Page 10 of Freshman

Henry huffed and puffed on the first set of stairs, too far away to help if something happened.

“You know it’s unfair,” Nate said slowly.

“What is?”

A devouring smile spread across Nate’s face. “You get to keep a picture of me, but I don’t get one of you.”

Nate took a step closer, and Alfie backed up until the railing pressed into his spine.

“It’s on your file. It’s not mine.”

“It could be.” Nate swiped his tongue over his bottom lip. “You could print off a copy, take it home.”

“And why would I do that?”

“It might be useful on those lonely nights.”

Nate looked down at Alfie, smile still on his face but sharper than before. His focus dropped to Alfie’s lips, and they tingled like Nate had brushed them.

Nate didn’t touch him; their bodies were still apart, but there wasn’t enough air between them. Alfie wanted to gulp for it, pant, but he didn’t want to show Nate any weakness. Alfie flicked his chin out toward the cell, but no words formed in his head or flowed from his mouth.

“The way you dress, it drives me crazy.”

Alfie frowned. He dressed the same as everyone else, in a standard white shirt and black trousers. Nate seemed to read the confusion on his face and laughed softly.

“The way you have your tie, the fact your top button’s done up, and your shirt’s tucked in. The tightness of your trousers around your arse, and you’ve got a sure as shit fantastic arse, and then there’s your face.” Nate trailed off and sank his teeth into his bottom lip before releasing it with a hum. “You have such a pretty face, pretty eyes, pretty lips, and a smile to kill for…”

Alfie couldn’t speak, but he could shake his head.

“You do, Freshman.”

Alfie forced himself to swallow. “Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”

Nate tilted his head back and groaned in ecstasy. The sudden noise made Alfie shoot back.

“You tease me with your words.”

Alfie had freed himself from the crushing bubble and regained his voice. “I’m prison officer Alfie. Now get in your cell.”

Henry wheezed into view, his hand pressed to his chest as he stumbled along. He stopped and panted for breath, then cleared his phlegmy throat into a tissue.

“There goes any notion of hard,” Nate muttered.

Henry shoved the tissue back into his pocket. “Pat down.”

Nate raised his eyebrow and turned to Alfie with a coy smile. “You’ve got to pat me down.”

Alfie cocked his jaw. “Show me how it’s done, Henry.”

Nate’s smile vanished, and the eyebrow dropped back into position. “No thanks—”

“Let’s get it over with,” Henry muttered. “You know the drill. Turn around and face the wall.”

Nate breathed heavily through his nose, then did as he was told.

Henry creaked and groaned as he leaned to pat both of Nate’s legs. He ran his frail hands up Nate’s sides, then nodded to himself. “Done.”

Alfie unlocked Nate’s cell and moved aside for him to go inside. Henry followed him and unlocked the cuffs from his wrists. Once Henry locked the door, Alfie rushed past him, desperate to get away.

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