left, so I didn’t have to watch you flourish while I foundered. It was extremely selfish of me, and it took me a long time for me to understand my mistake. Now I know that no matter who you’re with or what you do, I want you in my life. I let you go because I was a coward.”
“You weren’t a coward, Matty. You were just a kid dealing with all these emotions, including your mom’s death and all your dad’s bullshit. I just wish you had told me.”
“If I had told you then, I would have blamed you when it wasn’t your fault. This was something I had to work through on my own. Your mom helped me a lot.”
Zoe sighed and squeezed my hand. “I forgive you. Now, can we go back to being best friends?”
I smiled at her. “I’d like that.”
Zoe smiled at me warmly, then reached out and gave my muscled shoulder a playful squeeze. “Who’s flourishing now?”
I grinned. “I blame it on your mom’s cooking.”
Zoe laughed, and the mood lightened. The sound was music to my ears, a panacea diluting years of pent-up stress. Tension fled my body, and it felt like the weight of the world slipped from my shoulders.
Zoe squeezed my hand, sliding it deeper in hers. “You know that I never cared about the way you looked, right?”
“I know, which is why this whole thing is on me,” I said. “But I really missed you, Zoe. I think about you every day.”
“Me too, dummy. You’ve got a lot of making up to do.”
“No more running. But I’m warning you, I might turn into a pest.”
She beamed and inched closer then stretched her legs across my lap. “Good. That’s just the way I like it.”
I took a chance and placed my free hand on Zoe’s ankle. “We should probably head back in, before Nora sends out a search party.”
Zoe studied me for a long moment, not moving as she held my hand and kept her legs stretched across my lap. “What if I told you I have a boyfriend?”
My heart sank, and I tried to hide the gnawing ache that clawed at my stomach. What I told Zoe was true. I felt all those things, but above all else, I couldn’t stand seeing her with another guy. I still couldn’t. But instead of telling her the truth, I shrugged. “I’d say Chad is a lucky ass dude, but that won’t stop me from being your friend.”
Zoe giggled. “His name’s not Chad.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whenever I meet Chad, I’ll be on my best behavior.”
A long moment stretched out between us as the mood in the air shifted, growing, somehow, heavier. It wasn’t an uncomfortable silence, but it felt Zoe had something to say, so I let it play out.
Zoe pursed her lips as she gazed at me with an intensity that was foreign to any one moment of our entire friendship. It felt like she was looking at me for the first time. “You’ve changed, Matty.”
I looked at myself up and down, then back at Zoe. “Duh? But, don’t worry. I’m still the same old me inside.”
Zoe shook her head. “I don’t think so, and I’m not talking about your physical appearance. I mean, you’ve matured. You’re a man.”
I rubbed the five o’clock shadow sprouting from my face. “Thanks, Zoe. I guess with what I’ve been through, I had to grow up fast. As for you and me, I’ll keep the jealousy in the woodshed behind the house, and if it ever gets out of line again, I’ll bring the strap.”
Zoe giggled, and her next move surprised me. She crawled onto my lap and wrapped her arms around my shoulder and neck, pulling me into a hug. “I missed you so much.”
My stomach flipped over and spun out of control while my head soared into the clouds. Zoe’s sweet, cotton candy scent enveloped me as I buried my nose in her golden locks. I savored the warmth where her body touched mine, and the feeling of her big, springy breasts mashed against my chest.
“I missed you too, Zoe Peaches.”
She squeezed me a little harder, and I felt her thumb caress the base of my neck. “I’m still your Zoe Peaches.”
“And I’m still your Matty Melons.”
Zoe came away from me grinning, but her eyes were misty with tears. Unlike earlier, these tears came from a good place. She kept her arms draped over my shoulders, with her hands locked behind my neck. Only inches separated her lips from mine, and I pulled back on an instinct to lean in and kiss her.
Her eyes twinkled as her gaze settled on my lips. “Does Matty Melons have a girlfriend?”
I shook my head. “I came to college single and ready to mingle.”
Zoe frowned. “You’re not a man whore, are you?”
Not only wasn’t I a man whore, I was still a virgin. “I’ve been too busy working to whore myself out. Someone’s got to pay for school, and it sure as hell isn’t Andrew Parker.”
Zoe giggled, and her blue eyes twinkled. “Good. Keep it that way. Where’s your dorm? I want to come help you set it up.”
“About that — it’s complicated. Come on, let’s go inside and I’ll explain everything.”
Five
Bickering Babes
During our walk back to the restaurant, Zoe clung tight to my hand. Maybe clinging was an overstatement. Rather, the way she held my hand felt as natural as breathing. It was as if we had always been together and always would be. I would have said we picked up right where we left off, but we shared an undeniable, newborn chemistry laden with sexual undertones that weren’t there before.
