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Chapter seventeen

Top of The Class

Josh

Knock-knock. I wait outside of the professor’s office, and when the door opens, I give a slight bow. “You wanted to see me, Dr. Yoshida?”

“Mr. Malik. Come in, come in.” He waves me into the room.

My shoulders tense as I step inside. I’ve got to be prepared for the worst—I’m about to lose my internship, I just know it. All that I wanted was to spend the summer on a passion project before starting my AE graduate program in the fall. My father might be glad that I won’t be ‘wasting’ my time on the Dark Energy Survey research. Me? I’m crushed .

“I have a gift for you,” Dr. Yoshida says. The cosmologist turns toward the shelves lining the walls of his tidy office. After running a finger along an well-organized row of books, he plucks one off the shelf and hands it to me.

“ Cosmos by Carl Sagan? Thank you, sir—this means more than I can say.“ I caress the familiar cover of the science book before hugging it to my chest. I’d rather have the internship, but at least I got a parting gift.

“Have you read it?” the professor asks as he settles into the chair behind his desk.

Nodding, I take a seat across from him. “I got my first copy when I was twelve, and I couldn’t put it down. I read it over and over until the pages fell out. My favorite chapter is the one that explores the idea of different dimensions and the multiverse.”

“Ahh.” Dr. Yoshida’s eyes brighten. He leans forward with his chin in his hands. “The multiverse! Fascinating stuff. And what did you think about his description of time dilation and its consequences to spacetime travel?”

“It was brilliant!” I sit up in my chair. “It’s almost as intriguing as the idea of traveling by wormhole, like in his novel, Contact .”

“Wasn’t it the sci-fi author Asimov who said, ‘ Today’s science fiction is tomorrow’s science fact’ ?“ Standing up, he grabs another book off the shelf and hands it to me. “Have you read Black Holes by Cox and Forshaw? It puts forth scientific evidence of what may be two black holes connecting to form a wormhole—a link through time and space.”

“Can you imagine?” My mind whirls at the possibility. “Someday we might actually be able to travel to other dimensions.”

Dr. Yoshida grins. “We may even find a way to travel to the multiverse! Though it’s going to take a lot of research to make something like that happen. We’ll need to recruit more young people into the field.”

A sharp pang hits my stomach. If only I could be one of those scientists, researching the mysteries of the cosmos—discovering the path to the next level of human experience. Maybe my work in astronautics will play a small role in the exploration of space. It’s the most that I can hope for.

“Um, Dr. Yoshida? Can I still help with the DES research this summer?” I might as well ask. It can’t hurt, right? “I promise that I’ll follow scientific protocol. I won’t let my curiosity distract me from working hard.”

The cosmologist sits back in his chair and blinks. “Of course you can, Josh. I’m counting on your help this summer. In fact, I was hoping you would allow me to mentor you during the internship—and beyond.”

What?

I jump when my phone buzzes. Crap . It can’t be that time already.

“I’m sorry, sir,” I say as I silence the alarm. “It’s my parents. I’ll text them to call me later.”

“No, no.” Dr. Yoshida stands up. “We’ll continue this conversation another time. Meanwhile, enjoy Cosmos and Black Holes —and think about what I’ve said.”

I exit his office, books in hand. Thank god I didn’t blow my internship before it had even started. But what did the professor mean by wanting to mentor me? He knows that I’m starting the Aerospace Engineering program this fall. Why would the head of the Cosmology department waste his time mentoring an engineering student?

After placing the books in my backpack, I pull out my phone as I wander out onto the Quad. Family pressure in 3… 2… 1…

My phone rings, and I swipe up, accepting the video call.

“Good morning, Junoon,” my mother says. “How is my youngest child today?”

“I’m well, Mother. How are you this evening?” There’s an eleven and a half hour time difference between the bustling city of Jaipur in northern India and the quiet midwestern town of Hanna Harbor. Somehow, it’s never interfered with my parents’ daily check-ins.

“Fine,” she cuts through the small talk. “Tell me about this young woman you are dating.”

What? Where did that question come from? “I’m not dating any women,” I say. Which is true. Technically.

She narrows her eyes. “Your grandmother is quite sure that you’re dating someone. She had another vision.”

Oh, no. Not another one . “You and Father don’t believe in visions. You’re scientists ,“ I remind her.

The epidemiologist huffs, straightening her shoulders. “Of course, there is no scientific merit to your grandmother’s dreams.” She casts a look over her shoulder, then whispers, “But we both know she is never wrong.”

The door to my parents’ study opens and my father enters the room, still wearing his white lab coat. “Good evening, my darling.” He kisses his wife. “And good morning to you, Junoon.”

“Hello, Father. How is your research coming along?” Yes , a distraction.

He sits in the chair next to my mother, and she passes him the phone. “Just fine, Junoon. Are you studying hard for your final exams?” He proceeds with his usual litany: Study hard. Act smart. Make wise choices.

As he repeats his daily advice, my mind wanders to the last dream I had about my Nani —the one where she told me to follow the wisdom of my heart. What were her exact words? Something about how our deeds become our destiny…

Just like in the Upanishads.

A low rumble of thunder echoes in the distance. Goosebumps break out on my arms.

“Yes, Father. I will study hard,” I say, my heart thumping in my chest.

