The Nik of Time Read online

  “It is entirely too quiet out here.” Wyatt broke the silence and they moved on to another exercise.

  “Says who?” Jordy cracked up. “I like the silence.”

  “Hot damn, check out the new freshman,” Brock whistled.

  “Another year of unsuspecting conquests, Brock?” Colin drawled.

  Brock turned around and eyed Colin. He crept across the grass on his hands and knees until he was over Colin, looking down into his face.

  “You know I still want you, baby,” Brock grinned, sliding his knee between Colin’s thighs.

  “So not a good idea.” Sebastian cocked an eyebrow.

  “Do you remember my last name?” Colin lifted his kneecap and connected it with Brock’s balls. “It’s Greystone.” Colin laughed as Brock fell over on his side, cradling his nuts.

  “Oh, for the love of God!” Brock howled.

  Colin crawled over to Brock and straddled him. “When are you going to get it through your sex-obsessed brain? I’m not going to sleep with you.”

  Brock pulled Colin down by his uniform. “I’m still going to try.”

  “Hey,” Sebastian stood up and stretched his arms out. “We going to the club tonight?”

  “Yeah, I guess.” Colin got up and elbowed Wyatt. “You bringing your man?”

  “Of course! I love watching him dance.” Wyatt waggled his eyebrows.

  “Damn, I just love that one fireman - what’s his name again?” Brock furrowed his brows.

  “Which one?” Sebastian raised a brow.

  “The dark-haired one with those clear blue eyes.” Brock shivered. “I’d love a piece of that.”

  Sebastian laughed. “Cole? Oh, he’d tear you in half!” Sebastian had to laugh at the dreamy look on Brock’s face. “Dude, seriously.”

  “Can we just practice?” Jordy sighed. “All this gayness is making me horny.”

  Travis cracked up. “Said the straight guy.”

  “I’m straight, I’m just open-minded.” Jordy smacked Travis’ ass.

  “See? That was gay.” Travis pushed his ass out. “Do it again.”

  “Oh for fuck’s sake,” Wyatt exhaled.

  Colin put his hand on Wyatt’s shoulder. “They’re just jealous that they’re straight. We can’t all be perfect.”

  “Heads up!” Sebastian twirled the football in his hands. “Let’s go.”

  Colin looked up at the sky. It was going to rain today. Great.

  ~*~

  Nikolai pulled into a parking lot at the University of Washington by ten in the morning. He parked his hog in a nice spot far, far away from the rest of the vehicles. He loved his Harley and didn’t want one scratch on the paint job he’d just paid a pretty penny for. He made his way into the building and found the dean’s office pretty quickly. Most of the people who saw him in the hall crossed to the other side. He was used to it. Besides, Nikolai was sure he looked the part of killer biker. He was wearing his leather jacket and pants with biker boots. The dean’s outer office had a frosted glass door and the name “Mrs. Forbes” etched in black. Nikolai walked in and the secretary’s head popped up from her paperwork. Her eyes went wide at seeing him. Nikolai looked at the nameplate on the desk.

  “Mrs. Forbes?”

  “Y-Yes?”

  Nikolai gave her his best seductive smile. It worked like a charm. Her face went pink and she licked her lips nervously. Lord, he’d seen that look on hundreds of faces.

  “I’m Nikolai Markov. I have an appointment with the dean?”

  “Oh yes, sure.”

  Nikolai covered his mouth as Mrs. Forbes almost tripped over herself trying to get out from behind the desk. She came around and walked to a filing cabinet. He watched her as she looked over her shoulder at him more than once while rifling through the cabinet.

  “Here you are.”

  Nikolai extended his hand waiting for the folder. He swore a dab of drool dropped from Mrs. Forbes’ bottom lip. Nikolai coughed quietly. That seemed to wake her up. She handed him the file and then walked back around to her desk, lifting the phone.

  “Thank you.”

  “Dean Smith? Mr. Markov is here,” she said with a smile.

  Nikolai winked.

  “He says go right on in.”

  “Thank you very much.” Nikolai gave her a smile and walked through the dean’s door. The baseball that he, Sebastian and Wyatt had stolen once as a prank sat on the desk in a clear glass box. What a stupid stunt that had been. Wyatt had paid for it, even though it had been Bastian’s dumb idea. Nikolai stood at the front of the desk and Dean Smith rose, extending his hand.