Was I, once again, entering friend zone territory? Maybe, but I didn’t think so, and I didn’t care. I had spent my entire life enjoying life in the friend zone with Zoe Monroe. It was a fine place, and I missed her friendship. I missed her.
Even though the walk was short, Zoe made the most of it. She asked me a handful of questions about my major and my scholarship. Just as we reached the front door of the restaurant, she started prodding me about my living situation.
The restaurant hummed with the sounds of clattering silverware, clinking plates and the drone of conversation. The tantalizing aroma of sizzling steaks and fresh-baked bread wafted through the air, whetting my appetite. Baseball games played on the TVs over the bar and a litany of college kids, and their families decorated nearly every table of the busy brewhouse.
We entered the fray, hand-in-hand, and made our way back to the table where we found the rest of the Monroe clan, sitting patiently at the table, chatting as if nothing was amiss.
Nora noticed us first, and her face lit with a relieved smile. “They’re back.”
Nora took us in, and her gaze dropped to our clasped hands before an even warmer smile blossomed on her face.
Grinning, Luke gave us two thumbs up and nodded with approval. He had long pushed for our reunion. It was no secret he hoped Zoe and I might one day truly connect.
In unison, Mia and Bella turned about in their chairs. Mia smiled as if with approval, but as her eyes settled on Zoe’s hand wrapped around mine, the smile faded.
Bella was the harder to read. She homed in on our held hands right away, and a knowing smile curled her lips. She gave an almost imperceptible nod, then swiveled back around to face her mother and Luke. I wasn’t into sports, but the glint in her eye and her steady gaze of determination reminded me of a competitor amped for a challenge.
“Sorry for the drama,” Zoe said. “I was just so shocked.”
“It’s okay, baby,” Nora said. “You two come sit next to me.”
Zoe and I circled around the table, and I took the seat beside Nora while Zoe sat down next to me, only then letting go of my hand.
“Can we order? I’m starving,” Bella said.
“Same,” Mia said. “They have the best grilled chicken salad here.”
Zoe glanced over at me, smiling sweetly. She inched closer, giving me a mouthwatering view of the cleavage sprouting from her sundress. She scanned the QR code with her phone and subtly, shifted closer, edging her chair toward mine.
The server arrived a minute later, and we placed our food and drink orders before the conversation turned to my housing crisis.
“What’s this about a problem with your dorm assignment?” Bella asked, turning me to mush with her distracting blue eyes.
Nora looked at me before I launched into an explanation of my father’s sabotage and my current housing predicament. Nora filled in a few of the blanks, answering questions from her daughters that I didn’t know or had left out.
“Your dad is a real special kind of prick,” Bella said. “Who does that to their own flesh and blood?”
“Mr. Parker doesn’t believe Matt is his son,” Zoe said.
“There was a fucking DNA test,” Bella said. “Is he brain dead?”
“He’s a monster,” Mia said. “I’m sorry, Matt. You deserve better.”
“Thanks, Mia. We locked him out of all my student accounts.”
Zoe scooped up my hand under the table, this time lacing her fingers in mine like her mother had earlier in the day. She looked at me, her eyes all soft and warm. “What else has he done to you?”
I shook my head. “More than I want to share over dinner. But I promise, I’ll tell you everything later.”
Bella frowned at her little sister, and Mia shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
What was up with them? I turned my attention away from Zoe and back to the table at large. “So that’s the long and short of it. I’ve got nowhere to stay, and we already checked the hotels. They’re booked solid for the next two weeks.”
“I’m looking into a house rental,” Nora said. “For a long time, Jim and I have talked about buying a house on campus for games, events, or even just to rent out. Now, with all five of our kids here, there’s no better time. But that won’t help us tonight.”
That she had included me as one of her offspring, didn’t escape my notice or Zoe’s. At her mother’s words, Zoe glanced at me and squeezed my hand under the table.
“Matty can stay with me,” Zoe said as she caressed the back of my hand with her thumb.
My head spun, not only with Zoe’s intimate touch, but at the stunning revelation. What was she thinking? Zoe and I had a million sleepovers as kids, but that was many years removed from the hormones surging through us now. There was no way I could keep my hands off her.
Bella barked out a short laugh. “Where? In the cold air dorm full of women? You live in a sorority, Zoe.”
“Yes. And you are the president of our sorority,” Zoe said. “Besides, it’s only for a couple of weeks.”
Mia frowned. “How would that even work? You have a single bed. Where would Matt sleep?”
“With me. In the same bed,” Zoe said. “We shared my single at home for naps and stuff all the time.”
