Page 21 of Perfect Professor

The class dragged on, the tension and longing between them building with every moment. More than once, Adrianna thought she saw Mickey’s eyes darken with desire as he looked at her. She leaned forward, craving his proximity.

When the class ended, Adrianna lingered as the other students filed out. Mickey came around from behind, raking a hand through his hair.

“We can’t keep doing this,” he said.

“I know,” Adrianna whispered. She took a step towards him, drawn by a magnetic force she was powerless to resist.

“I think it’s best if we avoid being alone together from now on,” he said.

Adrianna blinked back the sting of tears. She understood why this was necessary, but it still felt like rejection. Nodding, she gathered her things and left the classroom.

As Adrianna walked across the quad, her thoughts were in turmoil. She didn’t know how she was going to move past her feelings for Mickey, but she had to find a way. Even if it broke her heart, she couldn’t pursue a relationship. All she wanted was for the ache in her chest to fade, and for the memory of his kiss to stop haunting her.

Little did she know Mickey was grappling with the same anguish, the taste of her still lingering on his lips as he wondered if he had the strength to stay away from her. Their story was far from over.

14

Rain pounded on Adrianna’s windshield like tiny furious fists as she made her way down the street towards Professor Hank’s house. Her heart raced with each turn of the wheel, a tumult of emotions churning within her.

This was reckless, knew that if anyone found out...But she couldn’t help herself. She was drawn to him like a moth to a flame, the pull between them too powerful to resist.

When she reached his house, she sat in her car for a long moment, watching the rain slide down the foggy glass and taking a few steadying breaths. You can still turn back, a small voice whispered in the back of her mind. She ignored it.

Adrianna stepped out of the car and walked up the path to his front door, rain plastering her clothes to her body. By the time she reached the door, she was soaked through, but it did nothing to dampen the fire burning inside her.

She knocked, the sound muffled by the rain. When Mickey opened the door, she met his gaze, desire and longing etched into every line of her face.

For a long moment, they just stared at each other, tension crackling between them like electricity. Then she stepped forward, closing the distance until only a breath separated their lips.

“I can’t stay away from you,” she whispered, her voice husky with emotion. “I don’t want to pretend anymore.”

Mickey’s eyes darkened, his restraint visibly fraying. “Adrianna...” Her name was a warning and a plea all at once.

She placed her hands on his chest, feeling his heart pounding beneath her palms. “Tell me you don’t feel the same,” she dared him, “and I’ll walk away right now. I’ll transfer classes, and you’ll never see me again.”

He stared down at her, torment and longing warring on his face. Then he let out a soft groan and pulled her into his arms, claiming her mouth in a searing kiss that stole her breath away. Adrianna melted into him, desire flooding through her veins like liquid fire.

At last, she had him where she wanted him. And now that she did, she had no intention of letting go.

Mickey broke the kiss with obvious reluctance, his chest heaving. “This is wrong,” he rasped. “I could lose my job, my career...”

Adrianna traced the lines of his face, desire and tenderness warring within her. “No one has to know. We can be discreet.” She pressed closer, feeling the hardness of his arousal against her belly and fighting back a triumphant smile. She had him, and they both knew it.

Mickey closed his eyes, anguish etching deep lines on his forehead. “Adrianna, you’re my student,” he said. “We can’t do this.”

She kissed the corner of his mouth, a feather-light caress that made him shiver. “I won’t be your student forever,” she whispered against his skin. “We both know this is bigger than that.”

He was weakening; she could feel it. Reaching up, she threaded her fingers through his hair and tilted his head down for another scorching kiss. A groan rumbled in his chest as his arms tightened around her. And she knew she had won.

When the kiss ended, Mickey rested his forehead against hers, his eyes still closed. “If we do this,” he said, “no one can ever know. No one.”

Triumph raced through Adrianna’s veins, though she kept her expression somber. “I understand,” she said. “And I agree completely.”

Mickey opened his eyes, desire and torment swirling in their depths. “I shouldn’t be doing this,” he rasped one last time.

Adrianna just smiled and pulled his head down to hers again.

She had gotten what she wanted at last. And from now on, Mickey Hanks belonged to her.

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