  “Well, well.” Dean Smith shook Nikolai’s hand. “Nikolai Markov has chosen the University of Washington. I have to say I’m surprised.”

  “Oh? Why is that?” Nikolai sat down in the chair Dean Smith indicated.

  “Well, I’ve seen your scores. And you’ve already got enough College Level Examination Program Credits to enroll as a junior. You are extremely smart, Mr. Markov. You could go to any school you wanted.”

  “I like Seattle; it’s gay friendly.” Nikolai sat back in the chair.

  “I see. Well, I had Mrs. Forbes get you all set up. Everything you need is in that folder.”

  “I’m in McCarty Hall, right?”

  Dean Smith clasped his hands and leaned over the desk. “Yes, you are rooming with Colin Greystone.” Dean Smith smiled at Nikolai’s startled look. “Don’t look so surprised. When Stefan Youngblood calls, I listen.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I know everything. The Youngbloods give this university tons of money. I only ask that you try to keep the bloodshed to a minimum and don’t blow the dorm up.”

  Nikolai grinned.

  “Can’t promise.” He sobered. “I’ll try to keep the kill count to a minimum, but if these guys get too bold, I’ll take Colin out of here.”

  “Colin’s a good kid, a smart kid.” Dean Smith stood up and extended his hand again. “He must be in a lot of danger if they sent you to watch over him.”

  “You have no idea,” Nikolai sighed.

  ~*Chapter Two*~

  Colin rinsed the shampoo from his hair. His body was sore as all hell, but it felt good, too. He hadn’t had time to go the gym lately and he really needed to. He tilted his head and listened; someone was banging on his door. He stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist.

  “I’m coming!” Colin grabbed another towel and wiped his face and hands off. As soon as he turned the handle, a body flew into the room and Colin was immediately in defense mode. He was startled to see his lab partner out of breath and sweating.

  “What the hell, Drew? You scared the shit out of me!”

  “I was in the registrar’s office and I saw this guy! Oh holy hell and shit! He had to have been at least six-foot-four and packed! That basket was scrumptious!”

  Colin cracked up.

  “I’m serious! Dark hair and eyes to match and he wore leather pants.” Drew grabbed Colin’s chair and took a deep breath. “He was every fantasy I’ve ever had!”

  “Did this fantasy have a name?” Colin grabbed his boxers and put them on under his towel.

  “I didn’t get that far. I think I almost passed out! Every single female eye was on him; hell, even the straight guys stopped and drooled! I’ve never seen anyone that fucking sexy!”

  Colin smiled and crossed the room to his dresser. The door to his room opened again; he turned and all ability to speak left him.

  “Well hello roo—” Nikolai stopped mid-sentence. Colin was half naked and another guy was in his room. The anger rose so fast Nikolai didn’t have a chance to stop it. He let out a menacing growl and lunged at the guy. He found Colin in his way.

  “Nik!” Colin shouted.

  “What the fuck?” Nikolai snapped. “Who the fuck is this guy?”

  “That’s him!” Drew shouted. “Holy hell! You know him?”

  Colin stood with his hand on Nikolai’s chest. “Back off, Nik
olai.”

  “Who. Is. He?” Nikolai growled staring at the other guy’s face.

  Drew shivered. “Oh hell. That is so fucking hot.”

  Colin sighed, pushing Nikolai away from Drew. “Drew Treadman, meet Nikolai Markov. Nikolai, this is my lab partner, Drew.”

  “Why is he in here while you’re naked?” Nikolai narrowed his eyes at Drew. “Are you fucking my boyfriend?”

  “I am not your boyfriend!” Colin shouted. “What are you doing here?”

  “Markov?” Drew cocked an eyebrow. “As in Vince Markov? That Nikolai?”

  “Yes, that one,” Colin sighed. “Can I see you later, Drew? I have to have a talk with Nik.”

  “Uh huh, sure, talk,” Drew winked. “Got ya.”

  Colin closed the door behind Drew and banged his head on it. Taking a deep breath, he turned to find Nikolai right in his face.

