Emerson is totally absorbed by her pursuit of a degree in science — to the detriment of her social life. But on the first day of her Junior year of college, Emerson decides to take action by completing a list of desired experiences, which includes a campus prank. And thanks to the unexpected help of her high school nemesis Steel they execute an epic stunt together…
Steel:
Dude, don’t laugh. Just don’t. Contain yourself.
But … nah, I can’t help it. At least my laughter is quiet when Emerson joins me just before dawn at our meeting point, behind the hedges outside of the student center. She’s dressed head-to-toe in black and slinking around like she’s a cat burglar avoiding a minefield of laser beams or something. I’m surprised she didn’t have us synchronize our watches before bed or use secret call names. One-Two-Papa-Papa-Over!
“Hey Slick,” I whisper once she reaches me, providing her with a code name anyway. It seems apropos given the tight, black leggings that are molded to her sinful body, emphasizing her legs for days. My mouth is dry, imagining just how I’d like to make her “slick.” I dig my fingernails painfully into the palms of my hands to calm my raging lust. It doesn’t help.
“Steel.” Emerson finally acknowledges me through gritted teeth, while rubbing her hands together to keep warm. “I get why we are meeting early, but not why you’d pick the evening of the Leonid meteor shower. Half the campus is out and on their way to the sports fields. It’s where I should be too!” She casts curious eyes up to the dark sky, but it’s still too early to see the celestial event just yet.
“You just answered your own question,” I explain, already enjoying myself just because Emerson is here next to me. “No one will expect for you to be anywhere else but out seeing the cosmic debris. And thanks to the extra students around, it won’t raise any eyebrows if we’re spotted in the camera footage later.”
Emerson’s face pales and her eyes go alarmingly wide at the mention of security cameras. “Don’t worry,” I’m quick to reassure her. “There aren’t surveillance cams here, but there is one pointed on the path toward the fountain. So, simply stay close, like we’re two lovebirds strolling out to look at the stars.” I’m a little surprised when she doesn’t argue about the lovebird part. Instead, she nods, scanning the area as if to confirm that I’m telling the truth about the cameras. “See? Aren’t you glad you brought me along for this scheme?”
I don’t quite catch what Emerson mumbles under her breath, but I smirk just the same. I’m probably better off not knowing.
“Do you have the stuff?” I ask, sounding like a drug dealer in the movies, which is very different from real life, and I should know. I never once met my dealer in a back alley. No, my connection operated via text and delivered my order from a bulletproof Cadillac Escalade. I don’t miss those days. I’d much rather be sneaking around with Emerson on a silly campus prank any time—especially when she’s dressed like this. She’s the only drug I need to feel high. Aight, that sounds corny, but it’s true. I literally feel the same euphoria by simply looking at her.
“I have it right here.” Smiling triumphantly, Emerson holds up a clear container of liquid that’s no bigger than a bottle of shampoo.
“That’s it?” I ask, unable to hide my doubt. “That doesn’t seem powerful enough to produce the kind of effect we talked about.”
“Don’t worry, I made it myself,” she says sounding superior, and it’s a major turn-on. “It’s highly concentrated. This one bottle is the equivalent of three jumbo jugs of the strongest laundry detergent you can find.”
I don’t know why I’m impressed, as I expected nothing less from the brainy beauty before me. Still, it’s fun to test her. “And … the bubbles won’t start overflowing until we’re out of there, right?”
She nods with a sideways grin that I very much want to trace with my tongue and then down her elegant neck to suck on the pale flesh exposed. Picturing it has me groaning inwardly. Simmer down now, Steel!
“Yes, we should have about fifteen to twenty minutes before the party starts,” she informs confidently, totally unaware of my real thoughts and the party for two I’d rather be having.
“I believe we have a new prank master,” I say, smartly placing an arm across my midsection and bowing to her for further emphasis.
Emerson inclines her head like a royal highness would do upon a loyal subject, and we both smile at one another. She’s clearly enjoying this little bit of mischief, and it fills me with pleasure to witness it.
“Let’s go make it rain up in here,” she says, mimicking a DJ announcer’s voice and throwing what I assume she thinks are gang signs, but it looks more like a surfer’s hang-loose greeting. I laugh out loud, and she’s quick to cover my mouth with her delicate hands, as if trying to shove the sound back into my person. Still laughing, I lick her palm and she jumps back, immediately releasing her hands like I knew she would.
“Don’t play with fire, baby, or you’re going to get licked!” I point out, and despite being in the shadows, I can see her eyes roll. “All right, let’s do this, Slick,” which I’m just realizing rhymes with lick.
“Save the rhymes for your lyrics and the licks for your guitar,” Emerson says sounding proud of herself, then stills suddenly. “Hmm … I don’t usually do that.”
“Lick?”
“No, enough with the licking,” she says, swatting my bicep. “I meant, I don’t usually say what I’m thinking like that.”
“You could have fooled me,” I tell her. “Remember that time I told you that you smelled good and you replied, ‘Thanks, I use both nostrils?’”
“Yeah,” she grumbles, looking down at the ground in embarrassment, a faint blush on her cheeks. “I only say stuff like that around you though. I guess you bring it out of me.”
I hope to bring out a lot more than that, but unlike her musings, I keep that point to myself. “And you bring out a better me,” I say softly.
Emerson’s distracted gaze shoots back to mine, alert once again. “What did you say?”
“Nothing.” Taking advantage of her moment of shock, I pull her up alongside me. Unfortunately, not for the kiss I’m picturing, but to start our walk toward the copper fountain that holds the statue of Athena, the Greek goddess of intelligence and battle strategy.
Thanks for sharing!!
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