Page 4 of The KING Review

Predatory.

I cross my arms over my chest. Neve’s eyes dart over my body, cataloging. I do my best not to shrink or hide. I don’t think about my body most days—it’s the least interesting thing about me as a person, and I know it doesn’t speak of my worth as a human being—but I’m in my forties.

I’m not built like the societal ideal. I like to hike, but I like to cook, eat, and sleep in on weekends more. My torso is on the more unapologetic end of “dad bod,” you might say. Not like Cade’s sort of “athletic but still likes cocktails and beer” build, though he’s a little taller than me.

But Neve’s not small either. Unapologetic is a good word for her. She’s a little shorter than Fia, but more substantial. I guess kind of like me and Cade in contrast.

Why am I comparing us?

Better yet, why the hell am I comparing us in pairs? Cade and Fia versus me and Neve?

There is no me and Neve.

I shake my head.

Neve’s giggle is musical. “You okay there, Doctor King?”

“I’m just here for coffee,” I say flatly, ignoring the way my dick twitches when she calls me ‘Doctor King.’

Neve pouts—I see it in my peripheral vision—and crosses her arms. I blink hard, keeping my gaze steadfastly averted. She knows how to weaponize her body. I learned that at the bar that night, when she had me walk her home after.

“You know, I never took you for grumpy,” she muses.

“No?” I reply mildly. Part of me wants to add, “Maybe you’re not that good at reading people,” but that’d be unnecessarily cruel, and just because I’m having a shit day doesn’t mean I get to make the people around me feel like crap.

She hums. “What put a bug up your butt today?”

“Who says I’ve got a bug up my butt?” I beeline for the coffee machine, willing Fia or Cade to step in and put me out of my damn misery.

The futon cushions sigh behind me as Neve shifts her weight. “I mean, I guess it could be whatever you want,” she says mildly. “As long as it’s got a flared base. You should always be safe.”

Lava flows down my spine.

“Neve,” Fia clips, voice nearly an octave higher than I’ve ever heard it. “Doctor King is my colleague and one of your professors.”

“One of your what?” I turn so fast my coffee almost sloshes from my mug in a perfect arc across the office.

Cade is standing behind his desk now, grinning—presumably at my suffering. Very on brand for him.

“I just started today,” Neve says with barely shuttered amusement. “So, will you be teaching any of my classes, Doctor King?”

“It depends on what you’re studying,” I reply evenly.

Neve’s smile turns feline. “Sex therapy.”

Sex fucking therapy.

Of course.

I set my mouth in a tight line, rolling my shoulders, then say with perfect flatness, “Then yes, Miss Hart.”

Her amusement only seems to grow. “Amazing. Looking forward to it.”

With that, she stalks out of Cade’s office, leaving me with him and Fia. Almost immediately after she leaves, Fia follows her sister, flashing a tight but apologetic smile.

Cade’s grin is nearly as bright as Neve’s as he claps me on the shoulder. “Cool. Good luck, man.”

I chuff a laugh despite myself. I’m going to need it.