Page 20 of B is for Baby Me (Classes in Kink #1)

Chapter nineteen

The Kickoff

Fletcher

“Where’s your roommate, Bennett?” I’ve yet to meet him, and now seems as good a time as any. The more time I spend with JR’s friends, the more the undergrads are growing on me.

JR rubs the back of his neck. “He had a little too much to drink. He’s sleeping it off in the guest room.”

I see. It seems that the party has started without me. Though I’d arrived on time to the open-door event, the Golden Gladiators had shown up early. The insatiable athletes are already scarfing down second helpings.

“You should have seen him, Professor. It was hilarious!” Tyrell cracks up, his plate of food temporarily forgotten. “The little guy was hangin’ off me, sayin’ how my spirit reminds him of some Hindu elephant-god named Ganesh. My spirit’s not the only thing that’s like an elephant, y’know what I’m sayin’?”

Simon appears out of thin air, a wicked glint in his eye. “Is that a fact, Tyrell?”

The linebacker greets him with an enthusiastic side hug. “Sigh-Moan! Man, this is the best turkey I’ve ever had in my life.” He takes another huge bite of meat.

“Why, thank you.” The creator of the culinary masterpiece preens, looking quite pleased with himself.

“All hail the chef!” Blake yells from across the crowded living room.

“ Sigh-Moan! “ A deafening cheer erupts throughout the house. From the sound of it, that’s not the first time the Golden Gladiators have screamed Simon’s name.

My friend runs a hand through his highlighted hair. “You boys will give me a big head.”

“This food is enough to make anyone sigh and moan,” Bennett Senior says in between forkfuls. “Your stuffing is incredible, Simon.”

“And your pumpkin cheesecake is heavenly, George,” Simon compliments the other man, taking a bite of the decadent dessert.

What am I waiting for? I pick up my plate, sampling a taste of moist turkey dipped in homemade cranberry sauce. “Oh my god, Si.”

“ Moan! “ Josiah shouts from the corner.

The amateur chef buffs his fingernails. “I do make all the boys Sigh and Moan, don’t I?”

After swallowing the tender morsel, I say, “You’ve outdone yourself, my friend. This turkey is spectacular.”

“And your mashed potatoes are amazing.” JR’s coach, Andy Becker, strolls up to us, licking the back of his fork.

“Duh, Dad. They’ve got sour cream in them.” His daughter rolls her eyes before shoveling a spoonful into her mouth.

“And a bit of cream cheese,” Simon boasts.

“Is that how you get them so creamy?” the coach’s wife, Leah, asks. “I’ve got a work event coming up, Simon. Could you recommend a caterer?”

He slips a business card from his pocket. “I’ve got just the men for you. They’re tops in the kitchen… and bottoms in the bedroom,” he whispers to me from the side of his mouth.

Leah peers at the card with interest. “BDS Marketing... for all your B randing, D esign, S ales, and M arketing needs. Hmm... interesting business name, Mr. Crenshaw. I bet you’re the top employee at the company.“ She gives him a knowing look, her lips curling up at one corner.

Simon’s amber eyes sparkle with mischief. “I’m the owner, Mrs. Becker. I like being in charge.”

“It is nice having others do one’s bidding, isn’t it?” The tall blonde turns toward her husband. “Andy, a cup of tea sounds divine. Would you get that for me, darling?”

Coach Becker nods as he swallows the food in his mouth. “Sure, honey. And how about a slice of cheesecake to go with it?”

“That would be lovely, thank you,” Leah purrs.

Simon reaches a fist toward her, and she bumps it.

“Professor, can I get you a cup of coffee?” JR asks me. “A glass of water… or maybe some wine?”

“You can turn water into wine?” Simon snorts. “Tommy told me you were miraculous, but I had no idea.”

“Indeed?” Leah gazes at the enormous football player before turning a curious eye on me. The coach’s wife and I had met at a university function last spring, and we’d recognized each other’s ‘leadership qualities’ instantly.

