Page 39 of My Forbidden Professor

“Lucky I don’t need any of that when I have the good word you’re going to be putting in for me,” he says.

“You can’t do the job, Daniel,” I snap.

His gaze flicks to somewhere behind me. “Then I’ll just have to give you a little taste of reality to help you work out a way.”

My blood goes cold. “What do you mean?”

“Steph. You mentioned the word pee and then we realized we can’t possibly go shopping on a full bladder,” Maddy calls over the crowd.

I turn to see Lily and Maddy approaching. I spin back to see the empty space where Daniel once was and the gentlemen’s bathroom door closing.

“Was that Daniel Adam?” Lily says. She’d know him. She’s been coming to Blue Sky with Tristan on a regular basis.

“Yeah. He had to tell me something. Not urgent. Just a wedding-y thing they’re doing at work for Dad.” I add, when a frown creases her brow.

She pins me with a direct stare. “He looked kind of serious. I know it’s none of my business but…”

“But what?” Maddy says.

Lily seems to choose her words carefully. “The guy isn’t as professional as others at Blue Sky…you’d tell me if anything was wrong. Wouldn’t you?”

She’s far too perceptive for her own good. And mine. I avert my face and wind my arm about her waist so she can’t see my expression. “Of course I would. Now, shall we get to the bathroom? We have shopping to do!”

I swallow hard against the roiling nausea in my gut, because one thing is abhorrently clear—I’ve severely underestimated just how far Daniel is willing to go to get what he wants from me. And now I’m left teetering on the precipice of a grim reckoning, his ultimatum hanging over my head like the blade of a guillotine.

Do what he asks, betraying everything I believe in to pave his way into a life he doesn’t deserve. Or refuse, and face the consequences of his retaliation against me, suffering through whatever torment he deems “motivating” enough to bend me to his will.

Neither option is acceptable, which means I’m officially out of options.

Chapter Seventeen

Jacob

It’s been a week since I’ve held her in my arms. Seven long days filled with things I’ve worked on auto pilot to accomplish. I click off the link to student marks and reports I’ve updated. Stack the pile of student assignments I’ve commented on and graded to the side of my desk. Check my inbox for the hundredth time. There are no new messages from colleagues, students or friends. Even Marcus has been quiet with no more demands from me at this stage. There’s nothing else for me to do. I’m caught up.

At a complete loss.

Time has warped, elongated and slowed. Seconds are minutes and minutes are hours. I’ve lived a month instead of a week. All because I haven’t been able to see her. Touch her. Kiss her. Make love to her. My bed is as empty as my days and I fucking hate every moment she hasn’t been with me.

Logically I know she’s at her father’s wedding. I know there was no way I could have gone with her. I’ve been so careful to avoid anyone knowing about us because I don’t want her to leave this university with a reputation, or have anyone think that her results are anything other than what she’s personally achieved. I will not have her name tarnished because I can’t keep my thoughts, hands and every other body part away from her.

But my head and my heart are two different things.

I want so much more than what we have. It killed me to decline her suggestion of building a business together. I meant what I said when I told her that her business idea will work. If I was in any other position, I would have taken her offer. Seen the year out so she can gain her degree. Given my resignation with plenty of time for the college to hire a replacement.

As a start.

I want so much more from her.

So much more I’ll never have. After this semester is over, I won’t see her again. The only way out for me is if Marcus resigns and that will be years off. There’s no reason for him to leave when there’s so much money to be stolen. When I’m here at his mercy and funneling money for him. He’s making millions and he doesn’t have to lift a finger. Pretty good gig if you can get it. My dirty little secret I want her to have nothing to do with.

My computer pings with a notification and I realize I’ve been staring out the window, unseeing of the sunny day and students strolling across the gardens outside. I shift my chair, wiggle my mouse, the screen wakes up and the small task steals my attention when I book a first-year student into my burgeoning schedule. One more minute has passed.

I glance at the clock, seeing it tick to one in the afternoon. I’ve been awake since five this morning. Jogged until seven. Lectured from ten until twelve and have been in my office ever since. I’m not hungry but I guess I should eat. I haven’t eaten breakfast yet.

I check my cell for her messages, my heart rate picking up. Nothing new since ten minutes ago when I last checked. I should eat. I calculate walking to the cafeteria, eating and walking back to my office will fill in forty minutes. Give or take. I close my computer and ignore the empty hole waking up inside of me.

How will I cope when she leaves for good?

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