Page 6 of Gin & Sin (Last Call #2)

SIX

STEWART

“Professor?”

I snap my head up to see one of my students standing in my doorway. “Hello.”

“Hi. The email said you had office hours right now?”

“Yes. Of course.” I shuffle the essays I was grading before my thoughts shifted to the slight soreness between my legs and how much more I hope it’ll be tomorrow. “What can I help you with?”

The student shuffles over, talking to me about the extra credit I offered in my Lesbian Studies 101 course for those who didn’t do so great on the pop quiz.

“You did the essay?”

The student nods, tucking a lock of bright purple hair behind their ear. “It was really good for me. I ended up learning a lot about gender presentation. I didn’t do so hot on the terminology section of the quiz.”

I take the paper, glancing at the student’s name. Chelsea Real. I thought it might be her, but her appearance has changed dramatically since last week. I’m pretty sure her hair was dark brown and one length. The paper is several pages long and delivered in a protective sleeve. It’s a quirk of mine that I always require extra credit to be printed rather than emailed like most assignments.

“Great. I’ll grade it and have it back by Monday.”

Chelsea lingers, and as her cheeks turn pink, she offers a hesitant smile. “I saw there was an advanced studies course, but it didn’t have a specific semester assigned to it.”

“Yes. It requires a certain number of waitlisted students before it gets put on the schedule. If you’d like to take it, be sure to add your name.”

“Cool. Do you think it’s better to focus your interest or be more well rounded?”

I lean back, folding my hands on the desk. “I suppose it depends on your ultimate goal. What’s your major?”

“Sociology, but I’m thinking of choosing a focus on queer studies. When I was doing my research I saw that there’s a lot of need for that, like in social work and even corporate jobs.”

“Yes, there are opportunities.”

Her face lights up. “I think I might be… Or maybe I’m just questioning but…” Chelsea pauses, laughing nervously. “Sorry, Prof. No idea why I’m telling you this.”

“You can talk to me.”

She plops down in a chair, picking at the rip in her jeans. “I guess I figured by twenty-two I would already know if I was into girls, right?”

My heart softens for the confused woman. “I’ll tell you a funny story.”

“Okay.”

“I’m forty-eight, far from being twenty-two. It’s taken me about two decades of being somewhat aware and at least another decade of full denial in my teen years. I just accepted it a few months ago. Really, truly accepted and owned it.”

“You’re…gay?”

“I’m attracted to men. I haven’t landed on a specific label yet, but it doesn’t matter to me as much as realizing that’s my truth. If I can go nearly half my lifetime, twenty-two isn’t bad at all.”

Her shoulders drop and she looks relieved. “How does it happen though? How are we oblivious to something so major?”

“Here’s a follow-up task for you. It’s a bit of a rabbit hole, but I think it’ll help.” I grab a piece of paper and scrawl two words—CompHet and patriarchy—then slide it across the desk. “Read about these two concepts.”

Chelsea takes the paper and nods. “Thanks.”

“No problem. If you need support, there’s a group on campus.”

“I’m really glad I took this class and did the extra credit. It’s like a whole new world.”

Chuckling, I nod. “I can relate.”

After Chelsea leaves, I do my best to refocus on the essays I have to get graded, but damn, my mind keeps drifting back to Kit and the way it felt to be kissed by a man. His beard scratching against mine, his rough hands groping me, the deep, hearty moans as he slowly took me apart.

My cock swells and I squirm in my seat. I get to see him again tonight, and I can’t stop thinking about his thick, heavy cock on my tongue, his fingers stretching my hole, his mouth hot on mine. Fuck.

I scrub a hand over my face, hoping to snap out of it long enough to work for a couple more hours. The urge to reach inside my pants and squeeze my dick is tempting, but fortunately, a knock on my door stops me from the scandalous behavior. I look up and smile when Theo enters.

“Hey, you.”

He smiles widely, looking like he has a secret to share. “Busy?”

“Procrastinating. What’s up?”

He looks over his shoulder first before closing my door. “I’ve got some dirt.”

“Do tell.”

Theo’s the best. He’s younger than most, but he’s tenacious, and by all accounts, a solid educator. He’s also queer, polyamorous, and BIPOC. I could learn a lot from him.

“I walked into the lounge today and saw Lara and Janissa talking.”

“And?”

“They didn’t see me, so I was able to eavesdrop. Apparently, the rumors we heard about Professor Grant are absolutely true. He has a meeting with the dean in about an hour.”

I lean forward. “That is scandalous. Couldn’t Lara get fired for telling people?”