I smile at the dominatrix as I polish off the food on my plate. “I wouldn’t say he walks on water, but he is quite a good... student. A cup of coffee would be wonderful, Bennett. Thank you.”

JR blushes, then jogs toward the kitchen.

“Such a good boy.” Leah nods in approval.

“My Georgey-boy is the best,” his father brags, scraping the last bit of his food off his plate. “He’s always been so helpful and eager to please.”

“You’ve raised a fine young man,” I tell him.

“Thanks, Tom. Being a dad is great! Thankfully, I get to play Team Dad to this whole rambunctious lot.” He throws one beefy arm around Tyrell and the other around Josiah.

Tyrell grins at him. “You’re the best Team Dad ever, SR. Thanks again for inviting us over—and thanks for all this great food, Sigh-Moan. Too bad I gotta head out soon to finish a history paper.”

George pats his broad shoulder. “Be sure to take some cheesecake with you, Ty-dye.”

“And take a plate of food for later, Ty-kwondo.” Simon gives the athlete’s bicep a squeeze.

“Really? Thanks!” The linebacker rushes toward the kitchen as JR and Coach Becker return to the living room.

JR hands me a cup of coffee, saying, “I fixed it the way you liked it at the conference, Sir.”

“Conference?” Leah asks, then smiles at her husband as he hands her a cup of tea.

The coach gives her a kiss and a slice of cheesecake. “Honey, don’t you remember about the genetic conference JR went to?”

“Ah, yes. Now I recall,” she says. “A conference on genetics. How fascinating!”

“Oh, it was!” JR gushes. “There’s so much I’d like to study, and the conference helped me decide on my academic focus.”

“And what would you like to focus on?” she prompts.

“Epigenetics, particularly as it relates to cancer research.” His face glows with excitement. “You wouldn’t believe the advancements that are being made!”

SR nudges his son on the shoulder. “That’s what you were saying at Roscoe’s, Junior. Most of it went over my head, but it all sounded very important.”

“It is thrilling, meaningful work,” I tell the Bennett men. “Every discovery has the potential to save lives—now and far into the future. It’s rewarding to know that one’s work can have such a positive impact on humanity.”

“JR knows all about impact, don’t you, buddy?” Blake wanders into the conversation, smacking his teammate on the back. “We’re gonna crush Rutgers on Saturday.”

As Coach Becker bumps fists with the football players, his wife says, “Sports can also be thrilling and meaningful. Isn’t that right, darling?”

“There’s nothing as exciting as football,” George says, glancing uncertainly between me and his son. “The NFL scouts are fighting over my Georgey-boy—“

“Speaking of,” Simon cuts him off. He leans toward SR as though hoping for a juicy bit of gossip. “I bet you’ve got the women fighting over you, don’t you, George?”

“ Me? “ he scoffs. “Nah. My wife, Sunny, was my one and only. I followed that woman around like a puppy on a leash.”

My best friend darts a glance at me before turning back to JR’s father. “Is that a fact?”

Hmm… Simon may be on to something. Perhaps our long game strategy should shift its focus from Bennett Junior to Bennett Senior.

I jump into the discussion, asking, “No dating? Girlfriends? Hobbies?”

“Nope.” The older man shakes his head. “I was only ever interested in Sunny and football—that, and raising this boy of mine.”

“Indeed?” Leah asks, a scheming look in her eyes.

“And now you’ve got us, too. Ain’t that right, Team Dad?” Blake pokes him playfully in the ribs.

“That’s right, QB Slippers.” He wraps a meaty arm around the quarterback.

I narrow my eyes as I ponder this fresh information, peering at George and Simon before settling on the coach’s wife. It just so happens that the beautiful blonde has a unique business of her own. “Leah, tell Simon about your new start-up company.”

The dominatrix’s lips curl up at the corners. “I’m developing a dating site for clients with... selective tastes. We help singles who are looking to be tied down .”

Simon’s eyes light up with a devilish spark. “Do you also help people who want to collar someone?”

