Peer Review_A Ruby Romp Novella Read online

  Peer Review

  Ruby Rowe

  Copyright © 2018 Ruby Rowe Books

  Cover Art by Just Write. Creations

  Editing by Nikki Cherniak

  All Rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  ISBN-13: 978-1987650488

  ISBN-10: 1987650484

  CONTENTS

  NOTES

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  END NOTES

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  NOTES

  This novella is told from the points of view of Laurel and Jason.

  Peer Review is a Ruby Romp Novella, meaning it contains instant lust and connections, along with an abundance of dirty talk and graphic sex.

  It can typically be enjoyed in one reading, so be ready for a fast-paced “get your panties wet” ride.

  This story is a standalone, but if you’d like to learn a little backstory on some of the characters, read Summer Trouble first, a previous Ruby Romp Novella.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Laurel

  “Thank you, Laurel, for covering for me tonight,” Dan says. We’re both standing behind the counter where we work in the library at Emory University.

  I try not to fidget, but it’s difficult when he’s near, so I lace my hands in front of me.

  “No problem. I’m happy to help.”

  Honestly, I don’t want to be stuck at the campus library until midnight on a Friday, but I couldn’t bring myself to say no to Dan when he asked me to cover his shift. It’s not like I have anything better to do.

  “Hey…” He raises his eyebrows as if he’s thought of a brilliant idea. “You should come watch us play tomorrow night and hang out with me afterward.”

  “Really?” I ask excitedly.

  “Yeah, several employees are coming to the show, Candice included.” He pushes back his long, dark hair, but it’s thin and silky, so it falls back in his face.

  I try not to slouch, but I can’t help it. Dan has a thing for our coworker Candice. I can’t deny it any longer, but maybe if I hang out with him more often, he’ll notice me instead. Straightening my posture, I smile.

  “That sounds cool. I’d love to hear your band play.”

  “Great. What’s your number? I’ll text you the info.” He pulls out his phone, and my smile morphs into a grin. He wants my phone number. This has to be a good sign.

  I give him my digits, and he types them into his cell. My iPhone vibrates on the counter, so I pick it up and read his message.

  “Cool. I’ll see you tomorrow night then,” I say.

  He squeezes my shoulder. “Thanks again for covering for me. You’re the best. Our set starts in an hour, so I better take off.”

  “Good luck,” I reply as he strides away. I watch him pull a brown beanie from his back pocket and cover his head with it before he’s out of sight. He’s attractive and nice, and I wish he thought of me as more than a friend.

  The lower-level of the library is quieter now, which equates to boring. It’s 8:00 p.m., and there are still students here but not many since it’s October, when most of them are headed to football games and frat parties.

  I love working at the library, but I need a social life. Maybe going out tomorrow night will be good for me.

  Shit, can I spare a few bucks for beer? I can afford it if I eat ramen noodles and sandwiches all next week, and I have a feeling it’ll be worth it.

  “He’s never going to date you,” a male’s voice says.

  Realizing I’m staring at the door Dan exited, I jerk my head back to face whoever’s speaking to me at the half-moon-shaped counter.

  He smirks, and I don’t appreciate his comment or his handsome face.

  “Can I help you?” I ask unpleasantly.

  “I was trying to help you, but from your tone, I see that would fall on deaf ears.”

  Jason Nichols… He’s in one of my classes, and somehow, we run into each other often. I guess it’s been happening since freshman year. He even hit on me once at a party, but I’m pretty sure he was too drunk to remember.

  Jason … cocky and almost irresistible.

  “Do you know Dan?” I ask.

  “No, but I do know what his words and behavior were conveying.”

  I roll my eyes. “And what would that be?”

  Moving closer to the counter, he repositions his black backpack over his shoulder. I flinch as he reaches for me and squeezes my shoulder the same way Dan did.

  “You make a great female friend who I can use when it suits me,” he says mockingly. I cock my head and glare, but then he releases my arm and skims the back of his hand down my cheek.

  He pins me with an intense gaze, his sky-blue eyes latched on so tightly to mine that I lose my ability to breathe.

  “When your mere presence cements a guy’s feet to the floor … when he experiences tunnel vision every time he sees your gorgeous face … when his craving to touch you is beyond reason, and he can’t stop his hands or mouth from trying to, he’s into you. He won’t be asking you to cover his shifts at work.”

  I swallow. It’s loud and embarrassing, and what the fuck is happening right now?

  “Um, melodramatic much? It’s not like I want to have Dan’s babies.” Needing to gain some level of control, I grip my hip and stare into Jason’s baby blues. “Is there something I can help you with that actually concerns you?”

  Knitting his brow, he steps back and straightens.

  “The USB ports aren’t working on the red sectional back there.” He points toward the commons area. “It’s the couch with the white circles on it.”

  “Thanks. I’ll be sure to let someone know.”

