Page 27 of Hot Professor (Tainted Professors)

I take her hands in mine. “Sometimes,”I confess, “you find something—or someone—that makes you reconsider what you're willing to risk.”I stare into her eyes, hoping she understands the depth of my words.

“Even if it could cost you everything you’ve worked so hard for?”There's a tremor in her voice.

“Especially then.”Because what's life without a little gamble on something real? “Come on, let's walk.”

We stroll in silence, our fingers intertwined. I'm desperate to do more than hold her hand—hell, I want to pull her against me and promise her forever in between kisses. But I can't stampede into her life; I need to be the guy who walks beside her, showing her the paths, not pushing her down them. I'm old enough tounderstand that, even if it means she doesn't want to go down any path with me.

“Harrison,”she whispers, her voice catching the night breeze, “why are you doing all this?”She circles her free hand in the air in front of us. “Me, today, the times we've been together. There are so many other women you can have, better women, women your age, with more experience.”

“Because I like you, Ivy. I like you a lot. And it's not about sex, though that's fantastic. I see how your eyes light up when you discover something new.”I remember those days and living them again through her eyes excites me.

“Even if it could jeopardize your career?”She stops walking and turns to look up at me. On the street behind us, cars pass by, and a few buildings down, two people shout at each other.

“Let me worry about that, Ivy.”

“Ican't. I would never forgive myself if that happened.”

“It won't.”I'm impressed with her sense of respect and selflessness for somebody so young. That woman last year didn't give a fuck about me or my career when she lied to me. She boasted about our night together without caring about the consequences. Ivy's not like that. Ivy's more worried about me than herself.

“You don't know that.”

“Life's about taking chances, Ivy. Calculated ones. I wouldn't have started a relationship with you if I didn't think it was worth it.”

There's conviction in my tone that I hope it conveys more than my words because now that I know how I feel about Ivy Kendrick, and how I think she feels about me, I have no intention of letting her walk out of my life without a fight.

Chapter 13

Ivy

Istuff the letter I wrote last night into my bag, feeling its weight like a lead secret. I can't do it anymore—being here, breathing the same air as Harrison, going about my days like I haven't fallen head over heels in love with my professor. It's shredding my insides, leaving me raw and exposed. Harrison can lose his job, if we’re exposed, and I can be kicked out of school.My parents won’t understand, but they’ll certainly be disappointed in me

The halls are buzzing with life as we near the Thanksgiving holiday break, and everyone is excited about heading home in a few days. I'm facing it with mixed emotions because I've decided to go back to Ohio. It will be nice to see Mom and Dad, but I'll go home knowing I've left Harrison behind, confused about my sudden departure. And I'll be leaving New York behind for good.

I shoulder through the throng of students, each step a heavy drumbeat marching me closer to a decision I never thought I'd make—leave school, leave him.

Not long ago, I was wildly excited about my adventure in New York. I was finally spreading my wings. Getting out of a small town to live the big-city life. I'd meet so many interesting people, see the sights, learn great things. Life in a city the size ofNew York seemed scary but something I'd been looking forward to and planned for years.

“Hey, Ivy,”someone calls out, but I don't look back. For the first time, I sit in the back row during class. For the first time, I'm the first to exist the room rather than the last. Today, I needed to escape before Harrison called to me. Before, he urged me to remember the fabulous day in Central Park. That afternoon, while we were at the zoo, watching the penguins being fed, I realized I loved him. I was scared, though. When we talked after he took me home, he had me believing we could make it work.

Since then, we've visited Times Square, The Met, and Ellis Island. Each weekend has been filled with Harrison showing me the sights during the day and telling me how much I mean to him at night. After seeing the Statue of Liberty, we had dinner at a lovely restaurant, where he took my hand and softly rubbed his thumb back and forth over my knuckles, then asked me what my plans were for the holidays.

Atthatmoment, I realized I needed to end things.

I've been playing with fire, dancing with danger in the shape of Professor Harrison Ashe.

During my walk to the administration building, the campus grounds are a blur of colors. It's the kind of day that usually makes me feel like anything's possible, but today, possibility feels like a trap—one where every exit leads straight back to him.

As I approach the dean's office, my heart is racing, and my palms are sweating. The receptionist is nowhere to be found, adding to my sense of unease. I pull the envelope from my bag, feeling the significance of its contents in my hands. Funny how a single page of paper can feel like the weight of the world. A nagging feeling of doubt creeps into my mind, but I shove it back. Regardless of how difficult, being the adult I claim to be, this decision is the right one to make. I can cry about it later.

“Ms. Kendrick?”

My head snaps up surprised he knows me by name. “Dean Martens.”

“Were you looking for me?”His eyebrow quirks up, his glasses slipping down his nose as he glances at the envelope in my hands.

“Um, yes, sir. I wanted to give you this.”My hand trembles as I hold it out to him.

The dean takes the envelope, opens it, skims the letter, and then glances at me. “You're leaving us?”

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