Page 30 of Forbidden Heroes

The Professor’s Bought Bride

I’m torn between what I want and what I need.

What I need is money. I'll do anything to stay in school, so when hard times hit a friend offers a few questionable options that can put fast cash in my hands. I can either shimmy my sweet curves on stage or take it high-class and auction myself off to the highest bidder.

What I want is him. Dominant, powerful and utterly off-limits Professor Blackthorne. Losing my V card to my irresistible, dark-eyed professor checks all the boxes for me because when I look into his troubled, haunted eyes I forget every reason why I shouldn't want him.

But when my wishes land me in the private suite of a mysterious masked, dark-eyed stranger, I get more than I bargain for and can only hold on for the ride when my desires become everything I ever wanted.

Author's naughty note: Sweet and filthy down to the last word! We're talking slightly over-the-top, forbidden romance with a touch of insta-love that's extra dirty and sweet. If that's your jam, you're going to love this one! As always this is safe with a HEA & NO CHEATING!

One

Rosalee

When the world you know is about to change you feel it.

Or at least I can.

But I didn’t see this coming. Not in a million years. And never intended to be where I am right now. I don’t want to be some dropout who will only dream about what I could have been. I don’t want to be known as the has-been wannabe either. The fear of being either of those things is what drove me from my warm bed this morning. That and the fear of starving—or worse, letting my family down.

My stomach grumbles from the decadent scent of all the doughy delicacies being laid out in tall glass cases along the front of the bakery a block from campus. Whoever worked the floorplans for this place knows a thing or two about location and demand. Tease sleep-deprived college kids cramming for exams with bubbly apple pie and caffeine and one might as well own a gold mine.

Everything from paper-wrapped blueberry muffins to macaroons and éclairs lines the front windows, while their arousing aroma of coffee seduces people from over a half a block away. I take one more lingering glance back at the freshly baked pink frosted donuts. I love pink anything but especially if it’s pink frosted. Next time, I tell myself one more time like I’ve repeated every day for the last week.

What I earn goes back to my mother to care for my ailing father while my twin brothers are on deployment. Right now I’m counting every penny that crosses my palms and dishing out just enough for my bare necessities, which doesn’t include pink frosted doughnuts. I help out the owner of the bakery when they need an extra hand, scoring me a few bucks and the occasional half-off coffee. It’s my only indulgence so I try not to self-judge.

I’m a workaholic and study-aholic by nature, pursuing my bachelor’s in psychology and working my way toward my master’s with a dream of going all the way to getting my Ph.D. and set up my own practice.

Maybe. It all seems like a galaxy away from the realm of possibilities.

Before I can think about any kind of future beyond this month, hell more like right this minute, I have to come up with four grand or I’ll be dropped and forced into quitting until I have the funds necessary to complete my required courses. My partial scholarship only covers so much, and the odd jobs I’ve landed so far are not cutting it.

From where I’m sitting it might as well be forty thousand.

When I received my acceptance letter, I was over the moon and didn’t hesitate at the price tag. My father was particularly proud to see me follow my dreams, and I still can’t think of that day and the way he hugged me without tearing up. To quit and walk through my parents’ door again would likely tear my father’s heart out, and I can’t do that to him, or myself. Not yet. Not until I’ve tried every last avenue available.

Like everyone about to set out in life with no real experience in the real world, I had goals and fantasies about what I wanted my life to look like. But it’s crazy to think about how fast life can change.

It almost seems like someone snapped their fingers and, in a blink, everything morphed into the nightmare I’m currently living. One day my father was in his prime and worked six days out of the week in a local factory while my mother enjoyed her closing days as a homeschool teacher to me and my brothers.

My phone rings and I dig it out of my bag. My heart thumps a little harder at seeing my parent’s number on the screen.

“Hey, momma. How’s daddy? Are you okay?”

I hold my breath almost afraid to ask.

Her long sigh tells me everything. “He’s same as always, baby girl.”

Which meant his depression was still going full force which meant I needed to step it up. The pressure was on with bills from home needing paid and the tuition looming over my head.

“I just wanted to let you know your brothers called and they’re doin’ fine. I know you’re always worryin’.”

Guilty. “It’s only fair. You spent my whole life worrying about me and the boys.”

“Enough of that. I love you. You have a good day, my sweet girl.”

Easier said than done. We hang up but I can’t let go of the sad note to my momma’s voice. It’s not bubbly and as lively as it once was and my heart breaks a little bit more.

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