  “Could you please back up?”

  “Are you fucking him?” Nikolai leaned in. “Are you?”

  “That’s none of your business. Now what are you doing here?”

  Nikolai balled his hands into fists, trying to control his anger. “I’m your roommate.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You’re in danger, Colin.”

  “When am I not? I’m a Greystone.”

  “This is different. Didn’t Stefan call you?”

  “I haven’t been taking calls.” Colin walked back over to his dresser and pulled some jeans out.

  “Carmine Rizzo is your father, Colin. He’s going to come for you eventually.”

  Colin turned slowly. “What did you just say?”

  Nikolai walked to the phone and pushed the blinking light. Stefan’s voice floated into the room.

  “Colin, look, I need you to call me as soon as you can, all right? It’s important.”

  The phone beeped and another message floated over, than another.

  “Colin, look this can’t wait. Carmine Rizzo is your biological father. He’s going to come for you. Don’t get angry, but your fathers and I agree that you need a little extra protection. We’re sending Nikolai to watch out for you.”

  Nikolai hit the button again, silencing the answering machine. Colin sat down on the end of his bed and stared at the wall.

  “Carmine Rizzo,” he whispered.

  Nikolai knelt in front of Colin and took his hands. “Just because he’s your biological father doesn’t make him your dad. Uncle Mark and Uncle Paul are your fathers. You were raised by them, not by that piece of shit.”

  Colin nodded absentmindedly. “I’m a Greystone.”

  “Yes, you are.”

  Colin blinked and realized Nikolai was holding his hands. He yanked them away and stood up.

  “That’s great and all, but I don’t need a babysitter. I can take care of myself.”

  Nikolai shook his head slowly and smiled. “Colin, I’m staying. You can’t get rid of me. I’m like herpes - you can calm me, but I’ll never really go away.”

  “Isn’t that a fitting description,” Colin drawled.

  Nikolai ignored Colin’s tone and pulled out his schedule. “So, let’s see which classes I have with you. Oh, look at that - all of them.” Nikolai grinned as Colin fumed.

  “Are you planning on joining the football team as well?”

  “I sure am. Coach told me I have to wear a jersey that says ‘Nik,’ though. Something about my last name invoking fear in people. I wonder why that is?” Nikolai tapped his chin with his forefinger in mock deep thought.

  “Gee, I wonder.” Colin rolled his eyes.

  “So, is this my side of the room?” Nikolai walked to the far side and looked at the bed. “This is way too small; we may have to push them together and make one bed.”

  “Nice try.” Colin grabbed a T-shirt and pulled it over his head. Nikolai was walking around the room checking things out. He removed his leather jacket and Colin bit his bottom lip to stop himself from groaning. Nikolai’s biceps had gotten even bigger. How was that even possible? Colin narrowed his eyes and then gasped. “You were shot?”

  Nik looked down at his bicep.

  “Oh, yeah. Some asshole thought a 9 mil would slow me down,” Nikolai chuckled as he looked over all the contents of Colin’s dresser.

  “Do you mind? Just because we share a room doesn’t mean you can touch all my stuff.”

  “Can I touch that stuff?” Nikolai pointed to Colin’s crotch.

  “No, that is off limits.” Colin grew serious and crossed the room to Nikolai. “Look, I want to thank you, you know, for saving my life at camp.” Colin looked up into Nikolai’s eyes and immediately regretted it. Nik had smoldering eyes that made his dick rock hard in seconds flat. He backed up and Nik took a step forward.

  “I would do it again. You have to know how I feel about you, Colin.” Nikolai took Colin’s hand in his.

  “No, I don’t. All I know is that you want in my pants.” Colin tried to back away further and was pulled forward.

  “That’s not true. And I haven’t been with anyone in months, Colin.”

  “I’m supposed to believe that?” Colin scoffed.

  “Believe what you want.” Nikolai looked at the time. “We have to get to class.”

  “Just how did you get into this college anyway? Stefan bribe someone?”

  Nikolai bristled at the comment. “You’d be surprised, Colin. Stefan didn’t have to bribe anyone.”

  “Yeah? Well you can’t fake your way through classes.”

  “Well then, let’s go.”