  He continues to stare at me with his smoldering eyes. They’re not deep-set. No, they’re front and center and sit below a thick head of blond hair. It’s a coarser texture than Dan’s. “Was there something else you needed?”

  He grins. “No, that was it.”

  “Great. Have a nice night.”

  “Oh, I plan on it.” His gaze lingers … and lingers, and so does his seductive smile. Jesus.

  Looking away, so he’ll go the fuck away, I pretend to type something important on my keyboard. I swear, arrogance has a scent, and this fella left it in his wake. It’s a fresh shower fragrance, which suits his clean-cut appearance.

  Needing to get away from the service counter, I decide to check the USB ports he claimed were broken. Strolling through level one, I find the red sectional.

  I spot a couple of drink stains on the hard cushion, along with something white and crusty, and knowing Jason, he was probably getting stiff with a girl on this stiff piece of furniture.

  I glance around, and there’s only one female nearby. She’s gorgeous like him, so I’m proba
bly right. I’ll admit I’m a little prejudiced against those with breathtaking beauty.

  As much as you hate the urge, you can’t help but stare at their faces, sort of the way Jason described, but you know they’ll notice if you admire them for too long.

  People have told me I’m pretty, but I don’t see it, and that’s not the same as breathtaking. I guess I shouldn’t hold it against them since they’re born that way. It’s not like they had a say in their inherited genes.

  I check the first port built into the furniture, and it works. OK … moving on, I check the other ones, and they work, as well.

  I glance around, wondering if I’m at the wrong sectional, but based on his description, this is the right one.

  Surely, he’s not all looks but no brains. That’d be a shame. He contributes the bare minimum in our poetry class, so I can’t say for sure.

  What I do know is that after our little chat tonight, I find him intriguing. I’ll give him that.

  Jason

  I’d say I’ve died and gone to heaven, but this would probably put me in hell, and I’m going to shoot my load if I watch it much longer.

  Sabrina’s licking Angie’s pussy like a cat licks its paws. Her tongue is precise and languid, licking her best friend’s slick cunt until she hasn’t missed a spot.

  And what gets me off more than watching them is the fact they’re doing this all for my sheer enjoyment. I don’t think either of them are bisexual, but they couldn’t deny they’re enjoying this, too.

  Angie tugs on her own nipples before she lightens her touch and rolls her fingertips over the stiff pink buds ever so faintly to tease us both.

  Sabrina’s still sucking and licking on her friend’s clit, the sounds making me groan, and fuck, I’m about to explode.

  Arching her back, Angie’s long, raven hair falls behind her shoulders, and the erotic sight fuels my need to be in on the action.

  The girls only have twin beds in their apartment off campus, so we’re on a thick comforter that’s spread out on the living room floor.

  Moving from the side of the blanket, I sit behind Angie and pull her up and back against my chest. Once she’s repositioned, Sabrina moves up, too, and resumes eating her out.

  I reach around and begin playing with Angie’s nipples. She arches against me and fists the blanket. Fucking hell. Sabrina tilts her eyes up to watch, and I’m close to done for.

  “Make her come, baby, before I do first.” Licking Angie faster, she wraps her fingers around her friend’s toned thighs and doesn’t stop until the girl’s moaning and convulsing against my body.

  Fuck, her nipples couldn’t be any harder beneath my fingers as I tug on them, prolonging her orgasm.

  As soon as she relaxes against me, I shift out from behind her and give Sabrina a smile. She crawls my way, swiping a condom from the floor beside us.

  Once it’s on snug, she straddles me and sinks effortlessly onto my stiff cock until I’m clenching her curvy hips and holding her down, burying myself so damn deep in her tight pussy.

  She drapes her arms around my neck and kisses me passionately, giving me a taste of Angie, too, and I’m the fuckin’ luckiest man on earth.

  If this is hell, then I’ll happily stay here; a million miles away from morals and commitments. I concluded last night that I wasn’t meant to have a meaningful relationship with a woman.

  Nearly ready to explode, I bounce Sabrina on top of me. She rides me hard, and when I glance over at Angie, I see she’s playing with her tits again, watching us intently.

  Sabrina digs her nails into my shoulders, clawing them as her eyes roll back. Shuddering, she comes on my dick.

  The feel of her muscles squeezing, along with the sight of Angie watching our dirty moment, is my undoing.

  I come apart, too, groaning from the pleasure. My body shakes, ready to collapse, so bringing Sabrina with me, I fall back on the blanket.

  She yelps and giggles as she falls forward, and this exciting experience is exactly the kind of distraction I’ve needed.

  Sabrina’s strawberry-blond hair is short, but it still covers my face. Angie giggles, too, before I feel her scoot against us, not wanting to feel left out.

  “Ladies, you’re fucking incredible, every man’s wildest dream, and you once again made mine come true. Hell, yes.”

  Their front door opens, and the blinding afternoon sun shines into the room. I’m trapped beneath Sabrina, having no choice but to stay right where I am.

