The dorms have beefed up security heavily in the days following the second attack. They've added security guards to the front doors, and the side access doors can only be opened after using an intercom to contact the front desk. They sent out a notice saying they are going to switch to a badge system for those doors next week, getting the new system installed over the long holiday break.
A lot of schools would choose to run a skeleton crew on a week like this, and they will for Thanksgiving day - but with so many students having family nearby, a lot of kids choose to stay at the dorms when out of town family members come for visits. I can't say I blame them, I'm avoiding my family, too.
When the door swings open, I find Lex standing there. All six foot two of him in his leather motorcycle jacket and ripped black jeans. I feel depraved just looking at the man.
"Hey. What's up?" I say with a friendly smile and raised eyebrows.
"Are you going home for fall break?" he asks, strolling in without awaiting an invitation and reclining on my bed as though he belongs there.
"Uh…." I start, surprised at his level of comfort in my space, while closing the door he just came through, "no, actually. I have a friend coming to visit. Jade is with her parents, so we're staying in the dorm."
"You guys could stay at the beach house. Plenty of space there."
The tone of his voice betrays that this is not just a nice offer. "That's very sweet of you, but I think we'll be just fine here."
A muscle ticks in his jaw before the tension leaves his face. "There's not going to be much going on over the break. The campus will be dead. Everyone's heading out for some quality time."
"Yeah, we like the quiet."
"You're just two girls and there's a murderer on the loose," Lex insists with refreshed harshness.
I lift my chin in challenge. "I assure you, I can handle myself. Besides, maybe the murderer went home for some "quality time."
He sits quietly, unimpressed before patting the unoccupied space beside him on my queen-sized mattress. I obediently take the seat.
"Look. I know they've really topped up security on campus, but I have two buff roommates. I live in a gated community, with my own gated yard. My closest neighbor is a retired Green Beret. Not to mention…." he trails off gesturing to himself before lowering his voice. "We could spend some time together. Get to know each other a bit better…"
I look down to find Lex's firm hand trailing up my thigh. His eyes flit to my lips as he leans towards me making his intentions clear. I meet him halfway letting my lips mold to his and my bloodstream incinerates. We move as one, opening our mouths as our tongues dance together in a choreographed tango eliciting a light groan from his mouth when another knock sounds at the door. I pull back although his lips chase mine, only separating when I stand to answer the door.
"Who is it?"
"Open the door, Sexy Sherlock. I brought cheap boxed wine and rye whiskey for Ward 8's!"
I turn back to Lex with my bottom lip between my teeth and wide eyes making a gesture with my head to get off my damn bed. He only responds with a shy smirk and shakes his head slowly, making himself more comfortable. Shit!
I pull the door back to see Lenore with two rolling suitcases and a Louis Vuitton duffle over her left shoulder. I take a few steps back to allow her to roll on in, but she only drops her bags in the hallway and wraps her arms around me tightly. "God, I miss you, babe."
I hold back a little sniffle. "I miss you more, Len."
I step out to the hallway to help her bring in her stuff but turn to find her stopped dead in front of me blocking my entrance.
"Hello," Lenore sings with apprehension.
"Hi." Lex tosses back, supremely confident in his position on my bed. As though this is an everyday occurrence and it's his rightful place.
Scooting around Lenore who hasn't regained the use of her legs, I set her duffel bag on Jade's bed with a sigh. "Len, this is Lexington. Lexington, this is my best friend, Lenore."
Lenore stands still and I have to stop myself from putting my fingers under her chin and closing her mouth before drool escapes. I step between her and Lex and mouth "breathe" to her with an urgent glean to my eyes. She regains her composure at the suggestion.
"Nice to meet you Lexington. So you've got Lex and you've got Len," she laughs awkwardly, "that's so funny."
Taking pity on her I rush to agree, "You're right. Hilarious." I return to my seat next to Lex who takes the opportunity to sit up and toss his arm over my shoulder.
"I was just here to invite Ellie and you to spend the week at my place. I don't know if you've heard but there's a killer on campus, and it isn't exactly safe for two women alone."
Lenore spreads a condescending smile across her face and folds her arms. "I know Krav Maga."
Lex shoots back, "And I know Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and have a blackbelt in Muay Thai. Wanna spar and see who lands on top?"
"No. I was just making a point of letting you know that I'm definitely not going to be the one to convince her to spend a romantic weekend in your love nest. You're on your own, Romeo."
The level of unadulterated arrogance in the air between these two is stifling. I turn my head to face Lex. "How about we compromise? We have some plans tonight and tomorrow. I'm sure you guys have parties going on this weekend. I'll call you on Friday."
His response is confident, immediate, and brooks no insolence. "You will call me tonight, and tomorrow night, and if there's anything shady. Just to check-in. For safety. You two pack a bag and stay at least over the weekend."
Lex leans forward giving me a quick kiss before I can argue, slipping me the barest bit of tongue before standing and making his way toward the door.
"Nice to meet you, Lenore," he bellows back without bothering to turn around and say farewell to her face. It wasn't that he was being rude. I've figured out that's just how he is.
When the door closes behind him, Lenore's mouth hangs open and one eyebrow is frozen in a peaked arch when she turns her face to mine. "What. the-fuck?"
There was a lot for her to unpack in that interaction. I wasn't sure exactly what she was what-the-fucking, so I just smile apologetically and shrug my shoulders.
"Are you dating Lexington Wells? Is Lexington Wells your boyfriend? Did you guys fuck? You did huh? How was it?"
"No, God. Lenore!" I throw my hands over my face in exasperation. "The answer is no to all of those questions. He showed up, invited us to the beach house, and somewhere between that conversation and you knocking on the door he maybe, kinda…. kissed me."
Lenore forms a smug smile before bobbing her head, and beginning to dance as she sings to me, "Genvieve and Lexington sittin in a tree." A notepad thrown at her face stops her from getting any further into her brief performance, but I can't stop the laugh that escapes my mouth.
"Honestly, I don't know what to do with him. Everyone says he's shifty. He's made entirely of red flags stitched together with pure sex. But, I get a good feeling from him. I feel safe."
"And he's fuckin hot."
"And he's fuckin hot." I echo back.
"So, we're partying at a beach house this weekend. Glad I brought a bikini." Lenore says, taking a seat beside her bags on Jade's bed.
"The water here is freezing right now, but he does have a pool."
Lenore nods. "So, the way that you" she pauses, circling one hand as though she's searching for the right word, "….defer to him. Is that you playing a part?"
I scrunch my nose. "It started out that way, but I don't seem to mind it when he gets bossy with me. Maybe I should mind, but I trust him."
Lenore walks to the kitchenette and starts going through cupboards until she locates the wine glasses, pulling down two. "It's not like you to not fight for control. You even do it when you agree with someone just because you don't like being told what to do."
That earns a scoff from me.
"I'm serious, Gen. I kinda like seeing you this way. You should do it more often. Just make sure you keep a little for yourself, okay?"
"Of course." I take the wine glass Lenore hands me. It's filled to the brim with a blush zinfandel blend. "To you visiting me, and to Renee."
"And to Lexington's ass," she adds, "you could bounce a quarter off that."
"Believe me, I've noticed."