My stomach swooned and my cock shifted in my pants, hardening with visions of Zoe’s legs wrapped around my waist, moaning while I rocked her hard and deep.
Bella snorted, nearly spitting out her water, and Mia’s jaw dropped. Luke chuckled and shook his head.
“Oh, dear,” Nora said, frowning. “I’m not sure that’s the best idea.”
“You all need to get your head out of the gutter,” Zoe said. “Matt’s my best friend. It’s not like that.”
Bella’s jaw dropped. “Have you seen your best friend lately? The guy looks like he stepped out of GQ.”
My cheeks flushed hot, and I averted my gaze.
Mia folded her arms over her chest and stared down her nose at her little sister. “You just want to have sex with him.”
Zoe gasped. “I do not.”
Luke cackled so hard he nearly fell out of his chair. “Look at this, dude. You’re here three hours and you already have the ladies fighting over you.”
“Shut the fuck up, Luke,” Bella said.
“Enough,” Nora said.
Her voice rang with authority, and the bickering came to an abrupt halt. We all shut our mouths and turned our attention to Nora.
Nora took a breath and smiled at Zoe. “Thank you for offering a solution, baby. Let’s explore some alternatives first.”
“Why aren’t you and Luke rooming together?” Bella asked. “You’re best friends.”
“And we want to keep it that way,” I said. “How did rooming with your high school friend go during your first year?”
Bella’s expression soured. “Okay. I get your point, but you and Luke are each other’s ride or die. You’re practically brothers.”
“We wanted to meet more people,” Luke said. “Living apart forces us to make new friendships. Besides, it’s not like I won’t see Matt every day.”
“Luke is rushing a fraternity,” I said. “He’ll be busy.”
All three girls stared at me, their expressions shocked.
It was Zoe who spoke first. “You aren’t rushing?”
I shrugged. “I’ve had a colored past with those kinds of guys.”
Mia shook her head. “Don’t stereotype them all. You’ll make some great friends in a fraternity.”
“Besides, you can pair with our sorority,” Zoe said. “Mia is the social chair this year. She’ll put you on all the lists.”
Mia beamed. “You bet I will. Please, Matt. Don’t decide yet. We’ll introduce you to some cool guys that are just your type.”
“What type would that be?” Nora asked.
Bella grinned. “Hot, smart, and aloof. The only things missing are the long hair and the guitar.”
Mia and Zoe giggled, and Luke rolled his eyes.
“I’m more of the wallflower type,” I said.
“Not anymore,” Zoe said. “You’re with us now.”
“Okay, kids, I’m all for propping up Matthew, but let’s get back to the crisis at hand,” Nora said. “Matthew needs a place to stay tonight. Does anyone have any other suggestions?”
“Matt could totally crash with me, but I don’t even know my roommate, “Luke said. “You’re my brother from another mother but consider my room a last resort.”
“I’m not putting you in that position,” I said. “If it comes to that, I’ll stay with Zoe.”
Zoe squeezed my hand under the table and smiled brightly, drawing snide looks from her sisters.
“Matt, you can stay with me,” Mia said. “We have our own suite at the sorority that’s not in the cold air dorm. We even have a futon you can crash on.”
“May I remind you that you share that suite with two other girls,” Bella said. “A room that bumps up to the housemother’s room?”
Mia rolled her eyes. “Guys sneak in all the time. Besides, Heather and Kasey wouldn’t care. They would actually love it.”
“And neither one of them can keep their mouths shut,” Zoe said. “They’ll blab to everyone, and I wouldn’t put it past Heather to make a move on Matt.”
I raised an eyebrow and traded a look with Luke. Who was this Heather, and how could I meet her?
Mia glared at Zoe. “What do you care? Do I need to remind you that you have a boyfriend? What would Dan think of Matt sleeping alone with you in your bed?”
“I broke up with Dan. I’m dating Mark,” Zoe said. “And what I do with my friend is none of his business.”
“Ladies, please,” Nora said. “I’m concerned. Do the three of you normally bicker this much?”
Zoe sat back in a huff, and Mia’s expression soured.
“We have only one actual option,” Bella said. “Matt can stay in my room at the sorority.”
The thought sent a rush of excitement through my body, and I couldn’t fight the arousal stirring in my loins. Images of Bella traipsing around braless wearing a sheer tank top and white cotton panties danced through my mind. In a thousand lifetimes, I never dreamed something like this would happen to me. I should have sent my father a thank you note. He had done me a huge favor.
Although if I could pick any option, I would sleep with Zoe. Her tight little body, big round breasts and bubbly personality did it for me like nothing else could. Even it meant spending the night with blue balls. I could hold her in my arms and feel her tight little ass rub up against my fat hog.
