Free Seductive in Stilettos 2: New Adult Romance by Nana Malone

Chapter 1
    S hane could feel Tristia’s eyes on him. From his peripheral vision, he watched as she and her friends stared at him. Yeah, right back atchya . Your name was supposed to be Sydney. You were supposed to be some cute girl , not an assignment.
    Well to be fair, that was the problem. Life would be infinitely better if she wasn't so damn cute. But whatever. This was the job. And he needed the gig. Needed the fresh start, so he was going to do his job and forget all about how Tristia Munroe tasted.
    He dragged his attention and focus to the crowd at large. "So, during the course of the year, I'll be around to help you with any questions you may have, anything you need. Even condoms."
    Some of the guys hooted and hollered at that, so he made a mental note to keep an eye on them. "Anytime you need to talk to someone, I'm around."
    His brain gave his eyes the command to focus and not look at her, but they were in a 'fuck you' kind of mood, so they strayed right to Tristia and her friends. Even seated cross-legged on the floor, she had that on-the-edge-of-her-seat, ready-to-bolt kind of tension to her. Just what he needed. If she ran, or asked for a transfer, they'd have to get someone else to watch her, and he'd fail his assignment. And that wasn't an option.
    "There’s one more thing they make me say. This is a co-ed dorm. So let me remind you there will be no inappropriate conduct tolerated between students and members of the student life staff on their floor."
    Several girls and a couple of the guys groaned. Oh, perfect. Maybe he was the wrong guy for this assignment.
    Tristia didn't respond, but she lost some of that "ready-to-flee" look on her face.
    "I'm here for you, but not in that way,” he continued. “And if at any point you feel uncomfortable, report it to the student life office." That little speech had been part of his RA training packet. Tomorrow, he also had a meeting with a counselor for how to handle some of the more sensitive topics that might come up while he was busy watching the girl.
    Thankfully, he’d had his own bout with therapy and knew some basics. But the school had told him it would mostly be alcohol-related shit and kids flunking out.
    He consulted his clipboard and addressed the other points they'd given him, reminding the kids about orientation booths, where they could experience the activities offered on campus, as well as the rules for fraternity and sorority rush. And then, finally, the university's drinking policy. Everyone groaned about that one.
    He studied their faces. For the most part, he could be one of them. He blended. He looked young enough they had no idea he wasn't a student. He had to wonder if this was what it would have been like if he'd been able to go to college properly. Sitting around making lewd jokes about condoms and checking out the hot girls, inviting them to the University Center for coffee. These guys seemed normal. They had no idea how lucky they were.
    When he dismissed the meeting, Tristia and her friends bolted. Good thing he'd already scouted the floor layout. Basically, the whole building was like a giant number eight. All paths led to the common lounge in the center. He and Tristia's rooms were at the top point of the eight.
    They went one way, and he went the other. She didn't look too thrilled to see him. Her friends, on the other hand, looked anticipatory. Like they'd been waiting for this moment.
    "Hey, do you mind if I talk to you for a minute?" He was careful not to use her name, because as far as he could tell, she’d given him her roommate’s name.
    Her eyes were wide as she slid a glance to her friends for help. But they quickly made themselves scarce. The tiny one, Xia, said, "You go ahead, Tris. Sydney and I were just, erm, going to go eavesdrop from the room."
    Shane's lips twitched, but he somehow managed to keep from laughing. Tris tried to grab Sydney's arm, but the statuesque one deftly slipped her grasp.
    "Xia's right. Busy