Page 29 of Forbidden Fruit

There isn't even a convincing lie I could spin here, so I decide to go with the truth.

"He stole my book." I shrug.

"What book?" he asks, narrowing his eyes and looking between the both of us furiously. I debate on being honest, but it'll help sell what I know I'm going to have to do. "Teacher's pet."

"Christ, Olivia. I don't know what has gotten into you. This is extremely out of character for you." Dad puts his hands in his face, rubbing his temples furiously like it'll make the two headaches sitting in front of him magically disappear.

"Has this been going on since I found you both alone in the classroom together?"

"With all due respect, sir, there's nothing going on." DeLuca's cold tone stings like my rug-burned knees.

Dad purses his lips and looks directly at me. "Is that the truth? Is there something going on, Olivia?" He folds his arms, studying me expectantly.

"No," I say, but it comes out like a whisper. I clear my throat and answer in a firmer voice. He doesn't look convinced. Tomas is staring down at his hands, shame boiling just below the surface.

I sigh as I continue. "If I'm being perfectly honest, I want something to happen, and I've been making DeLuca's life a living hell to force his hand. He's not interested and I'm growing tired of having my advances rejected."

I pick at my nails, feigning boredom. It's a lie that my dad may see through, but it might be the only shot we have. The only thing louder than my heart hammering in my ears is the deafening silence. Dad meets my eyes with his steely gaze before he rocks back in his chair. He pins both of us with a stern look.

"Olivia, I understand this is college and you want to let loose and go wild. Everyone in this room has a reputation of prestige to uphold. I don't care what the two of you do after the semester, but it can't be with your goddamn professor," he yells, beating his fist on the desk for emphasis.

Tomas blinks, then slowly nods. "Thanks, Dad. But like I said, I'm done with this crush and the games. I'll find someone my own age to play with," I say, not taking my eyes off of Tomas.

I abruptly get up, and this time I don't turn around as I feel Tomas’ eyes burning into me. I'm so angry with myself and Tomas that my fingers tremble. I lean against the cool wall, attempting to steady myself and calm down. My dad is still berating DeLuca, which is to be expected. There isn't anything in the world I could have done to prepare for what I hear leaving dad's mouth.

"As for you, Tomas, whatever game you're playing with my daughter, if you break her heart, I will ruin you. It's astonishing that you would even consider another relationship with a student after that worked out so well for you before."

"Sir, with all due respect—" Tomas begins, clearing his throat.

"Tomas, I don't want to hear it. You defending her from Nathan was noble, but she doesn't need you. Leave her alone. If I hear anything of this again, I will pull your hearing for tenure from the agenda. End of discussion."

I hear the legs of the chair scuff against the office floor, his heavy footsteps following suit. I compose myself the best I can and take off into a sprint when I hear him call to me. I don't stop.

Chapter Nineteen

Tomas

"Olivia,willyoustopfor me a minute? Please." I try to catch up to her, but she's too fast. When I have the feeling that I'm being watched, I stop running. If she wants to be found, it will happen. The universe seems to work in our favor when it comes to the two of us.

I watched as she calmly exited the scrutiny of her father, her face an angelic facade. Really. The girl deserved an Oscar. Once she was out of the building, her long, graceful legs broke into a sprint that would rival a track star at the Olympics. The story she crafted and sold so quickly was nothing short of impressive. I believe she's trying to keep me out of trouble, but the words flowed from her mouth so effortlessly that I'm almost convinced she means them. While we have been spending a lot of time together, especially in the physical variety, the pang of excitement at the prospect of taking her on a real date knocks the air out of my lungs. When I consider how enjoyable it could be to jog together on a sunny Saturday morning, laughing as she races ahead of me because of what she'll blame to be my arthritic knees, my stomach knots. Somehow, what should be a victory feels like a loss, and I'm not sure why. I know the taboo nature of our relationship turns her on, but is that it? That can't be all this is.

As if on cue with my angst, a slight drizzle turns into a relentless downpour. I reach the safety of my car and rest my forehead on the leather steering wheel, pounding my fist into my knee to feel something other than sorrow and anger over my lack of self-control. I head home, almost too secluded in my own head to notice Olivia walking along the bike path. I pull over, rolling my window down. She turns her head and gives me a once over, then starts walking faster.

"Get in," I yell over the howling wind and raindrops pummeling the windshield. She won't look at me, just adamantly shakes her head no. Her hood is up, but she is soaked to the bone.

"Olivia, get in the goddamn car." My jaw clenches at her stubborn martyr act.

"If you're not in this car in five fucking seconds, I'm physically dragging you into it."

I start counting down slowly, and she just continues her path as if I'm not even here. I let the impatient black car behind me go around me, then shift the car into park. She's still walking quickly, but for once, I'm faster, as I lift her over my shoulder and carry her to the passenger seat. She kicks against me in protest, which makes me laugh and only fuels her rage. When I smack her ass, she gives me a solid elbow to my side.

“Damn, I almost feel sorry for Nathan now. If your punch was half as strong as your elbow, you must've really broken his nose.”

I settle her into the passenger seat and swiftly duck into the driver's side, putting the car in drive so she can't escape.

"Well, kidnapping you wasn't on my to do list today,” I say through gritted teeth. She looks over at me with fiery rage burning in her bright eyes.

"Tackling you in front of half the student body and administration wasn't on my agenda."

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