Page 118 of 4th Degree

I settle into the chair in front of my professor’s desk. Unlike mine, his smile seems to be brighter than the sun as he sits across from me with folded hands.

“Skylar, I wanted to talk to you about something, but I have to preface this with an apology in case I’ve overstepped. That is certainly never my intention.”

Wariness shifts to confusion. “Professor?”

“You see, I know you told me you were set on a nursing path,” he continues. “But you’ll forgive an old man for seeing through a pile of shit.”

My mouth twitches, but I tamp down on it. That reaction only seems to spur him on.

“I know passion in a student when I see it. And I know when it’s focused on something specific, and when they’re not giving everything to that passion.” His voice softens as he adds, “You want to work in neuroscience, don’t you?”

All humor drops from my expression, and my breaths come quicker. I’m not prepared for this conversation.

He studies me for a moment, then nods. “I wrote the letter of recommendation that you asked for,” he says, sliding a sheet of paper toward me. “And if you really want to go down the RN route, I’ll sign it right now and hand it over, wishing you nothing but the best of luck. But…”

He opens a drawer and pulls out a second sheet of paper. This one he doesn’t hand over just yet. Not until I finally work up the nerve to meet his eyes.

“But I’m hoping that you’re strong enough—strong enough to be honest with yourself—to go after what you really want.”

For a moment, I can’t breathe. This is not what I expected when I walked in here today. But I’d be lying if I said this hasn’t been at the forefront of my mind.

Ever since Dominic and I had the doctorate conversation, I’ve been thinking about what I’d need to do to go after the career I really want. Not the career that I’ve been letting myself settle for, but the one where my true passion lies.

The kind that…might let me assist in finding a cure for my mom’s disease.

Even though I know that everything I’ve done in my life has been for my family, somewhere along the way, I forgot that I could help them with more than just a paycheck. Honoring my mom by finding a career that I love would make her happy. And if that passion also helps her disease on top of that? I shouldn’t have any kind of hesitation over this decision.

Medical school would extend my education years and add on more loans than I want to think about, but it would be worth it.

The clarity hits me so hard, I recoil in my seat. I lean back, my eyes wide as I stare at my professor.

He smiles, something like relief shining in his eyes. “I think I just got my answer,” he says.

I think I just got my answer, I think to myself. Because I’ve never been more sure of a decision as I am right now.

I can make this work. I can take the risk, and make the sacrifices, and ask for help, all so I can do this incredible thing that I never let myself want. I can do this.

I glance down at the paper in my professor’s hand, watching in shock and amazement as he signs it. When he hands it to me, I take it without another thought.

“When you’re ready, come talk to me about medical school applications. I’ll help you through the process so it doesn’t feel so overwhelming.”

I have to blink back my tears as I nod, but I still force myself to say, “Thank you. This… This means everything to me. Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me, Skylar,” he says with a kind smile. “You deserve every bit of success that comes your way. You just have to believe you’re worth it.”

And…I think I finally do.

39

SKYLAR

My professor’s words stick with me the entire way back to the gym. But it isn’t until I’m splayed out on Dominic’s desk a half hour later that the thoughts take a backseat. And for good reason.

“That’s it, baby, come all over my hand for me,” Dominic growls, his thumb on my clit and his fingers driving inside me.

My lips pop open, my gasp loud in the office. When my orgasm hits, my whole body shudders with the force of the pleasure.

I haven’t even begun to catch my breath when Dominic pushes his shorts over his hips and impales me on his cock.

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