Page 3 of Professor's Forbidden Temptation

Seems like we’re getting straight to business, then. I was hoping for a little more flirting. He’s a professional, though. This is to be expected.

“Well,” I say, drumming my fingers on my thighs, “I’ve been thinking about The Clergyman’s Daughter or Keep the Aspidistra Flying.”

I don’t tell him I’ve already read the book. I outlined half of my review yesterday after I left the classroom.

He hums thoughtfully, leaning in closer to me. “I think you’ll connect with The Clergyman’s Daughter more, but I’m far more interested in your thoughts on Keep the Aspidistra Flying.”

“If you’re more interested, I think that’s the book I’ll choose,” I say, expecting him to draw this talk out more.

To my surprise, he says, “Then it’s decided. I look forward to approving your selection on Friday.”

“And I look forward to giving it to you,” I say as I start to get up.

“Leaving so soon?” he asks, tilting his head curiously. Something in his gaze makes me warm under the collar. Then, something flashes across his face so quickly that I’m unable to read it. “Don’t let me keep you if you have somewhere else to be.”

“I don’t have another class for a few hours,” I assure him, fidgeting with the sleeve of my cardigan. “But I don’t want to keep you from any work you might have.”

“I won’t get busy with work for another couple of weeks,” he says with a wave of his hand as he leans back in his chair. “Office hours are boring right now. Not to mention lonely.”

“Then I’m happy to keep you company,” I say, eagerly relaxing into the cushions.

“So, you’re graduating next semester,” he muses as he watches me with interest. “What are your plans?”

“I’ve been thinking about grad school,” I say, crossing my legs. They’re smooth and freshly-shaven; does he want to touch them as much as I want him to? “My GRE scores are competitive, and I’ve already applied to a couple of programs.”

“Do you think you’re going to start dating once you get into graduate school?”

“Maybe if I have the time,” I say coyly. “But I’m not hopeful I’ll meet anyone who keeps my interest.”

“You don’t think anyone in a graduate program will live up to your standards?” he asks, smirking at the way I squirm at his question.

The truth is, I don’t think anyone will catch my attention the same way Professor Flemming – no, Cooper – does. I didn’t consider my standards high before, but now that I’ve met him, I’m always going to compare other men to him. That isn’t something I can just tell him, though.

“Like I said yesterday, I want someone who can hold a conversation with me,” I say finally. My eyes lock with his. “Somebody smart. Sophisticated. A real man.”

Cooper hums, standing from his chair and walking around his desk. He leans against the oak, crossing his arms over his chest and looking down at me. After a moment he says, “A man like me, you mean?”

Time stops, and I feel like we’re on the precipice of something. Breathlessly, I say, “Yes.”

The world moves in slow motion as he closes the gap between us. His big, surprisingly soft hand cups my cheek and he angles my face up. He stops, his eyes searching my face for any signs of rejection. When he doesn’t find any, he presses his lips against mine.

I inhale sharply through my nose before responding eagerly. I’ve kissed other people before, but it’s always been chaste, never progressing past a gentle slide of lips.

This is different. Everything about him is different.

His mouth is insistent against mine, his tongue pressing against the seam of my lips. I grant him entry, gasping at the intensity of our kiss. It’s filthy and heavenly. I think I could get addicted to this.

Cooper’s hand slides down my neck, his fingertips caressing my tender skin. He touches me reverently, making me feel a pleasant warmth I’ve never experienced before. It’s like a fire has been lit within me. I want more. I’m ravenous for it.

My consciousness wakes up to what’s happening here, and I reach up, threading my fingers through his soft hair. He hums into the kiss, and I feel the edges of his mouth curl upward. As his hands start drifting further down my body, I’m sure things are about to progress even further into uncharted territory for me. I’m about to lose my virginity to my professor, and that idea makes my panties damp.

Before anything else happens, there’s a knock at his door, causing him to pull away. The sigh that comes out of him is defeated, and he looks at me apologetically. As I’m looking up at him with my eyes wide and my chest heaving, he tucks a strand of my ginger hair behind my ear.

“Sorry,” he whispers as he steps away. Then, loud enough that the person on the other side of the door can hear, he says, “Come in.”

Dr. Weiss, the head of the English department, opens the door. She looks between the two of us, arching one of her stern brows. “Am I interrupting something?” she asks, her faint German accent only enhancing the coldness in her voice.

“Not at all, Elizabeth,” Cooper says, looking at her with an undaunted smile. “Did you need something?”

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