You mingle with colleagues and look for a chance to approach the Professor

Like usual, the Life Sciences department drinks are held in one of the old university halls, with wine and catering provided. One of the perks of your professorship you really don't take advantage of as often as you should, especially since the salary doesn't always stretch all that far. You make it there just in time, even after a short stop to breathe and calm yourself down so you didn't burst in looking like you'd just run a marathon.

As much as you'd like it to be otherwise, you know you're not going to be only eagle-eyed single woman in the department who will have spotted that Professor Merchant is back on the market. Just from the chattering gossip you've overheard since you started working at the university, he was considered one of the most eligible men in the faculty even when he was clearly wearing a ring. You'll have to stand out from the crowd, and what better way to do that than seeming aloof and composed, luring him in with an air of mystery. That's what all the dating websites you hurriedly scanned over the past week advised anyway.

You know you can't look ****, so you keep a respectful distance from the handsome professor, chatting instead to a couple of other colleagues about a conference you recently attended while nursing a large glass of wine. All the while, a large part of your attention is devoted to monitoring your target. He doesn't seem to have even noticed you're here yet, and to your simmering fury he's spending a lot of time talking to a pair of skanky blonde post-docs from his own Conservation department. No doubt they sniffed out he was single straight-away. Why else would they be wearing those low-cut tops and showing off their boobs?

It makes you want to run over there and shove them away, telling the Professor that they're just **** sluts with Daddy issues who only want to jump in bed with him because he's handsome and older. Not like you, of course. You're looking for a long-term relationship with a future, even if you can't stop yourself from checking out his butt. Yes, you want to bend him over your bed and fuck him a lot, of course you do, but you'll also take him out on dates and woo him, as much as it takes.

Why are boys so difficult? You should be able to just walk right over there and tell him to his face you want to date, but every piece of advice you've found says that will intimidate him. You're scary enough already, with your outsized body and bulging muscles, even if he still doesn't know about the monster you're packing between your legs. Damn it...this is hopeless. You just know you're going to miss your chance, again! All because you were too much of a coward to do anything!

"Ms Black." You almost jump out of your skin. When you hurriedly turn, you find yourself staring in shock right at his handsome face. He snuck up on you, how rude! One look at those pretty eyes though, and all your annoyance just disappears like a bad dream. "I'm so glad you could make it this week." He continues, with a smile that makes your knees rather week. "I feel like we don't get enough of a chance to talk, what with our departments not collaborating much."

"Yes definitely." You reply, silently cursing how high-pitched and breathy your voice sounds. Control yourself, Lucy! Even if your heart is beating a mile a minute in your chest. "And you're always jetting away on those trips to exotic places, saving the planet and all that. I think I've seen you visit every nice beach in the world on those documentaries of yours." He laughs a little at your line, and you want to punch the air in triumph. Instead, you just smile at him, hoping desperately that your lipstick really isn't smudged.

"It does give me a chance to work on my tan." He winks. Oh God...does he have tan lines under that handsome suit? Maybe he wears a tiny pair of speedos and lies on the sand just like your dream! You could help him rub in his sun-tan lotion. You bite your lip, trying to stop the flood of naughty thoughts that are making your dick stir in your tight panties. "I didn't know you watched my work, Ms Black." The handsome professor continues, raising his eyebrow slightly. You freeze in place. Does he think that's creepy? Sure, you've watched all his documentaries, and jerked off to a good number of them, but he won't know that, will he?

"Please, call me Lucy." You gamble, looking for a distraction.

"Sure thing, Lucy." He replies, so smoothly you feel like you're melting. "How about yourself then? Visited anywhere interesting lately?" And just like that, you're talking to your handsome crush quite naturally, telling him about your last trip upstate to visit your Dad back home. He laughs at the funnier parts and asks you questions while seeming genuinely interested in every answer you give. It feels amazing, especially since you're sure those blonde skanks from earlier are probably watching you jealously right now. You're the one who has Professor Merchant's full attention. Now all you have to do is use this chance wisely, and muster up the courage to ask him out on a date before the evening is through.