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3

I want students to learn. Not buckle under a heavy work load and that’s what she’ll be doing if she tackles the assignment on her own. “This assignment is too big to do without study partners.”

Her eyes flare, brilliant and warm and I’m sucked into their depths. “It’s all right. I don’t have anything else to do.”

She should find it hard to fit this assignment into an already hectic study schedule. A niggling question starts up in the back of my mind. I flick through her record on my computer. There’re never other names on her assignments. Not even when I’ve stipulated team work. “You’ve done that before? You always opt for solo assignments, even when it means a heavier workload.”

She shrugs, a tiny gesture that speaks volumes. “I prefer not to rely on others.”

I frown, unable to hide my concern. “You can’t do everything on your own.” I try to bite back the urge to ask why she isolates herself, why she doesn’t have any friends. I don’t like seeing her on her own. She doesn’t realize how vibrant she is. How colorful. In a sea of copy cats, she’s a true star. She tries to hide it, but I see her for who she is.

Then boulders form in my gut when I wonder if this is deeper than merely wanting to hide her true self. I don’t want to confirm my worst fears, but I need to know. Not just for the sake and reputation of the university. But for myself. I force the words out of my mouth. “Why do you keep to yourself? Is something wrong? Has anyone been…inappropriate with you?”

Apart from me.

Jealousy I have no right to feel blasts through me. I’ll track the fucker down if that’s the case.

Her eyes flicker, her guard slipping for a fraction of a second. “Nothing’s wrong. I just prefer my own company.”

Something about that flicker has everything inside me on high alert. I lean forward, doing my best to keep my tone professional despite the raging storm inside me. “Who is he?”

“N…no one. I mean, there isn’t anyone.” She hurries to stand, and picks up her laptop and her bag. Her hands shake when she tries and fails to place the strap on her shoulder. “I…have to go. Thank you for the clarification on the assignment.”

I know a trauma reaction when I see it. I’m out of my seat, standing between her and the door to stop her running out of my office. Her fingers clamp around the strap. Her mouth parts and her pupils dilate. “What are you doing, Professor?”

An internal shiver works through me at the husk in her voice that confirms she’s as affected as I am. I’m crowding her. I should step away. I’ve asked her if there’s a problem and she’s told me there isn’t. There shouldn’t be anything more I need to say, and yet I can’t stand back. Not when I know she’s lying.

“Making sure you’re telling me the truth. Because I won’t let you leave this room until I know for sure no one has taken advantage of you.” No one but me.

I’m scaring her, but I can’t stop when I step toward her. The backs of her thighs hit the edge of my desk and I use my height to cage her in. She gasps, her pillowed lips falling open. “Th…There’s no one.”

Her gaze flicks to my lips and back to my eyes. All it takes is a fraction of a second to confirm my gut instinct. She’s lying.

My chest almost brushes hers. So close her body heat washes over me. I’m crossing a line that can’t be uncrossed. This is wrong on so many levels but I don’t pull back. An invisible cord tightens in my chest. “Tell me. The college will help you…”

“I said it’s nothing.” She draws a sharp breath. A stray tear falls and leaves a silvery trail down her cheek.

I can’t stand to see her in pain. Can’t stand knowing that there’s someone out there not treating her the way she should be treated. Like a princess.

A goddess.

I catch her tear with my thumb. Place my palm on her cheek, so smooth and warm. Her breath shakes, but she doesn’t pull away. Not even when I lean close enough so that my lips nearly touch hers. “Tell me.”

“I…” She catches her bottom lip between her teeth and I’m lost. The pulse jumps in her neck. I know I should take my hand off her, but I can’t.

“Tell me. Please.”

Her gaze drops to my mouth. Stays.

How has everything changed in a few moments?

Wrong. So wrong. I can’t stop myself. Don’t want to. I dip my head and brush my lips across her cheek, the salt of her tear and her own natural taste invading my mouth.

Delicious. She’s delicious. I’ve gone too far but she inhales another sharp breath and doesn’t move away. I close my eyes, my forehead resting against her temple. I can’t move either.

“Cathy.” Her name. A prayer to make me stop before I move farther over the line that shouldn’t be crossed. There’s no coming back if I do.

She remains still. Her breathing is so light, her chest barely moves.

“Tell me to stop. Please.” I battle to find the words because I don’t know what’s come over me. I don’t know what I want from her, except I know I want something.

Her.

I want her.

But I can’t have her. I never will.

It’s inappropriate at the least. Taking advantage at the worst.

The best I can hope for is her forgiveness. The worst is her justifiable anger.

I don’t expect the brush of her lips in the hollow of my throat. I don’t expect the kiss she places there. I don’t expect the rush of desire that shakes my whole body, and I don’t expect the urge to take her into my arms and kiss her until she can’t think at all.

All I know is that the moment she steps away from me will be the worst moment of my life, so I close my arms around her and pretend that nothing about what I want to do to her will ruin either one of us. Or destroy our lives.

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