Page 14 of My Forbidden Professor

My gaze skips to his and I fall into twin pools of vivid blue. There has to be an ocean that color. That wasn’t what I expected him to say. Then again, most of what he says to me is unexpected. “I…don’t understand.”

“I’m happy to work with you to satisfy the group work component of the assignment.”

“That’s absurd.” I try to ignore the thrill that races through me at the thought of hours spent working together. Dangerous and far too tempting. “You’re a teacher. My teacher. I’m sure there’s a code of ethics that prohibits you from working on an assignment with a student.”

The accusations would fly. Especially when they find out I’m really the daughter of a billionaire mogul. I want to make it on my own two feet.

I want people to see I’m more than the money my father has made.

“Not if we publish a dissertation,” he says.

“It’s not a dissertation. It’s an undergraduate assignment,” I say. My heart rate picks up as adrenaline courses through me. There’s no way I can possibly do this. No way I’m ready for something of this magnitude. I’m an undergrad. A run of the mill business student.

Jacob steps close enough that his body heat sinks through my sweatshirt. My head tips back and I peer up at his eyes. Navy lines striate from his pupils, adding depth to the brilliant blue.

“Now that I have your attention again, an undergraduate assignment can serve as the foundation for a dissertation, especially since what I’ve read from you so far is high enough quality and the points you’re submitting are original with depth and potential for further research. You have to admit, the amount of work you’re turning in so far is because of that. The level at which you’re conducting your research is more graduate than undergrad. We can easily expand what you’ve started into a dissertation,” he says, and lifts a brow. “Usually an undergrad project requires finding a graduate advisor who can see the potential. I am. And I do.”

I step back because the temptation to close the distance between us and meld to his body is overwhelming. “I…”

He lifts his hands as though to touch me, but they drop back to his sides when I stiffen and glance at the still open door. Anyone could walk in here and see us. “Of course, I would have the honor of having my name co-published with yours.”

My hand tightens on the strap of my backpack and I swing my attention back to him. He’s serious. One hundred percent serious.

The ball of barbed wire spins from my stomach to my head, gouging the inside with words and memories that have followed me throughout my life. Poor little rich girl. Doesn’t matter what you do or how hard you work, you really don’t have to. Your father is wealthier than God. You have it so easy.

Yeah, so easy no one can see past the dollars.

Until him.

Until he finds out who I really am, that is. When he does, everything will change. I’m not deluded enough to know that it won’t. Those dollar bills will form a harder and more insurmountable wall than any other substance known to man.

For a second, I let my fantasy run through my head. That my accomplishments will be seen as mine alone and nothing to do with the Chandler name. I know better. “Thank you, Jacob. But…”

“Not only would you leave this university with your undergraduate degree, but also a published dissertation. This will also be good for my career.” He pins me with a stare I can’t pull away from. A stare that drills into me and rips open the place I keep that fantasy buried deep. “But it would launch yours.”

How does he know to say that? How does he know the very thing I want?

To be seen as more than the Chandler name. Beyond Blue Sky. To stand in my own light.

I stare at him. Waiting for a punch line that doesn’t come. He simply waits, locking me within a gaze that pulls me in, in, in.

My head spins. I can have what I want. Just for a period of time, this fantasy can be a reality. I can ignore how bad of an idea this actually is. Just as bad as kissing him was.

But I’m not going into this blind. I know exactly what I’ll be signing up for and, for a time, I’ll let myself buy into my fantasy.

To experience it like it could be real.

I know better, but the dangling carrot entices.

Too tempting.

I reach up and take a bite of poisoned orange enticement. “Okay.”

Chapter Seven

Jacob

As I push open the door and step into CampusBite Café from the bustling street outside, the first thing that hits me is the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the subtle sweetness of baked goods. The atmosphere instantly envelops me, a warm embrace compared to the brisk air outside. A few students sit in booths, their faces awash with the light from their laptops. The occasional whir of a coffee machine sounds.

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