  ~*~

  The lecture hall was packed and Nikolai followed Colin down to the front row. The professor was at the large blackboard writing down equations. Nikolai took his paperwork to the professor’s desk and set it down before making his way back to his seat. He sat down between Colin and another guy. Whispers had already started behind him and he turned in the seat.

  “Shh!” Nikolai winked at them and then sat back and looked over Colin’s notes as the professor started handing out papers. The kid at the end of their row handed the papers to the guy next to him and so on. Colin got his and groaned. Nikolai looked at his grade. It was a B-minus.

  “Shit,” Colin whispered. “I swear Professor Davis has it out for me.” Colin sat up straight as Professor Davis cleared his throat.

  “So, as always, I see that some of you didn’t prepare for our little pop quiz. Maybe some of you were sleeping during my lecture?”

  Nikolai watched the professor go back to his desk and frown at the paperwork sitting on top of it. A sneer crossed his face.

  “Lovely, another child of money coming to school on mommy and daddy’s dime. Too bad brains can’t be bought.”

  Nikolai stiffened and Colin patted his arm.

  “Please don’t go all ape shit,” Colin whispered.

  Nikolai directed his attention to Colin’s work and scanned the paper.

  “So, today I have a new problem for you—”

  “Excuse me,” Nikolai stood up with Colin’s test paper.

  “Nik! Don’t!” Colin tried futilely to pull him back down.

  “Ah, Mr. Markov,” Professor Davis smirked. “Please enlighten me on what you find so important that you have to disrupt my class on your very first day.”

  “Well, this is.” Nikolai pointed to Colin’s test sheet. “This answer is correct.”

  “Oh is it now?” Professor Davis sat on the edge of his desk and crossed his arms. “And you know this how?”

  “Well, he did the long and short form like you asked. The answer is correct.”

  “I can assure you it is not. So, if that is all—”

  “No, it’s not all.”

  “Nikolai,” Colin beseeched quietly. “Stop it.”

  “Well then, by all means.” Professor Davis motioned to the chalkboard. “Show me where I am mistaken.” He narrowed his eyes. “If you can.”

  Colin covered his face with his hands. “Crap.”

  Nikolai took Colin’s test sheet with hi
m and walked up to the chalkboard. The entire class was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. Colin sat fascinated as Nikolai scribbled out the entire problem without even looking at his sheet. He stopped a few times, tilting his head, and then began again. Whispers and murmurs behind him met his ears and Colin couldn’t help but smile at Nikolai scribbling away like a madman. It became very obvious very quickly that Nikolai knew exactly what he was doing. He stepped back from the board and turned to face the class.

  “How many of you got this answer?” Nikolai asked. Quite a few hands went up and Nikolai smiled. “How many of you got an A?” Those hands stayed up. “Amazing.” He turned to the professor with a smirk. “I’ll just go take my seat now. Please,” Nikolai motioned to the class. “Resume.”

  Professor Davis was quiet for the rest of the class. He put the new equation up on the board and sat down at his desk for the remaining ninety minutes. Colin had to smile at Nikolai. He was scanning the book like it held the secret to life. Once class was over, Nikolai waited for the classroom to clear before making his way up to the professor’s desk. Colin hung back, just listening.

  “I didn’t want to embarrass you in front of the class.”

  Professor Davis snorted.

  “Unlike you, I do have some couth,” Nikolai drawled.

  Professor Davis opened his mouth and then closed it as Nikolai glared at him.

  Nikolai pressed on.

  “So, let me see if I can figure this out. You didn’t have a lot of money growing up so, of course, those of us who did already have a strike against us. Also, we must all be stupid, correct? I read your book by the way; I have a copy of it in my bag if you’d like to read my notes. Next time, give me something harder. In the future, grade papers on the work, not on your opinion of someone or Dean Smith will hear from me. I’m here to learn - that is, if you have something new for me.”

  Nikolai walked to the door and looked over his shoulder. “Oh, and by the way, if you know who I am you also know there is no ‘mommy’ - only daddies,” Nikolai smirked.

  Colin waited for the professor to speak, but his face had gone so red, he wondered if he had stopped breathing. Finally he spoke, but his demeanor was quite different.