He moves on to his next topic, unaware of my sudden panic. “Have you finished writing your speech? You’ve got to deliver it in front of your entire class. It’s important that you perform well.”

My blood pressure spikes. “I’m almost done. I’ll hand it in to the Dean of Students for approval next week.” I cross my fingers and hope .

“We look forward to hearing it soon,” my father says, “as well as celebrating your first college graduation. After that, you’ll only have your masters and doctorate to complete.”

“But don’t forget we have a wedding to plan,” my mother cuts in. “We must start looking for a wife for you now.”

I almost drop the phone. “I’ve got to go. I-I need to study. I’m meeting with a study group soon.”

Mother crosses her arms. “Fine, but this conversation isn’t over.”

“Remember,” Father tells me, “what you do today may affect your entire future.”

I swallow hard and nod my head, then disconnect our call. My parents seem to have my whole future planned out for me. According to Nani, only I can choose my path.

Either way… no pressure.

“You called, darling boy?” Simon strolls over to my spot in the back of WLL and brushes a kiss across my cheek. “It’s not another underwear emergency, is it?”

“Not a chance, Sigh-Moan,” Ruby says before kissing my other cheek. “Our lingerie shopping spree covered all of Josh’s bases—or at least the naughty bits.”

When I told my parents that I would be meeting with a study group, I didn’t tell them what we would be studying. No one can have too many lessons in the fine art of seduction, right? With teachers like Simon and Ruby, I could earn a Master of Lust degree in record time.

“Where’s the rest of the crew?” Simon glances over his shoulder towards the front of the coffee shop. “Karma’s working. Are JR and Tommy on their way?”

“Um, I was kind of hoping for a private lesson,” I tell them. There are some questions I just can’t ask in front of my best friend, much less in front of Dr. Fletcher.

Ruby’s eyes light up. “Do you want blowjob tips? I’ve got a million of them.”

Simon pats my hand. “Rimming makes everyone nervous the first time.”

Blowjobs and rimming? I make a mental note to ask about those topics later, but first… “I was hoping to learn more about one of the lust languages.”

“Which one?” the stylist asks, pulling out his phone. “I made a Google doc of my favorite ‘words of tantalization’. I’ll email it to you.”

“I’ll bet it’s ‘quality e-time’,” the businessman says. “Are you planning your first virtual playdate? How precious.”

“Virtual?” Ruby wrinkles his nose. “Who can give a blowjob virtually? That lust language isn’t nearly as good as ‘physical touch’.”

Simon tips his head, conceding the point. “‘Receiving gifts’ is the primary lust language for many people. How did that seduction strategy work out with Karma?”

“Yeah, did he rip those manties off of you with his teeth?” My purple-haired mentor stares at me with his mouth open. I think he might be drooling.

That makes two of us. My mouth waters every time I think about Karma dropping to his knees at the sight of my gift . And that’s not to mention how he attacked my underwear as if they were his last meal. “You were right—no man can resist the perfect pair of undies—but I have questions about another lust language.”

Ruby counts silently on his fingers before raising his eyebrows. “You want to know about ‘acts of submission’?”

“There’s no shame in being a bottom,” Simon tells me.

“We can be subby sisters!” Ruby squeals, clapping his hands.

I think they’ve jumped to the wrong conclusion. Submission isn’t my thing—in fact, it might be the opposite. When Karma called me his master, it had felt orgasmic . “Um, I kind of want to know about the other side of the equation. You know… domination.”

My mentors turn to look at Karma where he’s working behind the counter.

“Well, well, Karma’s a dom. Who would’ve guessed?” Simon eyes the barista.

Ruby stares at the blond. “I knew he wasn’t vanilla.”

“Um, actually…” Do I have to draw them a picture?

They turn back to me, understanding slowly dawning in their eyes.

“ Sir Sweetpea?“ Ruby’s jaw drops.

A devilish grin spreads across Simon’s face. “A baby dom… how delightful. A youngster I can train in my wicked ways. Darling boy, there’s nothing like having a man submit to you. The sense of power—it’s a rush.”

Yes, someone who understands. I lean across the table. “When Karma knelt before me—doing everything I told him to do—it was the most erotic experience of my life. I’ve never felt more in control.”

Simon arches an eyebrow. “How did Karma feel about the power dynamic?”

“Yeah, tell us!” Ruby hangs on every word.

I describe my ‘private date’ with Karma. His reaction to the lavender lace underwear, the way he fell to his knees, powerless. His wordless obedience to my commands and the way that he worshiped my body with his mouth.

“How do I keep him from using his safeword?” I ask them. “Not that I want to force Karma into anything, but he’s moving so slowly. How do I convince him to speed things up?”

“ Safeword? “ Simon’s eyes sparkle in delight. “The two of you are moving faster than I would’ve thought.”

Not fast enough for me. Between my raging hormones and my mother’s pressure to find me a wife, I’ve got to find a way to have sex with Karma while there’s still time. Who knows how long we’ve got?

“If you want to learn how to melt a man’s resistance, then you’ve come to the right place,” Ruby says. “I’ve got a trick that works every time. All you’ve gotta do is..” he continues in a whisper. Simon leans forward, adding his own words of advice.

By the time they’re done giving me instructions, I’m squirming in my chair. I can hardly wait to try out my mentors’ latest lesson in lust. Karma may be a good student, but I’m the top of my class.

And I intend to stay on top.