  “Oh, my god! Every one of you are disgusting. I don’t know how I’ll take living with your slutty asses until graduation.”

  Sabrina snickers against my neck before she sits up.

  “Don’t worry about her. She’s nobody.”

  Stretching to see around Sabrina, I catch sight of the girl walking past us. She glances back long enough to shoot me daggers with her round green eyes, and fuck, she’s the girl. The woman I’m trying my hardest to forget.

  She’s also the last person I’d want to walk in on this. Well, maybe my mother would be the last … and then Gran. OK, Laurel’s the third of the last people I’d want to witness this, but she’s no less important.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Laurel

  Only two minutes after walking in on a threesome, there’s a knock on my bedroom door.

  “Go away, You Diseased Person.” I remove the chunky sweater that’s over my top.

  “Please, will you open the door? I want to apologize,” Jason says.

  “No. Your apology is useless since I don’t really know you or care to.”

  “Ouch,” he mumbles, but I manage to hear him since I’m right on the other side of the door, glowering with my hands firmly planted on my hips. “Please, open up.”

  “Why are you bothering?” Angie yells from the other room. “She’s just gonna bitch you out.”

  Jerking the door open, so Jason will get lost, I glare at him.

  “What do you want to say to make yourself feel better?”

  Damn, he’s even handsomer standing before me in only a pair of loose-fitting jeans. I can hardly blame the girls for wanting to take a turn.

  Smirking, his curious gaze trails down my body, but he’s wasting his time. Unlike my naked roommates, I’m completely clothed, even wearing black tights below my plaid skirt.

  “You look familiar,” he says.

  I cross my arms. “Well, I see I didn’t cement you to the floor last night in the library or cause you tunnel vision with my gorgeous face.”

  I don’t bother mentioning how we’ve been in classes together since freshman year. I guess it’s frustrating that I’ve been invisible to him all this time.

  Oh, and that he fed me a load of bullshit last night while trying to convince me that Dan was the asshole.

  “Oh, right. The rude librarian. I remember you now, along with your crazy eyes.” I start to slam the door in his face, but he grabs it and pushes it back open.

  “Look, I’m sorry you had to see that. I usually engage in inappropriate, yet fantastic, extracurricular activities at my place, but my best friend and sister are there together, and I can’t stand the thought of them, you know, in the other room.”

  “I don’t need to know your reasons, but for the record, I don’t like hearing or seeing what’s going on in the other rooms of my place, either.”

  He smirks again, the humor reaching his eyes, which I admit are alluring, much like the rest of him.

  “You’re a clever one.”

  “Leave. Now.”

  Grabbing the top of my doorframe, he uses it to stretch, and I’m sure it’s to show off his bare, muscular body.

  “What’s your name?” he asks.

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “It does to me.”

  “I’m not fazed by your kind, so you can give up now.”

  “My kind… Please, tell me what my kind are like.”

  “You think you can use your charm and good looks to get all the pussy you want. It doesn’t
work on me. I see right through the bullshit.”

  I almost didn’t see through it last night, but he doesn’t need to know that.

  “Damn, I never would’ve guessed that I’d hear the word pussy from your lips.”

  “Why is that?”

  His eyes flicker downward at my attire.

  “You’re a fucking librarian and dressed like the prudish type, too.” He lowers his head to get a look at my legs. “However, if you remove those tights, it might be a different story.”

  “I’m not a librarian, and I’m definitely not a prude.”

  “Then show me.”

  “Yes, that’s exactly what I want to do after my roommate was just riding your cock. Now, move your hands so I can shut my door.”

  In silence, he stares at my eyes, and like last night, it turns into uncomfortable seconds.

  “What extracurricular activities are you into, Girl With No Name?”

  “I read books. Do you know what they are?”

  “Seeing how I’m in college and pre-med, I have a clue.”

  Of course, he’s going into medicine. I can’t escape it. I clear my throat, not liking that he’s handsome and smart. Actually, he’s a triple threat since he’s charming, too.

  Sabrina slithers her arms around his waist and hugs him from the side. While glaring at me, she pulls him closer.

  “Come on, Jason. Don’t waste your time on Laurel. She’s not your type. Actually, I’m not sure there is a type for her.”

  He grins. “Laurel. That’s a fitting name for a librarian.” Slinging his head back, he laughs. “Laurel the Librarian. That would make the perfect title for a porno, especially if the woman was wearing that outfit of yours, minus the tights of course.”

  Glowering, I shove my hand against his firm chest, pushing him back and causing Sabrina to stumble.

  “I hope the three of you get chlamydia.” With that said, I slam the door in their faces and march to my bed.

  Fuck, I want out of this apartment. Seven months, and I’ll graduate. That’s how much longer I’m forced to endure living with Sabrina’s and Angie’s skanky asses. After that, they’ll move the hell out.