Midnight Muse

My jaw almost drops at the sight of him.

Suddenly, I feel like I should have put more effort into getting ready this morning because once again, I’m met with a man who looks like he could stop the world from spinning just by his looks.

He’s much more than handsome. I can’t even formulate the words twisting my thoughts into knots. Maybe, after my creative writing class later today, I’ll be able to describe his sheer beauty. Once again, I wonder what is in the water on this campus. I need to start drinking it down by the gallon because goddammit, how can they all look so yummy?

He has the fluffiest brunet hair I’ve ever seen and it makes me want to stalk right up to him and run my fingers through it. Its soft waves hook around his ears and curl at the nape of his neck like it’s protecting his pale skin from the sun. He’s tall, too, an entire head—or maybe even more, hello—taller than the white-haired girl he’s bounding in behind. His straight nose is flecked with freckles and his fox-shaped features are utterly devastating.

His gaze sweeps around the room before meeting mine briefly. Disappointment sinks my stomach as he continues looking around but suddenly those enticing eyes flicker back to me in a double-take, as if he’s as caught off-guard about me as I was him. My feet turn to lead, pinning me to my seat. One of his eyes is a soft caramel and the other is a bright blue. I want to commit them to memory, stare straight into them until I’ve gotten each hue of his irises perfect. I curse myself for leaving my colored pencils on my desk at home.

He steps towards us and I shoot Rory a look. Internally, I’m screaming ‘holy fuck are you seeing what I’m seeing right now?!’ Her eyes are round and pointed as she returns my sudden crazed look with vigor.

“Hi,” the boy greets, sliding into the unoccupied seat next to me. I have to look up at him, even sitting, because wow, is he tall. “I’m Reid.”

“Quinn,” I respond dumbly, thrown by the fact that he’s sitting beside me right now. This close, he looks even more unreal than he did from the door. I thought you were supposed to be able to see people’s pores and blemishes when they’re close, but Reid has none. He is perfect down to the bone. “And this is Rory,” I introduce, leaning back in my seat so she can wave to him. She’s blushing like a fool and between the both of us, we probably look like a couple of clowns. “Nice to meet you.”

I fumble with my art case as he holds out a hand for me to shake. I smile bashfully, sliding my palm into his. He’s warm, and his hand swallows mine. The longer we touch, the wider his pleasant smile becomes. “You as well,” he responds, then shifts to introduce himself to Rory. With his back to me, I make ‘oh my God, look at how gorgeous he is’ eyes at her and she responds with an elbow pressed into my side when Reid pulls back.

This year is determined to kill me with all of the handsome men I’ve seen so far. Reid even more so, with how polite he is compared to the rest.

I can hardly remember what I was conversing with Rory about before Reid entered the class. I wouldn’t even remember if one of our neighbors waltzed right into the room?—

Fuck.

Of fucking course.

It’s the third roommate—the only one that I haven’t been forced to learn the name of. He’s the one who’d been driving away when Rory and I left for campus this morning. The big, burly, tan one with the biceps made of steel and tribal tattoos adorning his shoulders and arms.

His frame takes up the entire doorway and the room quiets as he waltzes in like he owns the place. It’s incredible, the swagger he has as he scans the class. All of the girls are swooning at his carefree yet confident nature. He oozes masculinity, barrel chested and tall. I wonder if this is his thing. Knox’s is playing obnoxiously loud music, Ace’s is that forked tongue of his, and this one’s thing is filling up any space with his massive body and stealing the attention of everyone in the room.

I didn’t know that he was in this class. When Ace mentioned that they were juniors, I figured they would be in the 300 classes, not the 200s.

Now might be the perfect time to ask, though, because his chocolate gaze sparks in recognition when he glances over at Rory and I, before beelining our way.

“Well, hello there, ladies,” he greets with a seemingly genuine smile that I’m all too weary of. He had been the nicest of the three when Rory and I almost knocked their door clean off of its hinges, but he had also shut the door in our faces. Plus, with my not-so-great track record with his roommates, my body is tense, preparing for the worst. “You’re taking this class?”

Rory takes the bait on this one and I’m well aware that Reid is probably listening in despite the fact that he’s pulled his satchel into his lap and is carefully unloading his own supplies. “Yeah, it’s required for sophomores. Are you in it too?” She asks, way more politely than I would.

The corner of his mouth lifts into a sinful smile. Wolfish, almost. “You could say that,” he drawls, and I open my mouth to speak but he’s already turning towards Reid, his smile broadening into something practically wicked, sticking his hand out to introduce himself. “I’m Slate, man. Nice to meet you.”

“Reid,” my seat neighbor responds, gentlemanly. I don’t miss the grimace on Reid’s face when Slate clenches his fingers in his own. I have to smother the laughter bubbling up my throat because Slate looks like he could break all of the bones in Reid’s hand if he applied even a little bit more pressure.

The trifecta is complete. Knox, Ace, and Slate, although I’m not exactly sure what kind of name ‘Slate’ is. A nickname, perhaps? Or maybe his parents are really into masonry?

Slate returns that easy grin to Rory and I, asking for our names. When my eyes narrow, he leans in closer, right into the space between our seats. I can feel the heat his body is giving off from the few inches of space between us and goosebumps break out on my arms. He smells earthy, like freshly turned dirt and smoked wood. It’s a lovely scent, I’m woman enough to admit that.

“I’m sorry about the other night,” Slate starts, and I nearly recoil. I was expecting him to come in here with the same arrogance his roommates seem to share, not with this sincere politeness dripping from his words. His cocoa-colored eyes are earnest as I inspect him, waiting for the punchline. But his smile softens a touch, and it’s guilty, if anything. “It’s just that, I have to side with my roommates. You can understand that, can’t you?”

I share a look with Rory. If our positions were reversed, I know that I would do anything for her. She is my best friend on the planet, after all.

I guess I can understand, even if I don’t want to.

Upon seeing our reluctance to accept, Slate continues. “It’s not really my place to say, but Knox was having a rough day. And no, that doesn’t excuse his actions, but you did threaten to tow his bike, and he doesn’t take that lightly. But hey, it had nothing really to do with me, so I’m willing to look past the other night if you are.”

I sit in my seat, stunned. This isn’t the apology I expected, but it’s a truce, a peace offering between neighbors. Maybe, if I accept, Slate will be able to pass along the message of ‘shut the fuck up after midnight’ to Knox.

Rory and I contemplate, side-eyeing each other in a silent conversation. It seems as though she’s on the same page as I am, because she smiles up at Slate, agreeing. “We’d love that.”

Slate beams, straightening to his full height. Fuck, he’s huge.