“Yes, and those just looking to hit it and quit it,“ she says. “We’re developing a dating app right now.”

“App?” George perks up, pointing at his new friend. “Simon knows a guy.”

The businessman smiles conspiratorially at Leah, tipping his head toward SR. “Or a gal. I know many women who dominate in their fields—as do you, I’m sure.”

“Indeed.” The blonde rubs her hands together. “Perhaps we can collaborate? I’m certain we can find a strong woman to take a firm hand on this project.”

“May I join your collaboration?” I ask the matchmaking duo. “I know several women who are masters in their fields.”

“Of course, Tommy,” Simon says. “What would our ménage be without trois? We shall apply our collective reasoning and logic to the task. We shall be like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle!”

“Do you know what they’re talking about?” Blake whispers to SR.

“Not a clue, QB Doo,” the older man says.

I stand up and stretch, rubbing my full stomach. Excellent—the kickoff of a brand new game. Now that we’ve devised a winning strategy, it’s time to focus on another sub ject. “Bennett, may I have a word with you in private?”

He blinks at me and blushes. “Sure, Professor. Follow me.”

We wind our way through the family room where most of the Golden Gladiators are congregated, cheering at the game on the flat-screen TV. His teammates bump fists with JR as he passes, giving me friendly chin nods. None of them seem to question my presence—and after today’s fabulous feast, I’m sure that Simon has become the new team mascot.

JR leads me down a hallway lined with old family photos. When we reach the door at the end, he holds it open for me, then shuts it behind us. Trophies line the shelves of his childhood bedroom while a letterman’s jacket hangs from the back of a chair.

Standing next to the bed, I turn to face the undergrad. “Please sit down, Bennett.”

“Is something wrong, Professor?” He takes a seat on the edge of the bed, a worried look on his face.

“You have something on the corner of your mouth.” I hold his chin in my hand, then lean over and softly kiss his lips.

JR lets out a happy sigh, melting into me for several long, lazy minutes.

When I finally pull away, his eyes are glassy. “Wow. What was that for, Sir?”

“I’m feeling particularly thankful this year.” I rub my thumb across his bottom lip, pushing it inside when he opens his mouth. Good lord, if I wasn’t already as hard as a rock, the sucking sensation would do the trick.

The football player snuggles against me, humming around my thumb. His eyes drift closed, his gold-tipped lashes fanning out across his pink cheeks.

As I gaze at my sweet submissive, a warm glow fills my chest. This truly has been a wonderful Thanksgiving. Does it have to end so soon? “When is your next football game, baby boy?” I pull my thumb out of his mouth so he can answer.

“Saturday,” JR murmurs softly, still in cuddle-mode. “It’s a home game this year.”

That’s what I’d thought. No travel for him… no classes… Perhaps I can bend my usual boundary, just this once. “Would your roommate miss you terribly if you spent tonight at my house?”

“Really, Sir? Could I?” His eyes light up. A split-second later, they drop to his lap. “But you told me you never let anyone do that. I wouldn’t want to, y’know, intrude.”

“Bennett... Ben.” I tip up his chin with one finger, waiting until he meets my gaze. “I’m inviting you.”

He lets out a breath, nuzzling back into my torso. “Thank you, Sir. I’d like that. Is this what you wanted to talk to me about in private?”

“No, but that discussion can wait,” I tell him. “I feel the need to count my blessings, and I would like to count them against your beautiful, bare backside. After all, I still haven’t given you your spanking.”

JR’s face turns a deep shade of red. “Um... a spanking? But I’ve been good, Sir.”

“You’ve been very good,” I agree with him. “That’s why you’ll get a reward at the end of your punishment— if you’re willing to submit to me.”

He gulps, looking torn. “A punishment and a reward?”

“Yes, baby boy. A punishment, a reward, and a lesson.”. I grip his hair in my fist, yanking back his head. “And if I have my way, you’re going to enjoy each and every one of them.”