“Probably, but we all know Lara’s a nepo baby. They won’t touch her. Working for the dean has its benefits.”

“Definitely. I’m shocked Grant would do that with a student. Isn’t he married?”

“Yep. For thirty years, I heard. I’m not sure who the student is, but if the rumors are right, she’s only twenty-three.”

“Gross. On many levels.”

“Right? Grant isn’t even hot enough to pull a young woman. I wonder if it’s true that it’s about her grades.”

“I really hope it’s not. Lust is one thing, but using your authority is worse.”

“It is. I’m glad I’m into older people anyway so the temptation isn’t even there for me.”

“Same. I wouldn’t date a person in their twenties if you paid me.”

“Word.” Theo chuckles, leaning back in his seat and crossing one leg over the other. “How are things going for you? Any updates?”

I try to laugh off the question, but I can feel my cheeks turning red.

Theo, always ready for tea, as he calls it, leans forward. “Ooh, what a reaction. Spill it, Hanley.”

Scratching the scruff on my face, I glance at my door to make sure there aren’t any students hovering. It would be nice to talk about it with someone, and even though he can be a gossip, I know he would never tell my business.

“I went to Moby’s last night. That new gay bar in town.”

His eyes light up. “Uh-huh. How was it?”

“Better than expected. There were a lot of students there, but one of the owners was there too. His name’s Kit.”

“Kit. I like it. Is he hot?”

I nod. “Very. Tall, beefy, beard. I took a chance and told him I was looking for an experience. He gave me one.”

“Oh my god, Stewart. Did you hook up?”

Grinning, I nod as my chest swells with odd pride. It’s so modern and out of character for me, but I love it. “I did. We did. Yeah.”

“How was it? Give me all the details.”

“I’m afraid I won’t be giving details, but it was good, and I’m seeing him again tonight.”

“Whoa. Really? How did that happen?”

“He texted me last night to check on me.”

Theo puts his hand over his heart. “Aww. That’s adorable. So he’s sweet too?”

Shrugging, I sit back in my seat. “No idea. He’s nice enough. He understood where I was in my journey and respected it.” I clear my throat as my stomach flutters with memories. “We decided to have a no-strings-attached thing.”

Theo’s brow creases. “What do you mean?”

“Like friends with benefits, except we’re not really friends. Maybe we can be.”

“Ohh. You’re not dating, just hooking up?”

“I’m not ready to date, and I don’t think he’s the type. I want the experience and he’s okay with that. I’m not sure why he wants to mess around with a guy who has no clue what he’s doing, but I’m not gonna talk him out of it.”

“Pretty sweet deal. Will you go out on dates or anything?”

“I don’t think so. I’ll just call him to come over I guess.” I bite my bottom lip for a second. “Is that weird or is that normal?”

“Normal. Did you get on PrEP and buy condoms like I suggested?”

I nod. “Yeah. We didn’t talk about it last night.”

Theo tilts his head. “What did you do then?” He gasps slightly. “Oh no. You didn’t get so caught up you skipped the protection?”

“No, nothing like that. We did stuff that didn’t really require it.”

He looks confused for a second, then thankfully, understanding washes over his features. “Cool.”

A part of me wishes we were closer and I could tell him how weirdly affirming it felt to have a man’s hands all over me, or the way his cock in my mouth felt so right, as if I’ve been waiting my whole life to feel that way during sex. Maybe I have been.

“You’re thinking,” Theo says. “I can always tell when you get lost in your head.”

I chuckle. “You got me. I was recalling things. It was… a good experience for me. Very validating.”

His features soften and he reaches across the desk to put his hand over mine, squeezing gently. “I’m happy for you. I can’t imagine what you’ve gone through realizing all of this, but it’s impressive how you’re just going for it. You met a nice guy too. That helps.”

“Thanks. Your encouragement helped a lot. I was nervous as hell last night, but I think I got tired of wondering how it would feel. I wanted to know.”

“Welcome to the wide world of queer sex and love.” He pats the desk. “It’s fun here.”

“So far so good.”

After Theo leaves, it’s obvious that no more work is getting done today. Once my office hours are over, I pack up my things to head home, practically vibrating with excited energy for what’s to come later tonight.

Once I’m home, I lie on my couch, staring up at the ceiling with images of Kit’s body in my head. If I try hard enough, I can remember what he smelled like—a soft cologne mixed with the scent of laundry soap and something else I can only describe as man. Does testosterone have a scent? Is it unique to Kit or have I just never noticed that men smell like worn leather, rich earth, and fall leaves? Even his sweat smelled good to me.

I don’t know, but I know I like it and I definitely want more of it.